10 Tips for Staying on Budget in the Grocery Store

Grocery prices are sky high, but you can still purchase the foods that you like and that are good for you with some proper planning, flexibility and restraint.

Americans are shelling out 22% more for groceries compared with just four years ago according to October 2024 Consumer Price Index inflation data. And although grocery prices are no longer climbing as much as they did in the last two years, many Americans are still frustrated by what it costs to put food on the table.

Such frustration is not going unnoticed by retailers and food suppliers. One of the biggest snack makers said recently that its sales had fallen amidst rising prices as grocery shoppers became more sensitive to rising prices. Consumer frustration with rising prices is compounded by what is known as shrinkflation. That’s when companies reduce package sizes so that you get less than you are used to for the same or, sometimes, even higher prices.

Of course, food isn’t the only thing rising in price. Though it seems to get a lot more attention than other everyday items, likely because groceries are such a significant chunk of the typical family’s budget, accounting for about 8% on average, according to government data.

Luckily, there are some proven and effective ways to limit the impact of higher grocery prices and possibly keep more money in your bank account, while still eating healthy. Here are 10 tips:

1. Buy generic. Substitute national brand names for local store brands. In many cases, you probably won’t notice a difference in taste.
2. Cook-it-Yourself or CIY. Just like DIYers save a lot of money fixing up their homes by themselves, you can save money by cooking it yourself. Prepared and pre-packaged meals may be time-savers, but you’re paying a premium for that convenience. That even applies to the presentation of food. Consider chicken, for example. Deboning it and removing the skin yourself shaves a lot off per pound compared with buying skinless, boneless chicken.
3. Look for specials and discounts. Flexible meal scheduling can be a gamechanger financially if you swap out for items that are on sale currently or that have dropped more in price in the past year, including vegetables, cheese and eggs. Leverage coupons and loyalty programs whenever possible.
4. Don’t waste food. Serving more realistic food portions and including leftovers in your eating plans means throwing less food away. In this way, you only pay for what you finish eating. Remember it’s only a good deal if you eat all of it.
5. Compare prices. Just because you’ve been loyal to the same grocery store as your parents for the past decade doesn’t mean a change of scenery couldn’t do your pocketbook some good. Shop around and compare prices. In some cases, the local farmers’ market may be a more affordable option for items like produce than a brick-and-mortar grocery store. Discount grocery stores have also become more plentiful and have stepped up their game regarding the quality and quantity of their product offerings.
6. Make a list and check it twice. Consumers who shop with a list and stick to that list almost always come out of the store with fewer items than shoppers with no list who purchase items spontaneously.
7. Eat before you shop. Many budgeters know you should never grocery shop on an empty stomach. If you do, everything is likely to tempt you, and you’ll wind up with more items in your basket than you planned on buying.
8. Do the math. Always check the price per unit when comparing brands or sizes. Typically, one larger box or can or package will be cheaper than buying two or three smaller units. But not always. If you can’t do the math in your head, bring a calculator with you when shopping or use the one on your phone. If the item is nonperishable and something you’ll use multiple times, you’ll likely save money by buying in bulk and stocking up when it’s on sale.
9. Consider the alternatives. In-season fresh produce is often the least expensive option. Off-season produce is typically priced higher, in which case frozen vegetables offer a healthy substitute that might make more financial sense. If you’re looking for a protein source and the price of meat is too high, swap in healthy, cheaper alternatives, such as eggs, canned beans, tofu or canned tuna, to name a few.
10. Use cash. In today’s world of plastic, many people don’t carry cash. However, the swipe of a credit or debit card tends to camouflage what we are really spending. If you shop with a specific amount of cash, it forces you to shop within your budget and know exactly what you’re spending. If it helps, you might want to carry a calculator with you to track costs as you go to avoid an embarrassing incident at checkout.

Grocery prices will always fluctuate for multiple reasons. But by paying more attention to the prices you’re paying and adjusting your meal plans accordingly and in advance, you’re in a better position to keep your family’s bellies full while paying less.

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