How to Cut Your Grocery Bill

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How to Cut Your Grocery Bill

You don’t need to be a coupon Queen to save money at the grocery store. Here are some useful tips to help cut your grocery bill in half!

Make a List
First and foremost, start with a list. Going to the grocery store without a plan of attack is a sure fire way to spending money on things you don’t need. Spend just a few minutes before heading out doing an inventory of what basics you need so you don’t double up on things you may already have.

Meal Plan
Figure out what meals you will be eating at home and plan ahead. Buy staple ingredients that can be used in multiple recipes, especially if they are pricier. Soups and stews are generally made on the cheap and taste even better the next day. Which brings us to…

Eat Your Leftovers
The biggest waste of money is not eating your leftovers. It’s literally like throwing money down the drain! Leftover soups and casserole reheat perfectly the next day for lunch and many leftovers can be repurposed into entirely new meals.

Check out some of our Test Kitchen leftover remix recipes:
Ham Fried Rice with Pineapple
Pot Roast Soup
Chicken Chili Stew

Don’t Shop Hungry
Ok, so you’ve made a list, picked out a menu, and even thought about leftovers. Now here’s a big tip: DON’T SHOP HUNGRY! Impulse buys can really throw you off your budget game and more times than not they are driven by hunger. Plus sugary processed snack foods can be very expensive. So have an apple before shopping and keep away from the snack aisle. (Also, while you’re at it, put down that glossy celebrity magazine! You can find the same article for free online.)

Eat Seasonally
A very simple and easy way to save money on your grocery bill is to shop for seasonal and local produce, which is often much less expensive than the out of season tomatoes that are being shipped in from South America and other far off places (which is bad for both your wallet and the environment). A good tip is buying fruits and vegetables when in season and then preserving by either canning or freezing. Here are some handy tips on preserving fruits and vegetables that will help you enjoy year round savings:
Freezer Basics
Home Canning 101

Start a Garden
If you have some of your own outdoor space, why not grow your own vegetables? Even a small plot can yield a great harvest and there’s no cheaper way to eat then by growing your own. Gardening is also a great stress reliever. Paula loves gardening with Jack and uses it as an opportunity to teach him about nutrition.

Buy Store Brands
Store brands are often the same ingredients and quality of brand name items, just without the fancy logo. Why pay for the marketing of a product- just buy the product!

Trim the Meat
Meat is often the most expensive item in your grocery cart. Cutting back even once a week will not only help our wallets, but also improve our health. Of course, easier said than done, so try less expensive cuts of meat like flank steak, oxtails, brisket, pork shoulder, or chicken thighs. These cuts are extremely flavorful when cooked low and slow.

What’s your favorite tip for savings? Tell us in the comments below!

Reader Comments:

I buy a brick of cheddar and grate it myself rather than buying it shredded (money saver there) - I use a bouillion cube or two dissolved in water rather than store bought stock ($$) and I've nearly always got dried beans soaking to turn into something we love rather than buying canned. I grow a garden and freeze the produce, and I can fruit when it's on sale. I make my own jams and jellies. Gave up the bread machine and now and then I'll bake bread the old fashioned way. Granted I'm retired and there are only 2 of us now, but old habits die hard! Using muscles rather than electricity keeps me strong and the bills lower, too Enjoy your shows, and have several of your cookbooks. Keep up the good work!

By Anonymous on October 19, 2012

I like to buy whole chickens when they are on sale. Sometimes 5-10 depending on what meals I want to make. I will cut up the chickens into individual pieces, skin and debone, and freeze the chicken parts depending on what meals I want to prepare. My husband loves when I do this, because that means he gets to have chicken livers one night for supper. Paula I love you, your family and you food. I live with diabetes and anklosying spandilitis everyday and it is a struggle. I will celebrate my 5th wedding anniversary the 27th of this month and you have inspired me to take better care of myself and to finally get control of my weight. I have joined weightwatchers and having the points system has been helping. I just want to say thanks so much for being an inspiration to us all. Jennifer

