6 More Tips to Save Money on Groceries Now!
Let’s Save Some Money on Groceries!
We are continuing with Part 3 in our series on saving money on grocery shopping. Here are 6 more simple tips to help you save tons of money and bring that estimated $1,000 a month on groceries way down.
Read the Other Popular Posts in This Series:
Save Money on Grocery Shopping
1. Use Coupons…
Nowadays it seems like you can find coupons just about everywhere you turn. Unfortunately, at least half of the coupons I find now are expired but still out there to be found.
Now the question isn’t “Where can I find coupons?”, but rather “Where can I find savings that are valid now?”
There are a few great sources of coupons that are updated regularly: the weekly circular in the paper (if you still get the paper, lol), coupons.com, redplum.com, and smartsource.com
After that, I recommend checking each store you visit to see if they have an app (and usually special savings through that app). Ideas of places to check:
- King Soopers/City Market/Kroger
- Target/Super Target
- Costco
- Walmart/Super Walmart
- Sams Club
- Trader Joes
- Natural Grocers
- Sprouts
- Whole Foods
- Publix
- Earth Fare
- Lowes Foods
- Any other favorite stores
Pro Tip: Be sure to check for an app as well as for online coupons (sometimes they are not the same) to your favorite store for more savings!
2. …Strategically
Most people want to use coupons right away.
However, to save the most money, pair coupon savings with store sales. SouthernSavers.com is a fantastic resource for finding store sales (to most major grocery store chains) and matching them up with coupon offers.
And remember, stores have sales on regular rotations! If you want to keep track of your favorite items to see how often/what time of year they go on sale, grab our grocery price check sheet!
3. Buy fish frozen and in bulk
At the counter, you will likely find seafood products with very small print saying “previously frozen”. Surprising, isn’t it? These seafood products are put on display in such a way as to make you think that you are buying authentic fresh, never frozen, food.
That mirage costs money which gets passed down to you.
Skip these items and buy from the frozen section. You will save up to 40% AND you can thaw the seafood yourself when you are ready to use it.
I even buy my frozen fish and seafood from Costco to buy in bulk so I save even more!
4. Know average prices so you can spot a good deal
4. Know average prices so you can spot a good dealIf you shop regularly, this might come naturally to you. For example, you might automatically know that a certain favorite salad dressing costs around $3 a bottle, making a sale of $1.99 a good deal or $1.50/bottle a steal.
If, however, you don’t normally do the shopping or you shop at a variety of stores (or you just don’t naturally remember numbers well), this is where your price comparison sheet will come in handy. Need the sheet? Enter your email below so we know where to send it!
5. Shoot for 1-2 meatless days a week to save money on meat
There are several benefits to having a meatless day or two a week, including saving money on meat.
If you want to save money on your grocery bill each month, experiment with other proteins such as rice, beans, dairy, even tofu. If you spend your money more on rice, beans and vegetables and make a small reduction in how much you spend on meat, you could save up to about $700 a year. What?! Yup.
6. Take advantage of free samples
If you are like me, free stuff always tastes better!
Plus, indulging in a few free samples will help curb your appetite so you are much less likely to impulse shop and overspend. It is way easier to stick to your list AND your budget when you aren’t shopping with an empty stomach!
If you haven’t read our other post full of tips for saving money on groceries, check it out!
By combining these tips together or mixing and matching what works for you, you can save hundreds of dollars each year (or even each month!) just on groceries! All it takes is a little bit of time and experimenting to see which tips work to help YOU save the most!
We want to hear from you! Comment below: What was your biggest takeaway from these tips?
Read these other popular posts:
Make Your Own Hummingbird Food (save money and help the birds)!
5 Simple and Fun Activities to do as a Family to Get and Stay Healthy!
The Best and Easiest Way to Make Baked Potatoes
We get take out once a week
Usually go out once a week, but not every week.
My husband and I eat out once every other week approximately, for date night but everything else is home cooked. I even cook for the kids before going on a date.
