This post may contain affiliate links, and I’m a co-owner of Easy Peasy Recipeasy, which is mentioned below. If you buy through these links, I may earn money at no extra cost to you.
Is money a little tight right now? You’re not alone, and the grocery bill is usually the first place it shows.
When my girls were little, money was so tight that we cut out every extra just to get by. Paper towels were a luxury that only came home with a coupon. Plastic grocery bags doubled as trash bags. We didn’t have cable, so the library became our movie theater and our bookstore. Looking back, a lot of it was fun, but there were stressful days too.
The grocery budget is where I learned to get creative. These are the tips that made the biggest difference for us, plus a few newer tricks that make saving even easier today.
Get a free 7-day meal plan. Five easy family dinners, two breakfasts, a dessert and an organized shopping list, sent straight to your inbox from Easy Peasy Recipeasy. No credit card needed. (Heads-up: I’m a co-owner.)
Plan before you shop
1. Meal plan every week
If you only do one thing on this list, do this. When you know what’s for dinner every night, you buy only what those meals need, waste less, and order takeout less often. Here’s the simple system: How to Make a Meal Plan and Actually Stick to It.
2. Shop your kitchen first
Before you write your list, look in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Organize your cupboards so you can see what’s there. If you can’t find it, you’ll end up buying it again.
3. Make a list and stick to it
Most overspending happens in the aisles, on things that looked good in the moment. A list keeps you focused. Group it by store section so you’re not wandering past the snack aisle more than once.
4. Set a budget and track it
Write down what you spend on food each week for a month. Once you know your real number, set a target a little lower and try to beat it. It turns saving into a game instead of a chore.
5. Don’t shop hungry
It’s an old tip because it works. Hungry shoppers buy more snacks and more “extras.” And fight the urge to order pizza after a big grocery trip. That used to be a bad habit of mine!
Shop smarter
6. Buy store brands
Store brands are often made to the same standards as the name brands and cost noticeably less. I only buy the name brand when a sale or coupon makes it cheaper.
7. Compare unit prices
The bigger box isn’t always the better deal. Check the price per ounce on the shelf tag, or use your phone’s calculator, to see which option really costs less.
8. Use coupons, but only for things you’ll use
Coupons and buy-one-get-one deals save money only if you were going to buy the item anyway. Most stores now have digital coupons in their app, which takes just a few minutes to load before you shop. Back in the day, I swapped paper coupons with friends and my local moms’ group.
9. Try a discount grocery store
Stores like Aldi often have much lower prices on produce, dairy and pantry staples than big supermarkets. Even doing part of your shopping there can make a noticeable difference.
10. Compare stores (if it’s practical)
If you live near more than one store, compare prices on the things you buy most. I’ve bought meat on sale at one store and produce at another and saved a good chunk on a single week’s groceries. If you live out in the country, this one may not be worth the gas.
11. Use grocery pickup to avoid impulse buys
Ordering online for pickup means you see your total before you pay and never walk past the endcaps. Even with a small fee, many families spend less because the impulse buys disappear.
12. Buy staples in bulk
Rice, beans, oats, spices, canned goods and toilet paper are all worth buying in larger quantities when the price per unit is lower. Just don’t bulk-buy anything perishable you can’t use or freeze in time.
13. Shop in season
Fruits and vegetables are cheapest when they’re in season. Frozen produce is a great budget option the rest of the year, and nothing goes bad in the drawer.
Cook cheaper meals
14. Stretch the meat
Casseroles, soups, stir-fries and pasta dishes use less meat per serving by adding rice, pasta, beans and vegetables. Ground turkey is often cheaper than ground beef and works in tacos, chili, meatballs and spaghetti sauce.
15. Get to know dry beans and lentils
Dry beans cost very little and cook easily in a slow cooker. Lentils don’t even need soaking and are done in under an hour. Beans and rice is one of the cheapest, most filling meals there is.
16. Buy bigger packs of meat and portion them
Family packs of chicken thighs or ground beef usually cost less per pound. When you get home, split them into meal-sized portions and freeze.
17. Plan “build your own” nights
Baked potato bars, taco nights and homemade pizza let everyone choose their toppings, use up odds and ends from the fridge, and cost far less than takeout.
18. Make your own snacks
Snacks were my biggest budget killer. I started making oatmeal cookies, homemade pudding, and individual yogurt cups from big tubs, and buying the rest in bulk. It took some getting used to, but the savings added up fast.
19. Drink water
Cutting back on soda, juice and bottled drinks is one of the fastest ways to shrink a grocery bill. A filter pitcher pays for itself quickly.
20. Use up leftovers
Plan one leftover night a week, and turn extras into new meals. Leftover chicken becomes quesadillas, and leftover rice becomes fried rice. Less waste means more money stays in your pocket.
Want a budget-friendly plan done for you? The Easy Peasy Meal Club sends weekly family meal plans and grocery lists, so you shop once with no guesswork. Join the Easy Peasy Meal Club for just $7 a month, or try a free week first.
Heads-up: I’m a co-owner of Easy Peasy Recipeasy.
Cheap family meals to get you started
- Beans and rice with salsa and cheese
- Baked potato bar with chili or broccoli and cheese
- Spaghetti with meat sauce stretched with lentils or extra vegetables
- Breakfast for dinner: eggs, pancakes and fruit
- Chicken and rice casserole with frozen vegetables
- Homemade pizza on store-bought dough
- Vegetable and bean soup with crackers or bread
For more ideas, see and Quick and Easy Meals From a Well-Stocked Pantry.
Grocery budget FAQ
How much should a family spend on groceries?
It depends on family size, ages, where you live and how much you cook at home. The best starting point is your own number. Track a month of spending, then aim to trim it a little at a time.
What’s the fastest way to lower my grocery bill?
Meal planning combined with a strict grocery list. Most families see a difference within the first couple of weeks, simply from fewer impulse buys and less wasted food.
Is buying in bulk always cheaper?
Not always. Compare the unit price, and only bulk-buy things you’ll use or can freeze before they go bad.
Start with a plan
Knowing how to shop smart frees up money for the things your family really needs. Grab the free 7-Day Meal Plan below for a week of budget-friendly dinners and a ready-made grocery list.
Get a free 7-day meal plan. Five easy family dinners, two breakfasts, a dessert and an organized shopping list, sent straight to your inbox from Easy Peasy Recipeasy. No credit card needed. (Heads-up: I’m a co-owner.)
See the Family Home Binder, with a monthly budget and bill tracker ($12) →
You might also like:
- Meal Prep for Busy Families
- How to Make a Meal Plan and Actually Stick to It
- Stay-at-Home Mom Budget Tips
Save this for later
Leave a Reply