With grocery store prices remaining high, we are all seeking ways to save money on food while still enjoying healthy and delicious meals. If you’re tired of overspending every month, here are 10 proven tactics to reduce your grocery bills and enhance your savings on weekly food spending. Whether you’re on a tight budget or just aiming to trim your expenses, these tips can make a significant difference.
This isn’t just about limiting yourself to rice and beans; it’s about shopping smartly, choosing wisely, and organizing your spending. If you’re serious about saving money on food, these strategies are tried and true. Try them all for maximum impact, or start with a few this week.
1. Shop Your Kitchen First
Before you finalize your meal plan or shopping list, check what’s already in your fridge or pantry. Often, you’ll find enough leftovers or single ingredients to create a complete meal, saving money on food by reducing what you need to buy and decreasing food waste—a significant factor in saving money.
If you are a Dinner Daily member, you can also use the Search function right from your menu to search for recipes that use the ingredients you have on hand. For instance, if you have some chicken breast, a few crowns of broccoli and baby carrots in your fridge, type those three ingredients into the search bar. You will then be presented with a list of recipes that use those ingredients. It’s such an easy way to save!
2. Shop Solo
Shopping alone is an effective way to avoid impulse buys, often made when shopping with children or a spouse who might persuade you to purchase unplanned items. If possible, find times to shop alone, perhaps later at night or early in the morning when someone else can be home with the kids.
When my kids were little, I found a grocery store that was open until 10 pm. I would do my shopping after the kids were in bed and my husband was home. It became a sort of ritual for me … time alone in the car to and from, with the added benefit of the store being quiet and peaceful. I could think through purchases, picking the best price and option, without trying to keep my kids from asking for everything in sight, or having to worry about a meltdown. Without distractions, you can focus more on sticking to your list and only buying what you need.
This approach not only helps in saving money on food but also in making healthier food choices. A double win as the saying goes!
3. Plan Some Meals with Inexpensive Healthy Proteins
Incorporating a few meals each week that feature inexpensive yet healthy proteins can dramatically help in saving money on food. Proteins such as lentils, beans, eggs, tofu, and canned fish are not only affordable but also packed with nutrients and proteins. Most of these items cost just a few dollars.
When I started cooking tofu for my family, my steak loving sons were not very enthusiastic and resisted trying it. But they came around when they finally realized it does taste good (it’s all about the sauce) and is filling. I can’t say they ever ask for a tofu dinner, but if I make it they will eat it. Lentils are another incredibly versatile and nutrient dense food that offers so many different options beyond the traditional lentil soup. And considering a bag of lentils will yield a few meals for just $2 to $3 dollars, it is worth experimenting with this nutrient superstar. This is one of my favorites: Lentil, Corn and Mozzarella Salad
We have all heard of the health benefits of getting more plant based meals into our diets, but the money saving benefit is huge. There are so many wonderful ways to use these ingredients and still have a hearty dinner. If you need some ideas, check out this article here: Easy Vegetarian Dinners
If you are a Dinner Daily member, remember you can search for these options from your menu. Try typing “tuna, lentils, tofu, beans, eggs etc” and see all the options you have.
4. Use Store Pickup (vs Delivery)
If you are ok about someone else picking out your food, utilizing store pickup is another easy way to save money on food. By ordering your groceries online and selecting store pickup, you can avoid the temptation of unnecessary purchases that often happen when you browse store aisles. Since most stores charge far less for pickup vs home delivery, it is a better choice. All you need is to remove one impulse buy from your cart and it has paid for itself. You might even find your store runs promos for store pickup or offers it free of charge if you spend over a certain amount.
This method not only saves time but also allows you to better stick to your meal plan and budget.
