If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. Give up those shiny name-brand cereals, snacks, canned goods and coffee, and you'll save hundreds on your monthly food spend.

This year saw price hikes on many of our favorite goods and services, and groceries were no exception. While inflation is headed in roughly the right direction, some categories are still high, which has us wondering where we can save money around the edges.

Generic, store-brand groceries are nothing new, but folks are giving them a second look as a cheaper alternative to snazzy name brands. Often, the taste difference is negligible, and so store-brand groceries present a suitable option to keep that food budget intact when overall prices are up.

To see how much cheaper generic groceries are versus name brand I put all store-brand groceries in my cart one week and name brand the next. In a previous story, we calculated whether it's cheaper to buy groceries online or in person and laid out some strategies for saving at Whole Foods.

But it turns out one of the most surefire ways to save at the supermarket is letting some of that brand loyalty go. Hey, you can always go back if the generic stuff isn't doing it. Read on for a full savings breakdown of how much you'll save buying generic at the supermarket.

You can also check out how much more it costs to buy organic , and how much your Starbucks habit costs you over time. First things first, it's well documented that most major food manufacturers label their products under different brands, including generic or store brands. According to recent statistics captured by the Private Label Manufacturing Association, one in five store-brand products is manufactured by a private label manufacturer.

It makes sense: Those manufacturers can then appeal to people who are paying at either price. But they want you to go for the brand name price, rather than the store brand. That's why advertising exists; to make you believe that brand name products are somehow better, when the truth is that identical products are often going down parallel conveyor belts, getting two different labels at the end of the production line.

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that all store-brand, O-shaped, toasted oat cereals are actually General Mills Cheerios in disguise, but it stands to reason that for a lot of store-brand products, the quality or flavor is potentially equal to their name- counterpart. Barbara recognizes that membership might not make sense for smaller families, so she also suggests splitting the membership with another family if you can.

Shrinkflation is when the price of an item hasn't changed, but there is less in the package than you're used to. When this happens, manufacturers have basically raised their prices by giving you a fraction of the amount. Shop by unit price! Grouping is when stores typically put three or more related items together to try to make you want to purchase all of them.

For example, you head to the store for chips and see that they're grouped next to salsa and dip. Your initial intention was to buy a bag, but now you're considering purchasing more items than needed.

End caps are those displays that highlight items between isles. This marketing tactic highlights items you weren't necessarily looking for and might impulsively buy. Before throwing these in your basket, consider why you're buying them.

Do you really want it? If so, that's your weekly impulse buy. If not, put it back. The Best Spring Jackets for Women. Shop Alex and Paige's Wedding Guest Dresses. The Best Medium-Length Hairstyles for Thick Hair.

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If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. Bulk savings are very real. We crunched the numbers to see how much this superstore would save you over the course of a year.

Buying in bulk is a tried and true way to slash your monthly spending, but if you've ever wondered how much you can save shopping at a discount, bulk retailer such as Costco or Sam's Club, you're about to find out.

When it comes to budget grocery shopping, there are many of ways to slice that monthly total. Buying store brand products that are significantly less expensive than name brand is one.

Buying groceries online can also help with price comparisons and save time and stress. But buying in bulk just might be the most popular avenue for saving big on food each month.

With that in mind, we set out to see just how much you can actually save shopping at Costco, the country's most popular wholesaler. Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's and other wholesale retailers mainly in bulk products, and department stores such as Target and Walmart typically offer a number of bulk options, but even conventional grocery stores often carry bulk or larger sizes of staple items.

However, Storage may be an issue when buying in bulk, and not all groceries are suitable for bulk purchasing if they have short shelf lives. But it does raise the question: How much money can you save by buying bulk groceries from Costco? Below is a breakdown of how I reached that figure. And if you get a Costco Executive membership , you could save even more.

Using grocery list templates available online, I assembled a list of 25 typical, staple grocery items that are suitable for longer storage, either in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer.

This ruled out most fresh produce, with some exceptions, though if you're hosting a large gathering buying produce in bulk may be worthwhile also.

Go where the sales are! The more times you pop into the store, the more opportunities you have to overspend. By the way, remember how I said to meal plan and stick to your grocery list?

I love a deal. Plant your own garden! You can start small by planting herbs like parsley, cilantro and rosemary right on your kitchen windowsill. Ibotta, Receipt Hog, Checkout 51 and Target Circle are just a few of the great apps that can help you save.

So instead, find some meatless recipes to whip up on Meatless Monday—or whenever! Also, look for cuts of meat that are cheaper alternatives to what you usually buy. Skip the sirloin and grab ground chuck.

Pass on the pork chops and pick the pork loin. That way you can have your meat and save money too! Technically this is a way to save on your overall food budget because restaurants are not groceries. I repeat: Restaurants are not groceries.

