55 Frugal Grocery Shopping Tips

Image by Hamed Saber via Flickr

Here are 55 frugal grocery shopping tips to help you save money. Grocery shopping is a neccesity, but there's no need to overspend. I hope you find them helpful.

The 55 Frugal Grocery Shopping Tips List

1. Buy non-perishables in bulk quantities.
   
   
2. Buy big sale items from fliers. This may require driving from store to store, but if you can buy large quantities of the big sale items, it's often worth the trip.
   
   
3. Join a food co-op to buy staples like rice and flour.
   
   
4. Compare prices using fliers before you go shopping.
   
   
5. Freeze your milk. Buy more milk and freeze it. It will save trips to the store. If you buy milk in jugs, empty a bit out before you freeze it to avoid bursting the container.
   
   
6. Plan your meals before you go shopping and buy only what you need. This will prevent unnecessary grocery purchases.
   
   
7. Buy meat in the “reduced” section and freeze it or use it right away when you get home.
   
   
8. Go vegetarian. It's healthier, better for the environment, and saves a lot of money on groceries. This is probably one of my favorite frugal grocery shopping tips, but I'm biased being vegetarian myself ;).
   
   
9. Shop at a local farmer's market if you have one near you.
   
   
10. Grow your own vegetables. Starting veggies from seeds in your own garden can save a lot of money. It's also better for the environment, and your food is fresher.
    
    
11. Buy a months worth of groceries at once. If you plan your meals ahead of time you can stock up and save by having to travel to the store less often.
    
    
12. Buy whole chickens instead of seperate cuts.
    
    
13. Make your own fruit water instead of buying it. Just add a few small pieces of fruit to a container of water and chill it in the fridge for a while.
    
    
14. Buy regular oatmeal instead of the flavored kind. It cooks in only a few minutes and you can flavor it yourself.
    
    
15. Use rice in your meals. If you buy it in big bags, it's a very economical and healthy food. Stick with whole grain or brown rice for a healthier option.
    
    
16. Use potatoes in your meals. Potatoes are healthy and very economical.
    
    
17. Use frozen veggies instead of fresh. They're cheaper and they're usually picked when they're fresh and then frozen within a day or two so they are still quite good for you.
    
    
18. Use leftover meat bones to make soups instead of throwing them out.
    
    
19. Use those wilting vegetables in your fridge to make soups instead of throwing them out.
    
    
20. Get a freezer so you can stock up on sale items.
    
    
21. Cut down or eliminate junk food. It's expensive and doesn't offer any nutritional value.
    
    
22. Drink water instead of juice or soda. This is another one of my favorite frugal grocery shopping tips. I have saved a lot of money since elminating pop and juice from my shopping list.
    
    
23. Make your own meals instead of buying the frozen prepared foods.
    
    
24. Eat at home more, and out less.
    
    
25. Take coffee in a thermos instead of buying it when you're out of the house.
    
    
26. Pack your own meals and snacks in a small cooler when you're going to be travelling instead of eating out.
    
    
27. Bring your lunch from home instead of buying it.
    
    
28. Use less meat. Substitute in extra veggies in recipes.
    
    
29. Use your leftovers instead of throwing them out. You can feeze them if you think you won't eat them within the next day or two.
    
    
30. Maintain a healthy weight. You will tend to eat less.
    
    
31. Use cheaper substitues in recipes. Artificial vanilla usually tastes just as good as real vanilla extract.
    
    
32. Start a herb box in your kitchen window instead of buying herbs from the store.
    
    
33. Consider making and canning your own pasta sauces and jams.
    
    
34. Stick with in season fruits and vegetables. This is not only one of the better frugal grocery shopping tips, but it's healthier for you too. In season fruits and vegetables are generally fresher and more nutritious.
    
    
35. Try substituting store brands for the name brand foods. Often they're just as good and they're usually cheaper.
    
    
36. Use coupons.
    
    
37. Mail in those rebate forms.
    
    
38. Buy items before you run out. Otherwise you may have to buy them when they're not on sale.
    
    
39. Check your cupboards before you buy something. You may already have it sitting way in the back somewhere.
    
    
40. Shop at larger stores, they usually offer lower prices.
    
    
41. Go grocery shopping alone. It avoids having others persuade you to buy something that wasn't on your list.
    
    
42. Don't shop hungry. If you are hungry, you are more likely to make impulse buys.
    
    
43. Lower cost items are usually on the upper and lower shelves. More expensive brand name products are usually at eye level.
    
    
44. Know your prices. Just because something is on sale, it doesn't mean it's the best price available.
    
    
45. If your grocer or credit card has a points program that you can use for free groceries, join it.
    
    
46. Always check the clearance racks for things you need before buying it from the regular aisles.
    
    
47. Ask for rainchecks on sale items that are out of stock.
    
    
48. Commonly needed items like bread, cheese, and dairy products are usually at the back corners of the store. This forces you to walk past all the other items to get the things you need. Be aware of this so you are not tempted to buy other products along the way.
    
    
49. Avoid shopping at corner and convenience stores, they are usually more expensive.
    
    
50. Always stick to your list.
    
    
51. Compare the unit costs, not the prices. Most prices tags tell you the price per unit.
    
    
52. If you are going to buy soft drinks, stick with the large bottles instead of buying cans. It's usually cheaper this way.
    
    
53. Here's another of my other favorite frugal grocery shopping tips. Bring your own grocery bags. Many stores are charging for plastic bags now.
    
    
54. Watch the scanner when you are going through the checkout. The scanned prices are not always correct.
    
    
55. Use plastic or glass containers to store your foods and pack your lunches. You can avoid buying plastic wrap and baggies this way.
    
    

Do you have any other frugal grocery shopping ideas? I'd love to hear them. Just leave a comment below...

For more frugal living tips, check out the popular articles listed below, or you can see our complete list of frugal living articles here.