How to save money on food, groceries, and meals.
The cost of groceries is one of the largest monthly expenses for most households. The expense makes it very difficult for families, even more so those with a limited income, to afford enough food while still trying to eat reasonably well. This page explains, and links to more detailed ways to reduce food and grocery costs without relying on unrealistic or short-term fixes.
Many households struggle to pay for groceries each month, including families with children, seniors on fixed incomes, and people facing temporary financial setbacks. In fact, about 20% to 25% of the population, including kids, is “food insecure” at any one time, meaning they are uncertain where their next meal is coming from. Saving money on food often comes from small changes made consistently, such as shopping more carefully, cooking at home more often, and reducing waste.
The sections below introduce proven ways, which we have discovered since we started needhelppayingbills.com, to lower food costs. Each topic links to a more detailed page that explains the method in depth and when it may be most useful.
Save on food while shopping in the store
Coupons can reduce the cost of groceries, including fresh food and everyday staples such as cleaning supplies and other goods. It is possible to use a coupon app, website, or traditional paper copies of a coupon. Savings may come from manufacturer coupons, store promotions, loyalty programs, or rebate applications. There are many places to get free coupons, which this page links to and also gives tips on how they are commonly used.
Some shoppers combine grocery store promotions with manufacturer coupons and rebates to reduce costs further. This approach, sometimes referred to as “extreme couponing”, requires time and planning, but some people may be able to save enough money to get the food for free. However the results vary by store rules and availability. It may be possible to get free groceries using coupons, though limitations may apply.
Unit pricing helps compare the real cost of items across different sizes and brands. It allows shoppers to see which option offers the best value rather than relying on package size or marketing. Unit Pricing may be arguably the best way to determine you are getting the best value for your money. Learn more about how unit pricing helps saves money on shopping, which can be met by a simple calculation.
Monthly grocery bills can often be reduced with better planning and purchasing habits. Changes such as planning meals ahead, buying only what will be used, and choosing lower-cost alternatives can add up over time. There are many ways to save 5, 10, 20% or even more on your monthly grocery bills that can be done over time. The linked page about tips and tricks for saving on grocery shopping explains common strategies that may reduce food expenses.
Shrinkflation occurs when a product’s size or quantity is reduced while the price stays the same. This is common with packaged food and household goods. In general, to keep it simple, shrinkflation is when a company will reduce the quantity of items in a package or cut back on size, but they keep the price the same. Paying attention to package sizes and unit pricing can help spot these hidden increases. Learn more about shrinkflation and find examples to help you identify it.
Cooking Matters is a free national program that helps households, regardless of their income, learn how to prepare healthy meals while spending less on groceries. Some local communities offer classes or workshops that focus on budgeting, meal planning, shopping at a grocery store and basic cooking skills. The linked page provides details about the program and how it works. The Cooking Matters service is offered locally in many communities by volunteers or even trained chefs.
Some households reduce food costs by shopping at discount grocery stores, buying in bulk, or using local nonprofit food co-operatives. The exact amount of savings depend on location, household size, and buying habits. In general, people have different options to when it comes to where to buy cheap groceries.
Food pantries can help fill short-term gaps. There are times when really anyone may need some support and they can save money by using a pantry. They may use a distribution center to get some of what their family needs, as every free item from a pantry will help people save a little money. The linked page, which is a guide to food banks and food pantries, explains how they work and when they may be helpful.
Cut back on food waste to be more efficient grocery shopping
Bringing meals from home instead of buying food at work can reduce daily and monthly costs as well as reduce the amount of stuff you throw away. Over time, these savings from brown bagging meals can add up. Not only can it save you money, but it also tends to be much healthier.
Meal subscription services offer convenience but are not always the lowest-cost option. For some households they may reduce waste, while for others the cost per meal is higher than buying ingredients directly. The linked page covering meal subscription boxes explains when these services may or may not make financial sense.
Eating healthy on a limited budget can be challenging, but it is possible with planning. Choosing affordable, sustainable ingredients that do not need to be thrown up so quickly and taking steps like preparing meals at home can help control costs and waste. Learn more about how you may be able to save money on food for affordable, sustainable meals.
 Eating out (even at a fast food place), ordering takeout, or using delivery services can significantly increase food costs and often waste too. Simple home-prepared alternatives can save money while still fitting into busy schedules. The linked page explains how much eating out costs and other options.
Cooking meals at home is often less expensive than eating out and, using tips above, it also helps reduce waste if dome properly. But costs still depend on planning and habits. Using leftovers, preparing larger portions, and choosing affordable ingredients can lower the cost per home cooked meal while also reducing the amount of food that is discarded.
Some cooking websites or online blogs (even apps) share low-cost recipes, tips to saving money while meal planning as well as other ideas using simple ingredients. These resources can help households prepare affordable, often healthy meals at home. Some of the healthy cooking food blogs may help people prepare a meal that is affordable for people living on a limited income. The linked page explains how to use these resources effectively
Reducing food waste in a very methodical way, which is in effect how much a household throws away, can lower monthly grocery costs without changing what is purchased. Planning meals, storing food properly, and using leftovers can prevent food from being thrown away. The linked page on the topic of how to reduce wasted food to save money explains steps to take.
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