23 Crafty Tricks to Help You Save Money on Groceries

Last Updated on June 23, 2020 by Remonia

Do you ever feel guilty for throwing away food knowing that there are people in the world who would be happy to have just a quarter of it? 

 If you do, then that guilt alone should be enough motivation to help you save money on groceries.

Clearly, limiting your wastage of food is not the only way you can save money on groceries, but it’s a start. 

So, let’s see what we can do to make the most of our money.

1. Create a Budget

Always work with a budget. Creating a budget is one thing we should all be familiar with since it’s all about managing our money well. 

Whether it’s skin care, hair, fashion, blogging, wedding, home-related and so on, we all want to make sure we are monitoring our finances.

Therefore, budgeting is the major way to keep track of what you want to spend your money on and how much you intend to spend. 

When making your budget, consider your family size, the amount of money you have available and the groceries you need to get.

2. Walk With a Shopping List

A shopping list helps to prevent you from buying any and everything you see.

 It basically helps to keep you out of trouble so you don’t overspend on things you don’t need. 

For this reason, only get what is on the list.

 However, in the event you stray a little and sneak in stuff you didn’t need to get, just try not to go overboard. 

It will help if you add a treat, or two you’d like on the list.

3. Make Bulk Purchases

Getting groceries in bulk allows you to hold on to some extra cash you otherwise could not save if you were to buy small batches of groceries several times per week.

Use these tips to help you get the most out of bulk purchases: 

• Think about proper storage to keep food safe and fresh for a long time

• Buy food based on how long they’ll take to expire

• Make purchases based on how soon you’ll be able to use certain food

• Focus on the essential items

• Try other brands

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your grocery bill.

4. Identify Price Drop Days

Price drop days will make any store seem like a goldmine for huge savings.

 You need to find out what days your stores and farmer’s market typically have a price drop on the food you often pick up, in this way you won’t miss out on any special bargains.

For me, one of my favorite stores reduces the cost of meat on Thursdays, which is one thing I stock up on the most.

Because of this, I shop only on Thursdays when I can get more value for my money.

5. Plan Your Meals

There’s no doubt that meal planning helps you to save money on food and even save you time in the kitchen. 

With meal planning, you’re able to create your shopping list with the food you need to prepare and also use your ingredients before they expire.

But, most of all you get to prepare meals you and your family will enjoy, which means your food won’t go to waste.

Just remember to make the most of meal planning by taking requests from your family so everyone will have the chance to eat something they love.

6. Get Creative With Leftovers

Instead of dumping your leftovers in the trash after you feel full, store them in the fridge for a lazy day.

You can’t afford to throw away perfectly good food.

Think about it. Each time you throw away food, you throw away money.

There’s no harm in mixing leftovers to create fun new meals 

So, find creative ways to make those leftovers into something you don’t want to finish.

7. Stay Away From Pre-Cut Groceries

Pre-cut groceries are best for speedy meal preparation in the kitchen. 

We all love using them because they make our lives easier. 

Although having pre-cut food is convenient, it’s not worth it unless you’re busy because they are often double or triple the cost of the original item.

8. Don’t Buy Pre-Packaged Snacks

Put pre-packaged snacks behind you because it costs more to pick them up than to make them yourself.

I know, I know, prepackaged snacks are wonderful and because of them, you get to spend more time with your family.

 But, if you’re serious about saving some cash, you have to buckle down and start doing some things yourself.

We both know that not all pre-packaged snacks are healthy for us and our children, which is another reason you should focus on making them yourself. 

So, forget about pre-packaged snacks for a while and focus on making some yourself.

Try making some of these delightful snacks:

• Trail mix

• Muffins

• Granola bars

• Fruit cups

• Veggie cups

• Pizza rolls

• Pudding

• Cookies

• Smoothie

• Fruit popsicle

• Cheese and crackers

9. Forget About Credit Card Rewards

Credit Card rewards are fantastic if you travel frequently or buy a lot of groceries every month.

However, if you have a habit of overspending on things that weren’t on your shopping list, you may need to rethink getting a reward card.

Credit Card rewards come with a price :

• Annual fees 

• There may be high-Interest fees 

• There are spending terms which may not be suitable for your budget

• If you’re a dedicated overspender, you may end up with a card debt that may take a while to pay off

10. Try Store Memberships

Store memberships are useful, but only if you’re able to save extra on your purchases and that extra cash could help pay for your membership.