Never. I gave that up when I started taking care of all the cats.
My husband and I eat out once a week.
2-3 times
Every Friday night
We go out about once a week but it was less when the kids were younger. Every once in a while you have to ‘treat yoself!”
Approx 3x a week
I go out to eat 3 times a month.
I rarely go out to eat and it is likely I only go out 1x every 1-2 months.
We rarely go out to eat. Usually we take out a Papa Murphy’s pizza a few times a month. My hubby and I will go out to eat on a date night once a month.
Great ideas. I used to coupon and need to get back to it. After I had a baby it was just too time consuming for me. And we eat out maybe once a week. And some weeks we don’t eat out at all. We’ve been trying to really get a handle on throwing money away in restaurants.
Once a week if we’re in the mood to go out, I prefer cooking at home though.
Normally it’s only just twice a month.
no this is the first time i entered this sweeps
once a year wish it was more
We go out about once a month.
I never go out to eat. I like the much more comfortable surroundings of my house.
Never. No money for that.
We don’t go out to eat much.
Once If Possible , But Order out many times
Sometimes it’s nicer to pick up and eat at home than it is to deal with eating at a restaurant. Thanks for entering, Phillipa, and good luck!
Never have the money so hardly ever
It can be SO expensive, right?!
We try to eat out every day. We’re retired.. obviously..
Haha, that cracked me up, Wendy! Thanks for entering and good luck!
Hmm, I would say 2-3 times a week.
Hi Jasmina! Thanks for entering and good luck!
Being out of work I rarely eat out I just enjoy shopping like paying 20%
3 times a week
One or both of us go to eat out only about 1 time per week. Thanks and God Bless!
Once a week.
maybe once a month
It is rare. Maybe once every three months.
I go out to eat about twice a week
I usually go out to eat once every other week, just as a treat for when I get paid. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else cook for you lol.
I agree, Deborah, it really is nice to have someone else cook once in a while!
We eat out maybe every other month.
I eat out atleast twice a week, I don’t have the time or patience to meal prep or cook.
Haha, I understand, Cami! It can be time-consuming!
We rarely eat out.
We go out to eat once every 2 weeks in my house.
We go out to eat rarely it is usually reserved for special occasions or when we travel.
great – thank you for letting us know, Laura!
We eat out about once a week.
At the most-once.
I go out to eat once a week.
I don’t go out to try to save some dollars but If I win I’ll eat out once per week for a month! Thanks for this contest and Happy ? Easter
,
Haha, Ina! I’m certainly not promoting going out to eat – I just wanted to get a sense of how often our readers do go out and how much they cook at home! I say save those dollars – even if you win 🙂
I eat out maybe once a week.
We go out to eat maybe twice a week. Try to eat at home, cheaper and healthier.
Yes, it is, Carolyn!
We rarely go out to eat, maybe once a month. Eating at home means healthier, cheaper meals and it’s SO difficult to go out with infants and toddlers.
YES to all of that, Catherine! It is SOOOOO hard to go out with little ones those ages! Not worth it!
I only go out to eat on special dates
nice!
Less than once a month
Usually i do not eat out.
So much cheaper and healthier!
I don’t eat out on a weekly basis–maybe a couple of times a month. I much prefer to cook our meals and eat at home (although it is nice to be waited on sometimes!).
We go out to eat about 3 times a year. I love to cook.
That’s great, Angela! It’s so much healthier and cheaper to eat at home!
We’ll go out to eat about once a month.
3 times per month
We don’t eat out. Once every couple of months we will call in our order, pick it up and eat it at home.
It’s so much healthier and cheaper to do that, Elizabeth!
I eat out about once per month or less
You save so much money that way, Ruth!
Thank you
all winners congratulations
That was wonderful, Zoliswa! Thanks for entering and good luck!
My fiance and i used to go out to eat alot. I havent been out to eat in probably 6months
I only eat out when there is a special occasion.
twice a week
Per week? Zero. Per month? Maybe once, but more like once in 3-4 months….
