Grocery Shopping Hacks: How to Save Money on Groceries in 2025

It shouldn’t take more than a passing glance at your latest grocery receipt to realize that Americans are spending big bucks at supermarkets. For most households across the nation, food is a huge expense. In fact, an average family spends as much as 32% of their after-tax income on food, including food eaten at home, dining out at restaurants, or ordering takeout. That’s a huge chunk out of your paycheck when you consider the yearly total.

Eating nutritious, tasty food doesn’t need to come at a price, though. Shopping for groceries, if done wisely, can save you a considerable amount without changing your lifestyle or penny-pinching every meal. These money-saving tricks will cut down your grocery bills without compromising the quality of meals at home.

Maximize Your Savings With the Latest Grocery Coupons

Kroger 

• Enjoy up to 38% off Kroger’s best-selling snacks, beauty products, and more.
• Get up to 25% off with digital coupons.
• Receive free shipping on thousands of products for your home.

Sam’s Club 

• Earn up to 5% cash back when you sign up for a Sam’s Club credit card.
• Find discounts of up to 67% on clearance items from Sam’s Club.
• Get 60% off a new Sam’s Club membership.

HelloFresh 

• Get 55% off your first box, plus free shipping and 15% off future orders for one year as a military member, veteran, or medical provider.
• Enjoy half off your first HelloFresh box and get free shipping.
• Order a box through your active subscription and get a free item.

Albertsons 

• Enjoy a $30 discount and free shipping on your first order over $75.
• Save up to 50% on sale items from Albertsons.
• Sign up for Albertsons for U to save $5 on your first $25 order and get up to 20% off weekly.

Walmart 

• Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Walmart+.
• Score up to 84% off clearance items.
• Get free shipping on orders over $35.

Get More for Less: The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money on Groceries

Prepare Yourself

If you’re smart about your grocery runs, you will not get tempted by things you don’t need. If that means not bringing the kids to the store, then do it. Bring your own bag, too, because some stores give you discounts for that.

List, List, List

The first step is to raid your fridge and pantry. List out on a notepad or your phone everything that you’re running out of and things you’d need for the next week or two. Also, plan your meals: what will you need to add to the potatoes you already have? Check recipes for ingredients and add them to your shopping list. If you figure out your meals before the next run, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need and how much.

Set a Budget

Once you’ve figured out what you need, do an estimate (look up prices online) and set a budget. This will leave less room for impulse buys. You can still treat yourself with chips or RiteAid ice cream, so keep that margin, but try not to exceed this limit. Stick to what you need and budget accordingly.

Understand ‘Best Before’ & Expiry Dates

We end up wasting a lot of food once it has passed its ‘Best Before’ date. But foods marked with ‘Best Before’ dates are an indication of their quality level, meaning the products may still be safe to consume before this date and still retain their flavor. You can use the FoodKeeper app by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to confirm how long something will last depending on how it’s stored, from baked goods to meat.

Is anything in your pantry or fridge getting close to its expiration date? Plan your meals before this date to consume your food, rather than chucking it in the bin.

Know the Sale Days

There are many offers during the holidays (namely Christmas, Easter, and Halloween) when food items like candy get cheaper. But your local grocery store may also have sale days during the week. Keep an eye on different brand websites and apps to check when there’s a price drop on products and shop on that day. You can also use flyers from your local grocery store, or ask the sales clerk when different sales will be scheduled. Just remember to shop on those days!

Compare Prices on Apps/Websites

Which brand offers the most competitive prices? Does it make sense to drive five minutes extra if you can save more dollars at another grocery store? Compare product prices online on websites and apps, and schedule your grocery runs based on who’s offering better deals. You can also sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media — you’ll get notifications if you download their app, too.

Shop Online but Pick It Up Yourself

Delivery charges can be an added expense, but there’s another option with brands like Walmart. You can buy online, go to the store, and pick up your shopping bags yourself. Not only does it save you delivery money, but it’s a great way to stick to a list and budget without getting distracted by various products displayed under the bright lights in the aisles. With the Walmart app, you can even notify when you’re heading to the store and share your parking spot number, so an employee can deliver your bags to your car faster.

