The average American household spends $412 per month on their Grocery bill and with the global cost of living crisis, that number’s is only set to rise. Ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet and if you’re feeling the pinch, you’re certainly not the only one. 

So, what can you do to save money on your grocery shopping? Here are some tips and tricks to help you shop smart and keep your Grocery Bill under control. 

Shop around 

It’s a commonly repeated phrase but it really is true – shopping around is the only way to make sure that you’re getting the best deal on your groceries. Different stores have different offers at different times, so by making a regular rotation, you can capture all the greatest deals.

Clip coupons

Coupon clipping can be so effective that some people even go so far as to make it a full-time hobby (just check out ‘Extreme Couponing’ on TLC). It can take a little time, but it doesn’t take much thought, so just plot out half an hour in your schedule once a week and you can do it while watching TV or catching up with a family member. 

Only buy what you need

It sounds obvious, but not accidentally overspending at the grocery store is a surefire way to keep your grocery bill in check. We all get tempted by our favorite snacks or what seems like a good deal on an item we didn’t intend to buy, but all of these little extras add up and suddenly you have a grocery bill twice the size of what you budgeted for. Go in with a list and stick to it – you’ll be pleased you did when you get to the counter. 

Cook from scratch

It might not be the advice you want to hear, but cooking your meals from scratch works out a lot cheaper than buying prepared food or ingredients. Even if you ditch the ready meals, buying a pack of pre-chopped carrots costs more than buying them whole and cutting them yourself. You pay for the additional work that goes into preparing these items, so save yourself a few cents and do it yourself at home. 

Buy unbranded 

You might have a favorite cereal brand, or maybe one make of toilet tissue just feels better that the rest, but you’d surprised to learn that a lot of branded products are made in the same factories as their budget counterparts. When you buy from a big brand, you’re getting basically the same product – just in much less fancy packaging. Skip the branded goods and save money in the process.
 

Get a loyalty card

Most grocery store chains offer some form of loyalty scheme, whether it be a points-based system or rotating discounts. Even if you shop at multiple stores, getting a loyalty card costs nothing and over time can take a big portion off your bill. 

Buy in bulk

The concept of buying in bulk is simple: the more you buy, the cheaper it is. Look at the unit price of individual items next time you’re grocery shopping and you’ll see that a pound of pasta is cheaper than two boxes of eight ounces. Even better, join a wholesale club for greater savings. It’s worth 

remembering that while this is great for dried items, fresh food is probably best not purchased in bulk as it might go off before you get to it. 

Look in the clearance aisle

Buying clearance items means you can often put together a whole meal for a seriously low price. The expiry dates on these items are normally fairly short-lived, so this is tip best used when you’re looking for something to cook that evening. If you don’t fancy any of the clearance food or it’s all gone by the time you’ve got there, look for other items that are on sale and stock up on non-perishables.