Grocery bills keep creeping up. But just because food costs are rising doesn’t mean you can’t fight back. With some smart strategies, you can save money on groceries in surprising ways without feeling deprived. Here are five lesser-known tactics real shoppers use to cut costs without cutting out flavor:
Shop the “New Sales” Day Midday
Many grocery stores roll out new weekly deals on a specific day (commonly Wednesday or Thursday), often in the early afternoon. Shopping just after the new markdowns post your favorites — before the crowds rush in — gives you first dibs on discounted items. This approach means better selection of sale goods rather than late-look leftovers. By syncing your grocery runs with the “new sale” schedule, you ensure more savings per trip. It’s a tactic few casual shoppers know, yet it can help you save money on groceries more reliably.
Buy What’s Getting Close To Its “Best By” Date
Stores often discount items as they near their “best by” or “sell by” date. Meat, dairy, bread, or even shelf goods will carry steeper markdowns — sometimes 30–50 percent off. If you plan to consume, freeze, or use immediately, these are goldmines for bargain hunters. This is riskier for perishables you can’t preserve, so apply the trick selectively. But for many households, consistently buying these discounted items helps save money on groceries each week.
Buy A Bulk Pack, Then Re-Portion Immediately
Bulk packaging often gives you a lower per-unit cost, but the trick is not to keep it all together. When you get home, divide it into usable portions and freeze or store what you won’t use immediately. That prevents spoilage (a top reason we waste money) and lets you utilize the bulk savings without losing freshness. Many folks balk at buying extra because they fear waste — this method bridges that gap. In this way, bulk buying becomes a tool to save money on groceries rather than a gamble.
Rotate Generic And Name Brands Intelligently
Many store generics are identical in formulation to name brands, especially for staples. Buy generics for items where flavor difference is minimal (salt, sugar, basic canned goods). Occasionally, splurge on name brands when discounted heavily to compare quality vs. price. By alternating general vs. premium strategically, you reduce expenses without sacrificing every brand you love. Over time, that flexibility helps you save money on groceries without feeling deprived.
Use Curbside Pickup To Audit Your Cart
When you order groceries online for pickup, you see your cart on screen and can catch pricing or substitution issues. You can swap out expensive items, remove extras, or pause for discounts before confirming. Many people forget this as an editing opportunity. It forces you to pause and reevaluate before hitting “buy.” Using this buffer zone is a clever hack to save money on groceries by preventing surprise add-ons.
You can read the full article here, although a subscription is required. So check back next week for another five tips to help you save! In the meantime, try these first few and see how your grocery spending changes.