That being said, store membership programs come with a lot of perks like:

• Free music

• Free movies

• Exclusive products

• Car rental discounts

• Discounts on gift cards

• Better travel deals

• Free shipping

• Lower prescription costs

There are plenty more benefits, but that depends on the store program you choose. You can survive without a store membership but it might do you some good if you have a large family and you shop in bulk.

11. Use Grocery Saving Apps

I never like paying full price for anything so I’m constantly looking for ways to save on anything I can, including things I need at the grocery store.

And nothing says savings like using grocery saving apps. 

Many apps are available for free and some even come with a nice little sign-up bonus like Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates).

Sign up for these apps to get cashback or discount on your groceries:

• Dosh

• Ibotta

• Honey

• Rakuten

• Shopkick

• Makeena

• Checkout 51

• Retailmenot

• Target Cartwheel App

12. Buy Local Produce

Cut down on your expenses by picking up local produce.

While it’s nice to have continuous access to fruits and vegetables that are out of season, it’s best if you stick to those you’re able to get within a specific season.

 Imported produce and produce out of season cost way more.

13. Look for Things on Sale

The clearance aisle or sale aisle is the best part of any store because that’s where you’ll discover new and discounted items.

 It’s frankly my favorite section in any store and could instantly become yours too.

That’s why I often keep an eye out for things I regularly buy in the clearance section because sometimes there are special offers on brand name items.

Also, on some occasions, I’m able to find other less expensive items similar in taste to that of brand name items.

Never skip the clearance aisle. You never know what you might miss out on.

14. Always Check Your Receipts

Check your receipts after every purchase. 

You need to do this because sometimes the cashier may make a mistake with your grocery bill and you end up paying more than you should for your items.

Moreover, you want to make sure you hold on to your receipts for a while so you can compare store prices to find out where you are getting the best deals on your groceries.

15. Make Note of Your Store’s Return Policy

We won’t always be happy with everything we get at the grocery store and we should be able to return what we don’t like, right?

Well, that’s why we need to pay attention to the return policies of stores where we shop.

If you’re picking up items you’ve never tried before, ask about the store’s return policy before you get them.

You don’t want to have them in the fridge or pantry until they expire because you don’t like them. 

Remember, not all stores will allow you to return items you’ve opened, let alone started using. 

16. Find or Test Similar Items

Brand name items are great but other brands you consider to be inferior might be your best bet for saving some additional cash.

Some popular brand name foods are expensive.

That is why you need to take the time to explore other brand name foods that are more affordable.

Look around the store and see what foods are like those you usually pick up, then try them and see how well they match up to the brands you love.

Once you’re able to do that, you’ll be able to save a nice chunk of money.

17. Plant Your Own Food

One of the few ways to know you are getting top quality organic produce is by planting it yourself.

If it’s legal in your country, find a space in the back of your yard and start growing your fruits and vegetables.

This could help you save half the money you spend on your grocery bills.

You can focus on planting these types of foods :

• Kale

• Mint

• Lettuce

• Carrots

• Spinach

• Aloe vera

• Ginger

• Turmeric

• Thyme

• Tomatoes

• Rosemary

• Pumpkin

• Peppers

• Sweet pepper

• Cucumbers

18. Do Food Checks

How many times have you brought home a particular food only to find out you already have tons of it in your pantry, fridge or cupboard?

Do regular checks to prevent your food from expiring and to help you avoid getting food you already have on hand.

Before you head out to buy groceries, see what you have available and make a note of when they’ll expire. 

19. Store Your Food the Right Way

The fridge is where you store a suitable amount of food and if you’re not doing it right you risk the chance of having your food spoil before you can even eat it.

So, let’s look at what you can do to keep your food fresh for long:

1. Practice safe food storage

If you’re not doing this, you’re not only wasting money, but you’re putting your health and your family’s health at risk. 

You need to make certain you store things like raw meat securely in your fridge so you can prevent any food illnesses. Always put them below your food in a tightly sealed container

2. No overstocking

Being able to have plenty of food is a blessing, but it’s not nice if you allow it to go to waste. That is why you have to avoid overstocking your refrigerator. 

