Grocery Shopping on a Budget

Anyone living in the United States, and dare I say the world, has noticed how much the cost of living has increased. Everywhere we look the price tags just keep getting higher, and one of the places where that reality hits us often is the grocery store.

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As the prices for day-to-day products increase, families everywhere are doing everything possible to stretch out their dollars and worry they may not have enough to cover everything they need each month. The average family in the U.S. spends about $270 per week at the grocery store, which is a big chunk of any paycheck, so it is no surprise to hear how stressed and overwhelmed people are for not having any money left to put toward important financial goals, like emergency funds and retirement.

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If you are reading this article, I want you to know you are not alone. know exactly how that feels! I used to cringe every time I had to go grocery shopping because the total amount I paid at the register was somehow always an unpleasant surprise, so after paying for that, the mortgage, and my bills, I ended up with little money left to do anything else. One day I had enough, I just knew there had to be a better way to do this, so I started trolling through the internet looking for solutions.

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Just like you, I was sure I was not the only person looking for a way to reduce my grocery bill and I was right. I looked through many websites and read several articles trying to figure out the right way to shop to save myself some money; I may have gone a little overboard because I thought the solution to my problem would be something complex until I realized, it really isn’t.

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You may not believe it yet, but there are very simple strategies you can implement to start saving money today on your groceries, take advantage of great deals, and still be able to enjoy delicious meals with your family.

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I’m sharing with you below the 8 tips that have helped me the most, so read on and take some notes if needed. You don’t have to do it all at once, but when you implement each of these tips you will start seeing those savings stack up!

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1. Take inventory of what you have

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The first thing you want to do to save money on groceries is to go over your pantry, fridge, and freezer and check what you already have before you start planning your meals for the following week.

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Once you know what you have on hand, you can build your menu based on those items which will reduce the amount of food you need to buy. At the same time, we often find ourselves buying things we already have simply because we forgot to check our pantry before we left the house. Make sure you avoid duplicate purchases by doing this quick inventory.

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Aside from checking your food items, you also need to review your grocery budget.

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How much money did you assign to groceries for the entire month? Take that number and divide it by however many times you go to the grocery store in a month, this will give you a good idea of what your budget is for this trip. For example, if you planned a total of $800 for monthly groceries and you shop weekly, you can spend $200 per trip when we assume 4 weeks in that particular month. This step is important because it helps you stay on track with your money plan and supports eliminating impulse buying and unnecessary spending.

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2. Plan your meals ahead of time

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Now that you know what you have available at home and how much money you have allotted to spend at the grocery store, you can start creating a menu for the following week using those items as a base. You will use your budget to then figure out what additional items you will need to shop for that won’t break the bank.

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Don’t be afraid to get creative with your recipes since many items can be used in a lot of different ways; for example, shredded chicken can be used to make a delicious bowl with rice and veggies, sandwiches, or even stir-fry! If you can’t think of a recipe for something you have on hand, google will become your best friend. Go online and search for “budget friendly recipes” + item name and you will get some great meal suggestions to try with ingredients that will not cost much or items you normally keep around the house.

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3. Make a list and stick to it

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One of the most helpful tips I have implemented to save money (and time) on my grocery shopping is to make a list of everything I will need before I step food in the store. After implementing tips 1 and 2 you will know exactly what goes into each recipe, you will eliminate anything you already have and keep a list of all the items you will need to buy when you go to the store. But remember, all the prepping and planning ahead of time is no good if you don’t stick to your list and budget.

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Having a list helps avoid impulse buys and manage everyone’s expectations: If it’s not on the list, it does not go in the cart. A list will also save you time at the store since you’ll know where most things are, and it will prevent you from forgetting something and having to come back later.

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Pro tip: Please do not go grocery shopping when you are hungry!

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I don’t know if this has ever happened to you before, but going grocery shopping when I was hungry resulted in one of the most expensive food trips I have had.  

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I walked by the bakery and smelled delicious, freshly baked bread, and though it was not on the list, it somehow made its way into the shopping cart. Then we walked by the sushi aisle, and it had been a while so sushi got in the cart; later we stopped by the deli section, where all the amazing ribs and rotisserie chickens are, and they were offering such good deals we just could not pass up, so of course some of that went in the cart… Long story short, don’t make the same mistake I did! Time your grocery shopping right and go in with a satisfied belly to avoid temptation.

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4. Shop seasonal products from local vendors when possible

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When going through your recipe options and creating your menu or meal plan, make sure you prioritize selecting products that are “in season”. Have you ever notice that berries and tomatoes tend to be more expensive during the winter months? That’s because they thrive in warmer weather and will have to be shipped across the country to reach those colder areas. If you choose something that is “off season”, chances are you will pay more for it because of that transportation expense.

