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!
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.
I love the go meatless once a week, the price of meat in my area is outrageous I am sure it's like this everywhere
I really only buy chicken breasts and ground turkey, MAYBE pork loin if it's on sale. Everything else is just so expensive!
This is a great idea. I think if I add this to my own savings ideas it could go over $100. Thanks for the tips.
Awesome! I do hope it helps you save over $100!
These are great tips! We love leftovers!
Girl, me too! Always for lunch and at least once for dinner.
Thanks for the tips! I love the turkey suggestion - we make a lot of chili, so switching the beef with turkey would work for us! I hate the price of beef - turkey is much more reasonable.
I just made chili last night using ground turkey! =) I can't even taste the difference.
I do all of these but In have to say that we go "meatless" more than once a week! Thereare a ton of good vegan recipes so I don't feel like we're missing out!
That's awesome! There are weeks where we have meat maybe once or twice a week.
What great tips! I go meatless a couple times a week.
It definitely makes an impact on your grocery bill!
Pinning this, I definitely need help with my grocery shopping.
Thank you! I hope it can help you save money. =)
Great money savings tips. I don't think my hubby would be happy if we went meatless for even a day, but we always use ground turkey instead of beef and have leftovers all the time.
Haha, some men are like that. =P But using ground turkey is a definite plus!
Wish I could go meatless once a week, but my OH absolutely REFUSES!
It's so strange how some men are strict "MEAT AND POTATOES" every day!
love the tips always use ground turkey need to try meatless meals but teens make it difficult thanks for the tips have a great day
I can't imagine trying to feed teens! You're doing amazing! =)
thanks for sharing these awesome tips - will try some of these!
Awesome, I hope it helps!
Great tips - and I wish there was an Aldi near me! I don't cook much meat (I was a teenage vegetarian), but when I do I keep an eye out for the good stuff on clearance and freeze it. Then I pad it out with things like beans, lentils, veggies, barley etc so we have leftovers. I keep meaning to try making bread too 🙂
That's a great idea! When I have the extra veggies, I add diced/shredded ones as I'm cooking the meat to help stretch it a little.
This is great advice and help for those who need help saving money. Thank you for sharing this! I know others will love it so please come share and link up with me at http://www.wrightsimply.com/2015/04/not-so-wordless-wednesday-linky-hows.html
Have a wonderful weekend ahead!! xx Ashleigh @SimplyWright
Thank you very much! =)
These are really great tips! I love leftover night!
Me too! I can't believe how much money it saves.
I need to learn how to save more money on our groceries. It's getting a little out of control. Great post!
I hope it helps you!