5 Cheap Grocery Tricks That Save You $200 This Month

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1. Buy Store Brands That Taste Just as Good

You’d be shocked how often the cheaper label tastes identical.

It’s the same cereal, just wearing a less fancy outfit.

• Compare ingredients on the back; most are identical to name brands.
  
• Test one item per trip, like pasta or coffee, to see what you actually like.
  
• Skip the brand loyalty trap. You’re paying for the logo, not the flavor.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next grocery run, grab one store-brand version of your usual item and taste-test it for the week.

2. Stick to the Outer Aisles for Real Savings

You know all those tempting aisles in the middle?

That’s where your budget goes to die.

Stick to the outer ring, and you’ll shop smarter without even trying.

• Fresh food lives there. Produce, dairy, meats, all the real stuff.
  
• Avoid impulse snacks that marketers put right in your face in the center aisles.
  
• Shop faster. Less wandering means fewer “just one more thing” moments.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Plan your grocery route to circle the store once, hitting only the perimeter sections before checking out.

Make It Easy: Use a compact insulated grocery tote so you can load fresh items quickly without extra plastic bags.

3. Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry or Tired

Shopping while hangry is a financial crime against yourself.

Everything looks like a good idea when your stomach’s making the decisions.

• Eat a snack first. Even a banana can save you $30 in random cravings.
  
• Shop earlier in the day when your brain still functions like a grown-up’s.
  
• Bring water. Half those cravings are just thirst wearing a disguise.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Keep a snack bar in your car so you never enter the store with an empty stomach again.

Make It Easy: Get a small reusable water bottle that fits in your purse. Hydration kills half your impulse buys.

4. Stick to a Set Grocery Budget

You know that “oops” moment at checkout?

That’s what happens without a plan.

A grocery budget isn’t restrictive. It’s your permission slip to spend smarter.

• Set a weekly cap based on your household size, then stick to it.
  
• Track your receipts so you know where the money leaks happen.
  
• Adjust monthly when prices change. Because inflation doesn’t play nice.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a grocery limit (say $150 a week) and challenge yourself not to go over it for a month.

Make It Easy: Try Rocket Money to automatically categorize grocery purchases and flag when you’re close to your limit.

5. Limit Snack and Junk Food Purchases

Let’s be honest. Half your grocery bill is chips, sodas, and “just one” treats.

Cut those out and suddenly, boom, instant raise.

• Buy snacks in bulk to save long-term instead of weekly splurges.
  
• Swap soda for water or tea. Your wallet (and jeans) will thank you.
  
• Save treats for special days so they actually feel like treats again.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one “junk food-free” week and see how much lighter your grocery total feels.

Make It Easy: Try a glass tea infuser bottle so you can make flavored water or tea at home instead of buying drinks.

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