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For that same reason, it’s smart to buy local foods from local vendors or farms, either at the supermarket or a farmers’ market close to you, since there is usually no significant transportation expense that is passed on to the customer, they can often offer good deals.

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What you buy is certainly important, but where you buy can also make a difference when it comes to how far your money can go. We all know some stores are more expensive than others, so keep that in mind when you go shopping. Give discount grocery stores a shot!

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Stores like Aldi, Lidl, and Trader Joe’s have strong reputations across the country for both the quality of their products and their affordable prices. Try out various places and see which one is a best fit for your needs.

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5. Buy store brands (generic) vs. name brands

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You have probably noticed this already, but when you are shopping for popular products, you will find a store brand version of the same product right next to it. From milk to eggs, to meats and even cold medicine, many of the products you buy every week will have the equivalent store brand version nearby and this one is often cheaper than the name brand. An easy hack to save yourself some money, anywhere between 25% and 30% according to publications by the Wall Street Journal and KSL.com, is to start buying store brand products instead of the name brand products.

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Feel free to read through the labels and compare all the ingredients on both items. If you have never bought them before, try the product at least once to make sure you like them, and then make your decision. If there was ever a quick way to rack up the grocery savings, this is it!

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6. Take advantage of sales and discounts

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Grocery stores change their ads every week, and each week they run new sales and deals on different items. Do a little bit of research ahead of time to make sure you take advantage of those savings when doing your grocery shopping.

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Now, please remember that the deals and coupons only save you money if you were already planning to purchase the specific item! If you buy something that you did not plan to buy just because it is on sale, you are not actually saving money, you are overspending instead.

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One small exception to the warning above is when there is a specific item on sale that you tend to use often; so even though you were not planning on buying it this week, chances are you would have bought it the following week anyways. For example, if meat for a roast is on sale this week you can buy ahead to take advantage of the savings, and then adjust the grocery budget for the following week down; so if I spent an extra $80 this week on the meat I didn’t plan to buy, then I will reduce the grocery budget for the following trip by the same $80. That way you ensure your overall month stays balanced and on track.

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Does your store have an app? Another great way to save is to take advantage of all the perks and convenience that store apps have. I personally shop mostly at Kroger and using their store app has been super helpful! I get to see all the weekly sales right on my phone, add items to my list, and clip digital coupons with my fingertips, no scissors needed.

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Loyalty programs are a great way to save as well; depending on the store, they may offer credits, additional discounts and even fuel rewards to gas up your car.

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7. Buy in bulk

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Another way to save money on groceries is by buying in bulk, but only when it makes sense to do so. Sometimes we can get carried away when we go to warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s because they do have great deals, but are you really going to need 4 gallons of soy sauce? Unless you are a restaurant, probably not.

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The key here is to buy in bulk only the things you know you will need and use; for example, we focus on things like toilet paper, toothpaste, some meats, dog food, etc.

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You also need to make sure your overall budget reflects these bulk buying trips. Since you are buying larger quantities, your total cost for that week or month will be higher than the others, so make sure you are planning ahead and adjust when budgeting as needed to avoid being completely thrown off at the end of the month.

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8. Maximize leftovers

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According to the 2023 MITRE - Gallup State of Food Waste in America report, the average US household wastes 6.2 cups of edible food every week, which translates into roughly $1,500 per year literally thrown in the trash.

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One way to avoid wasting food and saving some of those $1,500 is to maximize the food we cook by taking advantage of our leftovers! There are many items we discard that can be repurposed into new dishes like soups, stews, casseroles, and frittatas.

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If you have no idea what you can create with your leftovers, google is again your best friend! Search for the different items and add plus signs in between to get recipe ideas; for example, if after a meal I have some veggies left and some chicken thighs I will google “chicken thighs + veggies” and I will get suggestions of recipes that include both of those.

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I know it may seem like a lot when you look at this list for the first time, but even when implementing one tip at a time, you will start seeing quick savings and those feelings of stress and overwhelm will start drifting away. Keep track of your budget as you go as well to find additional opportunities for tweaks and changes that can help you maximize your money even more.

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Finally, make cooking at home a fun experience by engaging the family and trying new recipes every so often, this will help make the overall process more enjoyable and sustainable.

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References:

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Cost per week:

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/01/20/average-grocery-cost-per-week-us-states/72260684007/#:~:text=A%20mix%20of%20inflation%2C%20supply,according%20to%20the%20Census%20Bureau.

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Cost of generic vs brand:

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204624204577179193540556620?ns=prod/accounts-wsj

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https://www.ksl.com/article/50987710/store-brands-may-help-your-grocery-budget-but-do-they-sacrifice-quality#:~:text=How%20much%20money%20can%20you,of%20inflation%20on%20your%20wallet

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Food waste:

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https://www.mitre.org/news-insights/news-release/mitre-gallup-survey-finds-us-households-waste-62-cups-edible-food-every