Get Coupon-Savvy

Most local newspapers have coupons in the Sunday edition and it’s a great place to find deals. With technology, it has become increasingly simple to get coupons for your favorite brands online. Check out the top deals on Savings.com to save on your food buys.

Don’t Shop Hungry

Most people know that you tend to splurge more when you’re hungry. So, have a nice meal before that Albertsons trip and you won’t pick up that bag of chips.

Best Money-Saving Grocery Shopping Practices

This is the real challenge: You have to navigate a supermarket without losing track of what you’re there for. Once you get used to the idea of shopping on a budget with laser-like focus, these hacks will become second nature.

Pick a Smaller Cart

When you walk in, go for a cart that suits the size of what you need, so you don’t try to fill it up with junk food.

Calculate as You Go

Have your list ready to pick up items, but also keep the calculator on your phone open. As you keep stacking products in the cart, keep adding. Once you see you have reached your budget, you may realize you have picked up more than what you needed. Did store discounts help you save some dollars? Go ahead, treat yourself.

Check Price Per Unit

The price per package is different from the price per unit or ounce. Say an eight-ounce bottle of vinegar from one brand costs $3 and a 17-ounce bottle from another brand costs $5.  The price per ounce is actually better for the second brand. Some stores like Costco or Vons may list per-unit prices, but you can also make these calculations yourself or use a unit price comparison app to help you out.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Stores keep expensive items at eye level, while some affordable brands may be up on the shelf or down below. It’s often worth it to search for the latter. Make sure you also check expiration dates — the ones that are fresher may be at the back of the shelf (this happens a lot with bread).

Buy Staples in Bulk

Another reason why sale days are important: You can buy staples in bulk to last until the next sale. Stores often have great deals for bulk buys, too. Kitchen towels, pasta, rice, and potatoes may be okay, but veggies and sauces may not be the best idea. Keep in mind that not everything can be bought in huge quantities and you might not even have space for it. So, show restraint here.

Don’t Get Tempted by Discounts

Grocery stores may offer deals on mayo, but do you really need five big bottles? Or two dozen eggs? Again, you have to decide if you can use them before they go bad and whether or not you have space to store them. It will be money wasted if you have to dump them. Even if something is selling at a steal, it’s better to stick to the list to avoid impulsive buys.

Try the Store/Generic Brand

For some products, sticking to trusted, loyal brands is important. But for other things, generic brands work just as well and they’re much cheaper. Go for the store-brand pasta, sugar, and salt, and you may not notice any difference.

Buy ‘Ugly’ Produce

If your local grocery stores offer bruised apples or bananas at a lower price, go for it. A few years ago, grocery stores started selling imperfect fruits and veggies at a discounted rate to avoid food waste. This has generated a lot of debate on whether or not it has really helped the industry and the environment. Nonetheless, these products are safe for consumption if available at your local store. (Note that we’re not talking about rotting veggies but fresh produce that’s a little wonky-looking.)

In fact, you can also check out services like Misfit Markets and Imperfect Produce which deliver veggies and fruits to you for a subscription. You can also plan your dinners with bakery products in the supermarkets that sell for a discounted price before the day ends — while they’re typically  safe to consume, it’s probably best to do so that same night.

Pick Seasonal Produce

Buying an out-of-season fruit is going to cost you more because there are additional costs attached to it (sometimes it’s also imported). Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables is a great way to enjoy local produce and save on grocery costs. Plus, it adds variety to your meals. Time to learn the cycles, eh?

Frozen is Good, Too

You may think that frozen foods are not as nutritious as fresh produce, but frozen produce has great nutritional value. In fact, frozen fruit can sometimes be more nutritious than older non-frozen produce because fruits and vegetables lose vitamin C content due to exposure to heat and sunlight. To meet your daily requirement for vegetables, it makes sense to stock up on frozen vegetables and fruits, which will also save you money and come in handy when it’s off-season. Peas, broccoli, corn, and cauliflower are good options if you want to cook them in casseroles or make stir-fry. Just make sure not to buy frozen products that are salted or sauced because of their excessive sodium.

