7 Ways to Save Money as Grocery Store Prices Keep Rising

It’s just a quick trip to the grocery store. You put some fresh veggies, a couple of pounds of meat, and some snacks in your cart — nothing major, right? Then why is your check-out bill topping $100? Welcome to the new grocery store reality.

If you’re like most people, your monthly spending at the supermarket looks a lot like your car payment. Gas prices and supply shortages have driven prices up over the last year. Before you cut your cable to pay for cereal and crackers, though, take heart. There are ways you can save and still keep your pantry stocked.

1. Use a Debit Card With Round-Up Savings

Think about where you shop most during the month. There’s a good chance the grocery store is near the top of the list. Why not put those purchases to work for you? To make the most of your money, pay with a debit card linked to your savings account.

Some of these debit cards let you sock away extra cash every time you swipe. Your card automatically rounds up to the nearest dollar and shifts the difference into your savings. Think about it — for every loaf of bread you buy, there’s more bread in your stockpile.

2. Shop Solo

Going grocery shopping as a family may sound like a more efficient plan. With more people, you can cover the aisles quicker, grab what you need, and minimize time. That’s definitely true, but there’s something else to consider. If more family members shop, you have more wants and wishes to deal with.

To avoid being peppered with the “can I haves” or the “but I wants,” consider pushing the cart alone. You have a better chance of sticking to your list if you’re the only one dropping items in the buggy. It’s much easier to pass by the two-for-one cookie or gummy snack specials with no wheedling children involved. What you’re not spending in the self-checkout lane can stay in your account.

3. Make a Plan

About that list — definitely make one. Take it a step further, though. Try to plan out your weekly meals and see whether you can overlap some ingredients. For example, make steamed broccoli on Monday and put together a broccoli casserole on Thursday.

Buying a little bit more of one item may only add a small amount to your spending. Picking up several other things for a different recipe adds much more. Strategically planning meals means you’ll use what you buy. No more watching food go to waste in your fridge.

4. Make Extra and Freeze It

Having a different meal every night is great in theory. Stocking up on that many different ingredients for all the recipes, however, carries a hefty price tag. You’ll get more bang for your grocery bill buck if you start cooking in bulk. Make big batches of some meals, divide them into regular-sized portions, and freeze them.

Bulk meal prep offers you a couple of benefits. On the nights you’re too tired to cook, you have a microwave meal ready to go — meaning less temptation to eat out. Plus, cooking larger batches means fewer trips to the grocery store. You can’t spend extra money on chips or ice cream if you aren’t walking the aisles.

5. Buy Whole Fruits and Veggies

Grocery stores do a great job these days of prepping ingredients for you. Why buy a whole onion or head of broccoli if the supermarket will chop it for you? It’s super convenient and it makes your cooking process easier and faster. It can also add dollars to your food bill.

Instead of reaching for the bag of pre-cut carrots or chopped, mixed fruit, pick up the whole foodstuff. It might take you more time in the kitchen, but you’ll have more money in your pocket. Not to mention, the longer pre-cut food sits on the shelf, the greater the chance bacteria will start to grow. So skip the tummy ache and prep your own produce.

6. Go Generic

You hear this a lot when it comes to prescription medications. It works wonders at the grocery store, too. If you haven’t already, take a look at store brands when you walk the aisles. Nearly every grocery store chain offers its own version of most products. They’re right next to the name-brand items, too, so you don’t have to look far.

Switching to the store brand can shave more than a few dollars off your check-out total. The great news is that once you get these products home, it’s tough to tell the difference. Most items taste or work just as well as the pricier name-brand options. So eschew the Dawn and Cheerios and try their store-brand equivalents instead.

7. Sign Up for the Loyalty Program

Most grocery store chains offer some type of discount loyalty program. Every week, they’ll run specials on a different set of products. If you’re a program member, you automatically get the cheaper prices. In most cases, all you must do is sign up with your name and phone number.

Being part of the loyalty program saves you money now and over the long term. Sure, you’ll knock some dollars off your grocery bill for this trip. And if you maximize the 2/$7 or “buy two, get three free” deals, your fridge and pantry will be stocked. That means you’ll spend less on your future grocery store runs.

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Prices are going up all around you these days. It’s important to find ways to hold on to more of your money. That doesn’t mean you have to scrimp at the grocery store and bypass some of your favorite foods, though. Give these strategies a try on your next trip to the store. You may be surprised by how much lower your food bill can be — and how much higher your bank balance.