It’s hard to control the cost of some monthly bills and expenses. Other than telling my kids, “Shut the front door! We are not paying to heat the outdoors!”, there’s not much I can do to lower the price of the heating bill in the winter. And while I can’t totally control the grocery prices, this is one area of the budget that I feel like I have a little more control over and I like to find ways to keep the grocery bill as low as I can each week. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have learned about how to save money on groceries.
One of the easiest and most helpful ways to save on your grocery budget is to make a list of the items you need (and stick to it when you are in the store). When I make my weekly menu plan, I make a list of all the ingredients I need to make those recipes. I double check the items I have in my fridge and pantry to make sure I don’t buy something I already have on hand.
I use a grocery list app that has made my life so much easier. I can add items to it whenever I think of them and there’s no more forgetting the grocery list at home because I always have my phone with me. The app is called Grocery IQ and here are a few things I love about it:
- All of your items are sorted by each section or aisle in the store. Dairy, produce, meats, canned goods, etc. You just enter your items on your list and the app automatically sorts them for you.
- As you are shopping in the store and putting items into your cart, you can “cross the item off your list”. You just check the little box next to the item and it moves it down into the “purchased” section.
- You can have lists for as many stores as you want. I currently have lists for 3 of my favorite stores that I shop at. I have certain items that I buy at each store and so I can keep each list separate for my weekly shopping trips.
It is very helpful to know the regular non-sale prices on the groceries you buy on a regular basis. That way if an item is on sale at any of the stores you shop at, you will know if it’s a good deal and if you should stock up on it.
Creating a menu plan for your meals will save you both time and money. Not only will you have a list of meals to refer to when you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner, you will also be more likely to make a grocery list and only buy the items you need.
For tips on how to create a menu plan and how it can save you money, check out my posts:
Weekly Menu Planning
How to save money with meal planning
If you have certain items that you use all the time, the best way to buy them is when they are on sale and stock up! Why pay full price if you don’t have to? This works great for toiletries, laundry soap, canned goods, pasta, etc., but if you have an extra freezer then you can stock up on perishable items too. Whenever I see butter on sale for $2.50 or less, I stock up and put it in my freezer. Cheese lasts a long time just in the fridge and whenever our favorite local brand is on sale I buy a few extra blocks. Know your limits though. Don’t go broke buying something just because it’s on sale. You know how often you use something and you will start to learn how often certain items go on sale in your local stores.
I have a funny little story about stocking up. My husband and I had been married a couple of years and I was really getting into using coupons and stocking up on items when they were on sale. The brand of deodorant he uses had gone on sale a few times and I also had coupons for it, so I bought a few extra sticks. Apparently I had done this a few more times than was necessary because he came to me one day and said, “Honey, I know you love me and don’t want me to stink, but do I really need 6 sticks of deodorant?” Haha, I learned that deodorant does actually last a while and I didn’t need to be quite so exuberant when it was on sale.
For more tips on saving on groceries check out my post A few more ways to save on groceries
FAQs
Try these tips to see a difference in your grocery bill—all while eating healthy and getting your favorite foods, too.
- Go into the grocery store with a plan. ...
- Always round grocery prices up. ...
- Shop the sales (and get the extras) ...
- When it comes to pre-prepped food, DIY when you can. ...
- Shop at warehouse stores when it makes sense.
How to decrease grocery bill? ›
11 tips for saving money at the grocery store
- Pay with a grocery rewards card. ...
- Sign up for the loyalty program. ...
- Clip coupons. ...
- Join a wholesale club. ...
- Go in with a list and stick to it. ...
- Buy items on sale. ...
- Avoid pre-packaged items. ...
- Compare prices between stores.
What is the 6 to 1 grocery method? ›
The 6-to-1 grocery method entails buying six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads and one treat. Continue to shop carefully while at the store to get the best deals. Flexibility with your purchases will be a key to making this method a success.
How much should I spend on groceries a week? ›
For a low-cost budget for a family of four, you can plan on spending $245.60 a week or about $1,198.40 a month. Moderate-cost plan. For a moderate budget for a family of four, you would spend $304.00 a week for groceries or $1,317.30 a month.
