7 Ways to Be Like Your Mom and Start Saving Money at the Grocery Store

Sometimes, grocery shopping can get out of control. Impulse purchases and over-budget items can rack up the price of groceries, leaving you scratching your head in confusion when you see the total. There are some really great and useful ways to save money while grocery shopping, and most of them require little effort. That’s my favorite amount of effort!

Here are seven ways you can start saving money at the grocery store!

1. Sign up for rewards programs.

There’s nothing better than being paid to shop! Rewards programs will pay you cash when you buy items that you would normally buy anyway. Signing up for a rewards program is typically free — it just requires a little bit of commitment from you. So if you see yourself spending a lot at the grocery store, make it worth your while by earning some of that money back.

2. Ask stores about free add-ons.

Complimentary add-ons in grocery stores can save you time and money! If you’re in a hurry, ask the butcher to tenderize your meat or the baker might slice the loaf of bread you just bought. Or, if you bought a bouquet of flowers, they may wrap it up with a pretty ribbon! There could be many more freebies waiting for you at your local grocery store, but you’ll never know unless you ask!

3. Buy baked goods in advance.

Planning a party next month? Scour your grocery store’s ad to see if you can snag a deal on baked goods. Some grocery stores let you buy your baked goods in advance. Purchase your yummy goodies at the sale price, then bring your receipt in right before your big event!

4. Buy frozen seafood.

Frozen seafood is almost always cheaper than fresh seafood. Plus, the “fresh” seafood was probably just pre-thawed anyway. It only takes a little bit of extra time to thaw your own seafood, so just buy it frozen for some major savings.

5. Use your smartphone.

There are so many smartphone apps you can use to save money at the grocery store! Check out apps like Favado, Ibotta and Checkout 51. These can save you some time and money by informing you of the best deals in your area, letting you earn cash back and providing you with the best coupons for your groceries!

6. Get organized.

Forget the impulse purchases you’re probably going to regret later. Sit down at the beginning of each week and do some serious meal planning. Carefully choose which snacks you want that week, what ingredients you will need and all of the essentials for your house. A list will help you stay on task and avoid spending unnecessary money.

7. Shop online.

You can save money bigtime by shopping online! If you are a member of Amazon Prime, you have access to Prime Pantry. You can clip coupons and find the best deals on Amazon, plus have it shipped right to your door — and that means you’ll save time, too! If you love to shop organic food, or you follow a special diet, look into Thrive Market. Thrive lets you shop organic food and specialty food at lower prices!

Moms always seem to know best, right? Start saving money like your mom at the grocery store. Your wallet will thank you!