How to Make Every Grocery Dollar Count

Going grocery shopping these days can make you feel like your parents. Suddenly, you’re talking to yourself in the store when you see the price of eggs and think, “I remember when this was $1, and now it’s close to $4!”

If getting to the cash register, has you gritting your teeth while looking at your cart and wondering how you spent that much when you didn’t even buy that much, you aren’t alone. It’s a feeling many of us have experienced, and with grocery prices continuing to fluctuate, finding ways to make your grocery bill more manageable can make a big difference.

The good news is there are ways to keep your grocery costs in check while still putting wholesome meals on the table.

1. Start With What You Already Have

One of the easiest ways to keep your grocery bill in check is to plan your meals around things you already have. We’ve all done it. You find an old box of mac and cheese at the back of the pantry, long past its expiration date. Or there are the moldy grapes the kids swore they wanted at the store but never thought about again once they made it into the fridge. Maybe there are cans of fruits and vegetables that have fallen behind the shelves, never to be seen again.

As much as we might not like to admit it, there are probably more things in your pantry and refrigerator going to waste each month than you realize.

Before your next grocery trip, take some time to go through what you already have. Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer and see what needs to be used. You may have enough ingredients to make several meals without buying much at all.

2. Plan Your Meals and Make a List

Once you know what you have, start planning your meals around those ingredients. Having a plan can help you avoid buying things you don’t need and make it easier to use what you already have before it goes to waste.

It can also help to keep a list of tried-and-true recipes your family enjoys. Once you have a collection of meals you know everyone will eat, grocery shopping becomes much easier. You can always try something new, but you don’t have to search for new recipes every week, buy several unique ingredients and then discover that no one actually likes the meal.

When you’re ready to shop, build your grocery list around the meals you’ve planned. Try to stick to the list as much as possible.

3. Be Thoughtful About Where and How You Shop

After making your list, try to do most of your shopping at one main store and supplement at another store if needed. Going to multiple stores without a plan can make it easier to buy multiples of things you already have or pick up items you don’t really need.

You could also try grocery pickup, which many stores offer at little or no additional cost. Ordering online can help you stick to your list and avoid the temptation of grabbing extra items while walking through the aisles.

4. Keep Your Recipes Simple

There are plenty of recipes out there that sound amazing and fun to try, but some call for ingredients you may only use once. Buying a specialty oil, sauce or spice for one recipe can add to your grocery bill, especially if the rest ends up sitting in your pantry unused.

When planning your meals, look for recipes that use ingredients you already have or ingredients you know you’ll use again. You can also look for substitutions when a recipe calls for something you don’t normally keep on hand. A quick search may help you find an ingredient you already have that will work just as well.

5. Shop Around for Affordable Options

Another way to potentially save on groceries is to compare prices at different stores and consider local options, such as farmers markets. Depending on the season and what’s available, local farmers markets may offer affordable fresh produce while also giving you an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses.

The key is to find what works best for your household. Saving money on groceries doesn’t mean you have to give up the foods your family enjoys. A little planning, using what you already have and being intentional about what you buy can help make those trips to the grocery store a little easier on your wallet.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or tax advice.