I’ve always been a penny pincher, but when I quit my job to be a stay at home mom, I took my money saving ways to a new level.  I figure if my husband is bringing home most of the money, the least I can do is spend it wisely.  Not to mention, we lost an entire income, so I really don’t have a choice but to be more frugal.  One place I’m totally confident saving money is at the grocery store.  After years of watching my mom cut coupons and compare prices on every single item, I was born and bred to save money on groceries.

Before Going to the Grocery Store

Grocery Shop on a Weekly Basis

To some, this may sound like a lot, and to others, this might sound like a dream (we’ve all had those weeks where we had to swing by the store every single day, right?)  Going grocery shopping once a week helps you cut down on produce waste and those dreaded extra trips.

Make a Meal Plan

Every Saturday morning, I sit down with my phone and make a meal plan for the week.  It’s one of the most helpful things I do to save money on groceries.  I plan dinners for every night and ask my husband what he wants for lunch all week.  I try to take into account what our schedule looks like for the week when I’m making my meal plan.  If we’re going out of town or plan to have dinner at a friend’s house, I know I don’t have to plan for those days.  Every now and then, I also try to throw in a vegetarian dish (which is hard because my husband is ALL ABOUT THE MEAT).  If you can cut meat from your menu at least one day a week, you’ll instantly cut down on your grocery bill.

Inventory your Pantry and Fridge

Not gonna lie… I could do a whole lot better with this money saving tip.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home from the store with another loaf of bread when there’s a full one in the pantry.  Or had to call my husband from the grocery store to see how many gallons of milk are in the fridge.  Always go through your pantry and fridge and take inventory of hwat you already have before making your grocery list.

Make a List

Once you’ve made your meal plan and checked out what you already have in stock, make your grocery list.  Write down (or type out) everything you’ll need to make it through the week.  Include food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.  This not only helps you save money on groceries, but ensures you won’t forget anything!  I’m a pen and paper girl myself, but Our Groceries Shopping List is a great app to use if you want to make your list on your phone.

During

Shop at Aldi

I’m putting this at the top on my list because I love Aldi.  The prices are unbeatable, the products are great, and there aren’t endless options to choose from (I don’t need to decide between 40 different spaghetti sauces).  In my opinion, it’s the best place to go for cheap groceries.  If you haven’t given Aldi a try, you’re missing out.

Compare Unit Prices

When you’re looking at the price of an item, don’t just buy the cheapest one you see.  You have to compare unit prices.  On the price label, you’ll see the full price for the item, and either right below it, or right next to it, you’ll see the unit price.  That’s the price per ounce, price per pound, or price per item.  Always compare unit prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Shop High and Low

When you’re walking down the grocery aisles, don’t just look at the products that are right in front of your face.  Often times, those are the more expensive items.  Another great way to save money on groceries is to shop the very top of the shelves and the very bottom of the shelves to find the cheapest option.

Buy in Bulk

I haven’t taken the warehouse store plunge yet (I still have a little more research to do to make sure paying for a membership is actually worth it), but I still try to buy in bulk when I can.  This is easiest to do with cleaning supplies and paper products.

Shop Generic

Look, I understand that we all have certain things that just have to be name brand.  That’s fine.  After growing up on kiddi-o’s, I’ll be the first to admit that not all generic products taste like their name brand competitor (gimme those Oreos).  Decide what your must haves are, and shop generic for the rest.

Skip the End Caps

Just because the end cap of the grocery aisle has a big yellow sign that says, “SALE!” on it, doesn’t mean that it’s the best price for that product.  The sale price on Bounty paper towels is probably still more expensive than the store brand paper towels.  Don’t fall for the hype.

Look for Clearance

Most grocery stores have a little clearance rack hiding somewhere near the back of the store.  If you’re at Giant Eagle, they throw it all into a grocery cart and put it near the checkout lanes.  It’s usually full of products that have been discontinued or are out of season.  You can usually find clearance prices on bakery items and meat as well.  They’ll usually have a sticker that says “Manager’s Special” or something like that.  Don’t let that scare you away.  If it’s a meat product, just throw it in the freezer as soon as you get home.

Use Curbside Pickup

While most curbside grocery services charge you a small fee, using this method of shopping might still save you money in the long run.  Are you an impulse shopper?  Do you always wind up with 20 extra things in your cart?  If so, curbside pickup is the perfect way for you to save money on groceries.  Going online and clicking on the groceries that are on your list will absolutely cut down on your impulse shopping.  Just make sure you review your cart before submitting (I’ve accidently ordered multiples of items without realizing it).

Don’t Shop the Mega Stores

Damn, I love Target, but I can’t go in there without buying something I really didn’t need.  You know why? Because they have everything.  If possible, skip the mega stores when you’re trying to save money on groceries.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on my way to the check out in a Walmart or Meijer and saw some baby clothes or home décor that I had to have.

Do the Math

Nowadays, things can be so confusing at the grocery store.  With loyalty card prices, regular prices, and sale items, it can be hard to figure out what you’re actually paying for a particular item.  Make sure you read the fine print.  Just because something is “two for $5”, doesn’t mean you have to buy two.  Usually you can get one for $2.50.  When you’re cashing out, make sure that everything adds up.  If you see that something rang up for more than the promoted price, don’t be afraid to say something.

In Store Savings Cards and Apps

We all have key rings that are full of loyalty cards, right?  Make sure that you’re signed up for every in store savings card you can get your hands on.  I’m talking gas stations, pharmacies, and grocery stores.  On top of that, most stores have their own app that is packed with bonus savings.  Take an extra 10 minutes before you go grocery shopping to see if there are any deals you can take advantage of.

After

Prep

When you get home from the grocery store, don’t even put your fruits and veggies away without prepping them.  Rinse them, chop them, and put them in clear Tupperware containers.  Put them in the fridge where they’ll be seen and eaten.  If I don’t cut up my pineapple right when I get home, there’s a 90% chance it’s going to go bad before we eat it.  Another tip is to portion out your meat before you freeze it.  If you got a huge package of chicken, portion it out into gallon sized zip lock bags so that you can thaw out only what you need.

Eat Leftovers

A few weeks ago, I came home from the store and realized we really needed to clean out the fridge.  There were tons of Tupperware containers with old leftovers in them.  As we were throwing away container after container of what used to be good food, we promised to be better about eating leftovers.  Sometimes that means eating the same thing two nights in a row.  Sometimes that means getting creative and re-imagining last night’s dinner.  Download the Love your Leftovers App to help you find delicious ways to reinvent your food.

Ibotta

I have an obsession with this app.  I downloaded it four months ago and have already gotten $199.43 in rebates!  All you do is click on the store where you shopped, click on the items you purchased, and scan your receipt.  Sign up today and get a $10 bonus!

Checkout 51

I’m new to Checkout 51, but it’s similar to Ibotta, only the products are categorized by store.  They also have a lot more produce options to choose from, which I love.

I hope these tips have you ready and excited to save a little money at the grocery store.  Drop your own tips in the comments below and share this post with a friend!

DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.

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