How to Save Money on Groceries
If your New Year’s resolution is to revamp your budget, saving money on groceries is a great place to start. From meal planning to online ordering, we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks and resources to help you save on food without sacrificing quality.
Plan Ahead
Meal planning is an excellent strategy for saving money on groceries. By taking the time to plan your meals in advance, you can create a shopping list with specific ingredients and have an easier time sticking to it once you’re in-store. Wondering how to get started? Check out our meal planning resources for weekly inspiration.
Shop Your Kitchen First
Hungry for a new way to meal plan? Try shopping in reverse. While most of us tend to start by choosing recipes and buying the necessary ingredients, shopping in reverse means shopping your own kitchen for ingredients before deciding what you need. Here’s how it works:
- Take Inventory
Start by looking at the contents of your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, taking inventory of what you already have. Divide your list into fresh, frozen and dry ingredients. Don’t have time to take inventory? Take a quick picture of your fridge and pantry to reference in-store.
- Shop Sales and Promos
Once you have a detailed list of everything you have on hand, start shopping sales for missing meal components. Take advantage of promos and bulk savings for things like meat, poultry and shelf-stable items. Pick seasonal produce, like fresh fruits and veggies, and plan to purchase in smaller quantities to reduce food waste.
- Look for Inspiration
Now that you have your inventory and shopping list started, look at your ingredients and sale items and begin to visualize how they’ll work together. If you have rice, beans and canned tomatoes at home, and find chicken breasts on sale, you might want to see if you can find any recipes for chili, tacos or protein bowls. Once you have enough ideas for a week’s worth of meals, add your missing ingredients to your shopping list or online cart.
More Grocery Saving Tips
No time to plan? Here are some other grocery saving tips to consider when you’re headed to the store:
- Make a List
Even if you’re behind on meal planning, making a list and sticking to it is a great way to save. Stick to pantry staples and other family favorites, like eggs, milk, cheese, fruit and bread. Save a spot on your list for on-sale dinner items like meat, poultry, fish and prepared meals to round out your weekly grocery haul.
- Don’t Shop Hungry
You may know this one already, but shopping on an empty stomach isn’t the most budget-friendly practice. Take time to enjoy a snack while you peruse the promosvand make your list.
- Try Pickup or Delivery
Shopping online and ordering your groceries for pickup or delivery may help you choose your items more wisely and avoid impulse purchases.
- Use an Online Cart
Even if you’re an in-store shopper, using an online cart while shopping will help you get a better idea of your running total.
Save with Kroger
There are plenty of ways to save even more on your groceries, from weekly ads and digital deals to digital 5 times savings and other coupons. And while the savings are seemingly endless, you can find all our hottest deals in 1 place when you shop all promotions. Schedule some time during your weekly meal planning routine to clip coupons and take note of sales and promos. Remember, you can save even more time and money when you shop online or download the Kroger app to take advantage of exclusive savings, personalized coupons and more.
Another great way to save is by shopping Kroger Brand items. Not only does Kroger Brand offer proven quality at low prices, but in the past 5 years alone, Kroger Brand has debuted or refreshed over 8,000 items with better-for-you ingredients, like parlor-perfect ice cream made from 100% Grade A fresh cream, and creamy ranch dressing made with real buttermilk and cage-free eggs. If you’re looking for simple ways to save without sacrificing quality, shopping Kroger Brand can be a big help.
Ready to Start Saving?
Check out our top 10 tips for saving money on groceries, and visit our blog for even more fresh, budget-friendly inspiration, including meal planning, recipes and more.
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