11 Hacks to Save on Groceries in 2025

Discover smart strategies to cut your grocery bills and keep more money in your wallet this year!

Groceries are one of the biggest household expenses, and with food prices on the rise, saving money is more important than ever. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 11 easy and actionable grocery-saving hacks for 2025. Let’s get started!

Hack 1: Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

Planning meals is the foundation of saving money. By knowing exactly what you’ll cook during the week, you can:

• Avoid impulse purchases.
• Buy only what you need, reducing food waste.
• Focus on versatile ingredients (rice, chicken, vegetables).

Why?

Meal planning helps you avoid unnecessary purchases, reduce food waste, and stick to your budget.

How to Apply:

1. Write down all your meals for the week, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
   • Example: Monday Dinner = Spaghetti with tomato sauce and salad.
2. List all the ingredients you need for each meal.
   • Example: For spaghetti: pasta, tomato sauce, and ground beef.
3. Shop only for what’s on your list.

Pro Tip: Use apps like Mealime or Yummly or Plan to Eat, which generate shopping lists based on your planned meals.

Hack 2: Shop During Sales and Promotions

Why?
Shopping during sales helps you take advantage of price cuts on essentials like canned goods, cereals, and produce.

• Bulk items like grains and pasta.
• Seasonal produce.
• Meat and dairy products nearing their sell-by date (often discounted).

How to Apply:

1. Check weekly store ads on apps like Flipp or your local grocery store’s website (e.g., Walmart, Kroger).
   • Example: « Buy One, Get One Free » deals on pasta at Safeway.
2. Time your purchases around holiday sales or end-of-season discounts.

Pro Tip: Combine sales with coupons (see Hack 6) to maximize your savings.

Hack 3: Use Cashback Apps for Groceries

Why?
Cashback apps reward you for purchases you already make, putting extra money back in your pocket.

How to Apply:

1. Download apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, or Rakuten.
   • Example: Ibotta offers $1 cashback on a gallon of milk.
2. Scan your receipts after shopping to earn cashback or points.

Pro Tip: Link your grocery loyalty card to these apps for automatic savings.

Hack 4: Buy Generic or Store Brands

Why?
Generic and store brands often have the same quality as name brands but cost significantly less.

How to Apply:

1. Compare prices directly on the shelf.
   • Example: Great Value (Walmart’s store brand) pasta costs $1.00, compared to $1.89 for Barilla.
2. Experiment with generic options for staples like rice, sugar, and flour.
3. Cereal: Save 20-30%.
4. Cleaning supplies: High-quality, low-cost alternatives.
5. 💡 Did You Know? Many store-brand products are made by the same manufacturers as name brands!

Hack 5: Shop with a Budget and Stick to It

Why?
A pre-set budget keeps you from overspending and helps you prioritize essentials.

How to Apply:

1. Set a weekly grocery budget (e.g., $100).
2. Use cash instead of credit cards to stick to your limit. Shopping with cash creates a psychological barrier to impulse buying.

Pro Tip: Use budgeting apps like YNAB or Mint to track your spending.

Hack 6: Leverage Coupons (Digital and Physical)

Why?
Coupons remain a reliable way to save, especially when combined with store sales.

How to Apply:

1. Look for digital coupons on apps like Coupons.com, Kroger, or Target Circle or Walmart.
   • Example: Save $0.50 on Tide detergent using a digital coupon on the Target app.
2. Print coupons from websites like SmartSource for additional savings.

📜 Bonus Tip: Organize your coupons by category (e.g., dairy, snacks) for quick access at checkout.

Hack 7: Shop Seasonally and Locally

Why?
Seasonal produce is often fresher and cheaper, while local products save transportation costs.

How to Apply:

1. Look up seasonal produce charts for your region (e.g., California Produce Seasonality Chart).
   • Example: Buy strawberries in spring and apples in fall.
   • Spring: Asparagus, strawberries, spinach.
   • Fall: Apples, pumpkins, squash.
2. Visit local farmers’ markets for deals on fresh produce.

Pro Tip: Some markets accept SNAP benefits, making them an affordable option for everyone.

Hack 8: Avoid Pre-Packaged or Pre-Cut Items

Why?
Pre-cut and pre-packaged items often cost 30-50% more than their whole counterparts.

How to Apply:

1. Skip pre-cut fruits and vegetables, and buy whole produce instead.
   • Example: A whole pineapple costs $3.00, while pre-cut pineapple chunks can cost $6.00.
2. Use a food processor to quickly chop or dice items at home.

Hack 9: Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs

Why?
Loyalty programs reward you with discounts, cashback, or points for every purchase.

How to Apply:

1. Sign up for store loyalty programs like Kroger Plus, Safeway Club Card, or Walmart Rewards.
2. Use apps like Rakuten to earn additional cashback for online grocery shopping.
3. Track your rewards and redeem them for discounts or fuel savings.

Pro Tip: Store all your loyalty cards digitally with apps like Stocard.

📊 Tracking Tip: Use apps like Stocard to store all your loyalty cards in one place.

Hack 10: Avoid Shopping When Hungry

Why?
Hungry shoppers tend to buy more snacks and ready-to-eat meals, increasing grocery bills.

How to Apply:

1. Eat a small snack before heading to the store, like a banana or granola bar.
2. Shop during off-peak hours (e.g., early morning or late evening) to avoid stress-driven purchases.

Hack 11: Cook Budget-Friendly Meals at Home

Why?
Cooking meals at home is one of the easiest ways to save money. By focusing on simple, affordable recipes, you can reduce your grocery bills and avoid the high costs of dining out.

How to Apply:

1. Start with staple ingredients: Focus on versatile, low-cost items like rice, beans, pasta, and seasonal vegetables.
   • Example: A hearty black bean and rice bowl costs under $2 per serving.
2. Batch cook for the week: Prepare large quantities of meals like soups, casseroles, or stir-fries, and store them in reusable containers for easy reheating.
   • Example: Cook a pot of chili with ground turkey and freeze portions for later.
3. Stick to simple, nutritious recipes: Choose recipes that require fewer ingredients but still pack flavor.

Here’s a quick summary of the 10 hacks to help you save on groceries in 2025. Bookmark this for easy reference!

Final Thoughts

By applying these 11 hacks, you can cut your grocery expenses significantly in 2025. Whether it’s planning meals, using cashback apps, or shopping smarter, these strategies are designed to help you keep more money in your pocket.