How to save money on groceries
Save money on groceries with these budget-friendly tips.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
With food prices on the rise, due in part to inflation and tariffs, many shoppers are looking for ways to stretch their budgets.
The monthly percentage change in food prices at grocery stores was the largest since October 2022, when prices rose 0.6% from July to August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It rose another 0.3% in September.
We asked shoppers for some grocery store hacks to save money on your budget. Here’s what they shared:
Reverse meal planning flips the script
Kara Bradford, 45, of Addison, Vermont, uses a reverse eating plan. The idea is to stock up on items when they’re on sale and plan your week’s meals and shopping list around what you have on hand. Ideally, she said, you won’t need to buy too many things at the store for your meals that week.
Bradford, who writes a lifestyle blog, said reverse meal plans “take a little time to get started” but can save you money once you stock up.
Bradford said she sets a budget, buys what she needs for the week, and uses the rest of the money to stock up on sale items for future meals.
“Most people just shop around and buy whatever comes to mind, which costs a lot of money, or they plan a menu and then go to the grocery store and buy all the items, pay list price, and then either throw away the items they don’t use if they’re perishable, or forget about them and don’t use them,” she says. This is also a waste of money. ”
Save money with online overstock sites
Kristen Overbay, 44, of Indianapolis, is trying to avoid processed foods with her family of four, including two teenagers.
But buying organic food can be expensive, she says, especially if you’re trying to save money on groceries.
Overbey is shopping online. This leverages both local pickup to avoid buying “extras” you don’t need, and websites like Martie.com that offer discounts on overstock items.
Overbey recently stocked up on organic chocolate bars and sparkling water to save money while shopping on overstock sites.
“Many of their products are much cheaper than what you can buy on Amazon or in brick-and-mortar stores,” she said.
Save money on produce, meat and seafood when you shop at Asian grocery stores
Imani Smith heads to a grocery store that specializes in Asian foods to save money on fresh produce, meat, and seafood.
Smith, 29, of Dallas, Texas, said she didn’t really know what she could find at Asian food markets until she went there about three years ago.
“When I looked at the prices of meat and produce, not only was the quality good, but the prices were vastly different compared to my local grocery store,” said Smith, who shares lifestyle tips on TikTok.
Smith, who makes a lot of juices, said the market has a wider variety of produce than what is available at traditional grocery stores and can also carry fruit.
Single shoppers can save money when they shop with neighbors
Smith, who is single, sometimes saves money by combining shopping with neighbors.
“We mostly spend money together, go grocery shopping together, and one of us takes turns preparing meals,” she said. “When I was shopping alone, I sometimes ended up spending too much money and wasting food, so it helps to buy in bulk as a group.”
Smith said she was able to save money by buying meat and paper products like toilet paper and paper towels in bulk.
Shopping discounts/manager price reductions work
Becky Schott, 29, of Chattanooga, Tenn., found savings by looking for discounted items from grocery store managers. She says the products are often still in good condition, but may be nearing their expiry date or have some scratches or discoloration on the packaging or product, but are still good.
Schott, who shares her grocery-saving tips on a video blog called VloggswithBecks, budgets $120 for two weeks worth of groceries for herself and her husband.
“The really great thing about all of this is that you can use it right away or freeze it,” she said.
Schott said she has the best luck getting discounts in the early afternoon Mondays through Wednesdays, but that managers usually ask employees when items are discounted.
Shotz also said that in some cases, the coach may not receive points deductions. For example, if the discount is still over budget, she passes.
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her at @blinfisher on X, Facebook and Instagram and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky.. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, breaking down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.
