I get it.
Couponing isn’t for everyone.
It can be time-consuming and not always worth it, especially if you prefer to shop non-brand name items.
Thankfully, there are alternative ways to save money on groceries without coupons that work just as well and suit different tastes and lifestyles.
These next budget-friendly strategies will help you stretch your dollars further and ease the pain on your wallet!
How to Save Money on Groceries without Coupons
Below are alternative methods to help you save money on groceries without the hassle of clipping coupons or using couponing apps.
You won’t need to do everything on this list in order to see a noticeable difference.
Implementing just one or two grocery savings strategies can significantly lower your monthly bill.
1. Buy Food Near Expiry Date
I recently started using the Flashfood app as a way to save money on groceries, and it’s been a game changer for me and my family!
The Flashfood app is an online marketplace offering massive discounts on food nearing their shelf expiry date.
The way the app works is you browse deals on food that’s nearing its ‘best by’ date at stores near you.
You buy the items directly through the app and pick up your groceries from your local Flashfood partnered store such as Stop & Shop, Meijer, Food Lion, and Giant Eagle.
On many occasions, I’ve been able to nab perfectly good produce and meats at up to 50% off retail price. It’s the easiest way I get the cheapest groceries in Boston.
It not only saves you money but also helps reduce food waste.
If you want to give Flashfood a try, then download the app and enter Flashfood code: PILA432ZF for a $5 discount on your first order of $10 or more.
2. Buy Reduced Price Groceries
One simple way to save on groceries every month is to buy reduced price groceries. Oftentimes, grocery stores will have a dedicated section in the back of the store with these items.
You may have passed it a few times while shopping and may have not even noticed it! These items typically have yellow stickers on them showing the retail price and special discounted price.
At my local Stop & Shop, there’s a cart at the end of one of the aisles with reduced price items where I find plenty of dry foods.
These are great finds since you can store dried food away for long periods of time without it going bad.
Other times, you can find these specially priced items scattered all throughout the store in various sections. Keep an eye out for them as they can typically save you 30% – 40% off regular prices.
3. Get a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer
A food vacuum sealer machine is a powerful tool you can use to save money on groceries while keeping your food fresh longer.
By removing air from the packaging, vacuum sealers prevent the oxidation process that causes food to spoil.
This means your meats, vegetables, and even dry goods can last significantly longer in the freezer or pantry. Imagine buying in bulk during sales and not worrying about spoilage!
Plus, you can meal prep in advance, seal individual portions, and just reheat when you’re ready to eat.
The initial investment in a vacuum sealer pays off quickly with the savings from reduced food waste and fewer shopping trips.
You’ll also notice less freezer burn on frozen items.
So, if you’re looking to stretch your grocery budget and enjoy fresher food, a vacuum sealer is definitely worth considering.
Check out affordable vacuum sealers on Amazon.
4. Buy in Bulk
Another money saving food hack is to buy in bulk.
This beats using any couponing app such as Ibotta when it comes to getting the best overall price.
I have a membership at both Costco and BJ’s that I frequently use to save money on bulk grocery purchases.
I know that may sound excessive to have two memberships, but the Field Agent gigs I complete at each clubhouse more than pays for them!
When you buy in bulk at clubhouses, you’ll get a significant discount on larger quantity purchases, which means you can stock up on essentials at lower prices per unit compared to regular retailers.
You can use a food saver vacuum sealer to separate and store away perishable items in your freezer and dry goods in your storage pantry.
Some cheap foods to buy in bulk are staple items that have a long shelf life such as:
- Rice – A versatile staple that can be stored for a long time.
- Beans and Lentils – Available in dried form, they are nutritious and have a long shelf life.
- Canned Tomatoes – Useful for sauces and stews, and they last for years.
- Nuts and Seeds – Good for snacking and adding to meals, and better priced in bulk.
- Oats – Ideal for breakfasts and baking, and very cost-effective.
- Frozen Vegetables – They keep their nutrients and are as good as fresh for cooking.
If you have a larger family and the extra space, it’s definitely worth the savings to buy in bulk!
5. Pay with Gift Cards
You can also get free money for groceries by earning free gift cards through various reward programs and apps.
This is one of the most effective ways I’m able to cut my grocery bill in half and save at the grocery store!
You can sign up with reward scanning apps like Pogo, Fetch, or Swagbucks where you can earn points by completing surveys, shopping online, or scanning receipts.
Accumulate these points and exchange them for gift cards to your favorite grocery stores like Walmart, Kroger and Meijer.
Using these apps, I’ve been able to accumulate thousands of dollars in free gift cards over the last few years.
You can use this approach to significantly reduce your grocery bills, effectively giving you free money to spend on essentials.
6. Buy Generic
Buying generic brand groceries can save you anywhere from 25% – 30% over their name brand counterpart. That’s HUGE!
Oftentimes, generic store brands are also manufactured in the same facilities as their pricier counterparts, which means you get comparable quality at a fraction of the cost.
For example, staples like flour, sugar, and spices don’t vary much between brands, making generics a smart choice.
Also, switching to generic brands for dairy products, canned goods, and frozen vegetables can lead to substantial savings without compromising on taste or nutritional value.
Many shoppers even report that they can’t tell the difference in taste between generic and name brand items in blind taste tests.
So give it a try the next time you’re at the grocery store. You may fall in love with your store’s generic brand and save a lot of money in the process!
7. Shop Seasonally
When you buy foods that are in season, you’re not only getting fresher produce, but it’s also a smart strategy to cut down on your grocery bill.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are abundant when they’re at their peak, which drives prices down due to the higher supply.
For example, strawberries in summer and squash in fall are usually cheaper and tastier. Plus, buying in season supports local farmers and reduces transportation costs, which can further lower the price.
You also get the added benefit of peak nutrition and flavor, as produce harvested during its natural growing season contains more nutrients and better taste.
To make the most of seasonal buying, check out local farmers’ markets or subscribe to a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, where you can get fresh, seasonal produce directly from farmers.
Other Tips to Save Money on Groceries
If you want to know how to save money on groceries without coupons, then here’s a few more quick tips to help you out!
Avoid Shopping for Groceries When Hungry
Heading to the grocery store hungry can make you toss extra snacks and goodies into your cart, bumping up your bill.
Avoid this at all costs by eating before you shop. It’ll help you stick to your grocery list, make smarter choices and save some cash!
Get Free Meals with Mystery Shops
If you’re not into using grocery couponing apps and prefer to avoid the grocery store entirely, consider becoming a mystery shopper.
By incorporating restaurant mystery shopping into your weekly routine, you can feasibly eat for 20 dollars a week.
I often enjoy free lunches and dinners several times a week as a paid mystery shopper, and you can do the same.
It’s a practical way to save on food while earning a little extra money on the side!
Create a Meal Plan for the Week
Planning your meals for the week is a great way to save some cash on groceries. When you’ve got a plan, you’re less likely to buy random stuff that just looks good at the moment.
It helps you make a shopping list and stick to it, so you’re only picking up what you really need. Plus, you can take advantage of weekly deals to stretch your dollar even further.
Conclusion
With a clear plan to cut grocery costs, shopping becomes less of an impulse activity and more of a strategic operation designed to save you money.
Incorporate restaurant mystery shopping into your weekly routine, buy in bulk and shop generic brands to save money on groceries without coupons!
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