Groceries are one of the biggest recurring expenses for most households—but they don’t have to break the bank. With some planning and a few smart habits, you can cut costs while still enjoying healthy, delicious meals.
Here are seven proven strategies to save money on groceries—plus how much you could save each year.
1. Plan Your Meals Before You Shop
Heading to the store without a plan is one of the fastest ways to overspend. When you don’t know what you’ll cook for the week, you’re more likely to toss random items in the cart, buy duplicates of things you already have, or grab last-minute takeout when nothing seems to “go together.”
A smarter approach is to start by looking at what’s already in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Build your weekly meal plan around those items so nothing goes to waste. For example, if you already have pasta and canned tomatoes, plan one night’s dinner as spaghetti. From there, make a detailed shopping list for just the items you need to complete your meals.
Another bonus? Meal planning saves time during the week because you’ll always know what’s for dinner. No more standing in front of the fridge wondering what to make at 6 p.m.
💰 Potential Savings: The average household wastes $30–$40 of food each month—simply from letting it expire. By planning ahead, you could save $400–$500 per year, all while cutting food waste dramatically.
2. Shop Sales and Use Store Loyalty Programs
Most grocery stores run weekly sales on rotating categories—produce one week, meat the next, pantry staples after that. If you’re flexible, you can base your weekly meals on whatever’s discounted. For instance, if chicken breasts are half off, buy extra, cook some this week, and freeze the rest for later.
Loyalty programs are another easy win. They often include exclusive digital coupons, cash-back rewards, or fuel discounts. Many stores even tailor coupons to your buying habits—meaning you’ll save on the things you already purchase regularly.
The trick is to combine sales with loyalty perks. A pack of pasta might be $1.50 full price, but $1.00 with a sale, and just $0.80 if you also have a digital coupon. Multiply those little wins across a full cart, and the savings add up quickly.
💰 Potential Savings: Families who shop sales and stack loyalty rewards typically save $15–$30 per week. That’s $750–$1,500 annually—enough to cover a few months’ worth of groceries.
3. Buy in Bulk (But Only for What You’ll Use)
Bulk buying can be a powerful money-saver, but only if done strategically. Staples like rice, beans, oats, pasta, and flour often cost 20–40% less when purchased in large bags or containers. Even frozen fruits and vegetables are often cheaper in bulk and store well for months.
The key is to buy bulk only for items you use consistently. A 20-pound bag of rice is a great deal if your family eats rice several times a week—but it’s wasteful if it sits in the pantry for years. For perishable items, think freezer storage. Buying a large family pack of chicken, dividing it into meal-sized portions, and freezing it can save money and reduce last-minute dinner stress.
Another bonus: bulk items mean fewer shopping trips. That saves gas money and reduces the temptation to pick up extra snacks or unnecessary items when you “just stop in for one thing.”
💰 Potential Savings: Switching to bulk for pantry staples and select perishables could save your household $200–$400 per year, depending on your eating habits.
4. Choose Store Brands Over Name Brands
Brand loyalty can be expensive. In many cases, store brands (also called private labels) are made in the same facilities as national brands but sold for much less. For example, a can of name-brand black beans might cost $1.29, while the store-brand equivalent is only $0.79.
The quality is usually just as good—sometimes better. Store brands have improved significantly in recent years, with many offering organic, gluten-free, or premium lines. Items like canned goods, dairy products, frozen vegetables, and pantry basics are especially good candidates for swapping.
You don’t have to switch everything at once. Try replacing a few items each week and see if your family notices a difference. Chances are, they won’t—and your grocery bill will shrink.
💰 Potential Savings: Store-brand products are typically 25–30% cheaper. Swapping just 10 items per trip could save $15–$20 weekly, or $800–$1,000 annually.
5. Use a Calculator as You Shop
It’s easy to underestimate how quickly small items add up in your cart. Using your phone’s calculator—or even a piece of paper and pen—to track your spending as you shop can help you stick to your budget.
One simple trick is to round up prices. If something costs $2.79, enter it as $3.00. This gives you a buffer for tax and avoids unpleasant surprises at checkout. For those who want a more high-tech option, some grocery store apps let you scan items as you go, giving you a running total.
This method makes you more mindful about each purchase. Do you really want that $5 snack if it means pushing your total over budget? For many shoppers, simply seeing the numbers add up helps curb overspending.
💰 Potential Savings: People who track their total as they shop spend 10–15% less. On a $150 weekly grocery trip, that’s $15–$20 saved each time, or $750–$1,000 annually.
6. Don’t Shop Hungry
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the easiest ways to overspend. Shopping on an empty stomach makes every snack, bakery item, and ready-to-eat meal look irresistible. Grocery stores know this, which is why they often place tempting items at the entrance.
Studies have shown that hungry shoppers not only buy more food, but also buy more high-calorie, processed options. By eating a meal or even a quick snack before shopping, you’ll be less likely to toss unplanned items in the cart.
If you find yourself tempted anyway, stick closely to your shopping list. Ask yourself, “Did I plan to buy this, or am I just hungry right now?” That little pause can prevent impulse purchases.
💰 Potential Savings: Avoiding hunger-fueled shopping can save $10–$20 per trip, which adds up to $500–$1,000 annually.
7. Embrace Seasonal and Local Produce
Produce prices swing dramatically depending on the season. Strawberries, for example, might cost $2 per pint in summer but $5 in winter. By choosing seasonal fruits and vegetables, you’ll save money, enjoy better flavor, and often get higher nutritional value.
Buying local produce at farmers’ markets or in the grocery’s seasonal section is usually cheaper than out-of-season imports. Plus, you’re supporting local growers. If you have freezer space, stock up on seasonal deals and freeze extras. Chopped peppers, berries, and leafy greens all freeze well and are perfect for smoothies, soups, and stir-fries.
This approach also encourages variety in your diet. Instead of eating the same produce year-round, you’ll rotate with the seasons—zucchini in summer, squash in fall, citrus in winter, berries in spring.
💰 Potential Savings: Sticking to seasonal produce can cut $20–$30 per month from your grocery bill, or $250–$350 annually.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Start small: pick two or three of these strategies to try first, and layer in more over time. Even modest changes—like switching to store brands and planning meals—can shave hundreds off your annual grocery bill.
✨ Bottom Line: By combining these strategies, the average family can save $2,000–$3,000 every year—enough for a vacation, a chunk off debt, or a healthier savings cushion.
Practically Wealthy 