The cost of groceries has risen so much over the past few years that you could almost see the prices changing daily. With inflation peaking during the same time and not dropping enough to bring much relief in 2025, many Americans are scrambling to afford the same food they’ve always purchased.
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With this in mind, people can always use tips on how to save on their grocery bills — especially to the tune of a couple hundred bucks a month. Here are our top tips to reduce your grocery spending in manageable ways.
Plan Your Meals Around Savings
It feels good when something you were planning to buy anyway is on sale, but there’s an even better feeling: Saving money by buying only items that are on sale. According to Capital One Shopping, the average shopper saves 6.4% using digital coupons (or about $1,465 on average per year), but you can improve that number by shopping strategically.
Before you make your grocery list, check what’s currently on sale at your local grocery store. There are several free apps that can help you find promotions, so you never miss a good deal. Let the coupons determine your menu: Plan your meals for the week based on what’s on sale.
It’s always smart to plan your shopping trip, thus your meals, before you go to the store, so you don’t get sidetracked buying impulse items and instead stick to your budget. When you strategically plan what to cook in the coming days based on what’s on sale, you can save even more.
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Join a Loyalty Rewards Program
If your grocery store offers a rewards program, take advantage of it. Depending on the program, you might get exclusive deals to use when planning your sales-only weekly menu or points you accumulate and redeem later.
Many of these programs apply to pharmacy items stocked at supermarkets too, so you can extend your savings in that area.
Always Buy Generic
Generic or store brands are almost always completely identical to the name-brand product. Aside from having the same ingredients, they’re often even made by the same manufacturers.
So don’t waste your money paying extra for the more recognizable label. Always look for and choose the generic version nearby.
Swap Meat for Plant-Based Protein a Few Times a Week
You can eat a balanced meal for less by swapping meat for a cheaper plant-based protein, like lentils. No need to go full vegetarian if that’s not your style. Committing to a vegetarian dinner just twice a week will shave a significant amount off your grocery spending if you make it a habit.
Use this saving strategy as a reason to check out some vegetarian recipes, and you may even find your new favorite meal. These are just a few ways to keep your grocery budget in a manageable place while not having to sacrifice your favorite foods.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Simple Ways You Can Save Hundreds on Your Grocery Bill Every Month
