Imagine that you’re with your 5-year old at the supermarket, trying to check different prices with a scanner in one hand and a calculator in the other. It's vital you stay on budget this month while still being able to get all the items on your list — but it's also vital you don't lose your child in the aisles!
You’re most likely not the only one juggling family priorities, including saving money on groceries without sacrificing quality. In fact, U.S. households spent around $5,278 per year on food in 2023, and that's families in lower income brackets, according to data from the USDA. That's almost a third of their budget.
You’re most likely not the only one juggling family priorities, including saving money on groceries without sacrificing quality. In fact, U.S. households spent around $5,278 per year on food in 2023, and that's families in lower income brackets, according to data from the USDA. That's almost a third of their budget.
There are ways to get that number down so you can free up more of your income for what you need. Strategies like meal planning, seasonal shopping, taking advantage of loyalty apps, and smart bulk buying are just a handful of ways to save money on groceries — without sacrificing quality. There are also some smart financial tools that can help make grocery shopping more affordable. Read on for a plan.
1. Start with a smarter grocery budget
A smarter grocery budget focuses on nutritious and affordable food options. Sure, you can get cheap items, but they only reflect the price and not the value or quality you’ll get. The USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan outlines what it costs to eat a healthy diet even on a limited budget. For instance, a family of four — that’s two adults and two school-aged children —should spend about $248 per person (a total of $992.90) per month on groceries.
This number could be a good guide to work from. Then you'll have a barometer for tracking your spending — noting specific items you get and what you pay for them. This can lead to creating a better grocery budget.
2. Plan weekly meals
Planning meals ahead of time will lower last-minute choices that could lead to more expensive purchases. It can also lower the amount you purchase and that may go to waste.
Start small, even looking at what you have in your pantry and fridge for now. See what you already have and plan some meals around those items. Go to the grocery store and see what’s on sale that could work with the ingredients you already have.
Consider using tools like MyPlate.gov’s meal planner or SNAP-Ed recipes to help you create affordable and nutritious meals that are based on dietary guidelines.
3. Use smart shopping lists
Having a clear and planned-out shopping list will help prevent impulse buys, increasing the chance you’ll stick to your budget.
A smarter way to create a grocery list is to group the items you want by section. For example, group items based on produce, dairy, and pantry staples. That way, you can minimize backtracking and help to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Another way to save on groceries is to choose ingredients that can work with multiple meals, like rice, eggs, and canned beans.
Families that use SNAP or WIC can use tools like Shop Simple with My Plate to see what items and purchases can meet these program rules.
4. Shop by season and timing
Seasonal shopping can usually offer better prices and better tasting produce. Some examples of the best produce by season include:
- Spring. Asparagus, strawberries, and spinach
- Summer. Blueberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers
- Fall. Apples, sweet potatoes, and squash
- Winter. Kale, carrots, and cranberries
You can also opt for frozen options as another affordable option if certain produce items aren’t in season, without compromising on nutrition. Frozen items are typically picked at peak ripeness and then flash frozen.
Your timing can also influence how much you pay in groceries. Shopping at certain times of the week can mean markdowns, like meat. Shopping earlier in the day means stores are quieter and you’re not rushed and end up making impulse purchases.
Programs for SNAP like Double Up Food Bucks can help you match your EBT funds that you spend on fruits and vegetables. It may even match up to $20 per day.
5. Make the most of loyalty programs and digital savings
Many grocery stores have digital coupons and loyalty programs that can help you consistently save on groceries. You can even try to stack loyalty programs with weekly sales or manufacturer coupons.
Apps like Checkout 51, Fetch, and Flipp have coupons and cashback offerings to help you save even more.
Savings method | Typical savings % |
1% to 5% | |
10% to 25% | |
Price matching or item markdowns | varies |
As of September 2025
6. Buy in bulk — the smart way
Buying in bulk is a great method for buying staples that are frozen or have a long shelf life. Examples include oats, pasta, beans, or meat that you can portion out and freeze.
Before you do this, compare the price per unit to see whether you’re actually saving. Don’t forget to label items when you purchased them to avoid waste. The goal is to reduce costs and lower the amount of trips to the store.
Common options for bulk purchases include warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club. Many grocery chains also offer bulk discounts or larger packages of meat that can often get you a better price per ounce.
Even if you don’t have access to warehouse stores, many grocery chains offer bulk discounts or larger packaging at a better price per ounce.
Advanced grocery hacks to cut costs further
Here are some additional tactics to help you stretch your budget even further:
- Compare store brands with larger national brands. Store brands tend to be more affordable and nutrition labels are usually very similar.
- Check policies on price matching. Some grocery chain stores will match competitor prices if you show proof.
- Plan sales around SNAP or WIC purchases. You can extend your benefits and get good quality food through accessible government programs, if you qualify.
- Take advantage of apps. Download and use grocery chain or cashback apps as much as possible.
Stretch your grocery budget with EarnIn
Planning your grocery budget will only work if you have available money. You can use EarnIn to help. Our Cash Out1 tool helps you access up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays. There are no mandatory tips, interest, or any debt rollover traps.
Need money the same day? You can use our Lightning Speed2 feature — which can transfer money in minutes for a small fee (starting at just $3.99).
As you’re working on other ways to stretch your budget, there’s EarnIn's Tip Yourself3 feature. You can use it to set aside money from each paycheck for groceries (or other needs), so the money is there for you.
And if you’re afraid of running out of funds in your account, Balance Shield4 can send you alerts if your account is too low. You can even transfer funds from your own earnings to help cover your grocery bill when you’re at the checkout line.
Your budget, your groceries, your way
Saving money on groceries doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or taste. It’s about planning ahead of time, selecting seasonal foods, and using the right tools to stay consistent. Small habits can create bigger wins, even if you’re shopping on a tight schedule or find it hard to cook well.
Tools like EarnIn can help you manage your grocery budget. Millions of people use EarnIn to stay on top of their bills, stretch their paycheck, and build financial freedom one day at a time.
Explore our tools at EarnIn to help your money move the way you do.
FAQs
How can I save money on groceries with a family of four?
You can save money on groceries by meal planning, buying in bulk, and shopping seasonally.
What’s the best day to grocery shop for deals?
Midweek mornings are usually the best day to find markdowns on perishable items.
Are generic brands really as good as name brands?
In most cases, yes. You’ll usually find that the nutritional content is often comparable.
How much can I realistically save with these strategies?
Families could save around $1,400 a year by combining strategies like meal planning, using loyalty apps, digital coupons, and buying produce in season.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company not a bank. Banking Services are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust or Lead Bank, both Member FDIC. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.
1
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out.EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
2
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.3
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details, visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms. 4
Balance Shield provides free alerts when your bank account balance drops below the threshold you set in your EarnIn account. You can also enable automatic transfers ($100/day - subject to your available earnings - with a limit of $750/pay period), if your bank account balance falls below your set threshold. If your available earnings are insufficient to transfer the $100, the transfer will not be completed.You choose the speed of these automatic transfers. Standard speed is available at no cost and the transfer typically takes 1-2 business days. Lightning Speed is available for a fee [see Lightning Speed Fee Table] and the transfer typically takes less than 30 minutes. You will also have the option to set a tip for automatic transfers. Tips are optional and can be $0; however, if you choose to set a tip, it will be applied to each Balance Shield transfer. Whether you tip, how much, and how often you tip does not impact the quality and availability of services. You can cancel the alerts and/or transfers at any time in your EarnIn account settings. See the Cash Out User Agreement for more details. While Balance Shield can help you avoid overdrafts, it does not guarantee protection from third-party fees, and its effectiveness depends on your usage and bank activity.
