12 Creative Ways To Save Money on Groceries in 2025

Grocery shopping isn’t just another errand we have to run, its become one that we dread. The price of groceries is through the roof! Have you seen the price of eggs nowadays?! It’s honestly insane.

But, the price of going grocery shopping and making food at home still (for the most part) costs less than dining or ordering out. Basically, it’s something we have no choice but to do. How can we pick up our groceries though without breaking the bank? You have to get a little creative.

There are ways you can save money on grocery shopping, even in today’s economy. These tips may not bring the cost of eggs back down to what we’re used to, but they can help you save a buck or two while shopping, and let’s be honest, right now, everything helps. You know what they say – a penny saved is a penny earned! Here’s how you can save multiple pennies on your next grocery store run.

1. Sign up for stores’ rewards club

Most stores have rewards clubs or programs that you can enroll in. Many times, they are free to enroll. If it’s free, what’s the harm in signing up? By enrolling in their rewards program, you likely have access to members-only saving deals. Additionally, you may also be able to accumulate points or rewards that will get you an additional coupon or special savings. You may just get an extra reward on your birthday, too.

2. Clip coupons

The world of coupons looks so different nowadays. Sure, there are still some circulars mailed to you, but chances are, you aren’t really paying attention to those. Most stores have digital apps for you to download that don’t just showcase what they have on sale, but also have coupons for you to clip digitally. You may need to be enrolled in the store’s rewards program to do this, so be conscious of that. Like we said above, if it’s free, enroll!

3. Make a list

This may be the oldest tip in the book, but it works. Before grocery shopping, make a list of what you actually need and stick to it. It’s so easy to get caught up in what looks good while grocery shopping. It’s also so easy to get caught up with what’s on sale. It can be tempting to buy it since it’s on “sale” but if you weren’t planning on getting it, and you don’t need it for anything, that’s just more money spend. Be diligent with your list, it can really help you stick to your budget.

4. Don’t go grocery shopping hungry

We are all guilty of this – we go grocery shopping on an empty stomach and either buy more food than we actually need or we buy food to eat as soon as we exit the store. Think about how you feel when you’re full – you’re not craving food as much, are you? This is why it’s financially smarter to shop when you’re on a full stomach. You won’t be as tempted by hunger to buy.

5. Use cash back apps

There are so many cash back apps out there that you can download and utilize. Some are as easy as uploading your receipt and getting cash back for items you bought. Others make you be a little more strategic, and you need to “clip” offers before uploading your receipt. Regardless of what kind you download, it’s still some money back in your pocket from your shopping trip. Some examples of apps for you to download that have become really popular are Ibotta, Fetch, Shopkick, and Rakuten.

6. Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can help you save. There’s a reason membership clubs like BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club are so popular! When it comes to these stores and buying in bulk you will want to be careful. It doesn’t make sense for everyone to buy in bulk. For instance, if you live on your own and are basically cooking for one most nights, buying in bulk likely isn’t for you – you don’t want the food to go bad because you’re not eating it fast enough! But if you are cooking for multiple people each night, or you need a stock up on non-perishables, buying in bulk could help you save. You should also do a cost saving analysis to figure out if a membership card to a club store makes sense for you.

7. Buy generic

Most stores have their own store brands that taste just as good as the branded items. These generic brands tend to be cheaper than the name brand items, too. Try them out for yourself to make sure you like them and to make sure that you can’t taste the difference. If you do end up liking the generic brand, congrats, you’re saving money right there!

8. Split groceries

If you live with a roommate, why are you both grocery shopping weekly and spending a ton of money? Instead, come up with a plan on how to split groceries. By splitting the groceries, you are also splitting the bill. You can take turns cooking, or maybe one of you does the actual shopping and cleaning up and the other one does the cooking. However you decide to compromise, splitting your grocery bill can really help you cut down on a bill.

9. Meal plan around sales

Carve out some time to look at what your grocery store has on sale for the upcoming week and plan your meals around that rather than vice versa. You will be taking advantage of the sale, and cooking a delicious meal with it. If you plan your meals for the week and then check to see what’s on sale, you may be spending more as the meat/fish/item you need may be full price.

10. Think non-traditionally

Sometimes, our local grocery store is not always the cheapest. Think outside of the box and check out farmers markets, food stands, or bigger stores like Walmart or Target. They may just have some bigger and better deals that you didn’t even think of. It may take some research, but if it’s saving you money, it’ll be worth your time.

11. Ask ChatGPT to help you

With the right prompts, ChatGPT can help you save money on groceries every month! Try these prompts to get started:

Great question! To get the best results from ChatGPT for saving money on groceries, your prompts should be specific about your goals, dietary needs, and lifestyle. Here are some effective prompt ideas you can try:

General Budgeting Prompts:

• “Can you create a weekly grocery list and meal plan for under $100 for a family of 4?”
• “What are the cheapest protein sources to buy on a budget?”
• “Give me tips to reduce my monthly grocery bill without sacrificing nutrition.”

Meal Plan & Recipes:

• “Make me a 5-day meal plan with meals under $5 per serving.”
• “Can you make a cheap grocery list and easy meals using only pantry staples?”
• “What meals can I make with $30 and limited cooking time?”

Smart Shopping Tips:

• “How can I save money shopping at Trader Joe’s / Aldi / Costco?”
• “What grocery store loyalty programs and apps help save the most money?”
• “Give me a printable grocery list with only budget-friendly, high-protein foods.”

Minimal Waste & Bulk Shopping:

• “How can I use bulk bin items to make healthy, low-cost meals?”
• “Help me plan zero-waste or low-waste grocery shopping on a budget.”
• “What are the best freezer-friendly recipes to cook in bulk and save money?”

Family-Specific Prompts:

• “How do I feed a family of 5 on a $150 weekly grocery budget?”
• “What are affordable kid-friendly meals that are also healthy?”
• “Make a 7-day cheap meal plan that’s safe for toddlers.”

If you tell it your budget, household size, food preferences, or dietary goals (e.g., high protein, low carb, vegetarian), it can give you a custom grocery list and money-saving tips that are specific to your situation.

12. Follow couponers on social media

Yes, there are influencers for everything – including couponing! These people have made it their job to find the best deals week and to week and even day to day. Try following some of these accounts to get more bang for your buck:

1. @couponwithkayla

• Known for: Weekly couponing hauls, digital deals at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target.
• Vibe: Friendly, easy-to-follow, especially great for beginners.

2. @torok.coupon.hunter

• Known for: Detailed step-by-step breakdowns of store deals.
• Covers: CVS, Target, Dollar General.

3. @couponswithalysia

• Focus: Family savings, grocery couponing, Dollar General deals.
• Often shares: Printable shopping lists and visual deal matchups.

4. @onecute_couponer

• Platforms: Very active on YouTube, with tutorials and store walkthroughs.
• Great for: Beginners and pros alike; she covers everything from grocery savings to online promo codes.

Bonus Tip:

Look up hashtags like:

• #ExtremeCouponing
• #DigitalCoupons
• #GrocerySavings
• #CouponCommunity
• #DealAlert

At the end of the day, grocery shopping doesn’t have to drain your wallet—or your sanity. With a little planning, some digital help, and a few smart swaps, you can stretch your grocery budget further than you might think. Whether you’re using cash-back apps, planning meals around sales, or getting creative with ChatGPT prompts, every small step adds up. So next time you’re about to hit the store, take a breath, grab your list, and shop smarter—not harder. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you!

Let us know your top money-saving tip for grocery shopping in the comments!

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