Grocery shopping: it’s something we all have to do, but it’s easy to walk into a store with a short list and walk out with a lighter wallet and a cart full of impulse buys. Whether you’re cooking for a family, a couple, or just yourself, food costs can quickly add up if you’re not paying attention. But with the right strategies, you can significantly cut down your expenses without sacrificing nutrition, quality, or flavor.
Let’s dive into 10 tried-and-true tips to help you save money on groceries, reduce food waste, and feel more in control of your kitchen and budget. Tip #10 is especially exciting if you love a good surprise and a good deal.
1. Buy in Bulk – Wisely
Bulk buying is often the most cost-effective way to shop for pantry staples, but it’s easy to get carried away. The trick is knowing what to buy in bulk—and what not to.
Focus on non-perishable or long-shelf-life items like:
- Rice, pasta, oats, and flour
- Dried beans, lentils, and chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds (store them in airtight containers to keep them fresh)
- Spices (buy small quantities of potent spices you don’t use often)
- Toilet paper, dish soap, and cleaning supplies
Make sure you have adequate storage—bulk bags of rice or flour can attract pantry pests if not stored properly. Use airtight containers, glass jars, or vacuum-sealed bags to keep ingredients fresh and organized.
Extra tip: If you’re buying perishable items like meat or cheese in bulk, portion them out and freeze what you won’t use right away.
2. Shop Seasonally for Produce
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are usually cheaper, tastier, and more nutritious than their out-of-season counterparts. When a product is in peak season, there’s more of it available locally, which means lower prices and fewer transportation costs.
Why seasonal matters:
- Better flavor: Strawberries in June taste far better than in December
- Lower prices: More supply = lower demand-driven prices
- Environmental impact: Less energy used in transportation or artificial growing environments
Check out seasonal produce calendars online (they differ by region) or ask your local greengrocer what’s currently in season.
Smart strategy: Base your weekly meal plan around what’s seasonal. This keeps your meals varied and your grocery bill lower.
3. Plan Your Meals with Purpose
Planning your meals is one of the most powerful habits you can build to save money. It helps you avoid waste, reduce impulse purchases, and only buy what you need.
Start by:
- Checking what you already have in your pantry and fridge
- Planning 4–6 meals for the week using those ingredients
- Making a shopping list based strictly on the missing items
You don’t need to assign meals to specific days—just having a flexible plan ensures you use what you buy. Keep one or two meals very simple (like omelettes or pasta) so you have easy fallback options.
Use apps like:
- Mealime or Paprika to plan meals and generate shopping lists
- Notion or Google Sheets for custom templates
- Fridge Pal to track what’s in your fridge so you don’t double-buy
4. Cook in Batches and Use Leftovers Creatively
Cooking in larger quantities can drastically reduce your cost per serving. It also helps minimize food waste and saves time during busy weekdays.
Here’s how to make it work:
- Cook once, eat two or three times: make a big pot of soup, stew, curry, or chili
- Freeze individual portions for future meals
- Reimagine leftovers: roast vegetables can go into wraps, omelets, or grain bowls the next day
Invest in good-quality storage containers or freezer bags and label everything with dates so you don’t forget what’s what. Learn more about useful kitchen must-haves in this blog.
Kitchen hack: Dedicate one night a week to a “leftovers buffet” and let everyone choose their favorite remix.
5. Use Loyalty and Cashback Apps
Many grocery stores have their own loyalty programs that offer weekly discounts, digital coupons, and even points you can trade for money off your next shop. These savings can seem small at first, but they add up over time—especially if you’re consistent.
How to make the most of these apps:
- Sign up for your store’s loyalty program
- Check the app before you go grocery shopping for digital-only discounts or personalized coupons based on your shopping history
- Activate coupons or cashback offers before you check out
- Use digital receipts to track spending and discover what you buy the most
Pro tip: Combine store discounts with cashback apps to double your savings.
6. Reduce Processed and Pre-Packaged Foods
Pre-packaged and processed foods are convenient but usually much more expensive per portion than homemade alternatives. Cooking from scratch can seem intimidating, but starting small can make a big impact.
Here’s where you can easily cut back:
- Grated cheese: buy a block and shred it yourself
- Salad kits: buy whole greens and chop them at home
- Sauces: make your own with pantry staples like tomatoes, garlic, and herbs
- Ready meals: cook double and freeze portions for your own “ready meals”
Not only do you save money, but you also avoid added sugars, preservatives, and excess sodium often found in processed foods.
7. Pay Attention to Unit Pricing
The price tag isn’t always what it seems. Always check the unit price—the cost per 100g, per liter, or per piece—listed on the shelf label. This helps you compare similar products easily, even if package sizes differ.
For example:
- A large tub of yogurt might cost €2.99 vs. a smaller one at €1.69
- But per 100g, the larger one might be significantly cheaper
Watch out: Some brands purposely use odd sizing (e.g., 375g instead of 500g) to make comparison trickier.
8. Freeze Smarter
A well-used freezer is a money-saving machine. You can preserve food that’s close to expiring, extend the shelf life of cooked meals, and make the most of special deals.
Some freezer-friendly ideas:
- Chop onions, peppers, and carrots and freeze them for quick cooking later
- Freeze bananas for smoothies or baking
- Store bread in the freezer and defrost slices as needed
- Make big batches of soup, pasta sauce, or stock and freeze in portions
Pro tip: Keep a running list of what’s in your freezer so you don’t forget things at the bottom. Apps like NoWaste or Listonic can help with this.
9. Shop Late in the Day for Markdowns
Many supermarkets reduce prices on perishable items later in the afternoon or evening, particularly products that will expire the next day.
Discounted items might include:
- Bakery goods
- Dairy and meat products
- Pre-packaged salads or meals
Try grocery shopping 1–2 hours before closing, especially midweek. Some stores have a specific section for marked-down items—get to know where yours is!
Be flexible and plan meals around what’s marked down. You might be surprised by what you can create.
10. Use the Too Good To Go App
If you love the idea of saving money while reducing food waste, this app might become your new favorite tool.
Too Good To Go is a free app that connects you with local supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and hotels that have surplus food at the end of the day. Instead of throwing it away, they offer it to you at a steep discount—typically around 70% off.
How it works:
- Download the app and set your location
- Browse “Magic Bags” available near you—these are surprise bags of unsold food
- Reserve and pay directly in the app (bags usually range from €3–€6)
- Pick it up at the designated time, usually before closing
You might get:
- A bag of fresh pastries from a local bakery
- Pre-made meals from a restaurant
- Produce or dairy items from a supermarket
The catch? You don’t get to choose what’s inside—it’s a surprise. But it’s almost always more than worth the cost.
Benefits:
- Massive savings on quality food
- Helps reduce perfectly good food going to waste
- Discover new local spots you might not otherwise try
Pro tip: Be ready to improvise meals based on what’s in your Magic Bag, or freeze items you won’t eat right away. Read more about this app in this blog.
Final Thoughts
Saving money on grocery shopping doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality. With a little strategy, smart tech, and creativity, you can reduce your weekly spend, waste less food, and discover new habits that serve both your bank account and the environment.
Whether you’re planning your meals, buying in bulk, or trying out the Too Good To Go app, small changes add up to big savings. Start with one or two of these tips this week while grocery shopping—and enjoy the feeling of being a smart, savvy shopper.
