I first shared these money saving tips back in 2017, but with grocery prices at an all time high, I thought I’d share these ideas again. Because seriously, who wants to pay more for something if they don’t have to?
You’ve made your grocery budget and you are determined to stick to it. And then you walk into the grocery store and it all unravels. Sometimes even the best laid budget plans go awry if you aren’t fully prepared.
Here’s a short list the things I do to try and make sure my budget and my grocery store total match up on each trip:
Study first: Check the weekly circular for the store you’re planning on shopping at. What’s on sale? What items are listed that you have coupons for? Does the store have in-store coupons or an app with additional coupons you can check before you go?
Also, take that list off the fridge where you’ve been jotting down what you’ve run out of and search for coupons and sales for those items specifically.
Plan your menu: Once you’ve seen what’s on sale, make a menu for the week {or two weeks, depending on how you shop}. Then build your shopping list around that menu.
Be sure to account for daily snacks, and all 3 meals as well as drinks for each meal and desserts, too {can’t forget the best part!}.
Shop before you shop: Once you have your weekly menu all planned out, head to the pantry and your freezer and shop there first.
You can also reverse this and build your menu around what you have on hand, but if you like to mix it up weekly or try new menu items, you’ll build your menu in this order and then shop from your pantry.
Make a detailed shopping list, using generics whenever possible: If you skip this step, you are setting yourself up to fail. Big time. Once you’ve done the first 3 steps, you’ll know exactly what you need.
You’ve checked sale items, planned out your entire menu and even checked to see what ingredients you already have on hand. Now you finalize your list.
Don’t deviate from your list, with one BIG exception: Stick to your list. Buy what’s on it and only what’s on it, except when you see a good sale. Let’s say you have grilled chicken on your menu and you get to the store and they have a blowout on pork chops. Time to do some menu rearranging and sub out that chicken.
That works for fruit, too. If you have strawberries as a snack and you get to the store to find strawberries are crazy spendy but they have apples at rock bottom prices, switch out your snack items. But replace, don’t add onto the list.
You know how much food you need, so unless you see a stock-up price on non-perishables, you’ll probably end up wasting food, even if it is on sale!
Shop alone. I know this is easier said than done, but if at all possible, leave the kiddos at home. It’s easier to stick to a list and avoid junk and flashy packaging when their cute little faces aren’t staring up at you.
Shop top and bottom shelves. Grocery stores put all of there most expensive items at eye level. For each item on your list, compare prices on the top and bottom with those on the middle shelves.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry or tired: You’re much more likely to impulse buy when you’re tired and hungry. Fuel up before you go. Even if it means stopping and paying $2.29 for a jelly donut and a hot tea at the Market Basket Cafe before you start your shopping. 😉
And there you have the tips I always use. Are there any tips that you use that I missed? If so, we’d all love to hear about them.
Keep calm and save on,
~Mavis
Cathy says
I would add do not be afraid of marked down meat. If it expires the next day use it up that day or repackage and freeze. I try to shop early mornings so I get a chance at what ever they marked down. Yesterday I got 2 lbs of 85% Hamburg for 1.99 a pound. I made a large batch of meatballs. I used some for dinner and froze the rest.
Katie says
Me too! I always find random but tasty things here that sometimes challenge and stretch my cooking skills!
Julia says
I do this as well!
Suzie says
That’s a great tip. I’ve forgotten to repackage in the past. Also seasoning the meat before you freeze it saves you time.
Susan says
I’m a sucker for the reduced produce. rack (at Market Basket). Of course, it’s hit or miss and you have to be really careful about getting bad stuff, but if I find something interesting, I’ll plan to make it for dinner asap. Last week, I got a ton of gorgeous mushrooms for a couple bucks and 2 medium heads of broccoli for $.89. I made a yummy stroganoff last night with steamed broccoli. I know reduced produce isn’t for everyone, but I strangely enjoy the anticipation and challenge (I need a life!).
Lynne says
Yesterday, I went to my local Lidl, and was really taken aback by how empty the shelves were. I edited my list from a stock-up trip to just the essentials, and I had to make a few more expensive substitutions just to get that done. I will try again at the end of the week or over the weekend. The prices at Lidl make the inconvenience of a second trip worth it, but I’d never seen NO milk or eggs! Your points are all good ones, especially if you have to split a shopping run into multiple trips because of shortages or shipping delays.
Rosemary Calhoun says
I have heard many people say that they make a list and then forget it at home. Here is a quick solution to that – take a photo of your list with your phone! (Most of us do not leave home without our phone). The other thing I would suggest is to take a photo of what’s in your pantry. It is helpful if the pantry is organized but even if it isn’t, a photo might help you remember what you need (if you forgot to write it down). I have also done this with my yarn supply – it helps me to see at a glance what colors I need when I am at the store. There was a time when I could remember this kind of stuff . . . oh well . . . ha ha ha.
