6 Tips to More Budget-Friendly Grocery Shopping

Trimming the budget might be a task you approach with reluctance. What do you cut out, give up, or cut down on?

Will it hurt?

Your grocery budget can be a place to start. Grocery shopping for the week, eating meals at home, or FROM  home is an effective way to cut expenses. Check out my tips for budget-friendly grocery shopping.

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1) Plan your menu

…after you have had a chance to view the weekly sales ads at your grocery stores.  Before you go grocery shopping, check manufacturer’s coupons, your store’s digital coupons, and rebate apps like Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Coupons.com to see what match-ups you can stack with sale prices to save even more money.

Get signed up for one or all of these money-saving grocery apps.  It’s not unusual to see a 50% savings where you can stack discounts.  Freebies are common.

Ibotta

…offers a $10.00 sign-on bonus and a payout once you have reached $20.00, so you are halfway there at sign-up.  You are allowed to stack store coupons, manufacturer’s coupons with an Ibotta rebate.  This frequently results in free products.  Click here to sign up for this generous program.

They also have rebate offers on products and services other than just groceries.  Rebates are offered by companies ranging from Amazon to Zulily.

Oh, and their referral program is excellent.  When you refer friends or family you get a $5.00 bonus.  They offer a ton of other bonus opportunities throughout the month so you can build your balance even faster.  This app is well worth the effort it takes to process the receipts.

Coupons.com

…offers digital coupons,  including periodic freebies, and the payout is via your linked Paypal account Download the app, link your Paypal account, select the coupons you want. When you purchase the item simply snap a photo of the receipt and the rebate will be deposited into your Paypal account usually within 24 hours. You can also link your store loyalty account to eliminate having to submit the receipt.

Checkout 51

…they load new offers on Wednesday and may have a shorter window of time to grab that deal. Keep an eye out for their bonus opportunities, they can be very generous.  They also have a payout minimum of $20.00.

Your earnings from all of these apps can be applied directly to your Paypal account or a variety of gift cards if you prefer.  Either way, it’s your money coming back to you, so you can spend it again.

Sales cycles generally start mid-week giving you plenty of time to make a good plan if you typically shop on the weekend.

2) Make your grocery list

…for the week, but keep another list handy that includes specialty items that you know you need to be on the lookout for, maybe extra baking supplies for an upcoming holiday, birthday, work function, OR for things you know you are running low on.

You can also start stocking up for those special occasions in little bitty bites instead of a single really expensive trip.  So, pencil them in and get them when the price is right and avoid the last-minute trips to the grocery store. You won’t bust your grocery budget and still have what you need for special occasions.

Trust me, you rarely find these things on sale when you’re desperate for them!

3) Shop the perimeter

…of the grocery store first for the whole foods that should be the bulk of your diet. Healthy grocery shopping on a tight budget is possible. Take advantage of in-season produce sales and weekly meat sales (if your diet includes meat) to plan your meals.

Keep an eagle-eye out for markdowns in these areas. You can save a ton of money on dairy, produce, and meats if you can take advantage of markdowns by either using them immediately (they are generally near their “use by” date) or if you can freeze them. Fruits and vegetables repackaged in mesh bags-ugly fruit and ugly vegetables-are deeply discounted and are usually a great value.

Use freezer bags or a vacuum sealer to stock your freezer with your super deals.

Read my post on Fresh Produce Savers for a comparison of popular products on the market.

Be sure to label and date anything that goes in the freezer and practice FIFO (first in, first out).

4) Don’t shop on an empty stomach

…everybody says it because it’s true!  Even if it’s not a full meal, a snack before you go shopping will at least take the edge off.  If not, you won’t stick to your list, you won’t stay focused, you will probably give in to temptation.  You will spend more money and you’ll have that low-blood-sugar irritability and a headache to show for it when it’s all over.

The only exception is if you shop on the weekend at lunchtime at Sam’s Club. There is a sampling table on practically every end-cap. It’s very much like grazing.

5) Shop during off-peak times

…early or late, whatever is a more productive time for you. You will generally find markdowns in produce, meat, and dairy during these off times.

More importantly, if you are using coupons and rebate apps you need to be able to concentrate on what you are buying.

A coupon can have very specific requirements. You want to make sure you are making the right selection.  I am forever in someone’s way if I try to do this during busier times in the store.

At my grocery store, super markdowns occur on produce, meat, and dairy early Sunday and early Wednesday.  I shop for groceries early Sunday morning. Hubby stops by early Wednesday on his way to work to check out the produce section for hot deals.  Your store may do this on a different schedule. Check with your store managers for their schedules to see how you may incorporate this into your savings strategy.

6) Shop for groceries alone

…if it’s possible. You will be more focused and able to stay on track if you can do this without distractions.

Have the kids and spousal unit involved in meal-planning, list-making, coupon-clipping.

Turn the chore of unloading the car and putting the groceries away into a game or a competition.  Convince them that they are doing the fun stuff.