How do you save money on your grocery bill?

[DebbieL]

i can easily feed 3 people in my house for $50 a month. i only buy what is on sale and keep alot of food on hand. all the meat in my freezer was bought on sale, the only things that we dont eat that were not bought on sale is fresh veggies and even then i do not shop at the local supermarkets. i go to the mexican and chinese grocery stores where they are not unionized = much cheaper produce.

That would be impossible to even come close to that where I live even if you never bought meat (for example if you were a hunter). I'm stunned that you can do this. I cannot come under $400/month MINIMUM for the 3 of us (and DD18 barely even eats anything really), and that is with shopping sales, using deep freeze to stock up when things are cheap. We probably spend almost twice that amount just for dairy products (a block of cheese is about $9-10, milk is over $3 for a 2 litre, yoghurt is about $3-$3.50 on sale).

[DebbieL]

i just got back from smart and final, i stopped by to pick up 2 jugs of irish cream for coffee and i saw 3# of beef hotdogs marked down for $1.99. thats .66/lb so i bought 30 pounds of the stuff. now we are not going to eat nothing but hotdogs but i now have a bunch of .66 meat to go along with the .79 chicken breasts and theighs, $1/lb ham and alot of ground turkey that goes on sale for $2 a pound every couple of weeks and of course i have the carbs covered like you. im in california where produce is pretty cheap but there will be a price spike on most of the stuff. i bought 20 pounds of frozen peas, they were not on sale but i figure once all the fresh stuff gets high then i can bust out my .99/lb frozen peas. the motto i live by is - when its cheap stack it deep.

Meat is very cheap where you live. The absolute cheapest that chicken breasts go on sale for here is $2.99/lb. A one pound package of weiners (which I personally think are very unhealthy and don't buy usually) is at least $2 on sale. Ground turkey is $5-6 per pound - minimum. I'm in BC where produce is so plentiful and we can grow most everything, but it's still pricey. Luckily my dad grows a huge garden so in the summer I get lots of nice veggies for free. I just can't believe how much cheaper you guys get everything in the States. I'm sure that the produce we ship to other places costs less than what they charge us here

[rob62521]

I stock up on items when they are on sale, and we buy quite a few things like eggs, milk, cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables at Aldis. We don't have as many choices grocery wise here where we live -- Aldi, Cub (Country Market), Kroger, a couple mom and pop stores, and Wal-Mart. Target has a few grocery items, but since it isn't a Super Target, not a huge amount.

I make a lot of things from scratch not only because it saves money, but also to cut down on the sodium and preservatives. Most of the time is it cheaper money wise for me to do so.

[Alan_MoneySanity]

How to save money

I am always learning new ways to save money. Here are a few of my favorite ways to save groceries. Visit for over 70 more tips on ways to save money.

1) Plan out your shopping list

2) Cut coupons and buy loss leaders

3) Buy in bulk and stock up on items

4) Shop at 2- 3 supermarkets

5) Don’t overspend your budget: Find a way to buy the groceries you need within your allotted budget. If you shop with cash – you may have to “put an item or two back” but at least you will walk out of the store knowing that you didn’t have to put your groceries on your credit card.

6) Buy generic when brands don’t matter: Sometimes you get better value from a brand – but often generics are just as good.
7) Pay attention to package sizes. Many manufactures are using smaller package sizes but keeping the same price. Pretty tricky!

[FrugalGirl321]

We make as many meals and snacks as we can, eliminating the need to purchase costly prepared foods. I have 3 kids, so making homemade graham crackers, granola bars, oatmeal, muffins, etc. cuts down a LOT on our food budget.

[97guns]

yes, prepared foods cost alot more in the longrun. for most americans that is all they eat, i go to my friends house and their idea of cooking is macaroni and cheese with hotdogs or top ramen soup. if theyre not cooking at home then theyre eating out, its the only way they know.