We hardly ever go out to eat as we don’t eat bread or sugar and prefer to cook at home
nice! specting this nice giveaway
My daughter and I go out at least twice a week to eat.
Great tips!!
I go out about twice a week to eat. I prefer healthy places to eat because I am a vegetarian and I like to avoid fast food restaurants like Mcdonalds.
I like healthy places too, Laurence! We aren’t vegetarian, but we make an effort to go places that use good ingredients.
I go out twice a week to eat.
I eat out everyday!
Once a week
We are empty nesters. So we go out about twice a week to eat!
not often, rarely.
Once a week or less often!
We usually go out to eat once a week.
once a week
We only go out to eat maybe once every 3 to 4 weeks. My husband got salmonella poisoning real bad in August when we ate out and was hospitalized for 6 days and lost the ability to walk from it as it developed into another condition that can come from salmonella called reiters. He then had to be out of work for 9 weeks from it once he came home so he has just started to be willing to try somewhere again.
Oh Elizabeth – that sounds like a horrible experience for both of you. I am so sorry to hear about that. I hope your husband has recovered and is now able to walk again. I wouldn’t want to risk eating out after an experience like that either! I really hope you are both doing better now. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!
We hardly ever go out to eat. We bring a lot of take out food home about once or twice a week.
Thanks for the tips! I would use this voucher wisely. Picking up food few times a month-pizza and similar, nothing bigger than that. Greetings! 🙂
Hi Suzana! Thanks for stopping by! Hope the tips help!
We Go out at least once a week and i pick up food a couple times a week. There’s only 2 of us at home now. Saves me some time and money this way.
We try to go out once each week!
We go out once a week usually on the weekend. If I don’t feel like cooking I will order a pickup order during the week.
We go out to eat on the weekends with the kids.
I rarely go out these days because I went back to school and now on a very strict budget. Special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, however, are a big deal and deserve a good old celebration out in town!
We Don’t eat out. Often. Save for special occasions.
I rarely go out to eat because I need to watch my intake for health reasons.
I don’t go out for food often, but we do order in 1-2 times a week.
I’m lucky to get out twice a month…busy schedule
We rarely go out to eat unless it is for a special occasion. Sometimes we do a movie and a burger as a date.
I rarely go out to eat because I need to watch my intake for health reasons. I enjoy cooking fish and pasta at home
I eat out very rarely. Maybe once or twice a month.
I rarely eat out unless it is a special event. I prefer to cook at home.
We actually do not go out to eat at all….I either cook or pick up ready-made….thanks for asking and for the chance to win! 🙂
Hi Valerie! Thanks so much for stopping by and entering! Good luck!
A lot less than we used to, but we are also buying less now too. We are down one teen now that he joined the army.
Hi Erin! We haven’t reached teenage years yet, but if my 10 year old is any indication, the teen years involve a ton of food!
once or twice a month
way to much about 2 to 3 times a week
On a typical week I don’t eat out. I tend to prefer making dinner rather than finding a restaurant.
2-3x a week
I go out to week once every week.
I don’t go out to eat. I cook pretty much every night. Sometimes we order pizza.
0, i dont waste money eating out. Home cooked is better food anyway.
Twice a week for lunch hour period.
Not even once per week. I prefer to cook at home.
Possibly once or twice
Possibly once or twice
Once a week, at most.
Usually once a week or sometimes not at all~
I like to cook, so we keep it at about once a week.
Actually, I cook at home most of the time. I typically go to lunch with one of my daughters on Fridays and then maybe twice a month (at most) we go out to dinner or lunch on another day.
I rarely go out to eat, but we order in maybe 2x a month.
I really enjoy ur channel
Thanks! Thanks for stopping by!
My family and I usually only eat out twice a month. We enjoy cooking and preparing meals together and also eating out can be costly!
Yes, it really can be costly – and it adds up quick!
I dine out infrequently. I’d much rather save the money for healthier foods put together at home.
