10 basic ways to cut your grocery bill
The cost of food prepared and eaten at home is 10 percent over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Shoppers can cut into that increase with a little planning and careful buying.
Stephany Domingos has found planning every meal in advance pays off.
“Meal planning definitely helps me save money because I'm being conscious about what I'm eating and what I'm going to be purchasing, so I do not over-buy,” she said.
Consumer Reports also suggests switching to store brands. They can cost 20 to 25 percent less than name brands.
Amy Keating, of Consumer Reports, said their research has found that store brands are often comparable in taste and nutrition to name brands.
Before you shop, consider where. More than a dozen grocers around the country received high marks for price competitiveness in Consumer Reports’ survey-based ratings of grocery stores and supermarkets. Membership clubs like BJ’s and Costco can keep prices low and supply ready even when other grocers are raising prices and struggling to keep shelves stocked because they buy in bulk from suppliers.
Active-duty military and veterans can take advantage of the Department of Defense’s Commissary which strictly limits its markups.
If you don't already, check unit prices. That's the "per ounce" or "per pound" number next to the full price. Comparing the price per unit of the same product across brands assures you get the best deal where package sizes can vary.
If you've got the freezer space, buy in bulk. Consumer Reports found a family of four can save about $2,000 each year freezing by large quantities of food they find on sale or in season and building meals around those foods.
Take full advantage of loyalty cards and apps. In addition to the discounts you get at checkout, some grocers offer more perks like gas rewards.
Also look into independent apps like are Basket, Ibotta, and Flipp. Basket shows real-time grocery prices online and in-store at local grocers, so you can see where to shop for the best deals; it crowdsources its data, the same way a traffic app like Waze works. Ibotta and Flipp both identify manufacturer promotions and coupons and offer direct rebates after you buy from a participating retailer.
Embrace coupons. Stores may double or even triple the value of manufacturers’ coupons at checkout.
Track prices. When you know what a good price is for something you buy often, you'll know when to stock up and when to wait it out.
Do the math on grocery delivery. If you expect to use grocery delivery on a regular basis, calculate the value of an annual membership before you sign up. For instance, Instacart Express costs $99 per year; you pay no additional delivery fee if your orders cost $35 or more. Minimum order fees are $3.99 outside of Instacart Express, so you’ll break even on the annual fee after 25 orders, or one order about every other week.
Alternatively, skip the delivery altogether and opt for pickup, which is typically free, though you may want to tip the person who loads your car. While Walmart’s annual delivery fee is $98 after a 15-day free trial, its pickup is free and its employees do not accept tips.