By jennifer on October 12, 2012

I have been married for 37 years. My mother-in-law taught me that planning meals for two weeks and do your shopping off of that will save you money and time. I have been doing that for 37 years and it works. I have been watching you for a long time and have learned lots of valuable information and techniques as well as wonderful recipes. I love to cook and you are the one responsible for that. Thank you for your inspiration and your wonderful personality. You always make me smile. I was in the grocery store (HEB) in College Station, TX about a month ago and in the produce department I heard a woman say "that's Paula Dean!". I look around to see where and she was looking right at me! She got so excited. I told her that unfortunately I was not Paula Dean but thank you for the complement. I have been told often that I look like you. What a wonderful thing.

By Debbie Grimes on October 04, 2012

One of my family's favorite meal is my left over rolls. Any meat will work, chicken, roast, pork chops, etc. I cut the meat in slivers, put it on a tortilla, add some grated cheese, roll it up like a burrito and fry it up. There is no need for extra seasonings since you are using meat you already flavored. I usually serve it with rice and a veggie. Meat never goes to waste in my house!

By corrina beard on October 04, 2012

I have found my local market meat manager puts his selections at a Manager Special when they are close to their "sell by" date.....saves ALOT! I stock up on chicken, sausage, beef and ham when he does this; and his assistant tells me she does the same. Anyway to stretch a dollar is appreciated. I think the next time I make soup a quart of it goes to him!

By karen pappas on September 29, 2012

I find it helpful chew gum while grocery shopping!

By Malori Bennett on September 28, 2012

I cook with a lot of sausage and frozen devined and peeled shrimp. My husband and I cook a lot of Cajun meals so it's great. You only need a little bit of the meat in it. You add vegetables and you are set!

By Greta on September 28, 2012

Paula Fall is here, can you help me please? I want to make the most fantastic apple pie, I heard if you use a combination of sweet and sour apples is the best. I need help from my expert. Give me your advice on apples 101. Barbara

By Barbara Watkins on September 28, 2012

I watch you show all the time and I am suprised that you have never made a georgia cornbread. This is so good and easy to make.

By gloria green on September 28, 2012

I just love Paula's site! All of the ideas and recipes are just great. I really look forward to receiving my email newsletters. Keep them coming!

By Christie on September 28, 2012

Here's a couple more money saving tips: Shop at discount store, like Aldi or Trader Joe's. Never buy something just because you have a coupon.

By Christine on September 28, 2012

I like to check the local stores weekly sales ad. I look for things on sale or for coupons for the things I need or could use in my meal planning.

By Stacey Sept on September 28, 2012

I do not waste food.... For example. When using fresh broccoli, I use the tender tops for steaming, salads, stir frys, and freeze the stalks. Today I decided to make Mac and Cheese. So I looked in the freezer and decided that the grandchildren love broccoli and cheese. Simple...I took out the frozen stalks, cubed them and added them into the mac N cheese. I also added left over frozen bacon, some very small ripe garden tomatoes, and had frozen bread from a bakery (tomato cheese) chopped it up in the Ninja with 2 additional slices of bacon, added a bit of olive oil and a dot melted butter. Of course the cheese sauce was not from a box either!! There you go...leftover food made into a new dish! Love you Paula! Janis (Mee Maw from Minnesota!)

By Janis Evans on September 28, 2012

love your recipes. but I need more recipes for my husband. he has sugar and it is so hard for me to cook for him. so I would appreciate any southern recipe you could send me . you are the greatest cook I no if I ever get ahead enough to come down to the restarunt. I will be there with bells on love you Paula.

By melba perry on September 28, 2012

Ok, We are a Med. Dis. Military family and have $100.00 dollars for the whole month for groceries, let see if you can come up with 3 meals a day for a month without using coupons. Becasue I have to use coupons just to make it to the end of the month.

By Stephanie on September 28, 2012

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How to Cut Your Grocery Bill