Here are some tips to save money on groceries while still enjoying the foods you love!

I love food and I love cooking. But, if you're not careful, culinary adventures can quickly add up and start making a pretty big dent in your budget. These are tricks that I use when I head to the grocery store to save money while still making the recipes I love.

Save money on groceries today!

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Make a meal plan

Meal planning is always my first step to save money on groceries.

Before heading out to the store, I look through my pantry to see what items I already have and need to use up. Then, I plan meals using those ingredients, and brainstorm other recipes using on sale ingredients at the grocery store.

If I have a ton of frozen chicken, I might plan on making chicken parmesan on Monday, chicken sandwiches on Thursday, and honey garlic chicken on Saturday. It would not be cost effective for me to make a meal plan of chicken parmesan on Monday, pork belly on Tuesday, ribs on Wednesday, etc. when I have a ton of chicken in my freezer.

Make a grocery list and stick to it

After planning your meals, make a grocery list of all required ingredients and promise yourself that you will not stray from this list when shopping!

This takes a little (or a lot) of willpower, but impulsive grocery purchases add up quickly.

Use a calculator

If you ever see me in the grocery store, I always have my calculator app open and am adding up each item as I go along.

This helps me keep an eye on my budget in real time and prevents me from being surprised at the cost when I reach the cash register. And, as we all know, it is a lot harder to say no to an item when you're about to check out.

Know what you should be paying

I mentioned this idea in another post on frugal living, but one great way to save money on groceries is to visit different stores and compare sales and prices.

If one store sells a pound of bananas for $1.50 and two other stores sell them for $0.79, then you know $1.50 is way overpriced.

Before heading out for a large grocery run, check out a few store's websites and see what sales are offered so that you can buy at the cheapest price!

Don't shop when you're hungry

Have a snack before you go grocery shopping, seriously.

I used to pick up groceries on the way home from work, but I had to stop because I am always so hungry after work and always ended up making silly, impulsive purchases.

Grocery shopping on a full stomach will help you combat any cravings and stick to your budget.

Buy in bulk

I. Love. Costco.

A household membership starts at $60 a year and can seriously save you so much money on food because bulk food stores tend to offer the lowest prices on grocery staples!

$3.99 for 3 pounds of carrots? Um, yes.

Also, since stores like Costco and Sam's Club buy in such high quantities, they get the first dibs on produce and therefore have the best selection.

Costco is the reason I am able to eat healthy and still save money on groceries. I can't recommend it enough.

Only buy what you won't waste

This is important!

My grandma always said that wasting food is like throwing money down the drain--she was so right.

Be realistic with yourself when grocery shopping. Check the expiration dates and ask yourself if you can really use it all by then. If you can't, then maybe save that purchase for another day.

Freeze it

To prevent waste, I've gotten in the habit of freezing foods before they go bad. This might be leftovers, fruits and vegetables, bread, or whatever else can keep well in the freezer.

And, honestly, it has really helped me minimize my food waste over the years!

Buy generic

Did you know that the only different between most generic and name brands is the packaging?

A lot of times, they have the exact same ingredients and are even made in the same manufacturing facility.

Don't pay extra for the name of a product. Save some money and opt for the generic brand instead!

Buy from the bottom shelf

The most expensive products in a grocery store are placed at eye level so that you are more likely to see them. Items on the lower shelves tend to be less expensive, so try picking products from there!

Buy Some Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Frozen foods are an awesome and inexpensive way to add healthy foods to your diet. Contrary to common belief, frozen foods generally retain their vitamins and minerals, making them an equally healthy option.

My favorite frozen products to purchase are berries and spinach for my morning smoothies.

Avoid pre-packaged fruits and veggies when you can

Packaging is always going to lead to a price increase on fresh produce. Instead of buying a box of kale or lettuce, grab one of the fresh bundles.

Cut, Wash, and Grate foods yourself

Similar to the packaging point, any type of added work to your food is going to make it more expensive.

Consider slicing your own carrots instead of buying baby carrots, shred your own cheese, and buy fresh bundles of vegetables that you wash yourself instead of the pre-washed bags.

Grow your own veggies

Growing up, my family always grew our own vegetables. We had a huge garden that we would pick from each week and make dinner with the (super) fresh ingredients.

Because of our garden, we almost never had to buy vegetables during the summer and fall! Whatever we had leftover was frozen and saved for the winter.

If you don't have a yard or a ton of space to work with, check out this post on How to Grow Vegetables Indoors.

Go vegetarian for a day or two each week

Meat is definitely the most expensive item on most people's grocery lists.

Because of how expensive meat is, I almost never buy it! This saves me a ton of money on groceries each month. Instead, I get most of my protein from eggs, nuts, and nut butters instead.

If you are looking to cut back on your grocery bill, try going vegetarian for a day or two each week.

Buy in season

In season produce tends to be on sale because there are such large quantities of them. Keep an eye on what's in season and add those items to your weekly meal plan.

Plan for restocking trips

Over the last few years, I've realized that I tend to run out of things like noodles, flour, rice, condiments, etc. at around the same time.

Instead of being surprised by these larger grocery runs, I budget for a "restocking" grocery trip every three months where I stock up on staples like flour, condiments, baking items, etc.

Since these are necessary purchases but don't need to be factored into my weekly grocery budget, this helps me save and prepare for the larger grocery trips.

Don't be afraid to serve simple meals

You don't have to have an entree and three side dishes for dinner every day--it's okay so prepare something simple!

My favorite simple meals are pasta, eggs (my boyfriend and I love making frittatas with whatever ingredients we have lying around), and soup. I love piling these dishes up with vegetables and experimenting with different flavors.

Best of all? They are super simple and inexpensive to make.

The most important part about saving money on groceries is to spend a little extra time on planning. Plan your meals around ingredients you already have, keep and eye on sales, and price check items between different stores. Doing this alone will help you save so much on groceries in the future!

What are your favorite money saving tips on groceries? Leave a comment below!

Happy saving!

<3 Charlotte