50+ Clever Shopping Tips That Will Save You Money At The Grocery Store

Est. Savings: $100+ Monthly*
Where To Find The Discount: The Perimeter Of The Store
Shopper Reviews: Spending Less On Needed Snacks

Looking around a grocery store, one might notice that the healthier and fresher foods, like dairy products, meats, and produce, are kept around the store’s perimeter. Alternatively, most of the ‘cheat’ foods are found in the center aisles of a grocery store, along with the cleaning supplies and household items.

Only Shop The Outside Aisles Of The Grocery Store @franki /Unsplash.com

Keeping the layout in mind and sticking to the outside aisles while pursuing the grocery store will undoubtedly save shoppers time and money with every trip. When something is needed from one of the ‘forbidden’ aisles, be sure you know exactly where to find it, and get out of there as soon as you can — temptation can only be resisted for so long.

Est. Savings: 5%+ Per Item
Where To Find The Discount: Throughout The Store
Shopper Reviews: You Can Barely Tell The Difference

Thanks to aggressive marketing campaigns, shoppers are drawn to brand-name products instinctively, like moths to a flame. However, this unintentional attraction to popular products costs shoppers their hard-earned money. For every brand product, a cheaper ‘no-name’ version of it exists as well.

Buy Store Or No-Name Brands ©Eliza Bush/foter

Shopping in the middle of the grocery store shelves will inevitably lead you back to the more expensive brand products you’re trying to avoid. Try shifting focus a little higher up or a little lower down, and you’ll come across cheaper alternatives to all the products you buy — and they won’t taste all that different.

Est. Savings: Depends On The Size Of The Cart
Where To Find The Discount: The Front Of The Store
Shopper Reviews: Very Handy Hack

Limiting oneself to only purchasing the items on the shopping list that were prepared before leaving home is easier said than done, especially when there’s still so much room left in the cart. An extra bag of chips from that aisle and a few large bottles of soda from this one will fill the empty space nicely.

Use A Smaller Cart @v_cr2 /Unsplash.com

Stop yourself from buying unneeded junk food and discount items by switching to a smaller cart while grocery shopping. When the smaller cart is full, the grocery trip is over. It might be time to re-think those bottles of Coke in favor of food for the family.

Est. Savings: 10%+*
Where To Find The Discount: The Bakery Section
Shopper Reviews: Fresher And Cheaper

Ordering a cake from the bakery a few days before an event (instead of picking one on the day of) will improve the quality of the dessert. Let’s face it, baked goods that have been specially prepared for someone usually be better than whatever has been sitting in the display case all day (or week). 

Order Baked Goods From The Bakery ©milanzeremski/Shutterstock.com

Paying the same amount of money for something of better quality is essentially equal to saving money. Loblaws cake-lovers out there need to remember that, believe it or not, the much-beloved cake is even more delicious with this hack.

Est. Savings: $20+ Weekly*
Where To Find The Discount: The Produce Section
Shopper Reviews: Pay For The Produce, Not Its Water

Most grocery stores either have employees who walk around the produce section watering the items that need periodic moistening or built-in timer-activated sprinkler systems that handle all the indoor gardening needs. As wonderful as this service is, and as fresh as it keeps the lettuce and cilantro, it doesn’t come without a price. The added water will be weighed with the rest of the produce unless shaken off. 

Shake Off Your Produce ©AshTproductions/Shutterstock.com

In some grocery stores paying for added water would be the least of your worries. Over the years, shoppers have reported finding venomous spiders amongst bananas bunches and grapes. Don’t take a chance to pay extra or find an uninvited friend — shake it off.

Est. Savings: $20+ Monthly*
Where To Find The Discount: Fresh Bags Of Greens
Shopper Reviews: Tastes Fresher

Energy and willingness to cook are usually reasonably low after a long day of work. For this reason, among others, shoppers generally lean towards purchasing pre-bagged salad instead of taking the time to cut it themselves. As much of a money waster as buying pre-bagged salads is, this is about the air inside those bags. 

Choose Bagged Greens With Less Air @byjillee/Pinterest

As greens age, they emit gas. So, if a bag of salad from Target looks a little puffy, it’s probably from the previous week’s shipment. Switch it out for one of the more deflated bags to get the most extended life possible from the greens you buy. 

Est. Savings: $5-$10 Per Purchase*
Where To Find The Discount: App Store / Google Store
Shopper Reviews: Love The Free Money

Apps exist for just about everything these days. However, many of them cost money and don’t give much back to shoppers. The same cannot be said for cash back apps. They’re free to download and designed to benefit shoppers by earning them money on select purchases. 

Download Cash Back Apps ©Aruta Images/Shutterstock.com

Receiving cashback through apps like Ibotta is as easy as scanning the barcode of select items and sending a snapshot of that week’s grocery bill (to prove it’s been purchased). Signing up for every loyalty plan possible is another way for shoppers to earn while spending. Loyalty cardholders are privy to added discounts as well as special promotions. 

