Today, it’s even harder to be frugal when grocery shopping, especially with inflation. According to the Economic Research Service, grocery prices have risen by more than 23% from 2020 to 2024. If you want to save on groceries, you have to be strategic. You’ll also need to go to the grocery store armed with a shopping list. Here we’ll discuss how to save on all the essentials, even if you always forget them.
Pantry Staples
The best way to save money on groceries is to start stocking up your pantry stash. Wait until essentials like rice, beans, and pasta go on sale. Then, you’ll save even more money by buying these items in bulk. You’ll continue to save money if you utilize your pantry when cooking meals. Many pantry staples add affordable bulk to meals that help you keep the overall cost per serving down.
Vegetables
For frugal shopping list ideas, pick up vegetables that don’t spoil quickly. You’ll definitely want to grab a bag of potatoes, onions, and carrots. Each of these has multiple uses and doesn’t cost a lot. You may want to consider canned or frozen vegetables as opposed to fresh.
Fruits
Buying fruit, especially cut fruit, can drive up the cost of your groceries. Instead, you’ll want to buy staples like bananas and apples. Usually, there is at least one variety of apples on sale per week. Additionally, canned fruits are usually the cheapest option.
Bread
Some breads go bad more quickly than others. Sometimes, cheap white bread like Wonder Bread is the best choice. If you prefer other varieties like sourdough, you may want to consider making your own to save the most money.
Dairy
With the average price of eggs high right now, substitutes may save you the most money. You can substitute applesauce or mashed bananas for eggs if you’re baking or silken tofu for savory dishes. Cheese can also be expensive if you purchase it from the deli counter. Instead, look for store brands or sale items.
Meats
To save the most money, you don’t need the best cuts of meat. Look for manager’s specials or things like country-style ribs, ground turkey, thin-cut steaks, or sausages. You usually can get a good deal on any of these items. With the right recipe, you won’t have to sacrifice taste either.
Paper Products
Toilet paper and paper towels can cost you a pretty penny if you buy an expensive brand. Instead, you may want to buy items on Amazon and utilize a subscribe & save deal or apply a coupon. You can find the best Amazon deals on Jungle Deals.
Frugal Shopping List Ideas
Don’t wait to purchase the essentials if you want to save money. If you truly want to be frugal and save on your groceries, you’ll have to look for the best deals and buy essentials during sales. Then, you can start to build recipes around these items.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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