How to Save Money on Food Shopping (Even in an Expensive City)

Let’s be honest, watching your grocery bill get higher every month feels like watching a horror movie. You’re just trying to feed yourself (and maybe your family), and suddenly you’re dropping $200 on stuff that used to cost $120. If you live in an expensive city, it’s even worse. But here’s the good news: learning how to save money on food shopping isn’t some impossible dream reserved for extreme couponers or people who eat nothing but ramen. It’s easy and realistic, and I’m going to show you exactly how.

Why Your Grocery Bill Keeps Getting Higher

Before we see the solutions, let’s talk about why this problem exists in the first place. Food prices have been climbing thanks to inflation, supply chain issues, and let’s face it!

Stores know you need food, so they’re not exactly incentivized to keep prices rock-bottom.

In expensive cities like New York, San Francisco, or London, the situation gets amplified. Higher rents mean higher store operating costs, which get passed directly to you. Plus, there’s often less competition from discount chains, so prices stay elevated.

But here’s where I get optimistic: knowing how to save money on food shopping means you’re taking back control. You can’t change inflation, but you absolutely can change your shopping strategy.

Plan Your Meals Like Your Budget Depends On It

I know, I know—meal planning sounds boring and time-consuming. But stick with me here, because this one habit will save money faster than anything else on this list.

Here’s why meal planning works: When you walk into a grocery store without a plan, you’re basically a walking ATM for impulse purchases. That fancy cheese you didn’t need? The organic crackers that caught your eye? Yeah, those add up fast.

Instead, try this approach:

• Spend 20 minutes every Sunday mapping out your meals for the week
• Check what you already have in your fridge and pantry first
• Build meals around similar ingredients so nothing goes to waste
• Write a detailed shopping list and actually stick to it

I started doing this about a year ago, and my grocery spending dropped by roughly 30%. No joke. The secret? I stopped buying random stuff “just in case” and started buying only what I actually planned to cook.

Store Brands Are Your Best Friend

Listen, I get it. There’s something psychologically comforting about buying name brands. They feel familiar and trustworthy. But here’s a secret the food industry doesn’t want you to know: store brands are often made in the exact same facilities as name brands, just with different packaging.

I’m talking about things like pasta, canned goods, frozen vegetables, flour, sugar, and basic pantry staples. The quality difference? Usually nonexistent. The price difference? Sometimes 30-50% cheaper.

Try this experiment: Next time you shop, buy store brand versions of three items you normally buy name brand. See if you even notice a difference. My bet? You won’t. And if you do, just switch back—but I’m guessing you’ll pocket the savings and never look back.

Shop Seasonal and Local When Possible

Strawberries in January might sound amazing, but your wallet is crying. When you buy produce that’s out of season, you’re paying premium prices because it’s been shipped from halfway around the world.

Seasonal shopping means:

• Cheaper prices because there’s more supply
• Better taste because the food is fresher
• Supporting local farmers (which is a nice bonus)

In summer, load up on berries, tomatoes, and zucchini. In fall, go for apples, squash, and root vegetables. Winter? Think citrus and hearty greens. Spring brings asparagus, peas, and early lettuce.

Not sure what’s in season? Most grocery stores highlight seasonal items, or you can just Google “seasonal produce [your month]” and get instant answers. This simple switch can shave 20% or more off your produce bill.

Download Cashback and Coupon Apps Right Now

Okay, I’m not saying you need to become an extreme couponer with a binder full of clipped newspaper coupons (though no judgment if that’s your thing). But in 2024, there are ridiculously easy apps that literally give you money back for stuff you’re already buying.

Apps worth your time:

• Ibotta: Cash back on groceries, super simple interface
• Fetch Rewards: Scan any receipt, earn points for gift cards
• Rakuten: Cash back for online grocery delivery services
• Store-specific apps: Most major chains have their own apps with digital coupons

I use Ibotta for my regular shopping, and I’ve earned over $300 in the past year. That’s $300 I would have just left on the table otherwise. Set up takes maybe 10 minutes, and then you’re earning passively. It’s basically free money, and who says no to that?

Buy in Bulk (But Be Smart About It)

Bulk buying can absolutely help you how to save money on food shopping, but only if you do it right. Buying a giant jar of mayonnaise that expires before you use half of it? That’s not savings—that’s waste.

What to buy in bulk:

• Non-perishables like rice, pasta, beans, and oats
• Frozen items you use regularly (chicken, vegetables, bread)
• Shelf-stable items with long expiration dates
• Things you genuinely use a lot of (toilet paper, coffee, etc.)

What NOT to buy in bulk:

• Fresh produce that’ll go bad quickly
• Specialty items you’re “trying out”
• Anything perishable if you’re shopping for one or two people

I hit up Costco once a month for staples, and it definitely saves me money—but only because I’m strategic about it. If you don’t have space for bulk storage or you live alone, consider splitting bulk purchases with a friend or neighbor. Everyone wins.

