How to Save Money on Groceries: 25 Tools and Tricks to Save $100 or More

We’ve got tons of tips to share with you, but first, here are a few of our staff and reader favorites

Get up to $250 in Coupons

GiveBetty Crocker your email address, and it’ll send you up to $250 worth of coupons, plus the best of Betty’s 15,000 kitchen-tested recipes, how-tos and more.

Get Started

Take a Picture of Your Receipt

Ibottawill pay you cash back for snapping photos of your grocery receipts. Plus, you’ll receive a $10 sign-up reward after uploading your first receipt.

Get Started

Earn Points When You Decide What’s for Dinner

ThroughKellogg’s Family Rewards, you’ll rack up points for buying qualifying items (not just Kellogg’s products!) and uploading your receipt.

Get Started

Although overall inflation is easing, food costs are still nudging upward slightly, which can make grocery bills a serious strain on your budget.

Want to trim your grocery spending? Cutting costs on groceries doesn’t require hoarding coupon binders or purchasing an absurd amount of toilet paper.

We put together a list of straightforward (and a few surprising) tactics to stretch your grocery dollars. From clipping digital coupons to using cash-back apps to earning from your receipts, here are 25 ways to reduce your grocery bill.

Need Quick Cash to Boost Your Grocery Budget?

If your grocery funds are getting squeezed, it might be a good time to add another income source. Not sure where to begin? Some of our favorite simple ways to earn extra cash could help lighten the load at checkout.

How to Save Money on Groceries: 25 Tools and Tricks

When you know the right moves, you can save a decent chunk of change next time you walk into the grocery store. Below are our top methods for cutting grocery costs.

5 Tools and Apps That Help You Save Money on Groceries

Your smartphone is a powerful ally—download these grocery apps. (Using them all is easier than clipping paper coupons!)

1. Nielsen Consumer Panel: Share What’s in Your Fridge

Want to be rewarded for showing your grocery haul? The Nielsen Consumer Panel will do just that.

You probably know Nielsen as the firm that measures TV audiences. Now it wants to know what’s in your refrigerator.

Join the Nielsen Consumer Panel, then use your phone to scan product barcodes after your next shopping trip. When Nielsen receives the information, you’ll earn gift points redeemable for electronics, household goods or toys.

2. Get $10 Plus Cashback On All Purchases

Want an extra ten bucks?

Install the free browser extension from Rakuten, a cashback platform that gives you rewards nearly every time you shop online. When you try it, you’ll receive a $10 sign-up bonus. Plus, you can earn up to 15% cash back on purchases.

Here’s how:

• Register for Rakuten.
• Use its portal the next time you buy online from a big retailer like Walmart, Amazon or Target. Make a purchase within 90 days of signing up, and spend at least $25.
• Your account will be credited with points, which you can redeem for gift cards.

3. Swagbucks: Get $10 for Shopping Online

Here’s an easy way to score a $10 gift card for your next grocery run: Use the Swagbucks browser extension on Google Chrome from your desktop, and save more on purchases at popular retailers like Amazon and Target.

You’ll receive a $10 Swagbucks bonus when you earn 1,000 SB after spending at least $25 at a shop listed on Swagbucks.com/Shop.

4. Fetch: Get Paid to Take a Picture of Your Grocery Receipt

There are now plenty of grocery-savings apps on the market — and that’s a good thing. But too many choices can feel overwhelming, especially if you prefer simplicity.

If you’re the type who wants to grab groceries and move on while still saving, try Fetch Rewards. All you need to do is snap a photo of your receipt to earn rewards.

No barcode scanning; no hunting for offers; no store restrictions.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Download the Fetch Rewards app.
2. Create an account using your email or Facebook.
3. Take a photo of a grocery receipt (within the past 14 days).

Fetch Rewards searches for chances to award you points for everyday purchases.

Whenever you upload a receipt that contains one or more of over 250 participating brands, you’ll score points — without matching particular product promotions.

If the app does find a specific match, you’ll earn even larger rewards. For instance, an offer might be 2,000 points for buying a Suave women’s hair product, or 2,000 points for a 12-pack of Blue Moon.

When you accumulate enough points (sometimes as few as 3,000), redeem them for gift cards to retailers like Walmart, Target or Amazon.

Go ahead and start earning points toward gift cards by downloading Fetch Rewards.

5. Store Loyalty Apps: Clip Digital Coupons

What’s your preferred neighborhood grocery store? Chances are it offers a loyalty app.

For instance, the Aldi app lets you access weekly coupons, build a shopping list and locate the nearest store. The Publix app similarly lets you clip digital coupons to redeem at checkout.

11 Simple Ways to Save Without Coupons

With your go-to savings apps in place, it’s time to hit the store. Use these strategies to cut even more off your grocery bill.

1. Check Unit Prices

Buying in bulk seems like a no-brainer, but it isn’t always cheaper. A small two-pack of paper towels might be more economical than a giant 16-roll case.

To figure unit price, divide the item’s cost by its quantity. Consider how much you’ll truly save (if any — and whether you can store it) before opting for the bulk option.

2. Meal Prep to Make a Grocery Shopping List

We know this sounds obvious, but planning meals for the week and creating a shopping list helps keep you focused, reduces food waste and prevents impulse buys — like those random cheese wedges.

3. Don’t Shop at Eye Level

Retail experts study grocery store psychology closely.

Products placed at eye level are premium spots. You’ll often find pricier items there — or items designed to catch kids’ attention.

Also note: shopping carts grew significantly between 1975 and 2000. A bigger cart doesn’t mean you must fill it.

