In 2025, grocery bills in the United States have risen significantly due to inflation and supply chain disruptions. For students, families, and working professionals, cutting down grocery costs has become a necessity. The good news? You don’t need to compromise on quality to save money.
This guide shares 10 powerful and practical tips to help you cut grocery expenses while still enjoying delicious and healthy meals.
✅ Use Cashback & Coupon Apps
Why it works: You earn money back on your regular purchases.
Best Apps:
Ibotta: Scan receipts and earn cashback instantly.
Rakuten: Earn cashback on grocery delivery from stores like Walmart or Target.
Fetch Rewards: Upload any receipt and get points to redeem for gift cards.
Pro Tip: Combine coupons from the store app with cashback for double savings.
2. 🛍️ Shop at Discount & Bulk Stores
Top Stores:
Aldi: Affordable, quality groceries with a focus on essentials.
Trader Joe’s: Unique private-label products at lower prices.
Costco: Great for families – buy in bulk and save long-term.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to compare unit prices. Bigger isn’t always cheaper.
📅 Plan Your Weekly Meals
Meal planning reduces impulse purchases and food waste.
Apps That Help:
Mealime
Yummly
Plan to Eat
Steps:
- Plan meals for 5–7 days.
- Create a shopping list based only on those meals.
- Stick to the list in-store.
🧃🧃 Buy Generic or Store Brands
Generic brands often come from the same manufacturers as big brands but cost 20–30% less.
Examples:
Walmart → Great Value
Target → Good & Gather
Kroger → Simple Truth
Pro Tip: Test one or two generic versions first, especially for staples like milk, cereal, and canned goods.
5. 🥦 Shop Seasonal & Local
Out-of-season produce is often imported and expensive.
Why seasonal is better:
Cheaper
Fresher
Tastier
Local Farmer Markets: Usually cheaper than supermarkets, and you support local businesses.
✂️ Avoid Pre-cut or Pre-packaged Items
Pre-sliced fruits, veggies, and cheese are convenient but come with a price.
Example:
Whole carrots: $1.29/lb
Baby-cut carrots: $2.49/lb
Pro Tip: Invest in a good knife or slicer and prep your veggies for the week in one go.
7. 🎁 Join Loyalty Programs
Most big grocery chains offer free loyalty programs with perks:
Benefits:
Member-only discounts
Digital coupons
Birthday rewards
Top Programs:
Kroger Plus
Safeway Just for U
Publix Club
. 📝 Use a Grocery List (And Stick to It)
Shopping without a list leads to unnecessary spending.
Tips:
Keep a running list on your phone using Google Keep or AnyList.
Organize by category: Produce, Dairy, Meat, Snacks, etc.
Stat: Shoppers without a list spend up to 23% more on average.
🍔 Never Shop Hungry
Shopping hungry = buying junk food you didn’t plan to.
Before Shopping:
Eat a snack.
Drink water.
Your wallet (and waistline) will thank you.
❄️ Freeze and Store Smartly
Wasted food = wasted money. Store it right to save more.
Freezing Tips:
Buy meat in bulk, portion it out, and freeze.
Blanch and freeze veggies like spinach, beans, or carrots.
Use glass containers or reusable freezer bags.
🙋♂️ FAQs
Q1. What is the best app to save on groceries in the USA?
A: Ibotta is one of the most popular and easy-to-use apps that offers consistent cashback for most major retailers.
Q2. How much can an average family save per month with these tips?
A: On average, families can save between $100–$300 per month by using a combination of planning, cashback, and store loyalty programs.
Q3. Are bulk stores really worth it?
A: Yes, especially for larger families. Just make sure you have enough storage and only buy what you’ll use before expiry.
Q4. Can I combine coupons and cashback apps?
A: Yes! That’s a smart way to maximize savings. Stack digital coupons from store apps with cashback from Ibotta or Fetch Rewards.