Skip the Pre-Cut, Pre-Washed, Pre-Everything

Convenience costs money. Like, a LOT of money.

That bag of pre-cut butternut squash? You’re paying about three times more than if you just bought the whole squash and cut it yourself. Pre-washed salad greens? Huge markup. Pre-marinated chicken? Same story.

I know we’re all busy, and sometimes convenience is worth it. But if you’re serious about cutting your food budget, you need to do some basic prep yourself. Buy whole vegetables and fruits, wash your own lettuce, and marinate your own proteins. It takes an extra 10-15 minutes, but you’ll pocket serious savings.

Pro tip: If knife skills intimidate you, YouTube is your friend. There are literally thousands of videos showing you how to cut everything from a pineapple to a whole chicken. It’s easier than you think.

Don’t Sleep on Discount Stores

If you’re only shopping at mainstream grocery chains, you’re probably overpaying. Discount grocery stores like Aldi, Lidl, Trader Joe’s (depending on location), and ethnic markets often have way better prices on the exact same items.

Why discount stores are cheaper:

• Smaller product selection means lower overhead
• More store brands and fewer name brands
• Often no fancy displays or elaborate store design
• Streamlined operations that pass savings to customers

I started shopping at Aldi for basics about two years ago, and it’s a game-changer. My regular grocery haul that used to cost $80-90 at a mainstream chain now costs around $50-60 at Aldi. Same quality, way less money. The only downside? Smaller selection, but honestly, do you really need 47 types of pasta sauce to choose from? :/

Stock a Smart Pantry with Versatile Staples

A well-stocked pantry is your secret weapon for stretching your food budget. When you have basics on hand, you can throw together meals without emergency grocery runs (which always end up costing more than planned).

Pantry staples that save money:

• Rice and pasta: Cheap, filling, versatile
• Canned beans and tomatoes: Great for quick meals
• Oils and vinegars: For cooking and dressing
• Spices: Make cheap ingredients taste expensive
• Flour, sugar, baking powder: If you occasionally bake
• Frozen vegetables: Nutritious and long-lasting

When you build meals around pantry staples and just add fresh proteins and produce, your shopping trips get way cheaper. Instead of buying everything for each individual meal, you’re just filling in the gaps.

I keep a running list on my phone of pantry items I’m running low on, so I can restock gradually when things go on sale rather than panic-buying at full price.

Embrace Meatless Meals (At Least Sometimes)

Look, I’m not telling you to go full vegetarian if that’s not your thing. But meat is typically the most expensive item in your grocery cart, and cutting back even a little bit can create significant savings.

Try this: Make 2-3 meals per week plant-based. Think veggie stir-fries, bean tacos, pasta with marinara, lentil soup, or chickpea curry. These meals are filling, nutritious, and cost a fraction of meat-based dishes.

A pound of ground beef might cost $6-8, while a can of black beans costs maybe $1. The savings add up fast, and honestly, some of my favorite meals are meatless. Plus, you’re doing something good for the planet. Win-win. 🙂

Shop After Eating (Never Hungry)

This sounds almost too simple to matter, but trust me—it matters. Shopping on an empty stomach is basically shopping with a self-sabotage strategy. Everything looks amazing, you make impulsive decisions, and you end up with a cart full of stuff you didn’t plan to buy.

The science backs this up: Studies show that hungry shoppers spend up to 64% more than those who shop after eating. Your brain literally makes different decisions when you’re hungry.

Eat a snack or a full meal before you head to the store. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you. I learned this the hard way after too many “I was hungry” shopping trips that wrecked my budget.

Compare Unit Prices, Not Just Package Prices

Here’s a quick math trick that’ll save you money every single shopping trip: check the unit price, not just the sticker price.

Most stores display the unit price (cost per ounce, pound, or liter) on the shelf tag. Sometimes the bigger package is cheaper per unit, but not always. Companies know most people just grab whatever looks like a good deal, so they play pricing games.

I’ve seen smaller packages that were actually cheaper per ounce than the “value size” more times than I can count. Taking two seconds to compare unit prices ensures you’re getting the actual best deal, not just what marketing wants you to think is the best deal.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it—real, practical ways to learn how to save money on food shopping that actually work, even if you’re living somewhere expensive. None of this requires extreme lifestyle changes or eating nothing but beans and rice (though beans and rice are pretty great, honestly).

Start with one or two strategies that feel doable for your situation. Maybe it’s meal planning and switching to store brands. Or maybe it’s downloading a cashback app and trying out a discount grocery store. Whatever you choose, you’ll start seeing savings almost immediately.

Once these habits become routine, they’re basically effortless. You’ll be saving money without even thinking about it, and that extra cash can go toward things you actually want—whether that’s paying down debt, building savings, or just enjoying life without stressing over every grocery receipt.

Your turn: Which of these tips are you going to try first? Pick one, commit to it for a month, and watch your grocery budget start shrinking. You’ve got this! 😉