Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

12 Smart Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Sacrificing Quality

Photo Credit
Maria Lin Kim

Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Written By: Earl Proulx

Groceries are one of the biggest household expenses, but saving money at the supermarket doesn’t have to mean cutting corners on quality. With a few smart strategies, you can trim your bill while still eating well. Whether you’re looking to avoid impulse buys, make the most of coupons, or try creative ways to stretch ingredients, these tips will help you keep more money in your pocket. After all, as Ben Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny got.” Let’s turn those pennies (and dollars) into real savings.

Shop Smart in the Store

1. Watch the Shelves

Avoid items placed at eye level. Sure, they’re easier to get to—and that’s why grocers put them there! Better buys are usually found on the highest and lowest shelves

2. Skip End-Cap Displays

Special displays at aisle ends often look like bargains but aren’t always the best value. Many times, grocers doctor up those areas to make the items look as though they’re on sale.

Read Next

3. Check Expiration Dates

When it comes to refrigerated items, don’t just grab what’s at the front of the shelf. Look at the shelf life and be sure to purchase the items with the longest shelf life.

Choose the Right Products

4. Try Store Brands

Store brands are usually cheaper and often made by the same manufacturers as name brands. Quality is typically similar, and the savings add up fast. Don’t knock them until you’ve tried them.

5. Compare Unit Prices

Always check the unit price (per ounce, pound, or liter) to make sure you’re truly getting the best deal, especially on bulk or packaged items. Normally, the unit price is listed on the same shelf tag that lists the product price.

6. Buy Tougher Cuts of Meat

Opt for less tender cuts of meat and marinate them overnight. A simple oil-and-vinegar dressing can turn budget-friendly meat into a tender, flavorful meal. The acid in the vinegar will break down the tough connective tissue in the meat, tenderizing it.

Plan Ahead at Home

7. Stick to One Store

The typical shopping strategy is to shop around for deals. But we find an easier way is to simply reduce the amount of time you spend food shopping, by picking one store you like and always doing your shopping there. Once you’re familiar with the layout of the store, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly. Knowing where to go also decreases the chances of making impulse purchases, the bane of the bargain hunter.

8. Don’t Shop Hungry

If you have a hard time sticking to your shopping list, try eating just before you head to the grocery store. Shopping on an empty stomach makes everything look good. Your willpower is likely to be a lot stronger if you plan your shopping trip for after a meal.

9. Use Coupons Wisely

Maximize savings by using coupons where stores double or triple their value.

10. Join a Food Cooperative

Food co-ops are grocery stores run by their members. They generally offer better prices than their commercial counterparts. Unlike those larger stores, many co-ops sell certain foods in bulk. Some co-ops run on a membership basis; others allow anyone to shop but offer discounts to members.

Manage Your Budget

11. Track Your Spending

Sometimes, folks have little idea of HOW they are spending their grocery budget. For a full month, keep your grocery receipts in a drawer; at the end of the month, tally them up by category (meat, wine or drinks, specialty items) and see where you spent what. Consider where you overspent. How many purchases were essentials? How many were nice-to-have items, nonessential, such as specialty tea? We’re not saying you can’t enjoy simple pleasures, but we are aware of where there is waste. Make adjustments to your shopping and budget for a second month. 

12. Plan Meals in Advance

Sure, we all make shopping lists and try to stick to them. But how about planning out your full week so you can see how you could possibly create savings? Think about how you pack a suitcase. Do you bring a separate outfit for every day? No, you usually double up on trousers or think about how to minimize the number of pairs of shoes you bring. The same goes for groceries. Can you buy bulk frozen chicken and plan two meals? Can you maximize the number of meals you can get out of the week of groceries? Can you buy a chicken or make a casserole and have yummy leftovers one day?

✅ Pro Tip: Try these strategies for one month, track your results, and see how much you save on your grocery bill.

Did we miss any? How do you save money on groceries?

Money-Saving Tips
About The Author
Earl Proulx

Earl Proulx

When Earl Proulx died in March 2002 at age 88, he’d written Yankee Magazine's “Plain Talk” advice column for 22 years. With his trademark folksy wisdom, Earl Proulx told readers how to recycle those t...
Read More from Earl Proulx

More Like This

Comments

<span>Jerry Ison</span> Fri, 09/26/2025 - 13:47
The simplest way to save a bundle is just shop at Aldi's. While some times other stores have special prices for brand items but only for a short time or only if you use a "rewards" card so your info is shred throughout the commercial world. A few items may be cheaper elsewhere but there's no other store close to their totals at checkout. Let me assure you, I have no connection whatsoever with Aldi's except sense enough to know a good - no- a great thing when I see (save!) it. Jerry Ison, Talbott TN
<span>Allyssa</span> Fri, 09/26/2025 - 08:42
Shopping at ethnic stores save me lots of money, and I get to try new things. It's criminal how expensive groceries are these days! Everyone should be able to afford food and a place to live if they are working. Doesn't make America sound great, does it?
<span>Joe</span> Fri, 09/26/2025 - 07:31
try the quick sale tables. fab buys! if possible, do the bakery thrift stores; salvage food stores; and even ethnic stores ! even more fab buys !!
<span>Bobby S.</span> Tue, 01/16/2024 - 11:40
... Apparently, you have not checked out the price of flank steak, or "Flat-Iron Steak"' lately, they charge premium meat prices, anymore, due to it's popularity (it is by far the best , and most flavorful cut of beef, on the cow). Around here 8.00 to $11.00 a pound on average, quite an expensive cut of meat.
<span>Cathy</span> Tue, 01/16/2024 - 09:55
Starting with COVID, I still most of the time order my groceries online, looking at choices on the computer, drive to the parking lot, and they bring out the order and put it into the car. Choose the time for pick-up and have an hour window. Eliminates some of the risks mentioned.
<span>Thara</span> Fri, 01/27/2023 - 13:38
Heya. Compare reviews. I always do this when I am at the local supermarket in order to be completely savvy. Good luck. Make out brief summary notes as well to help you. I prefer to make some notes on what I have at home before going to buy food. Look for own brand stuff as far as possible. Or see if you can get it for free. A friend used to let me eat the free fruit and veg which she grew freely at home. You can buy cheap fruit and veg from a farming market. Try it and see what happens as a result. And I like to use different shops these days. For example instead of going to the supermarket to purchase items I tend to investigate my other options. I know that you can buy things like honey and butter at local farm shops and so on. In the past I have even done so. I only purchase a few different cheap magazines once in a blue moon. There are literally hundreds of cafes that are scattered all over the country. It does make such a difference overall. I budget fairly wisely too.
<span>Deanna S</span> Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:31
Meal planning and having a list is very helpful to me. But I save the most when I don’t go into the store at all. I utilize the curb side pickup that is available at most major grocery store chains. I’m saving money because I’m not impulse buying or straying from my list. I save a huge amount of time by not doing the shopping, standing in line or self- checking, as many stores are switching to. My rural grocery store’s “store shoppers” do an excellent job at providing the freshest produce and completing my order.
<span>Frances Gale</span> Fri, 01/20/2023 - 08:45
I strongly suggest buying a half a beef from either a butcher shop (not in grocery store, but a real butcher shop) or buying it direct from a cattle rancher. You get beef that you know is high quality and at greatly reduced price from grocery store. Do not believe that b.s. that you can only keep beef in the freezer for 6 months. That simply isn't true. For one thing, if you get it direct from rancher and butcher shop it is always already double wrapped. You won't get any freezer burn or food waste. It keeps at least 2 years.