Mel says
I use a list app on my phone that allows you to store multiple lists. I can arrange the items by category, include quantity, etc. I can also share the lists with my husband, so I can see if he already picked up milk or whatever, and it’s easy to see if the other person added something to the list.
Kayla says
What is the app you use? I’ve tried a few and haven’t liked them.
Mel says
It’s called Out of Milk. It’s not perfect, but it works for me.
Kath says
Also, you can shop online for pickup. That really helps us avoid impulse buying.
Bonnie Baine says
when i can i buy in bulk and can or freeze items. yesterday i was able to get a whole pork tenderloin for 1.79 per lb. cut up 5 bags for chops and canned 10 pints for various meals. also a 40 lb. case of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. also canned and froze those. am set for meat for the rest of the year. this is my first attempt at canning meat, but i think it is a good idea in case the power is interrupted and your freezer goes down. also we have a lot of orchards around here and we can get seconds of apples and peaches. every little bit helps.
Linda says
I love shopping the weekly sales ad and stocking up. My goal is to never pay full price. It’s like a sad little game I play.. lol Lg packages of meat that I find on sale are divided and frozen. Ground beef on sale is made up into meatloaf, taco meat, meatballs as soon as I get home and frozen for easy freezer meals. I also try to hit Aldi for milk, eggs, etc, the basics that don’t normally run on sale at my local store.
Rosemary Calhoun says
I like playing that “game” too! Although, it seems to be getting harder to do lately . . .but, hey, I love a challenge!
Jeni says
Don’t be afraid to ask about discounting meats/dairy that are close to expiration date. I noticed milk about to expire according to the date(lasts much longer, actually) and got it for $.99/gal!! Be brave 🙂
Linda Sand says
If you can/freeze, buy the bushels of bruised fruit and make your own applesauce, smoothie ingredients, etc.
Holly says
One strategy I have employed is I keep track of what day of the week I find good deals/markdowns/managers specials at my local grocery store. For example, by keeping track, I have found veggies are most likely to be discounted on Monday, milk discounted on Tuesday, yogurt and other dairy on Wednesday and meat on Friday. So, I have my list I’m definitely buying based on what’s on sale and then I’ll choose to go shopping on the day of the week that’s most likely to have discount items I’m low on. So, if I’m low on meat, I shop on Friday that week to hopefully find something to stock up on!
Joan says
Thank you for that. I will have to keep an eye out for sale days
Sandra Taylor says
I find shopping around 10 or 11 in the am works best where i am at..I find a variety of meats marked down to half price or less..I buy a few different items, date an rotate my freezer..an I have a few neighbors that are low /senior income so I share…
Mona McGinnis says
I’ve been grocery shopping every 3 wks in the past yr. & actually averaged less per week than in the previous year. I only look at flyers the week I go shopping. This keeps me out of the stores between the big shop as some of those deals are hard to avoid if I know about them. I keep a running list as items on the shelves at home are depleted & I know what needs replenishing. I will buy extra when I come across a good sale. I once committed to eating down the protein in the freezer before putting any more in & it took 6 months.
KATHY HORT says
This isn’t really about a shopping trip but semi related. During the pandemic many government programs changed their income guidelines so where you may not have qualified for benefits before, you possibly can now. I utilize a monthly program from a food bank here in the PNW. The income for a family of 2 is $68,000 to qualify. Once a month, I drive up and they load my car with groceries. Many items are carb heavy but what I can’t use, I donate to a program that helps homeless teens in my area so nothing goes to waste. Then I build my menus and shopping list around what I have received. Last month, it was a huge pork loin, a 5 pound bag of shrimp, a bag of whitefish filets, chicken hindquarters, cheddar cheese, butter and frozen corn plus always a box of staples like rice, canned fruits, veggies and beans, dried fruit and peanut butter. Its worth looking into and as I said the income guidelines are quite generous.
Joan says
Hi Kathy. I also live in the PNW but am not sure of the program. I am in Whatcom County. What agency should I look for to take advantage also. I am on a limited income here. thank you.
Jill says
I volunteer at a food pantry in Michigan. While we receive food donations from individuals, the bulk of the food is bought from a larger regional food bank (like a distribution center for the area food pantries). Some of the food is from the USDA. Since this food is from the federal government, we must follow their guidelines for distributing food. There is currently NO INCOME REQUIREMENT to receive food. In fact, our clients do not have to fill out any paperwork to receive assistance. So if your family is in need of food assistance, please call one of your local food pantries. Go to 211.org to locate resources near you.