To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page. Whole Foods Market’s overall prices were about 32% higher than the average prices across all surveyed stores. To you, those averages might seem low, spot-on or crazy high. So many factors come into play here, like where you live or any special dietary needs you have. But in any case, you can still be more intentional and save more money on groceries. A lot of them are, and they’ll definitely save you some money!
Set up a savings goal
If you keep a running total of groceries as you go, you’ll save yourself from any bad surprises when you get up to the checkout counter. Just don’t forget sales tax https://recipes.heart.org/en/ (if your state taxes food), or your numbers will be way off in the end. Grocery shopping is an unavoidable line in your budget. Many of your favorite grocery brands sometimes offer manufacturer coupons on their websites or on coupon sites (like coupons.com or redplum.com) that you can use in-store or online. If you want to save money on groceries for the long term, then you need to create a budget—and stick to it. By following these budget shopping tips, you may find that you have more money left over each month to pay down debt, invest for the future, or save for something fun.
Chicken thighs
To help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to using your creativity to work with leftovers. Create soups, casseroles and new dishes with your leftovers to avoid tossing out unused food.
Make a list of Frugal Meals
From there, simply substitute the cooked chicken for any recipe that calls for it. If you don’t have time to sit down to a full-blown meal, consider keeping a small snack on hand or picking up food at the in-store cafe, if the supermarket you frequent has one. A quick hot dog or sweet-tasting coffee may be all you need to stave off hankerings while you shop, thereby curbing the temptation to spend money based on cravings and not on need. Note that this Thrifty Food Plan considers that ALL snacks and meals are prepared at home. To give yourself some wiggle room for dinners out and coffee runs, you may consider raising your grocery budget to between $250 and $350 per month.
By mapping out your meals for the week, you’ll avoid last-minute takeout and impulse buys. Use a meal planning app, a notes app on your phone, or go old-school with pen and paper—whatever helps you stay consistent. I’ll be honest, I’ve never exactly been what you would describe as savvy with my money. That kind of financial behavior has largely followed me, but not anymore. In 2026, I’m getting serious about budgeting, as I’m sure many of you are, and the grocery store is a great place to start.
- For instance, if chicken is on sale, you can plan mostly chicken or vegetarian meals and avoid spending money on non-sale meats.
- That’s because some of the cost of every grocery item is in the packaging.
- Frozen foods, especially prepared meals, can be costly.
- Branded products are more expensive than generic or supermarket-owned brands.
- Budgeting starts to feel like punishment, which usually ends in frustration spending by mid-month.
- Make a meal plan and a grocery list before you ever leave the house.
Expert tip: Create a grocery budget you can stick to
Ibotta currently partners with over 270 stores, which means there’s a good chance your favorite grocery store will be on their list. Before heading out to the grocery store, you’ll want to check your Ibotta app for available rebates. Ibotta lets you search by store and works with several stores and big-box chains, including Walmart, Target, and Hy-Vee. Ibotta is an app that gives you cash rebates when purchasing certain items at the grocery store. Coupons.com is free, so it won’t cost you a thing to use their service.
✅ My Cheap Grocery List
Many store-brand products are nearly identical to their name-brand counterparts—sometimes even made in the same factories. Compare ingredients and nutrition labels to make sure you’re getting a good deal without compromising quality. Along the same lines, you can combine various leftovers to create new dishes, like mixing leftover vegetables with grains for a hearty stir-fry. This way, you can make the most of what you already have and add variety to your meals without any additional cost. Did you know that managing delivery or pickup timing helps cut fees and boost savings on every grocery order? With Instacart, you can schedule delivery windows to match your routine.
What grocery store chain has the cheapest prices in Reno?
Check your local green market for farm-fresh eggs — the prices may be significantly lower (and they’ll taste fresher). Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes — and are generally much more affordable than buying whole cuts. Other inexpensive cuts of meat include lamb shoulder, pork butt, chuck roast and flank steak. Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth. I’ve found that the more intentional I am (planning meals, freezing what I can, sticking to my list) the more control I have over my wallet. Even small changes, like swapping one mentioned brand-name item for generic or making leftovers work harder, can add up to real savings over time.
But think of it as an investment for a meal a few months ahead. Okay, I know this won’t work for everyone, but it’s a great way to eat healthy on a budget. If you grow your own tomatoes, bell peppers and cauliflower, you won’t have to buy any at the store. Walk into the grocery store with a full stomach, and you’ll probably be shocked by how much lower your grocery bill is. Freezer meals are great because you can prep ahead of time and end up having great meals during the week with less stress. This isn’t 1952, and supper doesn’t have to be a huge, complicated feast.
Sign up for your store emails
As you create your meal plan, write down the groceries you’ll need to make each meal. You will likely need to purchase many of the items for your meals, but other items (such as sugar or flour) you may already have in the house. “Sketch out the next several days of meals and look for ways to use/or repurpose ingredients,” Levee suggests.
How to find cheap groceries
When you’re creating your essential grocery list on a budget, remember to stock your freezer. Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run. You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day.
How Much Do People Spend on Groceries Each Month?
There are so many reasons why you might need a cheap grocery list. While I don’t recommend skimping on good nutritious food, there are often circumstances that require us to adjust our spending. Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna (in season July-October) and halibut (in season March-November). Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you (hello, high gas prices!) and cross check the cost of your favorite items online before you shop. Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items.