I completely understand! Eating at home is so much healthier and cheaper!
We usually go out to eat 2-3 times a week.
I eat dinner out about 3 times per week.
I go out to eat zero times per week, at least 1-2 times per month, though
I go out to eat (or get takeout) probably once a day on average.
We go out to eat on average of once per week. Though we haven’t been in a while!
Think of all the money you have saved!
Maybe once a week.
I go out to eat 2-3 times a week, unless I meal prep my lunch for work.
We go out to eat maybe a couple times a month. We have had to cut back a lot, so we normally eat at home.
0, occasionally 1 if I go to lunch with my sister
I go out to eat twice a week
we don’t go out to eat. We will usually order something in once a week .
We eat out about 1 or 2 week. I would eat out every meal if I could afford it! Lol I can’t cook so the food isn’t too appetizing at home
We eat out about 2 times a week!
per month, at least once
I eat out , maybe once or twice a month, usually when I do big shopping trips.
Now that our kids are out of the house, my husband & I go out for dinner at least 1-2 times a week.
I never go out to eat on my own. I prefer to cook at home. It’s just too expensive. But if my boyfriend wants to go out I won’t argue with him! ?
I eat out one to two times a week.
We eat out maybe once or twice a month.
a week? It’s more like a month and it’s usually once, maybe twice—one, I’m too good of a cook, two…the expense and three, having the time…so, I may suggest once or twice these fanominal Lebanese sandwiches, but usually, we never go out because even the sandwiches are for pick up and we eat at home.
We hardly ever go out to eat – just too far away.
Me and my family go out to eat at least once a week!
Maybe 0-1 times a week… really depends on the month/money/weather …
Antes lo hacia una vez a la semana, luego una vez cada quince dias, en la actualidad ya no recuerdo cuando fue la ultima vez que sali a comer fuera de casa, ya es bastante dificil en mi pais comer en casa para darse el lujo de salir a comer en la calle, en un lujo que el 90% no podemos darnos
Translation:
I used to do it once a week, then once every fifteen days, nowadays I do not remember when it was the last time I went out to eat, it is quite difficult in my country to eat at home to have the luxury of go out to eat on the street, in a luxury that 90% can not give us
Thank you, Giorgio! Thanks for visiting! What country do you live in?
good tips
Too many times when at work.
I go out to eat each working day. I eat at home on weekends.
We go out to eat once a week. We go out twice on a good week!
Almost never. We’re big home cooks and can’t be bothered to spend money on sub par food quality.
Once a week. Good luck to all
I go out to eat two times a week.
2 to 3 times a week
My family and I eat out once or twice a week. Always on Fridays and sometimes on Saturdays too if it’s reasonable health wise.
We usually go out once or twice a week.
This is so amazing! wow. i would love to win. followed on all social medias! love this page! yay!
Awww, thanks Stephanie! I’m so glad you found us! Come back and visit often! Thanks for entering and good luck!!
less than once a week but I love going out for dinner. thanks
I go out to eat maybe once every two weeks.
I haven’t been out to eat inside a restaurant in over 4 years. My health isn’t good but more importantly I have sever anxiety attacks. ;(
I get one freebie a week where I don’t cook dinner, and the kiddies and I order out
I hardly go out to eat. I love to cook. Thanks
We only go out to eat probably once or twice a month.
We eat out once a week but its usually taken home
I normally go out to dinner once a week
I go out to eat one day a week
We go out to eat a couple times a week, maybe more when we are super busy with the kids and all of their activities!
Oh boy do I understand that, Eloise! That’s where we are right now (plus our house is on the market, so we have to keep it super clean and often be gone at dinner time). Those kids activities are enough to wear out the parents sometimes!
I go out to eat once a week when I can afford to.
I go out to eat once or twice a week, unless it’s a birthday then I celebrate all week! Lol
We eat out once or twice for the week.
