Coupons are a great way to save money on groceries, but with the highest rate of inflation in 40-years, you’re going to need some more practical ways to save money on groceries without coupons.
The cost of food at home is on the rise and some items are seeing larger increases than others. For example, meat has gone up 13% year over year while milk prices have shot up more than 14%. But, don’t let this inflation scare you because it is still totally possible to save money on groceries without coupons.
10 Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons
Clipping and printing coupons can be a daunting task, but you don’t have to do that to save money on groceries. There are plenty of other ways to get discounts and save money.
Here are 10 practical ways you can save money on groceries without coupons:
1. Make a List
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to make a list of the items you need before heading to the store. This will help you avoid impulse buys and stick to your budget.
2. Shop the Sales
One of the best ways to save money on groceries is by shopping the sales. Most stores have weekly sales circulars that you can find online or in the store. Plan your meals around what’s on sale and you’ll be able to save a lot of money.
3. Buy in Bulk
If you have the storage space, buying in bulk can save you a lot of money in the long run. This is especially true for items that you use often or that have a long shelf life. Just be sure to only buy in bulk if you know you’ll actually use the items before they expire.
4. Buy Meat at the Meat Market
Buy your meat in bulk at a meat market. This is a great way to save money because you’ll be able to buy exactly how much meat you need. Plus, the quality is usually better than what you’ll find at the grocery store. If you have a deep freezer, you can easily get a month’s worth of meat at a time for a fraction of the price. In fact, I live in Indiana and travel to Lowery’s Meat & Seafood Market in Michigan to get meat, and even with the cost of gas, I still save money!
5. Join Grocery Store Rewards Programs
Most grocery stores have some sort of rewards program that you can sign up for. This could be a loyalty card or a store credit card. By signing up for these programs, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases or gas. Here are just a few I recommend:
Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card
Earn points with every purchase that can be redeemed for discounts on groceries and gas. Plus, you’ll get access to exclusive deals and coupons that you can clip digitally. If you want to save even more, consider the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard which gives you up to 5% cashback, and an additional 25 cents of fuel with every purchase.
Target Circle
Target’s loyalty program is free to join and gives you 1% back on every purchase. You can also receive personalized coupons and early access to sales. Additionally, you can “clip” digital manufacturer coupons as well as store coupons
CVS ExtraCare Card
Earn 2% back in ExtraBucks rewards on every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. You’ll also get access to exclusive coupons and deals.
6. Use Rebate and Cash-Back Websites
There are a ton of apps out there that will give you cash-back or rebates on your grocery purchases. All you have to do is submit your receipt and the app will send you the money. Here are just a few of my favorites:
- Ibotta: This is one of the most popular rebate apps and for good reason. You can earn cash-back on a wide variety of products, including grocery items, alcohol, apparel, and more. Plus, you can stack your rebates with store sales and coupons for even bigger savings.
- Checkout 51: This app is similar to Ibotta, but the offers tend to be different. So, it’s worth having both to maximize your savings.
- Rakuten: Rakuten is a cash-back site that offers rebates on a variety of online purchases, including groceries. They partner with grocery delivery services like Instacart, so you can still get your groceries delivered and earn cashback.
- Mr. Rebates: Mr. Rebates is a bit different than the other rebate sites because you have to go through their site to get to the store’s website in order to make your purchase. But, they do offer a higher rebate percentage than most other sites.
7. Shop Store Brands
Just because a product has a name brand doesn’t mean it’s better quality. In fact, store brands are usually just as good, if not better, and they’re always cheaper. So, next time you’re at the store, be sure to check out the store brand options. You might be surprised at how much money you’ll save. Always buy generic food staples, canned food, and frozen produce.
8. Get Groceries Delivered
There are a lot of grocery stores that offer delivery services which is a great way to save money not only on groceries but gas, too. Our favorite is Walmart Plus because it offers 30-days of free delivery and the same prices as in-store. But, you can do grocery delivery on Instacart and clip a ton of coupons.
9. Regrow Vegetable Scraps
Did you know that some of the vegetables you get from the store can be used to grow your own veggies? Here are a few veggies you can grow right now:
- Green onions: Save the white, root ends of store-bought green onions and stick the root end into a glass with an inch or two of water. When it starts to grow, plant it outside.
- Onions: Cut off the root end of the onion. You can then plant it in a sunny spot with a layer of soil covering it.
- Celery: Leave about an inch of celery connected to the root of your bunch. Then, place it in a shallow bowl of water that just covers the roots. Once leaves start to sprout, transplant them into the soil.
- Potatoes: Leave a potato out until it grows numerous small sprouts, and then cube it into two-inch pieces (each piece should have at least a sprout or two). Then, plant them four inches below soil level with the sprouts facing up.
10. Ask The Store When They Do Markdowns
You can typically find the best deals on meats, produce, and bakery items that are close to their expiration date. So, instead of waiting for these items to go on sale, just ask the store when they do markdowns. This way, you’ll know exactly when to head to the store to snag the best deals.
More Shopping Tips
Saving money on groceries doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the tips above, you can save a significant amount of money each month without having to spend hours couponing.
Do you have any other tips for saving money on groceries? If so, please share them in the comments below!
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