Food Shopping On A Budget To Save On Groceries

Food shopping on a budget can feel defeating before you even start. Scanning ads, clipping coupons, it all seems overwhelming, but we are here to help, and we know a thing or two about saving money. We recently shared how to have a wedding on a budget, the least expensive foods you can buy, and how to realistically build an emergency savings account!

In this post, we’re sharing practical ways to save money on grocery shopping without sacrificing taste, variety, or nutrition. With a bit of savvy shopping and simple planning, you’ll become a pro at grocery shopping on a budget in no time.

Whether you’re looking for affordable healthy foods, inexpensive low-carb meals, or affordable high-protein foods, we’ve got you. All the tips we share are from our own experience, and we still use them every day!

Lowering your grocery bill is one of the best ways to reduce your overall spending, leaving you with extra help to achieve other goals. With constantly rising grocery prices, food shopping on a budget is even more challenging. In this post, we’ll discuss realistic ways you can save on groceries.

The list is long, but don’t be overwhelmed. You don’t have to implement all of these things at once. Pick one or two that work best for you and start there. The most important thing is to start!

Food Shopping On A Budget

Shopping on a budget starts with having the right mindset. Instead of feeling like it’s something you have to do, I encourage you to feel empowered and in control of your money. With minimal effort, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year on food, and that’s empowering!

Preventing food waste and shopping on a budget for food go hand in hand. Part of our strategy is to buy only what you need and use what you have, which is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste. When you throw food in the trash, you are literally throwing your hard-earned money in the garbage. Let’s dive in!

Shop Your Kitchen

Before we get into how to save at the grocery store, let’s talk about what you can do at home. Go through everything you already have in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. This reminds you of what you have, prevents waste, and prevents unnecessary purchases.

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Brainstorm A Simple Meal Plan

Strict meal planning isn’t for me. I prefer a loose plan that allows for more flexibility while still keeping me on track. For more on that, I wrote a detailed post on how to meal plan on a budget. Before you go shopping, come up with a few dishes you’d like to make. Ideally, they would include some of the items you found when inventorying your kitchen.

Pro tip. I love this magnetic meal plan + shopping list notepad. Jot the meal you want to make on one side and the groceries you need on the other. That way, you have it all on one list at the grocery store.

Check Weekly Sales

You can’t shop for food on a budget without shopping sales. This is the easiest way to save money on groceries! Each week, scroll through the new ads and plan some meals around what’s on sale. You can view the ads in the mobile app and online. I often do this while watching TV and clip any digital coupons at the same time. If you have several stores close by, you can hit up more than one to snag the best deals!

Pro tip. Be flexible. If you’re craving beef tacos, but chicken breast is on sale, make chicken tacos instead. If you like a certain brand of yogurt but another is on sale, give the sale brand a try. You may like it better!

Stock Up For The Future

Food shopping on a budget requires savvy shopping, and this is a pro move. While you’re looking at what’s on sale, take note of staple items you may not need right now, but you know you will in the future. Buy products you know you will use when they’re at their lowest price. These savings add up and can save you tons of money in the long run! 

Pro tip: Most sale cycles occur every 4 to 6 weeks, meaning most products will be on sale again within that period. When you stock up, keep this in mind and buy enough to last until the next sale.

Make A Grocery Shopping List

To create the list, write down the ingredients you need to prepare the meals from the step above, ensuring you leave off any items you already have and noting what’s on sale. Add additional items you use regularly, like coffee, creamer, eggs, bread, etc, and that’s it. Going to the store with a list not only keeps you on track but also prevents impulse purchases, making the whole experience less stressful. Sticking to the list is crucial when shopping for food on a budget.

Clip Digital Coupons

Most grocery stores have mobile apps where you can load digital coupons and offers. In most cases, all you need to do is enter the phone number associated with your store account, and the savings automatically come off at the register.

Pro tip. Most stores these days offer a free membership loyalty program. Signing up is usually simple within the app, on the website, or at the register. Once you’re a member, you’ll have access to exclusive offers, digital coupons, birthday rewards, and more.

How To Shop For Food On A Budget

Stick to your list – and then take a few minutes to compare prices. Instead of grabbing what you usually buy, look at what’s on sale and compare it to the store brand, which may be even cheaper. Being a brand snob can hold you back from your money-saving efforts. In most cases, the store brand is just as good, if not better, and more affordable.

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Don’t Ignore The Bulk Bins

The prices on the bulk bins can give you sticker shock, but they can save you money when you only need a small amount. I recently needed a small amount of sesame seeds to test a recipe. The smallest-sized package I could find was over seven dollars, so I purchased exactly what I needed from the bulk bin and paid less than a dollar. Items here are often priced per pound, so something like sesame seeds that have no weight will cost next to nothing!

Look For Markdowns And Clearance

I always check the clearance rack at Publix and Whole Foods (yes, Whole Foods) and have found some truly incredible deals there. Kroger has a rack by the bakery where they sell the day-old bread. There is often nothing wrong with it. They’re just making room for that day’s fresh-baked goods. And if you love Whole Foods as much as I do, I wrote an entire post with my top 12 hacks for saving money there!

Choose Frozen Produce Over Fresh

Frozen produce is picked and flash frozen at peak ripeness. It hasn’t been stored in crates and trucks for weeks, and can be even more nutritious than fresh. There’s no forgetting about it in the fridge, and it’s already prepped and ready to go. This saves time in the kitchen and helps prevent food waste. The next time you see a great deal on frozen produce, stock up for quick and easy meals!

Grocery Delivery On A Budget?

These days, most cities have multiple services like this. Instacart, Whole Foods via Amazon, and Amazon Fresh are some of the more popular ones where I live. These services may seem like a luxury, but they can save you time and money. When it comes to food shopping on a budget, sometimes skipping the trip to the store is better. We’re all guilty of buying things we don’t need, so utilizing these services keeps you out of the store and away from temptation. 

Get Paid To Shop For Food

You can get paid to buy groceries you were going to buy anyway! There are many places that offer cash back these days, but Ibotta is the grocery cash back program I prefer and have used for years. Once you register (it’s free), find your store, scroll through the list of offers, and save the ones you want. It’s similar to clipping digital coupons and is so easy. I average $300 to $400 a year (literally free money). If this sounds too good to be true, cash back programs have been around for years, and Ibotta is one of the most reputable. Sign up here.

Pro tip: Other than store sales, Ibotta is the only way I know of to save money on alcohol. You read that right. Get cash back for buying beer, wine, and liquor!