18 Simple Ways to Save on Groceries in 2024

This post, 18 Simple Ways to Save on Groceries in 2024, contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.

 

Groceries are one of our biggest expenses. By using some basic shopping techniques, it’s possible to eat well and save cash. Although some of these tips about how to save on groceries may seem like common sense, others may be new to you.

 

1. Sign Up for Store Loyalty Cards

Many grocery stores offer rewards cards to their customers as a way to promote store loyalty. Whole Foods Market, for example, ties their rewards program to Amazon Prime membership (which you can try free for 30 days). (paid Amazon link) Prime members receive an additional 10% off items displaying the yellow sales signs.

Other stores manage their rewards programs a bit differently. In my city, Metcalfe’s Market customers can register (for free) for their rewards program, then start earning points which they can redeem for dollars off a purchase.

 

2. Use Cashback Apps to Save on Groceries

With cashback apps like Ibotta, you can earn a percentage back of your purchase. When you buy items and upload the receipt to Ibotta’s app, you’ll receive a cash reward. Once you’ve accumulated $20, you can keep the cash or exchange it for retailer gift cards.

Ibotta partners with more than 2,000 retailers, including Whole Foods, Vitacost, Costco, and Hy-Vee.

 

 

3. Earn Grocery Gift Cards By Taking Surveys

Businesses are willing to pay for our opinions, so why not take advantage of it? Though taking surveys won’t make you rich and you might have to spend a few hours to earn a reward, this method can help you save on groceries.

Branded Surveys, for example, offers gift cards to Whole Foods Market and Target. And with MyPoints, you can earn gift cards to Target and Walmart.

 

4. Save on Groceries by Knowing When to Shop

Wednesday seems to be a prime day for supermarkets to display their new sales. Since there’s no guarantee that a product will be available when you get to the store (especially if it’s a popular item and the store doesn’t accept rain checks) it’s beneficial to arrive before the crowds do.

Stay connected with your grocers via newsletter or phone app so you know when your favorite products are going on sale.

 

5. Ask About Senior Grocery Store Discounts

Some grocers offer exclusive discounts to their senior customers. Harris Teeter, for example, offers a 10% discount to their senior (60+) customers, and Fred Myer gives 10% to customers 55 and older.

You may have to register for a free store branded card in order to receive the senior discount, and some items (like gift cards and pharmacy items) might be excluded. Saving even 5% to 10% on a regular basis, however, especially if you can stack those discounts with coupons, can put a dent in your grocery bill.

 

6. Ask About Military Grocery Store Discounts

Some supermarkets offer veterans and active military members special perks. For Veterans Day, Hy-Vee has provided a free breakfast and 15% off grocery purchases for qualifying customers. It doesn’t hurt to ask at your favorite grocery store about exclusive military discounts.

7. Take a Few Minutes to Search for Coupons

Though searching for coupons can be a hassle, it can be worth your while. Some manufacturers’ coupons (like .50 off an $8.00 purchase) won’t compel me to purchase a product. Others, however, can yield decent savings, especially when stacked with store promos.

To find coupons, get into the habit of checking the store’s flyer or app for sales and coupons (if you shop at Amazon, be sure to check their coupon section), the manufacturer’s website or social media sites, and coupon aggregate sites like coupons.com.

 

8. Try the Grocery Section at Target & Other Big Box Stores

This is one of my favorite ways to save on groceries. Though it’s not always the case, the foods I buy at Target tend to be lower than at local supermarkets. Example: A 24 oz. jar of Rao’s Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce is currently $6.99 at Target and $8.69 at another market I frequent.

Savings can be even greater when Target runs one of its promotions through its Target Circle app, which is completely free to join. And if you have a Target RedCard, you’ll save an additional 5% off your purchase.

9. Be Selective With Organic Products

While solely purchasing organic foods would be ideal, they’re usually more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Fortunately, there are ways to compromise.

The USDA’s National Organic Program sets standards -based largely on the use of pesticides- for what can be labeled organic. If you’re in doubt about which types of produce are best purchased organic versus conventional, the Environmental Working Group makes it easy for you with their lists of “dirty” and “clean” foods.

For produce like grapes, strawberries, and cherries, I aim to purchase organic versus convention when possible. For bananas, avocados, and produce with thick skins, however, I save the money and buy conventional.

