15 Insanely Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceries

This is not the place you want to hang out to soak in all the great sights and smells from the bakery, deli, and rotisserie chickens. If you weren’t hungry when you arrived, you will be soon. Get what you need and get out of there. For every ten minutes you delay, plan on spending about another $35.

6. Don’t deprive yourself

Work some “flex spend” into your budget. We all want to try new things, and in the Candyland-of-choice known as the grocery store, this can lead to expensive last-minute choices. In my experience, the best way to combat this is not to fight it. Allow yourself a little flexibility—say, a five-dollar allowance or a single impulse item each week. That’s the way to avoid the feeling that you’re drowning in deprivation. You’ll be less likely to go overboard.

7. Make a list

This is almost a given, but making a list is the easiest way to see what you need and estimate how much it should cost. Here’s a pretty clever interactive grocery list template.

8. Pay with cash

The best way to stick to the budget is to go in with a plan and pay with cash. Granted, it is becoming more difficult with so many stores preferring that we pay with plastic. Still, if at all possible, cash is going to keep you on track and on budget. When you go to the store with cash in hand, you know exactly how much you can spend. And when you’ve spent what you came with, that’s it. No room for impulsive unplanned purchases.

9. Avoid impulse buys

Another way to prevent impulse buys is to stay out of the store altogether. Grocery pickup services offered by mainstream retailers like Kroger, Target, and Walmart allow you to order your groceries online and then have them brought out to you while you wait in your vehicle.

• MORE: 8 Ways Online Grocery Shopping Can Actually Help You Save Money

 

10. Sell-buy dates

Items like dairy, meat and even some bagged produce come with sell-by dates. Often as that date nears, stores will slap a discounted price tag on them, but not always.

If you find items that are close to their sell-by date that are not discounted, speak up. Ask for a discount. As long as you plan to use these items soon, there’s no problem at all. Sell-buy dates allow for items to be safe and delicious for at least 7 days past the date.

 

11. Look high and low

Supermarkets and grocery stores regularly place the higher-priced, brand-name items at eye level. Have you ever noticed that? That’s no coincidence. Not a fluke! It’s on purpose, and you’re being set up to behave impulsively.

Here’s how to beat ’em at their own game: Look high and low. Expect to find generic alternatives, lower-priced brands, and other options. Compare prices. Don’t give in to the manipulation.

12. Shop the cheap stores

Dollar stores offer random non-perishable food items and even fresh produce at hugely discounted prices, so stop there first. You may be able to mark some items off your grocery list. Private label stores like Aldi and Trader Joe’s are notorious for their super lower prices on their food products.

13. Snag manager specials

Most supermarkets’ meat and bakery departments feature “Manager Specials.” Can’t find that in your store? Ask! Depending on the season and that particular store’s inventory, you’ll often find discounts as much as 50% off on anything from meat to bread, poultry, fish, and seafood. When you find these super bargains, buy as much as you can use or freeze, provided that stocking up doesn’t bust the budget.

 

14. Ethnic markets

Even if you’re not into exotic cuisine, Asian, Ethiopian, Latin American food markets are harboring some terrific bargains on items you’re regularly buying at a full price elsewhere. It can’t hurt to check them out! You’re sure to find items like rice, flour, fresh poultry, and produce at regular prices in ethnic markets that beat your supermarket by a mile.

• MORE: 23 Ways to Chop Your Grocery Bill

15. Get the app

Your phone is a powerful tool, so download this grocery app. It may be easier than clipping coupons. Ibotta will pay you cash for taking pictures of your grocery store receipts.

Here’s how it works: Before heading to the store, search for items on your grocery shopping list within the Ibotta app. When you get home, snap a photo of your receipt and scan the items’ barcodes, and with that, you’ll get cash back.

Ibotta is free to download HERE. Plus, you’ll get a $5 sign-up bonus after redeeming your first receipt.

 

Question: Given these tips are just a start, what is your favorite way to save money on the food you eat at home? Please share with us in the comments below?

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