Grocery prices may not be rising as fast as they were, but they’re still high enough in 2026 to strain nearly every household budget. What used to be a routine trip to the store now feels like a financial balancing act.
The good news? Cutting your grocery bill by a couple hundred dollars a month is possible with a few smart, manageable changes. Here are four practical strategies to help you spend less without sacrificing what you need.
Plan Your Meals Around Savings
It feels good when something you were planning to buy anyway is on sale, but there’s an even better feeling: Saving money by strictly buying items that are on sale. According to Capital One Shopping, the average shopper saves 6.4% using digital coupons (or about $1,465 on average per year), but you can improve that number by shopping strategically.
For You: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
Trending Now: The ChatGPT Grocery Shopping Hack That Saves Retirees $100 or More per Month
Before you make your grocery list, check what’s currently on sale at your local grocery store. Several free apps can help you find promotions, so you never miss a good deal. Let the coupons determine your menu by planning your meals for the week based on what’s on sale.
It’s always smart to plan your shopping trip, thus your meals, before you go to the store, so you don’t get sidetracked buying impulse items and instead stick to your budget. When you strategically plan what to cook in the coming days based on what’s on sale, you can save even more.
Join a Loyalty Rewards Program
If your grocery store offers a rewards program, take advantage of it. Depending on the program, you might get exclusive deals to use when planning your sales-only weekly menu or points you accumulate and redeem later.
Many of these programs apply to pharmacy items stocked at supermarkets, too, so you can extend your savings in that area.
Buy Generic
Generic or store brands are almost always completely identical to the name-brand product. Aside from having the same ingredients, they’re often even made by the same manufacturers.
So don’t waste your money paying extra for the more recognizable label. Always look for and choose the generic version nearby.
Swap Meat for Plant-Based Protein a Few Times a Week
You can eat a balanced meal for less by swapping meat for a cheaper plant-based protein, like lentils. No need to go full vegetarian if that’s not your style. Committing to a vegetarian dinner just twice a week will shave a significant amount off your grocery spending if you make it a habit.
Use this saving strategy as a reason to check out some vegetarian recipes, and you may even find your new favorite meal. These are just a few ways to keep your grocery budget in a manageable place while not having to sacrifice your favorite foods.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
More From GOBankingRates
- 6 Kirkland Clothing Items You Should Buy in February To Maximize Savings
- I Compared Prices Before and After Trump's Tariffs: Here's What Changed
- 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
- 6 Safe Accounts Proven to Grow Your Money Up to 13x Faster
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Simple Ways You Can Save Hundreds on Your Grocery Bill Every Month