Diversify your diet and get fresh produce in quantities that you’ll be able to eat quickly. Raw dishes (like salads) taste best with fresh fruits and veggies.

Enroll in a Loyalty Program

Being loyal to a brand pays off in multiple ways. At Walmart, for example, you can get same-day delivery for free (at a minimum purchase of $35). Walmart estimates your savings from free grocery deliveries per year to be $1,300 (based on two deliveries per week). The Walmart+ membership costs $98 per year or $12.95 per month, and there are other benefits like free shipping, quicker checkout, and discounted fuel prices.

Some loyalty programs also let you earn points on every purchase that you can redeem once accumulated. You don’t need to stick to just one brand. Pick two and alternate between them based on prices and your requirements — this will also help you snag the best deals.

Don’t Pay for Convenience

Can you wash, peel, and cut your own veggies? Can you grate your own block of cheese? These conveniences are saviors for people who need extra help, but if you’re okay doing it at home yourself, you’ll be cutting down on your grocery bills. Freshly grated cheese is better than the store-bought grated bag anyway.

Use the Right Cards

Using a credit card that gives cash back on groceries is a simple way to save on your bill. Just be sure to pay off your balance before your next billing cycle to avoid paying interest, allowing you to keep all your rewards in your bank.

For example, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card has 6% cashback at supermarkets, a $0 annual fee for the first year ($95 after), and cashback on streaming subscriptions and fuel stations. According to CNBC’s calculations, the average American can get up to $360 in cash back every year from shopping at eligible supermarkets with this card.

Look for Offers on Meat

A meat eater knows how expensive steaks are, but you can enjoy your diet without breaking the bank. The trick is knowing when the meat is going on sale (ask the sales staff or keep an eye on the prices) and buying in bulk because family packs are often cheaper than single packs. You can easily freeze meat at home. You can even buy cheaper meat cuts (i.e., chicken leg quarters instead of breast) and look for recipes to experiment with.

Post-Shopping Practices

Once you’re home, you can take a smarter approach to storing and using your groceries in a way that ensures that nothing goes to waste.

Storage is Important

Check how ingredients and produce need to be stored for them to stay consumable for longer—in the pantry or in the fridge. Creating extra storage all around will be better for your annual grocery budget, but make sure not to take the “out of sight, out of mind" approach. If you’re planning on freezing meats, meals, and veggies (along with ice and ice creams), then maybe a stand-alone freezer from trusted brands like Whirlpool and Samsung would suit your needs. A pantry for all your staples is also a good idea. However, even if you don’t have one, start looking for ideas on how to expand minimal spaces at home.

Freeze What You Can

Cooking meals in advance and freezing a portion for lunch the next day is a good option for those who can’t cook every day or buy a sandwich for lunch at work. You can easily freeze veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots after blanching, but nothing with high water content like cucumber. You can also freeze meats if your freezer is capable of reaching temperatures of zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Use this Good Housekeeping chart to know how long different meats can last in the freezer. Just make sure you have freezer bags to vacuum seal everything and thaw everything properly before use.

Take Meal Planning Seriously

You might be tempted, many times in the week, to order a pizza or pick a hot meal at a food truck. Do your best to resist, though. If you have unplanned meals during the week, it means you’re not using something in the fridge that will go bad, and you’re spending more above and beyond what you’ve already spent on groceries. Instead, schedule takeouts and dine-outs in your plan for the week, so that when you shop, these items are already accounted for.

Use Leftovers

Dedicate one day of the week to finishing off leftovers. Can you repurpose the pasta from last night or rice from two days ago? Look for recipes using whatever you have in the fridge; apps like SuperCook and Magic Chef can help you use ingredients you already have and reduce food waste.

Make Less Frequent Trips

Is it possible to reduce your shopping trips from once a week to maybe twice a week? It will require planning on your part and buying in bulk will come in handy. However, it’s a great way to reduce unnecessary purchases and last-minute trips to the store that cost you money, fuel, and energy.

Also, don't forget to check out our blog post on the best hidden deals, there's usually a few grocery savings and essentials deals to be found.