I know many of you have been reading this site for some time, but we have new readers all the time. I thought, especially now that the kids are back in school and with the holidays around the corner, now would be the perfect time to recap all of the ways on how to save big on your grocery bill.
So here the are, all in one easy place so you can get back into the swing of things and start saving today! So many of these ideas are super simple and can be implemented in minutes, but all of them will ultimately save you big time.
How to Save BIG on Your Grocery Bill
Cook from scratch.
I know this one sounds amazing, but is often hard to implement with busy schedules. I get it, I’ve been there. But honestly, you pay for convenience in price and with your health. Processed foods contribute to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc.
So, even if you can coupon yourself into rock bottom food prices, you will pay for it in the rear with doctor visits, etc.
Eat seasonally.
If you take nothing else away from this article, this should be it. It’s really a simple tip, but it will lead to HUGE savings. Foods that are in season are at their lowest prices. Be wary though, because often a sale on a fruit or veggie does not mean it’s in season.
If a store is touting strawberries on sale in January, know that their price might be a bit cheaper than all the stores around them, but at $2.99/lb, you won’t see prices anywhere near what they were in June.
So buy in bulk when produce is in season, and can, freeze or preserve your bounty {or when it’s growing like crazy in your garden}.
Make a plan.
What’s that saying, “those who fail to plan should plan to fail?” That’s so true. A simple plan will save some big bucks.This includes a list AND a meal plan. You already know that I am not great about meal planning, but I always have a list when I go to the store–and when I don’t, I pay for it!
Also, meal plan with the ads in hand. Plan all of your weekly consumption around what is on sale {assuming the sale is actually a good price–see #2}.
Keep 10% of your monthly budget available for “stock-up items.”
If you plan on spending $300 a month, keep $30 available for stock up purchases that you can make when you see rock bottom prices. For example, if you see butter on sale for $2.00/lb, it’s probably time to buy several pounds and freeze them.
Having money set aside in your budget to make those kind of unplanned purchases really saves money later on.
Use coupons wisely.
Coupons for cheese, yogurt, etc. are great when you can pair them up with store sales. This is just basic couponing 101. Don’t use coupons just because you have them–use them when they make the price competitive and worthwhile.
The couponing game is a tempting one, but if you learn to play it wisely, it won’t play you.
Minimize waste by USING WHAT YOU HAVE.
One of the easiest tips on this list. Although I’m occasionally guilty of wanting to try out a new recipe even though I have food in the pantry/freezer that I could use, shopping at home from your pantry and freezer is the fastest way to save money. Plain and simple.
Make freezer meals.
You know those nights you are tempted to just throw your hands up and order a pizza because you have absolutely no desire to cook? Well, freezer meals to the rescue! You make them when you’re actually motivated and cook them when you’re not.
You don’t have to sacrifice your health by getting a pre-packaged meal, or totally blow your budget by going out. Reader Mel wrote a fantastic post of how to make a month’s worth of freezer meals, and it’s AWESOME.
Buy in bulk.
I’m not saying do all your shopping at Costco, because that’s a slippery slope between savings and overspending! But bulk buying can really save you money if you know what to look for.I love to buy spices in bulk from Winco. You seriously pay pennies on the dollar.
I also buy my meat in bulk when I can. The catch is that I have to process and freeze most of it myself–but that actually works out okay, because I can make freezer meals as I go. It saves TONS of money over the year.
Shop alone.
If I shop with anyone, I always end up spending more and deviating from my list. But when I shop alone, I’m a woman on a mission. I know this is sometimes impossible, but shopping without the family really limits distractions {which leads to missed items and last minutes runs to the grocery store} and potentially throwing unplanned items into the cart.
Keep a designated “use first” area in your fridge.
Keep all of the items that won’t last much longer in one area. Plan your weekly menu around these items first. This will cut down on food waste and help keep your budget low.
If that list is a bit overwhelming or totally different from how you currently shop, choose one or two tips and implement them today. Or go big or go home and try them all at once. Regardless of which method you choose, I promise you’ll see a reduction in your grocery bill almost immediately.
So there you have it. That’s how to save BIG on your grocery bill!
Happy saving,
~ Mavis
Lana says
My money saving tip is to look at your list and see what is to make meals and what are the extras like snacks or sodas. Do you really need the extras? Spend most of your budget on ingredients for meals and eat good, nutritious meals and you likely won’t need the snack foods and extras.