When there’s too much food in there, the cool air cannot spread evenly throughout and as a result, your food will spoil more quickly.

3. Store food in sections

Arrange dedicated sections for all your fruits, vegetables, snacks, herbs, meat, sauces, dips, milk and leftovers. You can do this by using lazy susans, pull out bins, mason jars, clear stackable bins and Ziploc bag organizers

4. Allow food to cool 

Leave cooked food to cool before placing it in the refrigerator because if it’s still hot when you put it inside, you not only risk your fridge overworking but you also create the possibility for your other foods to go bad.

5. Use clear containers

Use airtight clear containers to store food.

Why? Because some of us sometimes can’t bother to search the fridge to see what’s there.

 And when we can’t readily see what we have, we’re likely to put off checking the containers until a later date.

But, if we’re able to open the fridge and instantly see what’s there, this forces us to make the choice to use what we have before the food gets stale.

20. Order Groceries Online

Ordering groceries online offers a lot of benefits and makes shopping for groceries effortless. 

Firstly, shopping online forces you to be more strict with the things you pick up.

 If you’re using a shopping list, you’re more likely to stick to it and it is much easier over picking up groceries at the store in person.

This is because you get the opportunity to think about what you need versus what you want.

Secondly, you’re able to slash gas costs. If it’s costing you more to travel to your grocery store every month, then you need to look into getting them online.

Of course, you’ll have to pay for delivery, but it could be far less than what you are paying for the price of gas. Do the math.

Are you saving cash by getting the groceries yourself or would it be better to just order them online?

Lastly, getting your food online keeps you from making multiple shopping trips.

You know how it feels to stand in a lengthy line for 10-20 minutes and then when you finally get home you realize you left something. Awful, right? 

Well, this too can happen when getting things online, but the best thing about it is that when you forget something, you can immediately get back online and add your item before delivery takes place.

So, there’s absolutely no need for you to drive to the store just to pick up an item you forgot to get.

21. Never Buy New Products in Bulk

One of the fastest ways to lose your money is by picking up a lot of brand name foods you’ve never tried before.

I know sometimes it may feel you’re spending a fortune on groceries but never make the mistake and purchase a lot of brand name or generic foods you’ve never had before just to save a few dollars. 

If it’s a case where you see other brands charge less for their food, try to purchase one thing from that brand when you’re doing your monthly shopping.

Doing this will give you adequate time to figure out whether you like the taste or quality of the product.

22. Limit Your Spending on Luxury Food

Put your expensive taste on hold because your taste may just be putting a hole in your pocket. 

Everyone has a favorite food. 

Nevertheless, some of these foods we love so much could weigh down our budget because of their high cost and how often we buy them.

Some of these high-priced foods may include:

• Walnuts

• Cashews

• Vanilla bean

• Anchovies

• Caviar 

• Saffron

• Manuka honey

• White truffles

• Parmesan cheese

• Macadamia nut

• Matcha green tea powder

• Coffin Bay King Oysters 

So, you’ll want to think twice before spending your money freely on some of these foods.

On the other hand, if you feel as if you can’t resist, get them in smaller portions or just get them once in a while when you’re not on a tight budget.

23. Stretch Your Ingredients

Learn how to stretch your ingredients. You don’t have to use an entire chicken for one meal. You can use it more than once depending on the size of your family. 

For instance, for a family of four, you can use a whole chicken at least four times to make budget-friendly meals like chicken stew, chicken soup, chicken casserole and chicken pizza. 

These kinds of meals will help you to stretch your ingredients, which in this case is your chicken.

Therefore, as grocery prices increase, you need to stretch your dollar and buying meal stretcher ingredients is an absolutely smart way to do that.

So, pick up a few of these meal stretcher ingredients the next you go grocery shopping:

• Pasta

• Beans

• Peas

• Rice

• Cheese

• Carrots

• Potatoes

• Sausage

• Sweet corn

• Potatoes

• Ground beef 

Conclusion

If you feel guilty for throwing away food and you’re tired of spending way too much money on groceries every month, that can be fixed.

Aside from not throwing away food, there are many things you can do to save money on groceries like meal planning, creating a budget, finding foods you can use to stretch your meals and so much more.

Tell me, which money-saving tip is your favorite? Share your feedback in the comment section below and please share this post.