Are your grocery bills slowly creeping up and crushing your budget? You’re not alone. With rising prices and busy schedules, it’s easy to overspend without even realizing it. But here’s the good news—you can cut your grocery bill by up to $200 this month with a few simple hacks.
I’ve been using these exact tips to keep our family on budget, and they really work—even when feeding a growing family!
1. Track What You’re Actually Spending
Before you can save, you need to know where your money is going. Look back at your last two or three months of grocery expenses. You might be shocked at how much is slipping through the cracks.
If you don’t already have a budget, grab our free budget binder to get started.
Pro Tip: Start scanning your receipts with Fetch Rewards. It’s a free app that turns your receipts into points you can redeem for gift cards. (Yes, even gas and restaurant receipts count!)
Sign up here and use my referral code to get bonus points when you scan your first receipt.
2. Meal Plan Around What You Already Have
One of the easiest ways to save on groceries is to plan your meals around what’s already in your pantry or freezer. That means fewer items to buy and less food waste.
Here’s how:
- Take inventory of what you already have.
- Build 4–5 meals using those ingredients.
- Then, write your grocery list based only on what you’re missing.
– Check out these cheap frugal meals that help you create $5 dinners fast. Also, make “stretch meals.” These are meals that you can stretch multiple days such as tacos, stir fry, etc.
3. Shop at Home First
Before you head to the store, do a quick 5–10 minute “inventory sweep” of your kitchen. You’ll be surprised how many meals you can pull together without spending a dime. Most people forget what’s hiding behind those pantry doors or at the bottom of the freezer.
Example: I once found 3 cans of beans, half a bag of rice, and frozen veggies—hello burrito bowls!
Tip: Try using a magnet fridge list or magnet dray erase board to to keep track of your inventory!
4. Set a Weekly Grocery Budget
Instead of saying “I’ll try to spend less,” set a hard grocery limit and stick to it.
For example:
- Family of 2: $75/week
- Family of 4: $125/week
Pull that amount in cash needed, or track your spending with a budget app. Once your grocery budget is gone, you are done spending for the week.
Download our free budget template if you don’t have one yet—it’s helped thousands of readers take control of their spending!
5. Scan All Receipts with Fetch
This one’s a no-brainer. If you’re not using Fetch, you’re literally leaving money on the table.
Here’s how it works:
- Shop like normal
- Snap a photo of your receipt in the app
- Earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards (Target, Amazon, Starbucks—you name it)
I’ve earned over hundreds using Fetch and Ibotta – just from scanning receipts!
Sign up for Fetch here to get bonus points after your first scan.
6. Buy Generic & Shop the Markdown Section First
Brand loyalty = budget killer.
Generic store brands are usually just as good and significantly cheaper. Start with staples like:
- Pasta
- Canned goods
- Cheese
- Snacks
While you’re shopping, swing by the markdown bin or clearance aisle. You can often score staples for cheap!
7. Go Meatless One Day a Week
Meat is one of the priciest items in your cart. Cut costs by planning at least one meatless meal per week. Here are a few meatless meals to try!
Cheap and filling options:
- Chili
- Pasta with veggie sauce
- Stir fry with rice
- Grilled cheese + soup night
Want more ideas? Check out these cheap dinner ideas that taste great.
8. Stick to Your Grocery List
Have you ever walked into a grocery store hungry? I think we all have!
Impulse buys add up fast.
Avoid this by:
- Always shopping with a list
- Planning your route through the store
- Skipping the snack aisle altogether
Want a printable grocery list template? Grab your free grocery list printable here!
9. Skip Midweek Store Trips
Every time you run to the store “just for milk,” you end up leaving with $40 worth of snacks, drinks, and random things you didn’t need. Sound familiar?
Midweek trips are one of the biggest grocery budget killers—and they’re sneaky because they feel necessary. But trust me, with a little planning, you can avoid them and keep more money in your wallet.
Avoid this by:
- Planning for 1 main shopping trip per week
- Having an “emergency stash” (think freezer meals)
- Designating a “clean out the fridge” night
Conclusion: These Small Changes Add Up Fast
Using just these 9 hacks, I’ve personally slashed over $200/month off our grocery bill—and you can too!
Quick Grocery Budget Recap:
- Track your receipts with Fetch Rewards
- Meal plan using food you already have
- Stick to a grocery list and weekly budget
- Be intentional about every dollar spent
✨ Want to save even more? Grab our budget tracker and join thousands of readers Living Low Key on a budget!
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Related articles:
20 Easy Ways to Live Frugally in July and Still Have a Blast