Food can take a big chunk out of your monthly budget—with a single person spending up to $434 per month on groceries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But with a little smart strategizing, you can lower your grocery bill significantly and still eat well.
Following even one of these tips could save you significant money over time—and if you go all in on the whole dozen? Prepare to have way more cash in your bank account.
Opt for Frozen Produce
If you want the biggest bang for your buck with fruits and veggies, you may be better off investing in the frozen versions, rather than fresh. That’s because the produce in the freezer aisle was frozen right after being picked, so their peak quality was preserved—and you won’t have to worry that those delicate berries will get moldy before you get a chance to use them. And often, buying the frozen versions can be cheaper than buying the same amount of produce fresh.
Plan Your Meals
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Consider this the “ounce of prevention, pound of cure” for your grocery spending. Creating a meal plan each week not only takes the “what’s for dinner” question off your daily to-do list—it also helps streamline your shopping, as you’re only putting foods on your shopping list that are part of your meal plan.
If you aren’t feeding a crowd, consider grouping meals during a week that contain similar quick-to-expire ingredients. That way, you know you’ll go through that whole sleeve of bell peppers before they start to shrivel, for stir fries, fajitas, and a chili, for instance.
Try the 6 to 1 Rule
Don’t want to go all-in on a meal plan? This grocery savings rule may be the next best thing. Shop for six veggies, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun food to try.
That’ll give you a lot of variety to mix and match to create your dishes for the week—and the focus on produce is not only healthier for you, but for your budget, too.
Check Your Fridge and Your Pantry Before You Shop
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It pays to take a quick look at what food you already have at home before you buy. No lie: We once loaded up on eggs—without realizing we still had a few dozen in a mini fridge from the last grocery order. (There were lots of breakfasts-for-dinner and quiches for a few weeks after that!)
To avoid that issue, take a few minutes to review what’s in your fridge, freezer, and pantry before you shop, and make a list of what you actually need, so you avoid overbuying on some items—and missing out on other ones.
Shop in Season
Switching up your menus as the seasons change can save you quite a bit of dough, and makes meals more delicious, too. Fresh tomatoes in February have to travel far—from Mexico, Florida, or California, most likely—and the travel expense is factored into the price. But buy tomatoes in July, when they’re in season in most of the U.S., and they’ll be plentiful, local, and better tasting than those winter tomatoes. (Not to mention—a whole lot cheaper, too, since they’re transported a shorter distance!)
Hit the Farmer’s Market
It may seem like buying from a farmer’s market can be pricier, but you may be surprised when you head there. Because the produce is brought directly from the field to the market, and generally at close range, you cut out the middlemen like the supermarket, which could result in cost savings—in addition to supporting the local economy directly.
To really save, look for a community-supported agriculture (CSA) subscription near you. You’re buying a stake in the output of local farmers, and often get bountiful produce—plus eggs, meat, and other foods—at a drastically reduced price.
Sign Up for Rewards or Loyalty Programs
If you consistently shop at one or two stores, sign up for their loyalty cards. You’ll get all the in-store discounts just by inputting your phone number or swiping your card, and you’ll often be automatically signed up for promotions that could net you other deals, such as a generous discount on a single grocery order or a free turkey come Thanksgiving.
Carefully Consider Bulk Buys
There’s a reason that Costco is beloved by bargain shoppers across the U.S. But before you go all in on a massive tub of hummus or a case of yogurt, you need to answer two questions:
- Do I love this enough to eat all of this?
- Will I be able to eat through it all (or freeze it) before it expires?
That super-sized container of lettuce greens seems like a bargain compared to the smaller supermarket clamshells—but if you only use a quarter of it before it goes bad, you’ll lose the money and waste the food.
Check the Sales and Coupons
You don’t necessarily have to actually clip coupons to find savings—look at the sales flyers (which are always online!) to see what’s on special, and plan your meals around that. If you love a big-brand product, check their website for printable coupons that can net you savings, too.
Planning to take advantage of a big sale? Make sure you have the space to store it before you buy. Trust me: You don’t want to come home to a full freezer with several pounds of on-sale chicken thighs.
Avoid Pre-Packaged Convenience Items
That sliced and diced melon or carrots can make healthy eating easier—but you will pay extra for the convenience, and your food may go bad faster than it would if you bought the whole item and put the work into chopping it yourself.
Be Smart About Your Meat Purchases
When you’re looking to cut costs, it’s always easiest to find cuts in the biggest portion of your bill. And since meat can be one of the most expensive parts of your grocery order, that’s a great place to start. By choosing cheaper cuts of meat (i.e. top round beef versus porterhouse), choosing recipes that stretch out meat—such as stews that include beans and other cheaper proteins—or going meatless entirely, you can put a nice-sized dent in your grocery bill in short order.
Minimize Food Waste
One of the biggest sources of waste—both of money and of resources—is food waste. A Gallup poll found that the average American household tosses out about six cups worth of food per week—which costs them an extra $1,500 per year.
Many of the strategies here—including meal planning and freezing food—can help reduce the amount of food waste in your home. With careful planning and smart usage of any leftovers, you could save significantly without making any additional adjustments to your grocery shopping.