[Little House]

I love coupons, but when I don't have the time to clip or research them, I shop at different stores for different items. For example, an Hispanic market near me has great deals on produce and meat - much less than the larger chain grocery stores. For laundry detergent, soap, and basic cleaners, the 99-cent store is where I shop. I end up saving quite a bit by shopping this way - even minus the cost of gas.

[snafu]

Since February, the cost of food has been increasing weekly. The costs of fuel and corn syrup are making matters worse and there is no evidence prices will decrease while Nigeria suffers civil unrest. Changing thinking about meal planning and cooking will help hold down costs. If your family is used to a slab of meat/fish, plus greens, carb side dish and veggie, will they accept innovation or would they prefer to give up a new pair of jeans, cell phone, cable & in-house internet so that the money doesn't run out before the month's end?

There are lots of delicious entrees that offer 4 oz [per person] protein like paella, pilaf or jambalaya for example.

[Frugal]

I think food is still at the point where most people can afford the basics, and are just cutting back on luxury items. I still have to cook a lot of meat for my spouse, and I find it is hardest to save money on meat, even though I shop produce sales at local stores like Walmart, Fred Meyer, etc., and try to stock up on food and meat items while they are on special each week. I don't think, for instance, that food prices would force me to cut my cell phone bill, get rid of it, and replace it with a landline to save money. I do think it is possible it could get to that point someday, but we will have to see pretty dramatic inflation first, and it might not occur right away...just my thoughts...

[LeadRival]

Bulk bulk bulk. I am single and find it hard to buy most groceries in bulk because after time the food does not get eaten and it just gets thrown away. But I do purchase all household items in bulk. I also purchase foods such as cereals, canned foods, etc in bulk (as these do not go bad as fast) I noticed when buying in bulk it pretty much like I paid for 4 items and got the 5th item for free. The annual savings on these simple changes are outstanding. And when the time comes to spoil myself, I have the extra money for it and do not feel like I'm getting behind.

[Fabulous]

I use coupons and weekly sales in stores. Also I have credit card that gives me cash back on grocery. It's still better than nothing.

[marvholly]

You also might want to alter your meal plans somewhat. Try substituting a bean or lentil meal at least 1x/week - preferably 1 dinner and 1 lunch (leftovers?). Soak & cook your own beans instead of canned. A 0.89 can of black beans = 3.5 servings (0.25/serving). A lb of dry black beans for 1.19 = 12 servings (0.10/serving). I actually bought dry black beans for 0.89/lb 10 3/26/11 (0.075/serving).

Do a salad plate for a meal, add a few beans, lentils, nuts and/or seeds for a bit of protein.

Have a couple of canned tuna meals every week or everyother. Tuna has been VERY cheap. Meijer had it for o.50/can and I had a $1.50 coupon on 3 = FREE.

Make breakfast for dinner 1x/week or 2. Pancakes, eggs, bisuits from scratch are cheap. Eggs are cheap and get even cheaper at this time of year. Make several egg meals/week.

Buy a larger chicken than you normally would. Serve it roasted and limit portions to 3 oz cooked. You will have a bunch of leftovers for chicken salad, stroganoff, fajits, qusedillas, stir fry, cassaroles........Cook the carcas to make soup.

[Frugal]

I also like to buy the inexpensive rotisserie chickens at Walmart and other supermarkets for around $4.99. At this price, this grocery store item is a bargain. I figure I cannot buy the meat and spices, much less spend all the time to cook it, to make it myself that cheaply. You get a whole smoked or roasted chicken complete with spices or seasoning, and from my experience, the leftovers last for DAYs. You can spice it up by making chicken sandwiches out of barbecue sauce, cheese, and the leftovers on an open-faced bun.

[khosta]

I am learning to buy the more generic name brands rather than the top name brands!!! Those commercials always get me!!!

[jerrycates]

I would still say coupons, discount days, sales, and those times when you were able to find mismatched prices on the shelf against the POS/cash register. That could save you much. I've seem some do that. I experienced it once. Find it cool.