We’re not insane. This isn’t a plea to ditch your favorite ice cream or other irresistible grocery finds.
We’re simply inviting you to take a few extra, simple steps when you buy groceries and everyday household items — steps that could trim more than $600 from your grocery spending this month.
Are you ready for the challenge? Discover how much you can shave off your grocery bill.
1. Find Hidden Savings with This Free Extension
Wouldn’t it be great to get a heads-up when shopping for groceries online at Amazon or Target if you’re about to overpay?
That’s exactly the idea behind Capital One Shopping.
Install it on your browser for free, and before you finish checking out it scans other retailers — including Walmart, eBay and more — to see if the product is cheaper elsewhere. You’ll also receive coupon codes, price-drop alerts and a view of the item’s price history.
Imagine you’re buying a new TV and think you’ve found the best deal. The extension will pop up and notify you if that same TV is listed for less at another store. Any applicable promo codes will be applied automatically at checkout.
In the past year, users saved a total of $160 million.
Get started in just a couple clicks to find out if you’re overpaying online.
2. Re-shop Your Auto Insurance and Potentially Save $860 a Year
You may not notice, but your auto insurer could be charging you too much. They often count on customers not checking. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.
A new tool from Savinly compiles competitive options in one place so you don’t have to comb through countless insurance sites for a better rate. On average, drivers who compare offers save around $860 annually or more.
Getting started is simple. Tell the tool a bit about yourself and your vehicle, and you’ll receive several tailored quotes to compare and pick the best fit.
Stop paying too much for car insurance. It takes only a few minutes to compare quotes and see how much you could save.
3. Let a Site Help Pay Off Your Credit Card Bills This Month
If you carry credit card debt, you understand. The stress, the interest, the worry it will never end…
The reality is credit card companies don’t have your best interests at heart. They profit from steep interest rates. But a website called AmOne looks to help.
If your combined credit card debt is $100,000 or less, AmOne can pair you with a low-interest personal loan to pay off all your balances.
The advantage? You’ll have a single monthly payment. Because personal loans often carry lower interest rates (AmOne’s rates begin at 6.40% APR), you can get out of debt much faster. And that could mean no credit card payment this month.
AmOne won’t make you visit a bank branch or spend hours on hold. If you’re unsure about qualifying, it’s free to check online. The process takes about two minutes and could accelerate your debt payoff by years.
4. A Free App That Can Earn You $290/Year on Fuel, Food, and Dining
An app called Upside helps you collect cash back on everyday purchases without mental gymnastics. The app highlights participating local gas stations where you can save as much as 25 cents per gallon at the pump.
You can also earn cash back at grocery stores and restaurants — from neighborhood spots to chains like Domino’s, Taco Bell, Five Guys, Popeyes and Applebee’s.
Regular users report earning up to $290 annually. That’s actual cash deposited into your PayPal or bank account, or redeemable as gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon and Starbucks.
To start earning: download the Upside app, create a free account and check the map for participating locations nearby. Claim an offer, tap “Check In” before paying with your linked card — a few seconds for easy cash.
You can withdraw your earnings anytime, and transfers arrive within two days. Download the Upside app now.
5. Tell Someone What’s Inside Your Refrigerator
Remember Nielsen, the company that tracks TV viewership? Now it’s interested in the contents of your fridge.
By joining the Nielsen Consumer Panel, you can use your smartphone or receive a free barcode scanner from the company. Each time you shop, scan the UPC codes on purchased products and submit the data to Nielsen.
In return, Nielsen rewards you with points you can redeem for electronics, jewelry, household items or toys for the kids.
The longer you remain on the panel, the more chances you’ll have to collect points toward rewards. You’ll also be entered into various sweepstakes with prizes ranging from vacations to brand-new vehicles.
Signing up as a panel member is easy: answer a few basic questions about your household, and Nielsen will review your application and contact you if you’re eligible to join.
6. Store Groceries the Right Way
You grab a container of spinach or a bunch of avocados, but before you can eat them they’ve already spoiled.
Prevent food waste and save money by learning how to store items properly so they stay fresh longer.
7. Ask for a Rain Check
Ever spot a BOGO deal on Nutella only to find the shelf empty when you get to the store? Someone beat you to it.
Don’t hesitate to request a rain check from your grocer so you can still take advantage of the sale when the item is restocked.
8. Pocket Up to $526.44 by Shopping Online Instead of In-Store
Running errands is a drag. After a long workday, the last thing you want is to battle traffic and crowds at the store.
That’s why many people use a free site called Rakuten — it rewards you for skipping the store and shopping online.
Rakuten partners with a wide range of online retailers and can give you cash back on purchases — sometimes up to 15% back.
We heard from Denver resident Colleen Rivera, who’s earned more than $526.44 in cash back since she started using Rakuten — simply by buying things she already needed, like rental cars and flights.
Creating a Rakuten account takes under a minute; you only need an email address.
They’ll pay out by check every few months or via PayPal. It’s essentially money for purchases you were going to make anyway.
