10 Money-Saving Grocery Hacks Every Guy Should Know

If you want to take this a step further, create a grocery price book. This can be a physical notebook or a digital spreadsheet where you keep track of the prices of the items you frequently purchase at different stores. This way, you can easily compare prices and know where to find the best deals.

Ware suggests writing the unit price of items in the book to make comparisons easier. “A gallon of milk at $3.29 may seem like a deal until you realize that another store has it for $2.99,” she says. “That’s 30 cents saved on every gallon of milk you buy, which can add up over time.”

Having a grocery price book can also help you spot trends in pricing. Peterson says she noticed that prices for avocados dropped significantly after a big harvest season in California, so she stocked up on them and froze some for later use.

When you’re armed with information about prices, you can make informed decisions about when and where to shop for groceries to get the best value for your money.

6. Shop with a list and stick to it

One of the simplest ways to save money on groceries is to shop with a list and stick to it. Without a list, it’s easy to get distracted by sales, promotions, and impulse buys that can quickly add up at the checkout counter.

“When you shop without a list, you’re more susceptible to marketing tricks, like placing high-profit items at eye level or near the checkout,” says Ware. “Having a list and sticking to it can help you avoid these traps.”

Before you head to the store, take inventory of what you already have at home and plan your meals for the week. Then, make a list of the ingredients you need to buy to avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary items.

Ware suggests organizing your list by store layout to save time and avoid wandering the aisles. “I usually map out my list by department—produce, meats, dairy, etc.—to get in and out of the store quickly,” she says.

Shopping with a list not only helps you save money but also reduces food waste by ensuring you only buy what you need.

7. Use coupons and rebates

Coupons and rebates are a great way to save money on groceries. You can find coupons in newspapers, magazines, online coupon websites, and directly from the manufacturer.

Ware recommends using apps like Coupons.com and Fetch Rewards to find digital coupons and rebates for items on your shopping list. “These apps make it easy to save money without having to clip physical coupons,” she says.

Another tip is to look for store-specific coupons and loyalty programs that offer discounts and rewards for frequent shoppers. Many grocery stores offer digital coupons that you can load onto your loyalty card and redeem at checkout.

When using coupons, make sure to read the fine print and only use them for items you would buy anyway. Otherwise, you may end up spending more money on unnecessary items just to save a few cents.

8. Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can be a cost-effective way to save money on groceries, especially for non-perishable items like rice, pasta, and canned goods. Ware suggests looking for bulk bins at the grocery store or joining a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club to buy in larger quantities at a lower price per unit.

“Buying in bulk can save you money in the long run, especially for items that you use frequently or have a long shelf life,” says Ware. “Just make sure you have enough storage space at home to accommodate bulk purchases.”

For perishable items like meat, consider buying family-sized packs and dividing them into smaller portions to freeze for later use. This can help you save money and reduce food waste by only thawing and cooking what you need.

9. Avoid impulse buys

Impulse buys can quickly derail your grocery budget, so it’s important to resist the temptation to grab items that aren’t on your list. Ware suggests setting a rule for yourself to wait 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase to see if you really need it.

“If you find yourself constantly adding unplanned items to your cart, try shopping with cash instead of a credit or debit card,” says Ware. “Having a limited amount of cash on hand can help you stick to your budget and avoid overspending.”

Another tip is to shop alone if possible, as shopping with family or friends can lead to peer pressure to buy items you hadn’t planned for. If you do shop with others, communicate your budget and shopping list ahead of time to avoid conflicts.

10. Plan meals around sales

One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to plan your meals around sales and promotions at the store. Ware suggests checking the weekly circular or online ads for deals on items you frequently use and incorporating them into your meal plan.

“If chicken breasts are on sale, plan to make a few meals using chicken that week,” says Ware. “This can help you take advantage of lower prices and avoid paying full price for items later on.”

Peterson recommends stocking up on non-perishable items when they are on sale, even if you don’t need them immediately. “Having a well-stocked pantry can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for last-minute trips to the store,” she says.

By planning your meals around sales, you can save money on groceries and make the most of your shopping budget.

With these 10 tips in mind, you can be more strategic about your grocery shopping and keep your spending in check. By buying seasonal produce, shopping locally, reducing food waste, creating a grocery price book, using coupons and rebates, buying in bulk, avoiding impulse buys, and planning meals around sales, you can stretch your grocery budget further and make the most of your money.