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Ready to start saving money on groceries without sacrificing taste or variety? In this post, I’ll share the grocery shopping tips and strategies I used to pay off $70,000 of debt in 27 months. Let’s dive in and start grocery shopping on a budget!
In 2016, I started grocery budgeting out of necessity—I was on a mission to pay off over $70,000 in student loan debt on an annual salary of $40,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over the next 27 months, I not only stuck to a strict budget of $25 per week, but also managed to pay off that debt in full using the grocery shopping tips I developed along the way.
What started as a financial strategy became a passion, and now I’ve refined these tips to help others save money on groceries and eat a whole lot more than ramen.
The tips I've shared below are the same strategies that helped me achieve financial freedom, and I’m here to help you do the same! While 2024 grocery prices are undoubtably higher than they were in 2016, good money saving principles never change. If you stick with these 10 tips, I guarantee you will see a drop in your spending!
1. Shop at the right grocery stores
If you've ever compared prices between your local grocery stores, you like know that prices can very widely depending on where you shop!
For example, my local Whole Foods sells popular plant-based milk brands for between $4 and $7 per carton, but I can get the exact same milk at Grocery Outlet for $0.99. The only difference is the expiration date on Grocery Outlet's milk is sooner, but often still 1-2 weeks away!
If you're wondering if you're shopping at the best budget grocery store in your area, spend a weekend browsing the shelves of each and comparing prices. Or check out my popular list of the Top 10 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the United States!
2. Make a meal plan for the week
In my opinion, shopping without a well-planned meal plan is just as bad as shopping hungry, which everyone knows is a major no-no.
So if you've gotten in the habit of flying by the seat of your pants and grocery shopping without a list, it's time to put an end to that. It may be fun and carefree, but it's a really good way to drain your wallet and almost always leads to food waste (which is basically akin to just throwing your money in the trash).
Instead, make a meal plan before you shop and stick to the list! I have a detailed, step-by-step guide that will teach you How to Meal Plan to Save Money. I also have a guide on How to Use Chat GPT to Make a Custom Meal Plan with ingredients you have on hand (free prompts included)!
3. Watch the weekly ads
Weekly grocery ads aren't just junk mail — they're goldmines for saving money! Almost every grocery store in the United States releases their weekly ad on Wednesdays.
These ads contain everything that is going on sale that week and you'll often find great deals on seasonal produce, proteins, and staple ingredients. Checking out what's on sale and planning your shopping around these deals is one of the easiest ways to cut costs.
If you're not a fan of paper clutter, download the app Flipp. It is an app that shows all of the weekly ads from your favorite retailers, including your local grocery store, pharmacies, and big-box retailers in one spot. So convenient.
4. Switch to generic brands
Generic, store brands are often just as good as name brands, but for a reduced price! If you're in the habit of buying name brand items, try swapping them out for generic brands and slash your grocery bill instantly.
I personally buy Walmart's Great Value and Costco's Kirkland brand for most of my pantry staples and freezer essentials! You can also check out my 17 Pantry Staples I Buy at Costco to Save Money.
5. Take advantage of free grocery pick-up
In short, grocery pick-up is an absolute game changer when it comes to saving money for several reasons.
- No wasting time walking around browsing for the items you need
- Avoid unnecessary impulse buys
- Better stick to your grocery budget by seeing your total before paying
- Shop on your time (you can place your order when the store is closed!)
- Easy price comparison
Since switching to Walmart Grocery Pickup, I can confidently say I've saved thousands of dollars. As long as your order is over $35, you can always pickup completely free!
If you're curious if your favorite grocery store offers pick-up, check their website online!
6. Buy frozen produce
Many people believe that frozen fruits and vegetables are inferior to fresh produce, but I'm here to bust that myth! Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious, sometimes even more so because frozen produce is picked at peak ripeness whereas fresh produce is picked early so it doesn't spoil in transport to the grocery store.
Sometimes fresh produce is a necessary buy, but if frozen works just as well in your meal plan, go for the frozen as it's almost always significantly cheaper and won't spoil before you can eat it!
7. Go meatless 1-2x per week
This one's controversial, but it is undeniable that meat is significantly more expensive than plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and tofu. Plus, if you're an avid meat eater, you may be surprised to realize that many popular dinner recipes are naturally vegetarian. Take Minestrone Soup or Vegetable Fried Rice, for example.
My website is dedicated to sharing meatless meals that are both delicious and will help you save money. In fact, when I was on my journey to get out of debt, I went 100% plant-based to cut costs. And while we eat meat every now and then now, my husband tells me all the time he prefers our meatless meals more! He feels better eating them and they're definitely not lacking in flavor.
Browse these top 40 Meatless Monday Recipes and 50+ Vegetarian Black Bean Recipes the Whole Family will Love.
8. Stock up during sales
This may be obvious, but when staples go on sale—stock up! Items like pasta, beans, rice, and canned goods are some of The Best Foods for Long-Term Storage, so buy them in bulk when they’re discounted.
This helps you avoid paying full price when you run out later. I often use this strategy to build a stockpile of essentials that I know I’ll use. For example, Grocery Outlet had tempeh bricks on sale for $0.49 each so I purchased 30 and stuck them in the freezer. This stock up lasted us almost an entire year and saved us roughly $115!
9. Download easy money saving apps
If the thought of doing any form of couponing makes you cringe, you can skip this tip, but the savings definitely add up over the years.
I've put together a list of my favorite Money Saving Apps, many of which I use to save money on groceries. Ibotta is one of my personal favorites. I browse it quickly after I make my grocery list to see if I can save on anything already on my list. I'll also check if there are any good coupons for things I customarily use to stock up during sales.
The entire process takes me about 10 minutes per week and has saved me $170 so far this year!
10. Buy in bulk when you have the chance
Buying in bulk won't make sense for everyone, but if you have the space and the bandwidth to rotate through your own inventory, buying in bulk can save you a LOT of money. It can be a bigger upfront cost, but over time, you’ll pay less.
I've put together a list of my top 12 favorite foods to buy in bulk and keep on hand.
In conclusion, saving money on groceries doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. With a little planning, smart shopping habits, and the right resources, you can enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals every week.
If you're just starting out on your grocery budgeting journey, check out my blog post: How Much Should I Spend on Groceries? It will help you set a monthly grocery budget that will work for your unique family!
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