12 Ways I Keep My Grocery Bill Low
I save money on groceries by planning ahead, shopping smart, and avoiding sneaky spending traps that drain my budget.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
I’ll never forget the day I glanced at our grocery receipt and felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Prices had crept up without me noticing, and by the time I added everything up—milk, meat, snacks, and all—I realized I had spent far more than I intended. That was the moment I knew something had to change. Feeding a family while staying on a budget wasn’t going to happen without a better strategy.
Maybe you’ve had a similar experience, watching the total climb higher at checkout and wondering how to keep it under control. You’re not alone. Over the years, I’ve found simple ways to stretch every grocery dollar, without sacrificing the meals my family loves. Today, I’ll share the twelve tricks that helped me, and five you can start using today.
1. I Plan My Meals Like a Pro
Hope House Press - Leather Diary Studio from Unsplash
I sit down every Sunday and plan out what I’m going to eat throughout the week according to what’s already stocked in my pantry. It saves me from unnecessary purchases and helps eliminate waste. Also, it keeps me out of the “What’s for dinner?” hysteria that results in costly takeout.
2. I Never Shop Without a List
Glenn Carstens-Peters from Unsplash
If I enter the store sans list, I’m headed to purchase unnecessary things. A list helps me keep on track and avoid falling victim to attractive bargains on crap I won’t utilize. I also structure my list in relation to the stores’ sections to get in and out quickly.
3. I Stick to Seasonal and Sale Items
Tamanna Rumee from Unsplash
Seasonal food is always fresher and cheaper, so I base my meals around what is seasonal. I also monitor weekly sales and buy in bulk on non-perishable items when they are at their cheapest. If I notice an amazing bargain on something that I use frequently, I stock up.
4. I Use Cashback and Coupon Apps
Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash
I look at apps such as Ibotta, Rakuten, and my supermarket’s digital coupons before I shop. Even a few dollars saved per trip here and there sums up over the long term. It’s receiving free money for purchasing what I was already going to purchase anyway.
5. I Buy Store Brands Over Name Brands
Kenny Eliason from Unsplash
Store-brand items are usually just as good as name brands, but much cheaper. I’ve conducted my own taste tests and, quite frankly, I can’t tell the difference in most instances. Why pay more for fancy packaging?
6. I Limit My Trips to the Store
Franki Chamaki from Unsplash
Whenever I “just pop in” for one item, I leave with five. By going shopping only once a week (or less), I avoid impulse buying. The less temptation I see, the more money remains in my pocket.
7. I Shop at Discount Stores and Bulk Warehouses
Henry & Co. from Unsplash
Stores such as Aldi and Costco assist me in getting excellent bargains on staples, fruits, and meats. I compare prices per unit to ensure that I’m indeed getting a bargain. When I purchase in bulk, I portion and freeze them to avoid wastage.
8. I Avoid Pre-Cut, Pre-Packaged, and Convenience Foods
Nathan Dumlao from Unsplash
Purchasing whole vegetables and fruits rather than pre-chopped ones is a huge money-saver. I also avoid pre-packaged meals and snacks, which are often expensive and laden with additives. A little more prep time at home equates to enormous savings in the long term.
9. I Cook in Batches and Freeze Meals
S’well from Unsplash
Prepping big batches and freezing leftovers ensures I have a meal waiting, which prevents me from ordering takeout. I prepare soups, casseroles, and marinated meats that I can quickly reheat. It’s less expensive, healthier, and time-saving.
10. I Check Unit Prices, Not Just Sticker Prices
Angèle Kamp from Unsplash
Often, a larger package appears to be the better buy, but the unit price is the indicator of the truth. Indeed, I always check per-ounce or per-pound prices before making a final choice. This little trick enables me to get more for my grocery money.
11. I Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption
Kyle Mackie from Unsplash
Meat is the priciest of all the groceries, so I incorporate more vegetable meals. Lentils, beans, and tofu are cheap, healthy, and just as satisfying. Even having one or two meatless dinners a week reduces my grocery costs noticeably.
12. I Don’t Shop Hungry
Nathália Rosa from Unsplash
Shopping on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Everything tastes great all of a sudden, and I find myself with snacks and treats I did not plan on buying. Having a snack before keeps me in check and helps me stay on my list. Keeping our grocery bill low wasn’t about skipping meals or cutting corners—it was about planning smarter, being mindful, and not falling into the trap of impulse buying. These small adjustments added up month after month, freeing up extra cash for other important expenses like home repairs, savings, or the occasional family outing. Here’s how you can start saving today:
Plan meals around weekly sales: Every Sunday, I’d check the store flyers and build our meals around discounted meats and produce, saving an easy $20–30 each trip.
Use a grocery list and stick to it: Before heading to the store, Mary and I always wrote a detailed list. It stopped us from throwing extras in the cart and helped us avoid unnecessary spending.
Buy in bulk when it makes sense: Staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods were things I always bought in larger quantities when on sale. We stored them in the pantry and saved over time.
Limit convenience foods: Instead of buying pre-chopped vegetables or packaged snacks, we prepared them at home. It only took a little extra time, but cut our bill by $10 or more each trip.
Avoid shopping while hungry: I made it a rule to never hit the store on an empty stomach. When I did, I found myself tempted by things we didn’t need, adding unnecessary costs to the cart.
It’s surprising how much control you gain over your budget when you take charge of your grocery spending. Start applying even one or two of these tips, and before long, you’ll notice the difference—not just in your wallet, but in the peace of mind that comes with it. Small steps can lead to big results.