Pro tip: Check out these cheap lunch ideas for even more ways to save on your midday meal. Are generic brands really as good as the name brands? Buy some generic groceries , even if you just start small.

Get this: When it comes to staples like salt, sugar and baking soda, a lot of chefs buy generic too. So, listen to the pros when it comes to how to save money on groceries.

Every rotten cucumber and moldy peach is like a little stack of cash going right into the trash. Remember: If you buy the bananas, have the kids eat the bananas.

Waste less and save more every month by being super intentional here. But if you like supporting local farmers and buying fresh foods, shop at the end of the day. When ingredients are overflowing at the farmers market or in your garden , buy in bulk and preserve them for the winter.

You might spend more during the summer with the extra produce and canning jars. But think of it as an investment for a meal a few months ahead. In the winter, you can buy a box of pasta for a couple of bucks and pull a container of your homemade tomato sauce off the shelf.

Mix it all up and you have a super cheap, homemade dinner on your hands. Shop the outer edges of the store to find fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and beans.

Your food budget will thank you later. A prepackaged bag of lettuce with a dressing packet and fixings will cost double what a head of lettuce with some simple homemade dressing would.

Go for the unpackaged fruits and veggies whenever you can. A word to the wise—if you find that your kids are the culprits of adding all those not-on-the-list items to your cart, you might want to leave them at home.

Or you! Everyone else—Stay. A few new habits can help you lower your monthly grocery bill, stick to your budget, and meet your money goals faster. By the way, I keep talking about having a budget. You should really check out EveryDollar. This is the budgeting app my family uses to plan our spending for groceries and everything else in life.

And you can download EveryDollar today for free! Okay, now you know how to save money on groceries. Making a few changes can add up to big savings, so start going through this list.

Like, now! Get EveryDollar: the free app that makes creating—and keeping—a budget simple. Yes, please. Rachel Cruze is a 1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show.

Rachel writes and speaks on personal finances, budgeting, investing and money trends. Through her shows, books, syndicated columns and speaking events, Rachel shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love. Learn More.

What is a budget? But why do people do it? And why do you need to do it? You can do both. Try these 21 ways to eat healthy on a budget and make it happen. Trusted Services. Free Tools.

Sign In Get Started. We're Hiring! This four-letter German company also operates on a low-cost model, but it's not the same as Aldi. Lidl has been offering affordable groceries since the s and is actively expanding across the East Coast of the U.

Although there are fewer locations than Aldi, they're constantly in close competition for stocking the cheapest groceries. The selection of items is curated to keep the essentials in stock, instead of the added expense of keeping every variety and brand on the shelf. Their private label brands also have a Love It Guarantee , which means if a product doesn't meet your standards you can get your money back and exchange the item for something else.

This big-box store has all of the appeal of members-only clubs like Costco or Sam's Club , but without the expensive fees. WinCo Foods boasts locations across the West Coast, and is almost entirely employee-owned—which means their staff receive better wages and benefits.

And yet the prices are still low. WinCo purchases directly from farmers and manufacturers and has a large quantity of bulk foods, which means their prices undercut many other low-cost retailers. Another way to cut costs is by not accepting credit cards for payment.

But fear not: they do allow payment with debit cards and federal food assistance cards. Market Basket is one of the smaller chains on this list, but their savings make it one of the most affordable places to shop in the U. A recent study provided by the customer data firm dunnhumby revealed that the New England-based chain was the "top grocery retailer for inflationary times.

For over years, Market Basket has maintained the fierce loyalty of their customers for the high quality food at low prices. You can find anything from international cheeses, freshly squeezed juices, to even handmade sushi without racking up a massive grocery bill.

Trader Joe's is one of our go-to spots for affordable essentials, some of the best frozen food around, and unique snacks.

Beyond the adorably kitschy decor and friendly staff, it's also one of the best grocery stores to visit when you're on a budget. Even amidst the current egg-price hike, the cartons at Trader Joe's remain inexpensive.

While some items can get more expensive than at standard grocery stores the produce section can get costly if you're feeding a big family , their private label goods deliver on quality without sacrificing affordability.

If you need shopping inspiration, check out our favorite items here. When you're hunting for low-cost, high quality groceries, Food4Less is an obvious choice.

It's literally in the name. Owned by Kroger, this no-frills grocery chain sacrifices a few amenities to save you money. From bagging your own groceries to using the steep discounts offered in their weekly ads, you're sure to find what you need and pay less. Unlike some of these other affordable grocery stores, Food4Less offers at-home delivery, a pharmacy, and a wide variety of household essentials.

But there's a catch: they have locations, but they're only in California, Illinois, and Indiana. What grocery stores in your area have the lowest prices?