Top 10 Grocery Store Savings Tips

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It seems every summer I find myself in the grocery aisle more often and typically it’s for a “quick trip”. Last minute chips and dip, a fruit salad for the BBQ we were invited too, etc. Those quick trips can be very costly, so I’ve compiled a few tips to keep in mind when you run to the grocery store.  If you interested in the power shopping with coupons holds, check out my “Buy It Now Price List” for some inspiration.

10. Don’t drink away your budget. Beverages are costly and it’s just silly to pay for bottled water. Invest in a good water filter for your sink or a filtered pitcher, in the long run you’ll save a lot of money.  Sodas, juices, and yes alcohol have little to no nutritional value and the cost can easily make up 50% of your grocery budget.

9. Plan for leftovers. In my meal planning I schedule in leftover nights. I’ll make a larger batch of a particular ingredient one night and plan a second meal the next night using it.  My family isn’t crazy about identical meals 2 nights in a row, but having Chicken Alfredo one night and Chinese Chicken Salad the next is great and I’ve saved time cooking the chicken all at once.  This is a great way to stretch the cost of meal while also saving you time.

8. Check your receipt. I always double check my receipt before I leave. You’d be surprised how often the prices are wrong or an item was scanned twice. I highly suggest you do this BEFORE you go home, it’s much easier to deal with right then and there.

7. Calculate & Review. Bring a calculator to the store with you and add as you go. Being conscious of what you’re spending as you put items in the cart will help you to cut back. Then once you get to the checkout lane, review your purchases…is there anything you should put back? This is your last chance to cut out any unnecessary items.

6. Shop the perimeter. The perimeters are where you’ll find the fresh produce, bread, milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese, etc.  This should be the main focus of your meal plan and grocery budget. If you start in the middle your money will be spent before you get to the items your family really needs.

5. Stock up. With that said, I want you to be aware and carefully check the price per ounce, bulk isn’t always better.  We do have a costco membership, but I’ve been able to stock up on many items for a fraction of the price at Costco.  Diapers often go on sale at CVS (and other stores) for much lower than you can buy them at Costco for, take this CVS shopping trip as an example.

4. Leave the kids at home. Unless it’s an emergency, I never bring my kids to the grocery store. I’ve tried it, I just can’t focus. Any plan or list I’ve made goes out the window. If at all possible, go alone. You’ll be quicker and you’ll spend less. Your family and your grocery budget will thank you.

3. Use Mint.com or Cash. For years we used the Envelope Budget System and for the past 4 or 5 months we’ve been tracking our spending with Mint.com, my husband Mr. Frugal recently wrote a review on Mint.com (it a completely free service too!)  Just know how much you have allocated each week for groceries is key, but even more important – when it’s gone, it’s gone so shop wisely.

2. Print, Clip, and Load Coupons. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it. Clip those coupons! I never walk out of Safeway or Lucky having saved any less than 60% on my groceries. On average I save 75% and spend $50 a week for a family of 6, it is possible!  If you haven’t used eCoupons – it doesn’t get any simpler than that!  All you have to do is register your club card (Safeway & Kroger affliliates), click the coupons you want and load them to your card.  When you shop – they come off automatically at the cash register for instant savings!  Plus with the TFF Coupon Database – if there is a coupon available, it’ll tell you where to find it!

1. Meal Plan. Planning for anything will save you time and money, especially when it comes to the grocery budget. If you have a plan and stick to it, mysterious products won’t end up in your grocery cart and they won’t have a chance to eat away at your grocery budget.

I’m sure you already know most of these tips, but do you apply them regularly?  I’d love to hear which ones stands out most to as something you’d like to work on.  I’m here to help you Save More, so you can Give More, so you can Live More!

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About Julia

Julia is a follower of Christ, a wife to an amazing man of God, a mom to 4 little ones, and a frugal blogger – in that order. She brings her readers the latest deals in-store and online, helping you to Save More, so you can Give More, so you can Live More! They are a homeschooling family trying to live simply yet abundantly.

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