How to spend $20 a week on food? ›
Cheap Food Shopping — £20 A Week Food Budget
- You'll be surprised how far a £20 a week food budget can stretch. ...
- Use a recipe book or videos. ...
- Plan your meals ahead of time. ...
- Buy own-brand food. ...
- Shop seasonally for fresh fruit and veg. ...
- Buy frozen fruit and vegetables. ...
- Get a supermarket loyalty card. ...
- 1 .
Is going out cheaper than eating at home? ›
Cooking at home is typically cheaper for a single person compared to eating out. Home-cooked meals allow you to purchase ingredients in larger quantities, control portion sizes, and take advantage of leftovers, reducing overall food costs.
How can I cut my grocery bill by 90 percent? ›
There are several ways you can slash your grocery bill by up to 90% — whether it's by shopping at discount stores, planning your meals around sales, using coupons, or buying in bulk. Raise your hand if you feel like your food budget is out of control… like, every.
What is the average grocery bill for 2 people? ›
Average grocery cost per month for 2 people in a household
The average grocery costs for a two-person household across the Thrifty to Liberal plans range from $476.92 to $868.66: Male and female living together: $514.09 to $819.26. Two adult females: $476.92 to $769.86.
What foods stretch your budget? ›
Here's a shopping list of 21 healthy but relatively cheap foods that you may want to consider putting in your shopping cart.
- Apples.
- Bananas.
- Beans.
- Brown rice.
- Chicken.
- Corn tortillas.
- Eggs.
- Flour.
What is a 5 4 3 2 1 grocery list? ›
Each number corresponds to a specific food group that you'll purchase for easy, balanced meals every week. Following Coleman's method, you'd buy five different vegetables, four different fruits, three different proteins, two different sauces or spreads, and one grain—plus a special treat for yourself.
The 6-to-1 Grocery Method is a basic calculation (we're talking elementary-level math, basically counting), to plan your weekly grocery shop. Here's the system: Fill your grocery cart with six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one "fun" item for yourself.
How to simplify grocery shopping? ›
How to Grocery Shop Efficiently: Tips to Simplify Your Routine and Save More
- Plan Your Trip. ...
- Create an Effective Shopping List. ...
- Meal Planning and Budgeting. ...
- Smart Use of Reusable Shopping Bags. ...
- Organize Your Bags. ...
- Take Advantage of Store Layout. ...
- Check Store Flyers and Apps. ...
- Self-Checkout.
What is a realistic grocery budget for 4 people? ›
This includes purchasing items from your local grocery store or supermarket. On average, a family of four can expect to spend anywhere between $500 to $1,000 per month on groceries, depending on factors such as dietary choices, quality of ingredients, and location.
What is a good monthly budget for food? ›
According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.
How to make a cheap grocery list? ›
How to Save on Weekly Groceries
- Shop your fridge, pantry, and freezer first. ...
- Keep versatile basics in the pantry. ...
- Maximize freezer space. ...
- Make a meal plan. ...
- Buy the ingredients you use the most in bulk, but ONLY if they're non-perishable or have a long shelf life. ...
- Repurpose your leftovers.
What are some food saver tips? ›
To check for freshness place in a bowl of cold water: fresh eggs will sink, if it floats don't eat it! reezing food near its use by date is a great way to save food. Cook from the freezer at least once a week and use up frozen food within six months. et creative with leftovers and food that needs using up.
What are the five keys to save food? ›
Five keys to safer food manual
- keep clean;
- separate raw and cooked;
- cook thoroughly;
- keep food at safe temperatures; and.
- use safe water and raw materials.
How to save money to buy food? ›
8 ways to actually save money on food this year
- Plan your meals. ...
- Write a shopping list. ...
- Don't go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. ...
- Find recipes that are similar to your favourite takeaway that are still quick to cook. ...
- Consider having more vegetarian meals. ...
- Give yourself “treat days” ...
- Shop the specials.
What are 3 ways to save money when you do decide to spend? ›
Find ways to cut spending
- Search for free activities. Use resources, such as community event listings, to find free or low-cost entertainment.
- Review recurring charges. ...
- Examine the cost of eating out vs. cooking at home. ...
- Wait before you buy.