How to Save Money on Groceries Without Extreme Couponing

Groceries are one of the easiest budget categories to shrink without feeling deprived. Here are practical ways to save money on groceries, from planning to shopping to storage.

1. Know your number

Set a weekly or monthly grocery budget based on your household budget, and track it for a month to see where you actually stand before trying to cut it.

2. Plan meals around what is on sale

Check the store's weekly deals or flyer before you plan meals, not after. Build your week around discounted meat, produce and pantry staples rather than a fixed recipe list.

3. Shop with a list, and stick to it

Write your list by store section so you move through faster and skip aisles you do not need. Never grocery shop hungry, since studies and plenty of personal experience agree it leads to impulse buys.

4. Compare unit prices, not package prices

The bigger box is not always cheaper. Check the price per ounce, gram or unit on the shelf label to compare fairly, especially for store brands versus name brands.

5. Buy store brands for staples

Store or generic brands are often made in the same factories as name brands, at a lower price, especially for basics like flour, pasta, canned goods and cleaning supplies.

6. Reduce food waste

Food that gets thrown away is money thrown away. Store produce properly, freeze what you will not use in time, and plan a "use it up" meal once a week from whatever is left in the fridge.

7. Buy in bulk carefully

Bulk buying saves money only for things you use regularly and that store well, like rice, oats and frozen items. Do not bulk buy perishables you might waste.

8. Use cashback and loyalty programs

Free store loyalty cards and cashback apps can add up over a year with no extra effort. Stack them with sales for the biggest saving.

9. Cook more, order in less

Takeaway and delivery cost several times more per meal than cooking at home. Batch-cook on a quiet day and freeze portions for busy nights, which also cuts down on last-minute takeaway orders.

Put the savings to work

If you cut $50 a month from groceries, that is $600 a year. Track it with the same amount every week challenge, or add it to a sinking fund or your emergency fund.

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This article is general information, not financial advice.