How do you save money on your grocery bill?

[shanecurran]

Keep realistic expectations. Do not buy groceries that you will not eat. For example in college I had a roommate who would buy fruits and vegetables that would go bad just so that he would feel healthy. No matter what he bought his consumption patterns did not change. Buy things that you will eat and buy less expensive proteins.

[Bades]

I've always wondered about buying certain items in bulk...

It seems to me if you can afford the upfront price and have the room to store 300 rolls of toilet paper, shouldn't you do it then?

Places like Sam' Club or Costco are they always the cheaper option? (Discussing food and paper goods)

[zaccolbert]

Do monthly shops online, that way you don't have to a couple of little shops every week and it saves a lot of money in the long run

[snafu]

It isn't always obvious as to whether buying in quantities is least expensive. It pays to check the per unit price generally identified on the plastic tab. If your grocery chains doesn't offer this, complain to the store manager.

Bulk buying can also mean buying non packaged foods from bins in the amount you require. It's usually a cheaper alternative for items like sugar, flour, pasta, rice, baking powder and spices.

[jeffery12]

we cannot ignore expenses but I can think of managing them properly. maybe you walk down to the local vegetable market..

[marvholly]

Bades
i do NOT find Sams/Costco to be cheaper for me. I was just at a Sams open house on Sat. The prices were MUCH higher than I pay combining store sales w/mfg coupons. My purchases Yesterday are an example:
Box of stove top, sale for $0.88 less coupon of 0.50
2 cans Green Giant green beans price $0.99 each, Walgreens in ad coupon less 0.50 each, less insert coupon of 0.50 0n 2 cans = 0/24/can/

Did I NEED either? No but these are items I regularly use and will use.
I am NOT doing the Splenda deal at Walgreens this week even though it is a money maker. Why? I do not use Splenda (prefer either of 2 other brands)nor do I know anyone who does.

ETA
I now have a complete set of sides on hand for the next set of chicken/turkey meals I make for <$1. I will NOT be running to the store and paying shelf price just because I am making poultry for my 1 major cook on the week.

[AtoZ]

Watch for store promotions. A local grocery chain has vowed to its customers that prices on hundreds of everyday items will not be increased. It does make a difference.

[clintdavis]

When we made the decision to take control of our money and get out of debt, we were pretty shocked at how much we spent on groceries. We wasted a lot of food, bought way too many "convenience" items, and still went out to eat 2-3 times per week.

To help us stop overspending on food, we decided to go to a "Cash Only" food budget. At the beginning of the month we withdraw the cash we need for our groceries and keep it in an envelope. We don't buy groceries with anything other than that cash. If we run out of cash, we end up eating Ramen until the new month. This method forces us to plan ahead for our meals and grocery list so that we are sure not to overspend on this category.

We're debt free and have a full emergency fund, but we still use this cash envelope system. We do the same for our restaurant budget.

[tan fish]

Decrease serving size of meat, and compensate by making more carbs like pasta, rice, or potatoes to offer. An ideal meal for me is a beef pot roast (using a relatively cheap but good tasting cut like chuck) with potatoes and carrots, and then have a second carb like rice. So serving portions of meat are small, but I can fill up on the potatoes, rice, and carrots (obviously there are variations of meal ideas but this is just an example). The carbs may not be good for your waistline but it might be for your wallet.

[marvholly]

clintdavis
I have been doing the envelope thing for >40 years for BOTH groceries and fun money. Groceries are weekly. Fun money is monthly.