 

 

10. Grow Your Own Produce to Save on Groceries

If you have the inclination, growing your own produce is the ultimate way to save money on food. Though not everyone has the time or patience to garden, it doesn’t need to be complicated. The illustrated book, How to Grow Your Own Food shows beginners how to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs, even if you live in a small space.

11. Learn to Love Generic

When I was growing up, generic was often synonymous with poor quality. Not so any more. The generic and store label products I purchase are as good as (and are even better than) mainstream products.

They’re also usually cheaper. Take the 365 by Whole Foods generic line, which now carries more than 3,500 brand products. An 11 oz. canister of Bright Lights New England Roast ground  coffee (paid Amazon link) is currently $4.39. It makes about 29 cups of 6-fluid oz. cups for a cost of about .15 cents a serving. Compare that with a 10.5 oz. bag of Peet’s Dark Roast ground coffee (paid Amazon link) (also sold at Whole Foods), priced at $11.99.

At Target, a 30.5 oz. canister of their Market Pantry Classic Roast Medium Roast Ground Coffee is $7.39. In comparison, a 30.5 oz. canister of Folgers Classic Medium Roast Ground Coffee is $10.59 at Target.

 

12. Shop Online to Save on Groceries

One of my favorite online retailers is Vitacost, which is owned by Kroger. I can buy staples like spices and oatmeal along with my supplements at a reduced rate. They also offer coffee, breakfast foods, nuts, pasta, beverages, candies, and other items.

Though savings fluctuate, on average I can typically save between 20% to 30% on my purchases, especially when I take advantage of their promos. A 32 oz. bag of Bob Red Mill’s Organic Rolled Oats Old fashioned at Vitacost, for example, is currently $4.99. That same item is priced $5.79 at the Whole Foods and $5.29 at the Target in my area. Vitacost also carries their own generic line with items that are competitively-priced.

Of course, not all prices at Vitacost are lower than at other stores, and you do have to spend $49 or more to receive free shipping.

13. Make Cheap (and Nutritious) Trade-Offs

One example is fruits and vegetable. Though fresh produce is amazing, it goes bad pretty quickly. Frozen products have a much longer shelf life, and are filled with vitamins and minerals.

In fact, a two-year study found no major differences in vitamin content between frozen and fresh vegetables. When there were differences, the frozen produce surpassed the fresh products.

 

14. Look For Expiration Dates

Before buying a product -especially if it’s perishable- check to see how long it’ll last. Buying something because it’s on sale defeats the purpose of saving if the product is about to expire and you don’t plan to use it immediately.

I’ve made the mistake of stocking up on items (like cold-pressed juices) because they were on sale, only to forget about them until a few weeks later; by that time, they had already expired. This is literally money poured down the drain.

 

 

15. Save on Your Splurge

Eating good food is one of life’s pleasures. Sometimes, though, the foods we crave the most are pricy. There are ways to enjoy your favorite foods without spending a fortune on them.

Take the prepared dinners and deli offerings at supermarkets, for example. One work-around is to ask the counter staff if they’d be willing to cut that piece of lasagna or sandwich into a smaller piece. Whole Foods, for example, always obliges me when I ask for reduced portions, even after they’ve already weighed and priced it.

 

16. Don’t Assume Bigger Means It’s Cheaper

We were taught that buying the larger bottle, jar, or package of a particular item equates to a better deal. That’s not always the case. Sometimes, it turns out, the larger portion is pricier.

You could, of course, do calculations on your own. Even better: Check the unit price or price per serving number found in small print on the store tag.

 

17. Check Out Food Cooperatives in Your Area

A food cooperative is an independent grocery store that its paying members “own.” While anyone can shop at food coops regardless of membership status, prices are usually lower if you’re a member. If you’re a senior or can demonstrate financial need, you may even qualify for special discounts.

 

18. Check Your Stock First

Throwing out expired food is not only a waste; it’s money spent for zero return. We’re all guilty of it. A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics estimates that the average household wastes about 32% of the food it buys. In the U.S., that waste comes to about $240 billion dollars!

What’s really helped me avoid waste is organizing my pantry and refrigerator. Instead of guesstimating, I can take a quick peek before heading to the store to that I avoid doubling up on items that I don’t need.

 

It’s possible to save on groceries and eat well when you learn some basic shopping tips. Here’s to good eating!

 

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!