How to Spend Less on Groceries Without Sacrificing Quality

Over the years, grocery prices have steadily increased. It didn’t help that we also made the decision for me to stay home with our baby instead of returning to work. With rising grocery costs and a reduced household income, I had to get intentional about how we shop and spend. That’s when I really started learning how to spend less on groceries without sacrificing the quality of food we eat. This guide includes all the strategies I implemented to reduce our monthly grocery bill while still prioritizing real, nourishing meals.

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Set a Grocery Budget

I know this sounds obvious, but setting up a grocery budget is essentially setting a goal. Goals play a large role in our motivation and drive—they give us purpose and a sense of accomplishment when we achieve them. Having a grocery budget taps into our psychological need to achieve. When we know how much we want to spend, and we stick to it, it makes us feel accomplished and helps curb the temptation for impulse buys.

Change How You Meal Plan 

The wrong way to meal plan is by heading over to Pinterest, finding recipes for the week, and then grocery shopping for the items needed to make those recipes. Instead, you should center your meals around what you have in your pantry fridge and freezer as well as affordable staples like rice, beans, and veggies. You can check out my Meal Planning Made Easy post to get my full meal planning strategy.

Shop at Cheaper Grocery Stores

A key way to spend less on groceries is shopping at cheaper grocery stores. If you shop at stores like Kroger, Randalls, you’ll likely spend more. From the store layout to the music they play, everything is designed to encourage you to spend more money. Aldi, on the other hand, doesn’t use the same tactics to keep you in the store longer, which can help you save money.

I would also suggest avoiding stores, like Walmart, that sell items outside of groceries. The temptation to buy non-food items can easily lead to overspending.

Aldi vs. Kroger Grocery Price Comparison (2025):

Disclaimer: Prices listed are based on my personal shopping experience and may vary depending on location, availability, and time. Always check local prices before making purchases.

Total (Kroger): $65.78
Total (Aldi): $56.76
Total Savings: $9.02

Switching to Aldi for these common items saves you about 13.7% on your grocery bill for the week.

Ditch the Name Brands

One of the simplest ways to learn how to spend less on groceries is by choosing generic or store brands. They often have the same ingredients as their name-brand counterparts but at a fraction of the price. In many cases, they’re even manufactured in the same facility—just with a different label.

That being said, there are some items where the name brand is worth the splurge. If you’ve watched my YouTube channel, you know I can’t go without Coca-Cola. I might have an aneurysm if someone hands me an off-brand Coke!

Name Brand vs Generic Price Comparison (2025)

Total Savings: $17.07
Switching to generic brands for these common items can save you about 28% on your grocery bill for the week.

Stick to a Grocery List

Impulse buys add up quickly, so having a clear list helps prevent overspending. Here are some strategies to stick to your list:

Avoid the Aisles You Don’t Need

The easiest way to make unnecessary purchases is by strolling through aisles. Only go down the aisles that have the items you need.

Use a Grocery Delivery or Pickup App

Shopping online, like with Instacart, can help you avoid impulse buys. Although there is a small markup with Instacart, i still find i save money on impulse buys. You can also use grocery pickup options from stores like Walmart, which don’t have an upcharge.

Grocery Stores Offering Free Pickup with In-Store Pricing

Shop Alone

Shopping with kids or your spouse can lead to extra, unplanned purchases. I’ve seen it happen with my husband when we spot something new and both think, “We need to try this!” Avoiding those extra trips together is just one more way to learn how to spend less on groceries.

Review the Cart Before Checkout

Before checking out, take a moment to review your cart and remove anything that wasn’t on the list.

Remind Yourself of Your Goals

Remember your grocery budget goal while shopping. Whether it’s reducing your grocery bill, eating healthier, or reducing waste, keeping your goal in mind will help you stay focused.

Buy in Bulk (Strategically)

One effective strategy for how to spend less on groceries is buying in bulk. It can save money, reduce grocery trips, and cut down on waste. Here are some tips:

Start with Nonperishable Items

Rice, beans, sugar, and flour have long shelf lives and won’t go bad quickly.