I haven’t gone out to eat in over five years. LOL. I make every single meal at home because of dietary restrictions. (I’m on the autoimmune protocol, which is an offshoot of paleo and am super sensitive to cross contamination.)
Great tips for saving money on groceries. I need to use coupons more. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
I usually go out to eat once a week for lunch after church.
Twice a week is the max we go out to eat.
We go out about 2x a week..we travel for drs. Appts
Mostly just once on a weekend and not very often
I live in rural Canada and very seldom eat out – I am vegetarian (40+ years). Thankfully I love to cook. Food shopping on-line is a blessing.
We don’t go out to eat very much – maybe once a month. We do order in, though, weekly or biweekly, depending on Mommy’s level of fatigue.
one time I do in friday almost.
I only eat out either Saturday or Sunday. Sometimes both.
i eat out once or twice a week
less than once a week
Maybe once or twice usually on the weekends when my fiance is off work!
I go out to eat on the weekends-both days!
Less than once a week
at least 3 times per week
I eat out once or twice a week
Only when I have coupons so it is about twice a week.
Once a week
we go out 3 times a week
It depends on the week, but usually once a week.
I eat out twice a week.
We don’t have the money to go out much, maybe once a month to a cheap place. Or if I have a coupon for a place.
I used to buy McDonalds for lunch everyday at work but now-a-days we rarely eat out. Something like once per month.
To be more specific and answer the question properly, only of shopping days do we go out to eat, so about twice a month.
Usually only go out to eat for lunch on shopping days.
We go out to eat once a week
2-3 times a week
We go out to eat mainly on the weekend. Thank you for your tips.
I go out to eat about once a week.
thank you
We go out to eat maybe r times year when traveling. I woukd rather cook at home I like to feed my family healthy meals.
We don’t go out every week but try to at least every other week.
Once if money allows but most the time it is about twice a month
I eat out 3 or 4 times a week. Its usually fast food because that’s all I can do when I’m working a 12 hour day.
We don’t go out to eat that often. We live in a town with a few restaurants, but they all seem to serve the same boring, uninspired food. I would rather create amazing ethnic dishes at home instead.
We go out once or twice a week
Mmmm…depends on what’s going on. Maybe 0-3 times per week.
We only go out to eat about once a month, if that.
I do surveys for Denny’s gift cards so we go out to eat a few times a month!
We only go out to eat once a month at most. We prefer preparing our own meals at home so we know what we’re eating.
I never go out to eat 🙂
We rarely go out to eat. We do however order in pizza or subs about once a week.
We do not go out to eat much because I like to eat at home.
I love eating out but because of my health I don’t get out of the house often. We usually get delivery or fast food about once a week or so.
Hubby and I eat out one to two times a week. I don’t mind cooking but hate making a meal plan. lol
Not a lot anymore, just on special occasions, maybe few times a year
we rarely eat out maybe once a month we go out for breakfast
we barely go out…maybe once a month…
We go out to eat as few times as possible. I love cooking so making dinner for me is not a problem. Also, we find some restaurant foods too salty now that we’ve been eating salt-free for some time. I really don’t miss eating out at all, and I would guess we eat out maybe once a month.
None, we don’t go out and eat anymore, we eat all our meals at home, we do a lot of cooking.
We usually go out to eat twice per week. Once after church with my mother in law and another time asa a family, though we often grab takeout because our children are 2 and 5.
We try to limit going out to eat to about once a month. It’s too expensive and I enjoy cooking at home.
we eat out about once a month
We have extremely limited funds, so we’re lucky if we get to treat ourselves once a month. Besides we love cooking and creating wonderful healthy dishes ourselves!
I normally do not go out to eat. I like to cook and if I’m not in the mood, I’m great at ordering a pizza. lol.
I really like the tips above! Thank you!
2
How many times I go out to eat during a week depends on what I have going on during the week. If I have dr’s appointments or other appointments I will usually grab a meal out. Sometimes I will have another appointment during the week and have another meal out. Though there are many weeks when I do not have appointments that I eat in all week. Thetefore I will say twice monthly. Four times monthly max.
