It’s no secret that dining out can break your budget quickly, but even making your own food at home is expensive these days. Kitchen staples, like eggs and meat, keep hitting record highs. Still, you're probably better off buying groceries than getting takeout.
The right supermarket strategies can help you save money.
1. Raid your pantry and stick to your list
Some shoppers head to the grocery store without taking inventory of what they already have at home. Before you buy duplicates, check your refrigerator and pantry. Jot down what you already have and plan meals around those ingredients.
Use a grocery list app to build a shopping list. There are tons of free options that update in real time and automatically categorize items on your list so you’re not wandering the aisles.
» MORE: See our picks for the best grocery list apps
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2. Pay attention to prices
Passive shopping won’t cut it in this age of inflation. Check the prices of items before putting them in your cart. If you do this enough — especially with the items you buy frequently — you’ll know when something is actually a deal or when you should skip it.
Pay attention to prices at more than one store to learn where deals on certain products are better.
Compare deals from store to store by looking at the unit price (cost per ounce, per count or per pound) rather than the sticker price. In this case, a bigger box might not be a better deal.
3. Check your inbox and mailbox
Many grocery stores have apps and email lists with coupons, discounts and rewards programs to save more on food. You can also check your mail for grocery store coupons.
Though the Sunday newspaper may be waning in popularity, it still contains coupons that might apply to items you routinely buy.
4. Know whether you spend more online or in store
Do you prefer shopping for groceries online or in stores? Each comes with pros and cons.
Shopping in person lets you see unadvertised deals and compare unit prices or brands on the fly. It’s easier to make swaps in person, too, and picking out your own produce is a big plus. But, you’re also exposed to impulse purchases that can bust your budget quickly.
Grocery delivery and pickup services are great for convenience, and you can see your running total as you add items to your digital cart. You have to add in fees and tips, however, which can really add up.
To avoid additional markups and fees, consider using a store’s own app rather than a third party delivery service (like Instacart) or opt for pickup instead of delivery.
5. Stock up smartly
Buying in bulk only saves you money if you use everything you buy. So, before you start buying everything in bulk, take some time to figure out how quickly your household actually goes through things.
Non-perishables and household staples like paper towels, detergent, canned goods and dish pods are usually always safe to buy in bulk. The expiration date is far in the future (if there is one) so it doesn’t matter if these things sit on the shelf for a bit.
If you have room in your freezer to buy a few extra sale-priced proteins, like ground beef or chicken,, go for it. But if your favorite bagged chopped salad is on sale and you buy more than you can eat before the expiration date, you’ll end up overspending.
6. Follow your favorite brands
You probably already have a favorite potato chip or a top pick in laundry detergent, so use your brand loyalty to your advantage.
Follow your favorite brands on social media or sign up for their mailing lists. Brands often send coupons and special offers directly to the inboxes of email subscribers.
7. Try out generic labels
But just because you like name brands t doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be open to trying something else. For some products, you can do without the brand name altogether. A budget grocery store like Aldi or Lidl is filled with quality, often organic, store brands that are likely to rival your favorite name brands.
If you’re nervous to make the swap, start with the products you’re indifferent about and see how it goes.
8. Use credit cards strategically
Check your credit cards to see if you can earn cash back or other rewards when grocery shopping. You'll need to track details like spending caps, possible annual fees and rotating categories. But grocery rewards credit cards can pay 1% to 6%, which could shave hundreds of dollars a year off your food costs.
To reap the best return, pay the card off in full each month rather than carrying a balance. Otherwise, interest charges may eat up your savings.
9. Establish your local supermarket circuit
OK, we know we said limit your store trips. But if you plan to split your purchases across multiple stores to pinpoint the best deals at each, and you stick to your list at each store, you can save. For example, you may use Trader Joe’s for good deals on items like ground coffee and frozen prepared meals one week.
Then the next week, you’ll go to Aldi for discounts on center-store items like boxed cereals and snacks. Grab your meat and produce where you can find it freshest for the best price, and hit the wholesale club once a month for the things you can stock, save and use over time.
10. Consider a wholesale membership
Wholesale clubs sell food in bulk at low costs per unit, which is especially appealing for large families. Consider buying a membership at a store such as Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club if you have room to store large amounts of food, or if you want to stock up on nonperishable necessities such as paper towels and toilet paper.
Be prepared to spend more at the outset as you invest in large quantities.
And remember, you’ll have to pay an annual fee for the warehouse membership. Before you commit, make sure that you’ll shop there enough to save more on your groceries than you invest in the membership. And those memberships offer more than just groceries — they can help you save on gas, travel, home and car repairs and more.
11. Understand sale cycles
Learning the rhythm of store sales can help you know when to buy and when to wait.
For example, if you want to snag a bargain on outdoor furniture, the end of summer sales are worth the wait. Holidays like Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day and Halloween are known for candy discounts.
And Black Friday is the best time to buy almost everything. If you want to time your purchases right, learn more about the best things to buy every month.
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So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
