Unlike shopping for clothes or gifts, grocery shopping isn’t fun. And now that we’re dashing in and out of the store as quickly as possible due to the pandemic, it’s even less so. While those quick trips might be helping to keep us safe, you could very well be leaving savings on the table or lugging things home that could have been shipped right to your door. If this sounds familiar, then maybe it’s time to shake things up and do things a bit differently, starting with these grocery shopping hacks! And don’t worry, they won’t extend your time spent in-store.
Stay loyal
Do you belong to the loyalty program at your local grocery store? If your favorite store has a program, join it ASAP so you can start reaping the benefits of exclusive savings, and racking up points for free stuff.
There’s an app for that
One of my latest discoveries is the Flashfood app. This app-based marketplace helps shoppers find great deals on the groceries they need, including fresh produce, meats & fish, dairy, and baked goods. The items are either in surplus or nearing their best-by date, and participating stores sell them at up to 50% off the retail price. You purchase items through the FlashFood app and pick them up at your participating grocery store.
Try installing a grocery savings app, like Ibotta, or the Flipp App on your smartphone. Both are designed to help you save even more on the things you’re already buying. Check them out and see which one appeals to you. You’ll be happy that you did!
Go generic
You probably know that generic or store brands are usually quite a bit cheaper than brand name. You may not know that store brands are often manufactured in the same factory, using the same ingredients, as their brand name counterparts.
Pro tip: Take a moment to compare ingredients in the generic/store brand item and the brand name. The ingredients are often the same, but sometimes you can find unwanted filler ingredients in the generic version.
Know what to buy frozen
Fresh produce is widely regarded as being tastier, but Bon Appetit hails three frozen vegetables as a solid choice for cost-conscious shoppers: peas, artichoke hearts, and cooked spinach. Frozen is often as nutrious as fresh!
Do your own prep work
Sure, buying pre-chopped fruits, veggies, and cheeses saves you time, but you’ll be paying for that convenience.
Shop later in the day
As the “sell by” date approaches, stores will often reduce their prices on meat and produce. But don’t worry – that date doesn’t mean the food has gone bad. It just means you should use it soon or freeze it for later. Check Flashfood (mentioned above) for good deals too!
Shop the outside aisles
Not only are processed foods less healthy for you, they’re also often more costly. Avoid packaged and processed foods when you can and shop the perimeter of the store instead.
Shop by unit price
Determine a good deal by comparing an item’s cost-per-unit rather than the actual price.
To calculate the unit price, divide an item’s price by its quantity. Consider how much you’ll actually be saving. It may surprise you to see, for example, how much more cost-effective it is to buy the whole bag of potatoes rather than two individual potatoes.
Location, location, location
You’re more likely to find better deals on the lowest and highest shelves. Brands pay for prime real estate at eye level, but there are hidden gems in less visible spots.
Shop online
Whether you live in a city or the suburbs, dragging all those groceries around is a pain! Why not order some of your necessities online? You might pay a bit for delivery, but the convenience can be worth it. Some of my favorite sites for purchasing groceries are Amazon (via Whole Foods), Target, and Walmart.
Also, to save even more on your online shopping, install a free browser extension, like CouponCabin or PayPal Honey. As you shop online, a pop-up will alert you to these opportunities, and you just click to activate them. There are some restrictions on grocery savings, but this will be clearly noted in the pop-up.
Buy in bulk
If there are certain items that you go through quickly, like toilet paper or snacks for your kids’ lunches, buy them in bulk. Before buying, always compare the price per unit to what you pay at the grocery store. It’s usually lower, but not always. Also, think carefully about the shelf life of what you’re buying. You’re not saving if an items spoils before can finish it! If you’re unsure, still with shelf stable items, like pastas and canned goods.
Save at Whole Foods
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can receive exclusive savings at Whole Foods and also save an extra 10% on a wide variety of items.
Look for these signs in Whole Foods stores:
To receive the savings, you’ll need to download the Whole Foods Market app and show it at checkout. And if you shop with the Amazon Prime Visa card, you can earn 5% cashback at Whole Foods and Amazon!
If you’ve been on the fence about joining Amazon Prime, you can try a full month for free! Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Pay the right way
Speaking of credit card rewards, using the right rewards card to buy your groceries could earn you some serious cash back. You can quickly Google the benefits of the credit cards you already have. Some might offer cashback for your grocery purchases. If not, consider switching to a solid cashback card, like the Bread Cashback American Express from Bread Financial. Note that in order to truly reap the benefits of a credit card, you need to pay it off in full every month. Carrying a balance on your credit cards can negate any cash back you’ve earned.
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