0
We go out to eat about 3 times a week, but we eat at “budget friendly” places.
Probably about every two or three months, but mostly on family birthdays.
once a week
Anywhere from 0-2 times a week generally!
We eat out about once or twice a month.
once.
We don’t go out to eat . We go get it and bring it back to eat. We do this at least twice a week.
We go out to eat once a week, usually.
We go out to eat at least once a week!
Average twice a week
We normally do not go out to eat more than once a month.
At least once a week
I would have to say zero times in a week. It is more like every 2-3 weeks that I dine outside my home!
Twice a month
I usually go out to eat one to two times a week.
We go out to eat maybe once a week or take out . Try not to though . Awesome article , thanks for the tips .
I go out to eat once a week.
3 or more days a week
We maybe go out to eat once a month.
We usually eat at home 7 days a week but once or twice a month will go out to eat for a birthday or special event.
I only eat out probably once every 1-2 weeks. I love eating out, but it can get expensive!
We maybe eat out once or twice a week for lunch. I like to cook, so most of the time I cook dinner for our family.
Usually twice a week.
maybe once a month
About once every other week.
Zero times a week. We may go out with a friend or friends, once a year.
once a month for me.
we order in about 2x/w and go out at least once.
We eat out (sometimes take-out) once a week. Still too often.
Only go out to eat when we have friends over and when we are on vacations
We don’t currently go out to eat because of budget constraints. Awesome tips, thanks! 😀 I would also add another CHEAP protein suggestion: TVP (textured vegetable protein)! A quarter cup dry has 12g protein, & I’ll often add 1/2 cup to soup or stew! It can be purchased from bulk bins at grocery stores, as well as packaged.
You’re right, Lindsay! I completely forgot about TVP! I used to use it to make tacos but haven’t done that in several years! I’ll have to do that again!
less than once a week, maybe once every two weeks i would say
I go out to eat once per week.
We usually go out to eat once a week.
It’s rare but sometimes 1-2 times a week. Sometimes buy store bought food.
we dont really eat out often at all, maybe once or twice a month?
We don’t go out to eat as a family. Sometimes one of us grabs lunch with a friend now and then. I cook all the meals at home and we take leftovers to work for lunch or school.
Never unless I am traveling
I never go out to eat.
Once at the most. Ideally we try to not go out to eat more than once or twice a month. I pack my lunches and make my own coffee. I love to cook and freeze.
We usually go out once or twice a week.
We usually only go out to eat once a month
I can’t afford to go to eat at all!
We eat out every weekend.
WE OUT MAYBE ONCE A WEEK 🙂
We are on a limited budget so don’t eat out very often. Maybe once every 2 or 3 months.
In the warmer months we go out once a week. In the winter, it is more like once a month.
We eat out 8-10 times a week when you consider breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I use a lot of coupons though.
I go out probably once every two weeks.
I rarely eat out anymore. I used to eat lunch out every day, but when I realized how much money I could save, and still have a variety of choices, I started bringing my lunch. My husband cooks dinners, and honestly his cooking is better than most restaurants, so I prefer to eat dinner at home. I still sometimes splurge for breakfast a few times a month, but the calories are insane, so I usually do a healthy home breakfast.
I don’t go out anymore. I cook and control my salt and fat.
And I’m looking better for it!
i go out 7 days a week . These tips helps .
Less than I’d like to…probably, once.
Definitely twice per week
Twice a week
In a typical week, perhaps once a week.
Great tips ladies! We also do “meatless” dishes twice a week and it saves a TON of money. I usually make breakfast for dinner and then a vegetarian dinner. And #6 is SO true! Eat up those free samples! Shopping on an empty stomach is one of the worst money traps.
Thanks for the great tips for saving money grocery shopping!
I go out to eat once a week if I am lucky.
LOVE these tips, Heather!!!! Can’t wait to try some of the ones I haven’t done yet!!!