How to Save Money on Groceries in 2025 (Simple, Proven Tips)

Groceries are one of the biggest monthly expenses for most households, and prices aren't going down anytime soon. The good news? Learning how to save money on groceries doesn't require extreme couponing or sacrificing the foods you love. 

With a few smart strategies, you can cut your grocery bill by 10-30% while still eating well. 

Why Groceries Are So Expensive Right Now

Rising food prices, inflation, and supply chain issues have made grocery shopping more expensive than ever. That's why people are searching for:

• how to save money on groceries

  

  BJ's App

  
  
• cheap grocery shopping tips
• how to lower grocery bills

The tips below focus on realistic, sustainable ways to save.

1. Plan Meals Before Grocery Shopping

Meal planning is one of the easiest ways to save money on groceries every month. 

Before you shop:

• Check your pantry, fridge and freezer to see what you already have.
• Plan 3-5 simple meals.
• Make a grocery list and stick to it. 

Meal planning helps you avoid impulse purchases and reduces food waste - two major causes of overspending. 

Need meal ideas?  Search for simple meal ideas on Pinterest.com. Your new favorite, easy to prepare meal is waiting for you to try out!

2. Shop Sales to Lower Your Grocery Bill

Instead of choosing recipes first, shop based on what's on sale. 

How to grocery shop on a budget:

• Check weekly store ads or apps
• Buy proteins and produce on sale
• Build meals around discounted items

This strategy alone can save $20-$50 per trip!

3. Buy Store Brands to Save Money on Food

Store brands are one of the best ways to save money on groceries without changing what you eat. 

Store brands are often:

• 15-30% cheaper
• Similar (or identical) in quality
• Made by the same manufacturers

Start with pantry staples, dairy and frozen foods.

4. Avoid Overbuying and Bulk Buying Mistakes

Bulk buying only saves money if you use the food. 

Ask yourself:

• Will this expire before I use it?
• Do I normally eat this much?
• Is the unit price actually cheaper?

Bulk buying works best for shelf-stable items and freezer-friendly foods.

5. Use Grocery Store Apps, Coupons and Cashback

• Walmart's app allows you to click on items in your shopping list to get Walmart Cash that can be used on your next shopping trip!
• Wegmans app offers coupons to click on to get instant savings at checkout!
•  BJ's app allows you to put items in your cart and you can check for available coupons to click on before you check out!

6. Shop Less Often to Reduce Impulse Spending

Shopping more frequently almost always means spending more. 

To save money:

• Do ONE main grocery trip per week.
• Add one quick restock trip if needed for fresh items.

Fewer trips = fewer impulse purchases.

7. Choose Budget -Friendly Protein Options

Protein is usually the most expensive grocery category.

Walmart app 

Cheap protein ideas:

• Eggs, beans and lentils
• Chicken thighs instead of breasts
• Ground turkey instead of ground beef

Rotating lower-cost proteins can significantly reduce your grocery bill.

8. Reduce Food Waste to Save Money

Food waste is like throwing cash in the trash.

To waste less food:

• Freeze leftovers. Label for easy identification!

  

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• Store produce correctly.
• Eat leftovers for lunch.
• Plan a "leftovers" meal each week. 

9. Don't Grocery Shop When Hungry

Shopping while hungry leads to:

• More snacks
• More impulse buys

Final Thoughts: Saving Money on Groceries Is About Strategy

Learning how to save money on groceries doesn't mean giving up your favorite foods. It's about planning ahead, shopping smarter, and wasting less.

Start with just one or two tips this week- and watch your grocery bill drop!