How to save at the grocery store: 15 foolproof tips to cut costs

Looking for ways to save money at the market? We've got the right tips to make your shopping more economical.

Knowing how to save at the grocery store is essential to balancing a family budget and avoiding the impact of inflation on your wallet. With a little planning and a few habit changes, it’s possible to reduce costs and avoid waste.

In today’s post, we’ve brought you 15 practical tips that will help you control spending at the supermarket without sacrificing essential, quality products. Take a look!

1.   Make a shopping list

Going to the supermarket without a shopping list is a full plate for spending more than you can afford. After all, you’ll be buying more than you need and what you don’t need is expensive, even if it costs little.

So every time you go to the market, make a list of all the items you need to buy. And once you’re there, make sure you don’t buy anything that’s not on your list.

2.   Have a budget

How much can you spend per purchase? Setting a budget for the month’s purchases is a way of focusing your mind on spending only what is part of your financial planning.

Just like rent, electricity and internet, monthly purchases need to be a fixed expense. Otherwise, they can jeopardize your finances.

3.   Shop with cash

When we take our credit card to the market, we tend to spend more, especially when the limit is too high. That’s because with the promise of paying it off the following month, it’s easy to spend what doesn’t hurt.

So here’s a tip on how to save at the grocery store: take the maximum amount of cash you can spend without compromising your budget.

4.    Buy often

Buying products frequently can help reduce your spending in the market, as it avoids unnecessary purchases and waste. In fact, it’s very common when we go shopping to buy far more than we need.

What’s more, fresh produce lasts less time, so buying more often can ensure that you have fresh food on the table.

5.    Buy the supermarket’s own brand products

You know those products that the supermarket itself produces, but you’re afraid to buy because you don’t know if they’re any good? Go for them. It’s common for these products to be cheaper, as they aren’t famous brands. Not to mention that they can generate savings of around 25% on purchases.

In this way, low-cost products are worth a test. Who knows, maybe that detergent from one of the market’s own brands will surprise you?

6.   Never go to the market hungry

This is a classic tip, but it’s always worth reinforcing. If you need to do your shopping for the month, then you know, eat first. Don’t throw yourself headlong into shopping hungry.

The tendency is for you to fill up your trolley in a desperate attempt to satisfy that momentary hunger. Also, avoid shopping if you’re sad or heartbroken. Otherwise, you’re almost certain to get more ice cream and chocolate than usual.

7.   Look down!

The tip sounds strange, but it’s extremely effective. In general, supermarkets tend to put the most expensive products on the shelves that are at eye level. This takes into account the average height of customers. What you don’t know is that down there, waiting for you, are the cheaper products, so look down next time.

8.   Watch for promotions

Major supermarkets tend to advertise weekly promotions. But, in addition to the televised advertisements, you can get discount coupons and save a lot of money on your purchases. It’s also common for some supermarkets to offer deals on one day of the week at the market. You can buy fruit and vegetables at a bargain price, literally.

In addition, non-perishable products such as rice, beans and toilet paper can be bought in larger quantities when they are on sale.

9.   Consider close-dated items

There are some supermarkets that give discounts on ‘expired’ and ‘ugly’ products. These names refer to products that are close to their expiration date or have some damage to their packaging, but still retain their quality.

They can be easily recognized on supermarket shelves, as they need to be identified. With discounts, these products can be a great source of savings when shopping in the market.

10.   Avoid taking children to the market

We know it’s not always possible, but if you have the opportunity, avoid taking children shopping with you too often. This is because it’s common for little ones to want sweets and snacks from the market, which can cause you to incur unexpected expenses.

If you don’t have a choice, positive education is important. Ask the child: “Would you rather have the cookie or the chocolate?”. If they are encouraged to choose, they will certainly opt for what they like best and everyone will be happy without going over budget.

11.    Reduce waste to make better use of food

Wasting food is like throwing money away. So organize your fridge and pantry to keep the oldest products at the front, preventing them from spoiling. You can also reuse food to make your own meals. Use leftovers to prepare broths, soups and other recipes that make the most of the ingredients.

Leftover rice can be turned into rice balls. Orange and lemon peels can be used to flavor cakes, teas and infusions. They can also be used as a seasoning in dishes, such as marinades for meat. In short, everything can be reused, you just have to be creative.

12.    Avoid buying ready-made or industrialized food

Ready-to-eat products, such as packaged salads and frozen dishes, tend to be more expensive. We know that many packaged and ultra-processed foods are more practical to prepare, but not so economical, and sometimes they are not at all healthy.

So, even if it takes longer, prefer to make your recipes from scratch and even peel your fruit yourself. It may take longer, but you’ll certainly save more.

13.    Compare prices in different supermarkets

Many supermarkets make their prices available online, and you can save a lot by comparing options before you leave home. Sometimes it’s feasible to do the month’s shopping in more than one market.

To take a look at the products and their respective prices, use apps and websites to check where the best deals are for the products you need to buy and plan your market visits accordingly.

14.   Look at the price per unit and compare options

You might think: “the more I buy, the bigger the discount”. However, this is not always true. In fact, products bought in large quantities can generate great discounts, but products sold in large packages are not always the best option.

Check the price per unit (kilo, liter or unit) to see which is the most advantageous. In some cases, buying two smaller packages is cheaper than one large one.

15.    Shop at the end of the day

At busy times, it’s harder to focus on the list and stick to the plan. Going to the market at quieter times helps you choose calmly, compare prices and avoid impulsive purchases.

What many people don’t know is that many supermarkets reduce the prices of fruit, vegetables and even fresh bread close to closing time to avoid wastage. This way, you can find fresh produce at great discounts!

Ready to go! Now that you know how to save at the grocery store, how about continuing to take advantage of our financial tips? See you later!