5. Make Leftover Planning Part of Your Routine
Leftovers often get a bad rap, but they can actually be a valuable and creative way to save money. By embracing your leftovers (instead of pushing them to the back of the fridge until they are unrecognizable), you will absolutely add to your savings at the store and reduce your food waste.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to use leftovers:
- Have a “clean out the fridge” meal. Gather all your leftover vegetables, proteins, and grains (even the little bits) and combine them into a stir fry, omelette, or pot of soup. I use this tactic all the time at the end of the week so I can avoid going to the store. It even has resulted in some great new recipes!
- Leftover fish or chicken, when it is not enough to make a full meal, can easily be made into fish or chicken tacos. Or, by pulling in some pasta, some frozen veggies, and some shredded cheese, you can pull together a quick casserole style meal. When I have leftover chicken breast, I will often make up a batch of chicken salad for an easy dinner or lunch- I add nuts, grapes, chopped spinach, shredded carrots or whatever else I have on hand to make it go further. This recipe has become a family favorite: Easy Recipe for Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Make use of the freezer: if you know you won’t be able to eat all the leftovers before the food expires, freeze them for future quick and easy dinners. This way you will always have a backup meal on hand, again saving you money that otherwise might be spent on takeout.
Additionally, consider repurposing leftover ingredients into new dishes. For example, leftover cooked chicken can be shredded and used in tacos, salads, or sandwiches. Leftover vegetables can be blended into a soup or added to a stir-fry. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations.
6. DIY Alternatives and Homemade Products
Another effective way to save money on groceries is by making your own alternatives to store-bought products. Many household and pantry staples can be easily created at home, often for a fraction of the cost. While this might take a bit more time than simply grabbing a product off the shelf, the savings—and the health benefits—add up.
For example, instead of purchasing store-bought salad dressing, try making your own. You likely have everything you need already in your kitchen, and you can control the ingredients. Store-bought dressings often contain added sugar, sodium, unhealthy oils, and additives. My go-to dressing at home is simple: olive oil, apple cider or red wine vinegar, a dab of Dijon mustard, a couple cloves of crushed garlic, and some spices such as oregano, cumin, and onion powder. If you would like more ideas, check out our Resource Guide on the home page here.
Other DIY ideas include making your own pasta sauce, chicken stock, granola, and trail mix, avoiding the store-bought equivalents. These homemade options are not only cheaper but also healthier since you control what goes into them. You’re less likely to add the same amount of sugar or salt as the store bought versions, and you’ll eliminate artificial colors or flavors. Plus, you can tailor the items to your taste preferences and allergies.
You could also consider making your own cleaning products. Basic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can be used to create effective, budget-friendly cleaning solutions. You’ll save money while reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals.
So start experimenting with one or two options to start. Once that becomes automatic for you, consider adding more items. I am willing to bet you will like your version better. You will also be rewarded with less items on the shopping list, and more money saved on food.
7. Buy Generic or Store Brands:
You’ve likely heard this tip before, but it bears repeating: buying generic or store brands is a highly effective way to save money. While the savings on individual items may seem modest, the total savings accumulate significantly when you consider the volume of products you purchase each week. Moreover, our previous research has shown that generic brands are often just as high in quality as their name-brand counterparts. Many of these products are manufactured in the same facilities, using similar, if not identical, ingredients. We previously did some testing on this and you can find our results here.
By opting for store brands, you not only reduce your grocery bill but also enjoy quality products. The misconception that higher cost equates to better quality doesn’t hold true in many cases. By making this simple switch, you can stretch your grocery budget further without sacrificing the quality or enjoyment of your meals.
8. Reconsider Pre-cut Produce:
While pre-cut produce offers convenience, it often comes at a higher price compared to whole fruits and vegetables. For example, a pre-cut 10-ounce bag of broccoli florets might cost around $3.00, whereas a whole head of broccoli, which can yield around 16 ounces of florets once trimmed, may cost only $2.00. Yes, this might not seem like a big deal, but saving money on food is a game of volume and consistency. Even though the difference might seem insignificant in isolation, those savings add up across multiple products and multiple weeks.
