Have you ever wondered how you can save money at the grocery store?

Let’s be honest for a second. The prices in grocery stores have skyrocketed lately, and we find ourselves having to shell out more and more money every time we visit the store. Due to inflation, the prices have risen by about 12% when compared to last year, and this seems to be the trend for the time being. Even those who are well-versed in the art of frugal shopping appear to be concerned about the new rising prices.

And while there is nothing we can do about the prices, there are lots of ways in which you can make sure you are saving money when you are going grocery shopping. From being more mindful of what we are buying to making sure we don’t spend money on things we don’t actually need, we have gathered the best tricks to help you!

Let us know if you’ve already practiced any of these or if you have any others to share with the rest of us!

#1 Look for wholesale but don’t go too far

It’s well known that when you buy in bulk, you will generally be getting the best price per item. However, there is a limit that you should impose on yourself, especially if you cannot resist what seems to be a good deal. Wholesale stores are known for good prices, but if you don’t end up managing to use all the products you have bought, then you’re essentially throwing money out the window.

A good way to make sure you’re not taken in by the attractive deals is to stick with buying the basics wholesale (things like pasta, rice, flour, canned goods, cleaning supplies, and even some types of pet food). Those items will not spoil easily, and since they are something you will use often, the deals will make sense. For anything else, make sure you don’t overbuy.

#2 Do not fall in love with just one certain store

You also should not be falling for the convenience factor. The store closest to your area may not be offering you the best deals or even the lowest prices for the quality of the products. You should compare that week’s prices online before you go shopping, and if you have to drive 5 minutes longer, it should not be a problem in the long run because it will save you money.

Moreover, you can alternate the stores you visit according to your needs. You can research in the morning when you’re drinking your coffee. The good bets are Lidl, Aldi, Costco, and Walmart. But a good rule of thumb is to check all the stores in your area to make sure you haven’t missed an offer.

#3 Do not ignore unit prices

You may think that you are getting a deal when you see the discounted price on certain products or bulk purchases, but it may not always be the case. This should be what makes you decide whether to get a certain item at one store when compared to another, and yes, this also includes warehouse clubs!

You may be inclined to just go with the lowest number, but depending on how many items are in the bundle, you may actually be spending more than intended on one product. If you’re getting a pack of 60 granola bars at Costco for about $10, then it would end up being about 16 cents per bar. That unit price should be what makes you decide where you are buying things, as a lower unit price will generally mean you’re saving money.

You should find the unit price also written on the price label, but it is generally smaller and tucked in a corner. This is also the case online, where some stores will also show you how much it is per unit underneath the big total even before you decide to add the products to the cart.

#4 It’s better to be shopping alone

It may be a more boring experience if you go to the store by yourself, but it is better for you in the long run. Going with family or friends means that you are not as focused on the task at hand, which will lead you to pay less attention to what ends up in your cart. This is going to lead you to spend both more time and money at the store than you initially intended.

Save your cash and stick to your schedule better by going alone to the store, so you can be careful with what you’ve planned on buying and how much you allocated from your budget to that grocery run.

#5 Save money by eating before going to the grocery store

You may have been aware of this before, but research has actually proven that you are more susceptible to overbuying items when you go to the store hungry, and this includes items that are not food! This is probably linked to the fact that when you are famished, you are more likely to act on impulse. In the end, you will be prone to adding anything that seems appealing to you at the moment to the cart.

From processed foods to pre-packaged ones, you will end up spending way more money than needed and accidentally ruining your health as well. Do yourself a favor and eat before you go grocery shopping!

#6 Make use of all your subscriptions

Chances are that you already have an Amazon Prime account. However, are you sure you are using it to its full capacity? Or are you only interested in Prime Videos and 2-day shipping?

There is a high chance that a lot of the things that you are buying frequently are present on the website, and you can take advantage of their “subscribe and save” program. This one is available for a lot of products, and it means that when you commit to having it sent to you again after a period of time, you can get a discount.

Whether you opt for a regular interval or you defer the subscription when you don’t need it, you can save a lot of money by using this option. What’s more, the items will be delivered straight to your door instead of you having to go to the shop.

#7 Shop in your pantry first

Before you end up leaving for the store, make sure you have taken a good look at what you have in your pantry. And don’t forget about the freezer and fridge as well. You may think that you don’t have anything to eat in the house, but you may end up having most of the ingredients you need already, or even just a few of them.

A well-stocked pantry and fridge are your best friends when it comes to managing to save money, so before you get extra products that you already have, check for them. It’s going to take a few minutes extra, but you can end up not even having to leave for the store at all! There are sites like AllRecipes that will generate a recipe for you based on what you have on hand, so give their app a chance too!

#8 Do not fall for the last-minute additions

If you want the easiest way in which you can save money when you’re going grocery shopping, this one may just be the easiest one to follow. Some might call it the first step towards this: You have to stop falling for the last-minute additions. Stores make sure to put a lot of eye-catching treats and candy bars around their check-out stations in hopes that a lot of their customers will be compelled to pick them up.

And sure, it may seem like a few dollars on a treat here, and there is not going to hurt your budget, but when every trip you make ends up with these extra expenses because you’re waiting to check out, it becomes a problem. Stay strong, and you will see how you end up saving money soon!

#9 Make sure you’re always stocked up on the basics

There are numerous pantry staples that you can make the most of if you keep them well-stocked. Not only will they not be costing you a ton of money, but they generally last a lot, and they are so versatile that you will definitely not get bored of them in the long run. Things like rice, potatoes, and pasta are some of the most versatile food items, and they are all inexpensive when you are using them from scratch.

Not to mention, you can also stock up on other basic items that are always great to have around. Things like canned veggies and tuna are lifesavers when it comes to needing to throw together a fast meal! Don’t forget about the tomato puree. You will be saving money since they don’t have to be replenished that often and they are fairly cheap, and you will also have a ton of recipes ready to be made when you’re in a pinch!

#10 Do not waste money on bags

If you’re always returning from the store with more and more brown bags, or even worse, plastic bags, you’re definitely doing something wrong. Not only are you wasting money every time, but you are also not saving in the long run. You could kill two birds with one stone here!

You could be saving money in the long run by bringing your own bags (you wouldn’t want to know how much each little bag you purchase adds up during the year), and you will also be going the eco-friendly route with it! You’d be saving the planet and not wasting your funds on more bags that you already have a ton of at home. If you ask us, it’s a pretty good deal!

And since we’re talking about grocery shopping, make sure you’re not guilty of making these kitchen mistakes that are going to cost you more money than you can ever imagine!