It’s no secret that since the pandemic began, grocery shopping has gotten far more expensive for American families. Though record-high inflation is cooling, Central Mass has seen costs continue to rise in 2023. Today, the average family can expect to spend over $400.00 a month per person on groceries.
For a while during the pandemic, my family of 3 was struggling with these rising food costs. Our grocery budget used to seem generous and always covered our essentials with some money left to spare. But as things got more expensive, our grocery budget wasn’t stretching like it used to.
I found myself with two options: let my family drown under rising grocery costs or find new, budget-friendly ways to shop. After a lot of trial and error, I discovered 7 easy ways to slash our grocery budget without making sacrifices that have worked for our family.
Here are the 7 quick tips to slash your grocery budget and save your money on your next trip to the grocery store:
ONLY shop on designated grocery days
We’ve all been there before. After a long day, you pop into the grocery store on your way home to grab a gallon of milk or a fresh loaf of bread. Yet, you end up checking out with your arms full of unintentional purchases.
When I first started tracking my grocery spending habits, multiple trips to the store like this each week sent my grocery costs soaring. I found it far too easy to pick up items I didn’t need when I regularly browsed the shelves.
Now, I limit my grocery shopping to just one day a week. It may take a little more planning, but the savings are well worth it.
Stick to a shopping list
One of the best ways I’ve found to cut down on my weekly grocery budget is to plan what I’m going to buy before I even step foot out of the house.
Each week before I leave for the store, I do a full inventory of my fridge and pantry, adding missing staples and expired products to my shopping list. After that’s done, we brainstorm meal options for the week as a family and write down missing ingredients or special requests.
Once I reach the store, though, our list for the week is final. If a product doesn’t make it onto the grocery list, it won’t come home that week.
At first, I struggled to stick to this rule. But I quickly learned that using free or low-cost curbside or in-store pickup options makes it easier. Now, most major retailers offer these services for free or nominal fees, and it guarantees no impulse buys can sneak their way into my cart.
Make discount grocers part of your routine
If a discount grocer like Market Basket, Price Rite, Big Y, or (my favorite) Aldi, is not part of your weekly shopping routine, you’re missing out on some of the best deals around!
Discount grocers minimize costs — like sourcing local produce to lower shipping costs, carrying fewer name brands, or having smaller staff rosters — so they can pass the savings on to you.
It took me time to get used to shopping in stores with fewer options and more generic brands, but my grocery bills shrank overnight without sacrificing fresh produce or high-quality meats.
Take advantage of in-store loyalty programs and digital coupons
Now that almost every retailer has their own in-store loyalty program or club card, I find it difficult to keep reward points and special offers straight. But these programs are vital for slashing money off my monthly grocery budget.
Shaws, Stop & Shop, and even Walmart offer rewards programs that allow you to clip digital coupons right on your smartphone, browse the current and upcoming sales flyers, and earn cash-back rewards.
Keep in mind that for many retailers, you can only access the best in-store discounts if you sign up for their loyalty program. The good news, though, is that almost all of these programs are free of charge.
Opt for generic
Store brands like Aldi’s Appleton Farms, Shaw’s Signature Select, and Walmart’s Great Value often offer high-quality grocery products for a fraction of the cost of name brands.
Every time I shop, I try to swap some of our household staples — like milk, bread, or butter — out for generic store brands. My husband and toddler rarely notice the difference, but my grocery budget sure does!
Shop seasonal produce
Living in New England, we’re blessed with access to farm-fresh produce nearly year-round. But when certain crops go out of season — like those summer berries young kids love — prices at the grocery store balloon. A pint of local blueberries that cost $1.99 in the summer months can quickly skyrocket to nearly $5 when the winter weather rolls in.
When I’m planning snacks and meals for the family, I always reach for seasonal produce first. Not only are the seasonal options usually fresher and tastier, but also much easier on the wallet!
Never shop hungry (or with hungry kids!)
My mother taught me this tip when I was a little girl, and it still saves me money today. Never — and I mean NEVER! — do your weekly grocery shopping on an empty stomach or with a hungry kiddo in the cart. It’s much easier to say yes to unhealthy snacks or grocery store markups when you’re ravenous or trying to diffuse a lengthy toddler tantrum. I save myself the trouble by sharing a filling snack with my toddler before we leave for the store. That way, I can make my shopping decisions with my budget and not my appetite.
Now that I’ve started incorporating these easy, budget-friendly tips into my weekly shopping routine, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Our grocery budget is no longer stretched to the max at the end of each month, and I don’t have to say no to every special treat my toddler begs for.
When your family’s budget is tight, what are your go-to tips or tricks for slashing costs at the grocery store? Share them with us by tagging @Centralmassmom on social media!