Taking a few extra minutes to cut and prepare produce at home can lead to substantial savings over time. Additionally, whole produce typically stays fresh longer, allowing you to use it more efficiently throughout the week.
However, the value of time savings is also an important consideration. If pre-cut produce helps you cook at home and avoid takeout, then it unquestionably is the better choice. If the lack of time or inclination to chop vegetables leads you to order out, then paying a bit more for convenience is certainly worthwhile.
9. Use Coupons Only When It Makes Sense:
Coupons can be a fantastic way to save money on food, if used in the right way. It’s important to use coupons strategically—only for items that you already need and would normally purchase. At The Dinner Daily, we always advocate for planning your meals first, then checking for coupons, not the other way around.
The availability of a coupon should never dictate your purchases. If an item wasn’t on your list, ask yourself if you truly need it just because you have a coupon. We’ve all seen extreme coupon challenges where shoppers fill a cart with items for next to nothing. However, consider the contents of such a cart: do you really want a month’s supply of unhealthy snack foods cluttering your pantry?
Instead, align your coupon use with your planned meals and shopping list. This method ensures that you maximize savings without compromising your budget or dietary preferences.
10. Embrace Meal Planning and Shop Once per Week:
Lastly, I couldn’t discuss saving money on food without emphasizing one of the most effective strategies: meal planning and shopping once per week.
Taking the time to plan your meals for the week ensures that you only buy the ingredients you need, avoiding unnecessary purchases. It also keeps your shopping trip to once per week. This is a huge step in saving money on food. Being disorganized around meal planning, and shopping multiple times per week will result in overspending almost every time.
If you do run out of an essential item during the week, try to substitute or go without. If that is not possible, try to pick up at the item at a smaller convenience store. This way, you can avoid the temptation to add extra items to your cart, turning a necessary $4 purchase into an unplanned $40 spend at the register. Those impulse purchases will get you every time!
It also keeps you cooking at home. Without a plan, you might find yourself improvising in the grocery store—spending more than necessary—or resorting to frequent takeout, which also inflates your food budget. If you’re already a member of The Dinner Daily, you know how much this can help!
For those new to meal planning, we have numerous resources on our blog. If you’re ready to start, check out this helpful article here. Or, if you’d like some assistance in creating a meal plan tailored to the specials at your local grocery store, consider signing up for a free trial with The Dinner Daily here.
Another significant advantage of meal planning is leveraging sales. Before you plan or shop, review your grocery store’s weekly flyer—either in print or online. Plan your meals around the sale items, particularly the more costly items such as meat, seafood, and produce. Also, take note of any staples or frequently used items on special and include them on your list. By integrating these specials into your meal plan, you can cut your food spending by a substantial margin.
How much can you save? Our tests show you can reduce your food bills by approximately 20% to 25% when you shop with a meal plan based on store specials. Consider the impact of these savings over a month or a year—it’s significant.
The benefits of meal planning extend beyond just shopping. It can prevent costly dining out or last-minute takeout orders, which are major budget drainers. How often have you opted for takeout or a restaurant meal simply because you lacked a plan or the energy to decide on dinner? With a solid plan in place, you’re less likely to succumb to the temptation of eating out, more likely to enjoy budget-friendly meals at home with your family. You will also reduce your food waste—a key factor in controlling food expenses.
Final Thoughts
Lowering your grocery bills and saving money on food is not as challenging as it may seem. By implementing these 10 smart hacks, or even just a few of them, you can really impact your food spending. Considering food costs are the second or third largest budget items for most families, it is worth spending time on this part of your monthly spending.
I would recommend start with #10 – meal planning- and then build in as many of the other tips as you can.
Remember, every small step counts when it comes to saving money on groceries. Start with one or two hacks and gradually incorporate more into your routine. To really see the results, track your spending. Before you know it, you’ll be amazed at how much you are saving.
So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these tactics this week and enjoy the savings that comes with lowering your grocery bills!
