Grocery shopping is one of the biggest recurring expenses for most households, and it’s easy to spend more than you intend. Between rising food prices, last-minute trips to the store and those extra items that somehow find their way into the shopping cart, the weekly grocery bill can quickly add up.
The good news is that saving money on groceries doesn’t mean sacrificing good food or giving up the meals your family enjoys. A little planning, a closer look at your shopping habits and a few practical changes can make a meaningful difference in what you spend.
From setting a realistic food budget and making better use of your pantry to planning meals and shopping with purpose, here are ten ways to get your grocery spending under control.
1. Review Your Current Food Costs
Do you know how much you actually spend on food each week? It’s easy to overlook the smaller purchases that add up, from quick trips to the grocery store for a few dinner ingredients to takeout, food delivery, snacks and meals enjoyed at restaurants.
If you don’t have a good handle on your spending, take a few weeks to track it. Pay attention to what you eat, where you purchase your food and how often you’re making trips to the store. Keep your receipts so you can see exactly what you’re buying and how much individual items cost.
You may be surprised by what you discover. Once you have a clearer picture of where your money is going, you’ll be better equipped to identify opportunities to save.
2. Create a Weekly Food Budget
A household budget helps you make informed decisions about where your money goes, and food is an important part of that equation. Start by looking at your monthly income and expenses, then determine how much you can realistically allocate to groceries and other food purchases.
One budgeting approach worth exploring is the 50/30/20 rule:
- 50% of your income goes to needs: Essential expenses such as housing, utilities and groceries.
- 30% goes to wants: Lifestyle expenses, including dining out, entertainment and other nonessential purchases.
- 20% goes toward your financial future: Savings, financial goals and debt reduction beyond minimum payments.
Keep in mind that groceries generally fall into the needs category, while restaurant meals, takeout and other dining-out expenses fall into the wants category.
The 50/30/20 rule is simply a starting point. Your household expenses, income and financial priorities may require a different balance. The important thing is to establish a food budget that works for your family and gives you a realistic spending target.
3. Stock Up on Pantry Staples
Before heading out to shop, take stock of what you already have in your kitchen. A well-stocked pantry makes it easier to prepare meals at home without having to purchase every ingredient from scratch.
Grains, legumes, nuts and other shelf-stable ingredients are useful staples to keep on hand. They can serve as the foundation for a variety of meals, provide flexibility when planning your weekly menu and help you avoid unnecessary trips to the store.
Buying certain foods in bulk can also save money, particularly when you regularly use them. Just be sure to compare unit prices and purchase quantities you’ll realistically use. A bargain isn’t much of a bargain if food goes to waste.
4. Gather Your Recipes Together
What are your tried-and-true recipes? Which meals are family favorites, and what new dishes have you been wanting to try?
Gather recipes for main meals, lunches, snacks and desserts in one place. You might prefer a notebook, a digital collection or an old-fashioned recipe box. The format doesn’t matter as much as having a convenient collection you can refer to when planning meals.
Having recipes readily available makes it easier to find inspiration, add variety to your weekly menu and make use of ingredients you already have. It also helps eliminate that familiar last-minute question of what to prepare for dinner, which can lead to an unnecessary takeout order.
5. Plan a Weekly Menu
Now that you’ve gathered your recipes, put them to work by planning a menu for the week.
Knowing what you’re going to prepare, which ingredients you’ll need and approximately how much each meal will cost makes it easier to shop with a purpose and stay within your food budget.
As you plan, consider the cost of individual ingredients and mix up your meals throughout the week. Meat and seafood can represent a significant portion of your grocery spending, so balance more expensive meals with dishes featuring beans, lentils, eggs, vegetables and other affordable ingredients.
Think about your schedule, too. Choose meals that fit the time you have available, and consider preparing extra portions when it makes sense for another meal later in the week.
A little advance planning can go a long way toward making both your grocery shopping and everyday cooking more manageable.
6. Pay Attention to Portion Sizes
Being mindful of portion sizes is another way to make your food budget go further. Preparing more food than your family can comfortably eat can lead to unnecessary spending and food waste.
Understanding appropriate portions helps you determine how much to purchase, how much to prepare and how many meals you can get from the ingredients you buy. Online resources, including this portion size guide from WebMD, can help you better understand serving sizes.
Years ago, I didn’t give portion sizes much thought. I’d simply buy two steaks, cook them and my husband and I would eat whatever was on our plates. Once I began paying closer attention to food costs, I realized I was serving myself more than I actually needed.
Being more mindful of portions helped me rethink how much food I purchased and prepared. It also made me more conscious of how to plan meals around the quantities I really needed.
7. Make a Shopping List and Stick to It
Once you’ve planned your weekly menu, put together a shopping list of the ingredients you’ll need. Before heading to the store, check your refrigerator, freezer and pantry to avoid buying items you already have.
Organize your list by category or store section to make shopping more efficient, and try to stick to it. Impulse purchases, special displays and tempting promotions can quickly add items to your cart that weren’t part of your original plan.
Of course, leave a little flexibility for a genuinely good buy or an ingredient that catches your eye, but make sure it fits your budget and that you have a plan for using it.
Shopping with a list helps you stay focused, avoid unnecessary purchases and make better use of your grocery budget.
8. Limit Unnecessary Trips to the Store
Quick trips to the grocery store are one of the easiest ways to add to your weekly food costs. You may head in for one ingredient and leave with several other items you hadn’t planned to buy.
Planning your meals and shopping list ahead of time can help reduce those extra trips. Try to consolidate your shopping whenever practical, whether that means one main weekly trip or a couple of planned visits that fit your family’s schedule.
A well-stocked pantry, a collection of reliable recipes and a little flexibility with your menu also make it easier to prepare something at home when you’re missing an ingredient. You might discover that you already have everything you need for a satisfying meal.
9. Don’t Shop Hungry
This one may seem obvious, but it’s worth remembering: Shopping when you’re hungry can make it harder to stick to your list.
When you’re surrounded by food and thinking about what you’d like to eat right now, those extra snacks, treats and convenience foods can become much more tempting.
Have a meal or a snack before heading to the grocery store. You’ll be more likely to shop with a clear head, focus on what you actually need and avoid filling your cart with impulse purchases.
10. Compare Stores and Prices
Once you’ve established a food budget and become comfortable shopping with a list, take some time to compare prices at different grocery stores. You may find that certain items are consistently less expensive at one store than another, while other products are worth purchasing elsewhere.
Pay attention to unit prices rather than just the shelf price, particularly when comparing different package sizes. Store brands can also offer good value, and weekly sales may provide opportunities to save on items you regularly purchase.
Several years ago, I made a point of comparing grocery prices at different stores, and it was an eye-opener. I discovered that where I shopped and what I purchased could make a real difference in my overall food spending.
The goal isn’t necessarily to shop at the cheapest store for everything. It’s to become a more informed shopper, recognize good value and make purchasing decisions that work for your household and your budget.
Saving money on groceries isn’t about cutting corners or sacrificing the foods your family enjoys. It’s about becoming more thoughtful about how you plan meals, shop for ingredients and make use of what you purchase. Small changes in your shopping habits can add up over time, helping you stretch your food budget while continuing to put good meals on the table.