Check the Unit Price: 

Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy smaller quantities, so always check the unit price before making a bulk purchase.

Only Buy What You Use Often

Even though bulk items are cheaper, buying too much of something you won’t use quickly is still a waste of money.

Use a Bulk Inventory List

Keep track of what you’ve bought and when it expires to avoid food waste. Download my free Kitchen Inventory Tracker to help with this.

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Cook from Scratch More Often

Pre-made and convenience foods cost more and are often filled with ingredients that are detrimental to our health. If you’re looking for ways on how to spend less on groceries while also improving your family’s nutrition, cooking from scratch is a great place to start. To learn more, check out my Why Cooking from Scratch Is Important and How to Begin post.

Cost Comparison: Cooking from Scratch vs. Convenience Foods

Take Advantage of Sales and Markdowns

Proceed with caution; you can easily overspend thinking you are getting a “deal.” However, if there are deals on items you use frequently, consider purchasing them to keep your pantry stocked. Here are some tips for shopping sales and markdowns:

Go early (or late) 

Many stores mark items down early in the morning or late at night. Check your local stores to know when the best time to shop is.

Check the clearance section

Don’t just buy everything you see, but check this section to see if any of the items on your list are on clearance.

Look for manager specials on meat or dairy

Meat and dairy—especially meat—are some of the most expensive items we purchase. Getting meat while it’s marked down can significantly help you save on your grocery bill and spend less on groceries, especially since these items freeze well.

Use a price tracker

Keep track of item prices to know when it’s genuinely a good deal. Many stores will raise the price and then mark it down or offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal to trick people into buying.

You can also use price comparison apps: An app called Flipp can help you track where items are cheapest across your local stores.

Reduce Food Waste

According to the FDA, it’s estimated that around 30-40% of the food we buy is wasted. That’s 30-40% of grocery money down the drain, and that’s simply unacceptable. Here are some ways you can reduce food waste, which in turn helps lower your grocery bill.

Source: FDA Food Loss and Waste

Use up leftovers

If you have a bunch of leftovers, consider having a “fend for yourself” night instead of cooking a new meal. Leftover protein can be transformed into a new meal. For example, I often make a large roast or roast a whole chicken on Monday. On Tuesday, I’ll make pico, guacamole and use the leftover meat for tacos.

Keep track of when things are about to expire

You can use my Kitchen Inventory Tracker to help with this, ensuring you’re always aware of what needs to be used up before it goes bad. This can help you reduce food waste and keep your grocery bill in check.

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Store produce properly to extend freshness

Use the items that will spoil first, then save the ones with a longer shelf life for later. If stored correctly, some produce can last for weeks. Amy from The Crossy Legacy has wonderful resources on extending the freshness of your food.

Produce That Stays Fresh the Longest

Produce with a Shorter Shelf Life

Limit Trips to the Store

Fewer trips mean fewer opportunities to spend impulsively. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to the store for one item and ended up spending $50 on things I didn’t need. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid unnecessary grocery trips.

Become an ingredients household

Stock up on versatile ingredients like grains, proteins, and vegetables that can be used across multiple meals. Avoid specialty items—like truffle oil or unique spice blends—that are typically only used in one recipe. You can download my Pantry Staples Guide to help you build a practical, well-rounded pantry that supports simple, everyday cooking.

Make do with what you have

I’ve started making do with what I have if I forget something. For example, this week I made Fiesta Lime Chicken, and the recipe called for ranch. I didn’t have any, so I used mayo instead—and it still turned out delicious. Finding creative ways to use what you already have is a simple and effective strategy for how to spend less on groceries and reduce unnecessary trips to the store.

Final Thoughts

I know times are tough in 2025 with the rising cost of groceries, but I hope these tips on how to spend less on groceries helped! Let me know in the comments how you are cutting costs during these times.

Other Resources That May Help:

• What to Buy Organic (and When It Doesn’t Really Matter)
• Meal Planning Made Easy: How To Save Time, Reduce Stress, and Avoid Food Waste
• Why Cooking from Scratch Is Important and How to Begin