Kath says
I just have to say…your recipes are the bomb! We’re still exclusively using the best chocolate chip cookies on earth and the homemade meatballs with parmesan. We tried them when first published and have used them ever since. Thanks for all you do!
Nancy says
Thank you for the great tips and reminders! I remember this amazing post of Mel’s and know there are a lot of recipes she used in the comments, but was there a later post with all her recipes? I may be misremembering.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, here it is: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/mels-big-list-of-freezer-meal-recipes-and-freezer-meal-cooking-tips/
Nancy says
Thank you so much!!
Vy says
Thanks!
Nancy says
Also, thank you for all your freezer recipes…I really need to look thru and get new ideas!
Rosemary says
All those money saving ideas are spot on! I think I have been doing them most of my life. The past few years I have started doing something a little different. I used to buy certain food items but then didn’t eat them before they went bad. Or, I would be in the mood for waffles but didn’t want to drag out the waffle iron and would end up eating something else while the box of waffle mix slowly slid to the back of the pantry . . . So, now I do a food prep day (kind of like meal prep day except it is for the other things that I eat). I make a batch of waffles and then wrap them up and freeze them until the mood hits. I reheat them in my air fryer and they taste like I just made them. I do this for a bunch of other things as well. If I buy fruit that needs to be cut up, I will get that done and put them in a mason jar until I want a piece or two. Just having it all done is such a time saver and I find myself eating it before it goes bad or expires. Wasting food does not save money and this helps to me avoid wasting it.
A couple of days ago, I did a blog post on my food prep day and I thought it might help someone get some ideas for their own food prep day.
https://mypracticalhome.blogspot.com/2023/10/food-prep-day-one-of-my-best-money.html
Susan says
I want to “second” the cook from your freezer, pantry and fridge idea. I used to plan out all my meals a week (at least roughly), and now I have stated keeping a couple dinners a night free to use leftovers, pantry items, stuff I’ve hoarded in the freezer, etc. I even try every few months to cook from the pantry and freezer for a week (luckily there are NO picky eaters in my home, haha).
The second thing for me was to simplify my shopping. I used to run from store to store to get good deals, and now I almost exclusively shop once a week just at Market Basket. I’m pretty sure it has saved me money, especially if my time and stress = $$!
Ashley Bananas says
‘The couponing game is a tempting one, but if you learn to play it wisely, it won’t play you.’
Spot on!!!
I use one of your meatloaf recipes religiously btw!! Love the good recipes here
Jennifer says
Mavis, just saw the news about the shootings in Lewiston. No idea if it’s near you or if you know anyone there, but prayers nonetheless.
Sue S. says
Doesn’t matter where in Maine you live, this was just devastating news for mainers especially but all of us here in the northeast.
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
My hugs go out to all of you
Kathy says
NEVER shop on an empty stomach.
I’ve freezer meal cooked for years, it really pays off. Since it’s only me who eats certain things, and I no longer have a HH, I’ve had to learn to cook for 1 or 2, not the 6+ I grew up with. Freeze in 2 cup containers, which is enough for me for 2 meals. Am a big seasonal soup maker and share with family because it’s always too much. Home can when I can (tomatoes, salsa, sugar free apple butter and apple sauce).
FeralCat says
Tofu and legumes are very inexpensive and excellent sources of protein.
Amy Drorbaugh says
Oh man, I second the tip about shopping by yourself. My grocery bill increases 10-20% when my husband shops with me.
Cheryl says
I am thinking about you and the great state of Maine and sending my best.
When is the madness ever going to end?
Stay safe.
Nancy says
Another tip I use is that I prep my fruits and veggies when I bring them in the house. I have kept Romaine lettuce for a month by cleaning, bagging in a new bag with a paper towels or a small cotton towel and changing out the towels every 3rd day. Slice and dice celery for any planned meals this week, or dice and freeze flat then put in a container in the freezer to use as needed. Peel, cut and blanch carrot, potatoes into sticks / dices, dry after blanching then bag and freeze them. Your potato fries are ready to be oven baked, pan fried, or air fried when needed. You can also cube (dices/chunks), blanch and freeze for roasting, frying, etc when you want them.
Also I have prepped “Take out nights”. I have copycat recipes for our favorites from Culvers, KFC, Pizza places (differing types), Panera bread and sandwiches that we can have instead of going out to eat. Some include KFC bowls, KFC pot pies, Culver’s Butterburgers, Arby’s Roast Beef and Chicken Bacon Swiss, etc.