Recognizing these tactics makes it easier to resist them.

4. Ask for a Rain Check

Ever miss out on a BOGO because the shelves were empty? Someone else grabbed the deal.

Don’t hesitate to request a rain check so you can claim the sale price when the store restocks.

5. Store Your Food Properly

You buy a container of spinach or a bunch of avocados, but before you can eat them they spoil.

Avoid wasting grocery dollars by storing produce and perishables correctly so they last longer.

6. Have Your Groceries Delivered

Yes, you’ll pay for delivery if someone brings groceries to your door, but having groceries delivered can save both time and money because it forces meal planning.

And you won’t wander into the snack aisle.

7. Don’t Shop Hungry

Golden rule: Never grocery shop while hungry.

Trust us.

When you’re hungry you’re more likely to toss tempting items into your cart. Those impulsive, ready-to-eat purchases tend to sit in the fridge and spoil before you can eat them all.

8. Shop Your Pantry First

Before you head out, inventory what’s in your pantry, fridge and freezer. What can you make from what you already have? You probably have pasta or eggs — use those staples to build your weekly meals.

9. Don’t Buy Pre-Cut Produce

Pre-cut items like spiralized zucchini or chopped squash are convenient but cost considerably more than whole produce. You also get less product and it won’t stay fresh as long.

10. Practice Meatless Mondays

Simply put: meat is pricey. A package of ground beef for tacos for two can run nearly $8. At that price you might as well order takeout.

Try skipping meat one day a week — meatless Mondays can shave money off your grocery bill.

11. Compare Stores

Many people stick to one grocery store out of habit.

But you can save money by shopping different stores. Use a comparison chart to identify which stores offer the best prices for your regular items.

For instance, you might buy paper goods at a dollar store and pick up produce at your preferred supermarket.

Use These Sites to Get Coupons for Groceries

A smart way to cut costs at checkout is deal stacking — layering cashback apps with coupons.

If you need coupons but no longer get a Sunday paper, you can find lots of printable coupons from the sites below.

1. Betty Crocker: Up to $250 in Free Coupons

Give Betty Crocker your email, and it will send up to $250 in coupons that can help you score deeply discounted or free canned goods, cereal and yogurt at stores.

Besides coupons, Betty Crocker’s free emails deliver highlights from her 15,000 kitchen-tested recipes, how-tos and more — straight to your inbox!

If you’re bored of repeating the same meals, wouldn’t it be nice to get occasional, budget-friendly recipe ideas?

2. Pillsbury: Up to $250 in Coupons

Sign up for Pillsbury.com emails to receive up to $250 in annual coupons, opportunities for free product samples (limited quantities, one per member) and easy recipes delivered to your inbox.

Because these coupons are valuable, they’re typically limited to one set per person. If you want more, have another household member sign up too.

3.Tap Into This Free Coupon Portal

Just when you think you’ve used all coupon options, more exist.

Explore exclusive deals via the Kellogg’s Family Rewards portal. Find printable and digital coupons for cereal, diapers, detergent and more — beyond just Kellogg’s products.

You can also earn points on qualifying items and exchange them for gift cards to retailers like Starbucks, Domino’s and Sephora.

Sign up with your email and answer a few questions to snag an easy 100 bonus points. Then start collecting!

 6 Ways to Save on Organic Groceries

We understand wanting to buy organic for peace of mind. That doesn’t mean you must overspend. Below are tactics to help you save on organic groceries:

1. Grow a Cost-Effective Garden

If you have outdoor space — or even room for herb pots — grow some of your own produce.

Because some vegetables need more time and care, prioritize cost-effective plants like salad greens, cherry tomatoes, green beans, herbs, summer squash, carrots and zucchini.

Another benefit: you’ll know exactly how your produce was cultivated.

2. Shop Seasonally

Stick to what’s in season.

Buying organic strawberries out of season, for example, can be costly. Instead, plan meals around seasonal produce. If you need something off-season, opt for frozen versions.

3. Buy Organic Meat in Bulk

Did you know bulk organic meat is an option? It might sound odd, but buying in larger quantities from a local wholesale meat supplier can save considerable money.

One contributor purchases three months’ worth of meat from a local supplier for about $50, which fits in a standard freezer.

4. Tap Into a Local CSA

Look for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to get local organic fruits, vegetables, meat and honey.

It’s like a subscription box: you receive weekly, biweekly or monthly deliveries of fresh goods while supporting local farmers.

Search for CSA programs via the USDA’s CSA directory.

5. Know the Organic Store Brands

Many supermarkets carry their own store-brand products that cost less than national brands. Some even offer organic store-brand lines.

Examples include:

• Aldi: SimplyNature
• Kroger: Simple Truth
• Publix: Greenwise
• Safeway: O Organics
• Target: Simply Balanced
• Whole Foods: 365 Everyday Value

6. Understand What’s Worth Buying Organic

If you always buy organic, that’s your choice. But if you opt for organic because of marketing or assumptions, do some research. Learn what the organic label actually signifies and decide which items are worth the premium.

Saving Money on Groceries: Easier Than You’d Think

Stretching your grocery budget doesn’t have to be hard. With the right apps, coupons and habits, you can noticeably reduce your monthly food spending.

If you want more strategies to save, check out our comprehensive step-by-step guide to saving money.

*The information for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card has been gathered independently by The Penny Hoarder. Views shared here are the author’s own and not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by the issuer. The Penny Hoarder partners with Credible.

Jordan Miles ([email protected]) is a staff writer at Savinly.