I am constantly searching for new ways to save money on my grocery bill. Food can be so darn expensive! I've learned a few tips and tricks throughout the years and I want to share my top 5 ways that we save each month. Some of these may not apply to your family due to size; or maybe you have a huge family and can save even more than $60 a month doing these things! Either way, I hope even one of these will help inspire you to save money on your grocery bill!
1. Use ground turkey instead of ground beef
Where I live, ground beef is around $2.99 a pound or more. It's crazy! One day at Sam's Club, I saw a bulk package of ground turkey that was $2.59 a pound and decided to try it. I can't taste a difference! I use it everywhere I'd use ground beef: Tacos, chili, pasta... it's healthier and cheaper, too! Let's break it down.
- Ground beef: $2.99/lb, 2 times a week: $23.92 a month
- Ground turkey: $2.59/lb, 2 times a week: $20.72 a month
- Savings: $3.20
2. Go meatless once a week
Going along with above, why not make a meatless meal once a week? You've probably seen a Meatless Monday trend going around; try it and see what happens! There are lots of great vegetarian recipes that are super cheap and filled with protein. This Mexican Quinoa recipe is delicious and keeps you full even without meat!
- Saving an average of $3 a week from going meatless once a week
- Savings: $12.00
3. Use store brand canned veggies, beans, tomatoes
I've found that there is no real difference for me between name brand and store brand canned vegetables. I use a lot of canned tomatoes for soups and sauces and it's SO much cheaper to buy store brand, especially at Aldi! I'm using an average of 5 cans a week in this example, but you may use more or less depending on your family size!
- Del Monte brand canned vegetables, $1.00 each, 5 a week: $20.00 a month
- Aldi brand canned vegetables, $.59 each, 5 a week: $11.80 a month
- Savings: $8.20
4. Bake your own dinner rolls/bread
Rolls and other types of bread are perfect with dinner! Have you tried making your own? It's incredibly easy and costs a lot less. Try my recipe for bread machine dinner rolls! The cost savings below reflect using one batch a week.
- Buying one package a week at $2.00 a package: $8.00 a month
- Making your own once a week at $.69 a batch: $2.76
- Savings: $5.24
5. Have a leftover night
This might not be feasible if you have a large family and don't have leftovers from dinner, but my family of 3 does pretty much every night. We do eat leftovers for lunch every day, but we still need a night to finish off whatever's left! I'm averaging $8.00 per week for this, which includes the dinner and any side items.
- Savings: $32.00
Following the above tips could save you up to $60 or more each month! That's extra money you could put into savings, or stock up on essentials. If you need more ideas, be sure to check my weekly shopping trips every Monday to get inspiration on how to save even more money on your groceries.
What is YOUR favorite way to save money on your grocery bill? Share with us below!
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Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.
Hi Jaime - these are wise tips - and I also discovered that I used to waste vegies and fruits sitting in fridge and forgotten - that's where I really watch now - it bothers me to throw out so much - so you tips are fab reminders to watch what we are doing with our money and food!
I have that problem too! I'm also getting a little better at making sure we use up all our produce. =)
I definitely agree with the canned veggie statement. There really is no difference in taste and you save a lot of money. You also save a lot if you do more canned veggies and only half the amount of meat you normally cook. That way you still have protein, increase your veggie intake, and you will save greatly on how much meat you are using in the first place.
That's a great idea, using extra veggies instead of meat!
These are excellent money saving tips and I love how you lay it all out price wise.
I guess we are picky, but we just didn't care for the taste of ground turkey, But I found that if I do half ground turkey, half ground beef, we don't mind it all. So, no, we don't save as much, but it still is a savings!
And I had no idea that brand name veggies were that expensive. Oy! Yes, I love, love, LOVE Aldi and save a ton by shopping there.
Another way that I love to save is by using money saving apps. The savings don't add up quickly, but I typically save around $100 just by using the app savings on things that I'd purchase anyway.
Yes, I like those apps too! My problem is remembering to actually scan my receipts at the end of the week. =)
These tips are spot on! As I already do many of them.
I do not bake my own bread, but my husband works for his family bakery. So that is the best! I get homemade bread...but I don't have to do the work. And it's free. He just brings it home. š
Gotta love Aldi!
I think getting free fresh bread is totally better than having to bake your own! =P I love it!
Wow...I live in Louisiana and ground beef here is rarely under $4/lb. It never goes on sale. I use turkey for stuff like pasta but we hate Turkey burgers. We mostly eat no meat meals or stuff with chicken because we simply cannot afford anything else.