7 Money-Saving Tips for Your Next Grocery Run That You Haven’t Tried

You don’t have to live with sky-high grocery bills. Several strategies can slash costs and still get the food you want.

“Many shoppers don’t realize that supermarkets are strategically designed to encourage spending, but knowing a few insider tricks can help you beat the system and save money,” says Alexander Ketter, consumer expert at Coupons.com.

Don’t Shop at Eye Level

Grocery stores place their most expensive items right where you can see them at eye level. Look elsewhere for sales and deals.

“One tip is to avoid shopping at eye level. Brands pay a premium for prime shelf space, so the most profitable and often pricier items are placed right where you’re most likely to grab them,” Ketter says. “Looking at the top and bottom shelves often leads to cheaper, lesser-known brands with similar quality.”

Check Unit Prices

Look at the unit price before buying in bulk. “Another overlooked strategy is checking the unit price rather than the overall cost. Bigger packs don’t always mean better value, as pricing can be misleading. Grocery stores sometimes price smaller packs at a lower cost per unit to move stock faster, so always compare before buying in bulk,” Ketter says.

Shop Near Closing Time

Do your shopping when the grocery store is close to closing.

“If you have some flexibility, shopping just before closing time can yield big savings, especially in supermarkets that discount fresh items to clear shelves,” Ketter says.

Shop Discounts First

Begin your shopping where there are sale items and discounts.

“Start in the discount section and build your meals around reduced-price items rather than sticking rigidly to a list. It’s an easy way to cut costs while still enjoying a variety of meals,” says Ketter.

Be Smart With Your Grocery List

Make note of the food items you have at home before heading to a grocery store.

“Instead of listing what you need, start with what you already have at home and build meals around those ingredients. Most of us forget what we have in the pantry, so start there and build your menu accordingly. Using what you have will save money and stack your savings week after week,” says Hillary Seiler, chief executive officer for Financial Footwork. “Plus, you’ll notice food waste in your household decrease as you go.”

Shop the Perimeter

Start your grocery shopping along the store’s perimeter.

“One of the best but most underutilized strategies is to shop the store perimeter first where the fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, meats, and dairy foods are. These whole foods will provide more nutritional bang for your buck than the processed foods in the inner aisles. If you stock your cart with perimeter foods before you start shopping the inner aisles, you’ll have less room (and money) for impulse buying from the inner aisles,” says Nick Drewe, chief executive officer of Wethrift.

Use Price Matching

Check prices from competing stores before you shop.

“Most customers aren’t aware that most big grocery store chains will match a competitor’s price. Shop around locally for 15 minutes per week going through circulars or apps such as Flipp and take the best deals with you to your desired store to have them price matched. With this hack, you can save both time and money,” Drewe says.

The Bottom Line

Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a cringeworthy event. Several strategies can cut your costs.

Stores stock the most expensive items at eye level, so you’ll find more affordable items on the store shelves above or below eye level. Look for unit prices, not just the overall cost. Get your shopping done close to closing time when store discounts are available. And start your shopping list by noting food items you have at home. You can target your shopping list around these items.