Inflation Got You Down? These 5 Money-Saving Hacks Can Save You Major Moola on Groceries
Have you been experiencing sticker shock every time you go grocery shopping? You're not alone. Food prices have been going up dramatically across the US, and many shoppers are feeling the pinch. You don't have to resign yourself to spending more than you ever thought possible for your weeknight dinner essentials, though. Thankfully, there are a variety of clever strategies you can use to save money on groceries. We've gathered five of the most useful money-saving hacks from bloggers and financial pros. Happy shopping!
1. Consider percentages.
“In a recent store comparison I did of whole milk, the prices were high across the board, but Walmart’s Great Value cost the least at $4.86 per gallon (Aldi was $5.29!). To save even more, I opt for 2 percent milk, which is a few cents cheaper per gallon. Another option? Powdered milk! Great Value powdered milk (the equivalent of 2 gallons of the liquid) costs $8.43 — that’s $4.21 a gallon!” — Joanie Demer, cofounder of TheKrazyCouponLady.com
2. Head to this store.
“Thanks to supply shortages, the US currently has the lowest amount of butter available since 2017 and at much higher prices. For the best deal, shop store brands. For example, one 16-ounce box of Land O’Lakes butter costs $5.79 at Walmart, but the store’s Great Value brand costs $4.48. Even better? In a price comparison, Trader Joe’s store brand came in as the cheapest at $3.69. Since 80 percent of their products are in-house, they can offer lower prices than bigger chain stores.” — Joanie Demer
3. Shop warehouse clubs to score half off.
“Because they sell them in bulk, you can get the best prices on eggs at warehouse stores. For example, whereas a dozen eggs costs about $6.29 at supermarkets, Sam’s Club Member’s Mark cage-free eggs cost $5.98 for two dozen! And no need to worry about expiration dates — they serve more as a suggested sell or use-by date for quality, not safety. Plus, you can freeze any extra eggs before they go bad! Just whisk them and pour into ice cube trays to use at a later time.” — Andrea Woroch, money-saving expert at AndreaWoroch.com
4. Buy where the chefs do.
“A typical box of elbow macaroni costs about $1.84 per pound in supermarkets these days, but you can snag 20 pounds of macaroni at a wholesale site that’s open to the public like Webstaurant Store, for $17.44 — a savings of over 50 percent. Since pasta has a shelf life of two years, it’s a great food to buy in bulk. Just be sure to store all the pasta you won’t be using in airtight containers like jars or zip-top bags. Also smart? If you find a great price on pasta at your local store, ask the manager if you can buy it by the case, which can sometimes nab you an additional 10 percent off!” — Samantha Adler, food blogger at FrostingAndFettuccine.com
5. Opt for slow-cooking meats to slash costs.
“Meat grades go from Prime at the top, to Choice, then Select at the bottom — the higher the grade, the more pricey and most tender, flavorful cuts of meat. The cheapest meats per pound are those that require more prep or take longer to cook. Opting for these Choice or Select cuts, like brisket, pork butt, or lamb shanks, and slow-cooking or marinating them will save you cash without sacrificing taste.” — Hillary Swetz, money-saving blogger at HomegrownHillary.com
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.
