There are a lot of ways to save money at the grocery store, but not all of them are obvious! In addition to short-term savings like taking advantage of sales and coupons, there are dozens of little choices that have the potential to save you money over time.
Today I’ll be sharing 9 clever tips and tricks that can help you save money at the grocery store. From picking the freshest produce to avoiding overspending, these simple grocery store hacks can help make it easier to stick to your budget!
For more grocery shopping hacks, be sure to check out my eBook Grocery Guru! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member!
9 Genius Grocery Store Hacks That Will Save You Money
1. Get The Freshest Cake
If you’re planning on getting a cake for a party, don’t buy it on the day you need it! Instead, call the bakery department a few days ahead of time and put in an order for the type of cake you want.
Not only is this an easy way to ensure you get the right flavor and frosting, it also guarantees the cake will be as fresh as possible! That’s more than you can say for the pre-made cakes that have been sitting in the bakery’s display case.
Related: 6 Sneaky Things That Make You Overspend At The Store
2. Buyer Beware
Don’t let a sale fool you into buying more than you actually need! Apparently, people tend to buy 30-100% more than they normally would on sales that are based on quantity (such as 5 for $10).
Stick to buying the amount you know you’ll use, unless it’s something you can freeze or store for a longer period of time.
Related: 7 Things You Need To Know About Using Self-Checkout
3. Pick A Smaller Cart
If you’re looking to save money at the grocery store, pick a smaller shopping cart! Shoppers buy up to 40% more when they use a large cart as opposed to a smaller cart or basket.
Smaller carts fill up fast, so you’ll have to be more restrained with the sizes and amounts you buy. This simple shopping swap is sure to save you money in a hurry!
4. It Never Hurts To Ask!
As Nora Roberts wrote, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” This sage piece of advice is useful in all kinds of scenarios, including while you’re perusing the aisles of the grocery store.
If you see a dented can or a product that’s nearing its expiration date, ask the store clerk if you can buy it at a discount. A “yes” will save you some money, and a “no” certainly won’t hurt you!
5. Visit The Meat Counter
The helpful folks who work in the meat department can provide a wealth of useful information and helpful services! From getting custom cuts to breaking down a whole chicken, you can save yourself a lot of time and money by getting friendly with the meat department!
For specific tips about making the most of your visit to the meat department, check out this post.
6. Get Your Bread Sliced
Buying a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery? You can save yourself some time and mess by asking them to slice it for you!
Not only will it be done in seconds, but you can also choose how thick you want each slice to be to suit your preferences.
7. Keep Bakery Bread Fresh
Bread from the bakery department typically comes in open-ended paper bags. These bags help maintain a crisp crust on baguettes and crusty loaves, but too much air will make your bread go stale quickly.
If you’d rather prevent staleness than keep the crust crispy, transfer your bread to an airtight bag when you get back from the store.
8. Shake It Off
When picking produce that’s sold by weight, give it a good shake before putting it in the bag. The excess water can make your produce heavier, and thus, a bit more expensive.
And while it should go without saying, make sure to shake your produce off over the produce case and not onto the floor. You don’t want someone to slip and hurt themselves because you made the floor a slippery mess!
9. Pick Fresh Bagged Greens
When buying bagged greens, look for bags without a lot of air in them. Greens release gas over time that can cause the bag to puff out, so a bag that is less puffy will typically be fresher than a bag with more air in it.
Do you have any favorite grocery store hacks?