Est. Savings: $0.10 Per Bag*
Where To Find The Discount: At The Register
Shopper Reviews: Reusable Bags Carry More And Are Of Better Quality 

“Paper or plastic?” “How many do you need?” These are the questions shoppers have been asked for decades. However, with the environment finally beginning to take center stage (in some respects), those questions have become redundant in some cities. Some grocery stores don’t even offer bags anymore, unless they’re reusable bags.

Bring Reusable Grocery Bags ©Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com

A reusable bag will cost a dollar or two. They’re bigger than plastic grocery bags and exponentially stronger than the plastic and paper options. Ask the cashier to add a reusable bag to your bill and stop worrying about how many jars of Bick’s Pickles your bag will support. A torn plastic bag will no longer be a problem.

Est. Savings: $100 Monthly*
Where To Find The Discount: In Your Phone’s Photo Gallery
Shopper Reviews: Prevents Needless Spending

Taking a quick scan of the fridge and pantry is something that everyone should do before going grocery shopping, but few do. When you’re in a hurry, take pictures on your phone and use them as reference points for your shopping excursion.

Take Photos Of Your Fridge And Pantry Beforehand ©Monstar Studio/Shutterstock.com

If you want to take grocery store prep to another level, do a complete check of both instead of taking a photo. During this time, rearrange the space in anticipation of the incoming groceries. Throw away anything spoiled, and move leftovers further forward, so they’re not forgotten about.

Est. Savings: 50%+ Per Product*
Where To Find The Discount: Ask The Manager
Shopper Reviews: Massive Savings!

There is no better time to shop than when your favorite products have gone on sale. However, knowing when those items have been marked down can be kind of tricky. The next time you’re buying groceries find one of the managers and ask them when you can expect sales to occur.

Ask When The Clearance Sale Will Be ©nonupperuct/Shutterstock.com

Alternatively, shoppers can always enquire by calling the store. Now, clearance items are on sale for a reason. Always double-check everything you find on the discount rack. And don’t forget to check the bakery sections towards the end of the day. The price of the bread and pastries are usually cut in half.

Est. Savings: $50-$100 Per Trip*
Where To Find The Discount: Your Wallet
Shopper Reviews: Only Spending On What You Need

Setting a budget for yourself with cash is easier to do than with a credit card. Leave the plastic at home when you go to the grocery store and only take the amount of cash you’re willing to spend that day. To not leave yourself high and dry in the case of an underestimation of what’s needed, try and give yourself a little wiggle room by taking a few dollars more than you think you might need.

Shop With Cash ©Dragon Images/Shutterstock.com

If you have a couple of bucks left over at the end of the outing, you can either put the difference in a cup in the bedroom drawer for a rainy day or stop by Starbucks and grab a cheeky ‘Frap’ for the ride home.

Est. Savings: $1,000+ Annually*
Where To Find The Discount: Online & Newspapers
Shopper Reviews: Turn Couponing Into A Game, Not A Hobby

Coupons are an excellent tool to help save shoppers money. Some people don’t want to look through newspapers or find coupons online because they think it will be too much of a hassle and not worth it in the long run.

Use Coupons Wherever You Can ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

In reality, couponing is a lot easier than it once was. Google the name of the grocery store you plan on visiting and add the word ‘coupons’ after it. If any discount codes or vouchers are available, they should show up. Likewise, you can ask one of the grocery store clerks for a copy of that week’s store brochure. It’s bound to have a deal or two inside.

Est. Savings: 50%+*
Where To Find The Discount: Dry Food Section
Shopper Reviews: So Much More For Your Money

You wouldn’t buy rice in a can of water, so why would you buy beans that way. It’s a lot more cost-efficient (and healthier) to buy a large bag of dried beans just as you would with rice. The only difference between the canned beans and dried beans — other than the price per pound — is the time it takes to prepare them.

Get Dried Beans Instead of Canned ©Piyaset/Shutterstock.com

This is where another excellent grocery shopping tip will be beneficial. Pick a day to prepare food for the week to save yourself time. On that day, boil a heap of beans and store them in plastic containers — problem solved.

Est. Savings: N/A
Where To Find The Discount: On Your Keychain
Shopper Reviews: Handy In A Pinch

Getting to the store and realizing you don’t have a coin for the cart can be the difference between a good shopping experience and a bad one. However, don’t abandon your plans and reach for a basket if it happens to you again. Instead, use your key. 

Use Your Key For The Cart @atasteofhome.com/attasteofhome.com

Put the top part of your key into the coin slot. If it’s a standard key and not a specialized one, it should trick the cart into thinking you’ve inserted a coin and you’ll be able to get on with your grocery list. Just remember to take it out of the cart once you’re done or you’ll have bigger issues.