How I Save $1,300+ Per Year on Groceries (Without Extreme Couponing)

Groceries are one of the easiest places to overspend, and one of the easiest places to save money.

You walk into the store for a few things…
…and somehow leave with $350 worth of groceries and a vague memory of what just happened.

I used to do the same thing.

I didn’t have a system. I wandered the store. I bought things that looked good. Sometimes I forgot ingredients and had to go back (which almost always meant spending even more).

Eventually, I realized something important:

Groceries are one of the lowest-effort ways to save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars per year.

With a few simple strategies, I now save over $1,300 per year on groceries — and I’ve been doing it consistently for over five years.

No extreme couponing.
No eating boring meals.
No spending hours planning.

Just a few simple habits that add up.

Here’s exactly what I do.

1. I Use the Same Grocery List Every Time

This is one of the simplest things I do — and one of the most effective.

I organize my grocery list based on how I move through the store:

• Produce

• Pantry

• Dairy & Bread

• Drinks

• Household & Miscellaneous

This helps me:

• Move through the store faster

• Avoid wandering down unnecessary aisles

• Reduce impulse purchases

• Avoid forgetting items

Because here’s the truth:

When you go back to the store for “just one thing”… you almost always leave with more.

I also use a simple rule when I’m tempted by something not on my list:

• Will I actually use this?

• What will I use it for?

• Do I already have something similar at home?

Over time, this gets easier. I’m honestly not very tempted anymore because I’ve built a routine. Routines save both time and money!

2. I Use Coupons — But Only Strategically

Yes, I use coupons.
But I keep it simple.

My favorite tool is the Ibotta app (you can try it here), which gives cashback after you upload your receipt.

Here are my simple rules:

Only use coupons for items you already planned to buy

A coupon doesn’t save money if it causes you to spend more.

Be flexible with brands

For example, I buy soda water regularly. Instead of sticking to one brand, I rotate depending on what’s on sale.

Stack savings when possible.

I often combine:

• Ibotta cashback

• Store digital coupons

• Store cashback offers

• Mailer coupons

For example, I recently bought a 100-pack Claritin for about $47:

• $12 back from Ibotta

• $12 back from my grocery store

• $3 coupon

That’s $27 off — more than half the price. I generally would not have bought the larger package, but the length of time it would last me made this a no-brainer.

These small wins add up quickly.

3. I Stock Up — But Only When It Makes Sense

When items I regularly use go on sale, I’ll buy two or three instead of one.

This works well for:

• Paper towels

• Toothpaste

• Household items

• Non-perishable foods

Yes, some grocery trips will be slightly higher.

But when I look at spending monthly instead of weekly, it balances out.

Some weeks are higher. Some weeks are lower.
But overall? I spend less.

4. I Shop at More Than One Store (Strategically)

Where you shop matters; if you exclusively shop at WF…. you’re leaving a lot of money on the table. Sorry, WF… you’re just too high.

For example:

I prefer produce at Sprouts, but pantry items and household goods are often cheaper at Kroger.

So I split my shopping:

• Sprouts for produce and specialty items

• Kroger for pantry and household items

This doesn’t have to be complicated. Over time, you naturally notice price differences.

A little awareness can lead to big savings.

5. I Avoid the Bulk Store Trap

Bulk stores can save money, but they can also create waste.

I used to buy large quantities of items I liked… only to throw some away later.

Now I ask myself:

• Will I realistically use this?

• Will we eat this before it goes bad?

If the answer is no, it’s not a good deal — no matter how cheap it looks.

Throwing away food is throwing away money.

6. I Use the “Price Per Ounce” Trick

This is one of my favorite grocery hacks — and many people don’t even know it exists.

Most grocery stores include price per ounce (or price per unit) on the shelf label.

This makes comparing items much easier.

(above you can see the small box that says the price per unit on sale is 25 cents vs. 37.4 cents)

Example:

Olive Oil Option 1
16 oz bottle — $8.99
Price per ounce: $0.56

Olive Oil Option 2
25 oz bottle — $12.99
Price per ounce: $0.49

Even though the larger bottle costs more upfront, it’s actually cheaper per ounce.

This helps when:

• Comparing sizes

• Comparing brands

• Evaluating sales

• Deciding whether bulk is cheaper

Once you start using this trick, it becomes second nature.

What About Instacart and Grocery Pickup?

Grocery delivery and pickup services like Instacart, Walmart pickup, and Kroger pickup can be convenient — but they can also cost more.

Delivery Services

You may encounter:

• Delivery fees

• Service fees

• Tips

• Minimum order requirements

• Price markups

Some comparisons show grocery delivery prices can be 10–20% higher than shopping in-store.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use delivery, but it’s worth understanding the trade-off.

Grocery Pickup

Pickup is often cheaper than delivery, but may still include:

• Minimum order requirements

• Substitution upgrades

• Occasional pickup fees

That said, pickup can sometimes reduce impulse spending, which may offset the cost.

The key question:

Is the convenience worth the extra cost?

Personally, I shop in person because:

• I want to control prices

• I prefer choosing my own produce

• I prefer reading the price per unit of similar products

• I avoid additional fees

• I stick to my system

But everyone’s situation is different.

The key is making an intentional choice.

The Real Benefit: Less Stress and More Control

Yes, these strategies save me over $1,300 per year.

But the bigger benefits are:

• Less stress

• Less food waste

• More confidence

• More control over spending

And none of this is extreme.

You don’t need to coupon for hours.
You don’t need to change what you eat.

Start with one or two strategies and build from there.

Your future self (and your grocery budget) will thank you.

Want to Take Your Money Game Even Further?

Saving money on groceries is a great start.
But having a complete money strategy makes an even bigger difference.

That’s why I recommend YNAB (You Need A Budget).

YNAB helps you:

• Give every dollar a job

• Stop living paycheck to paycheck

• Build savings faster

• Feel more confident with money

Start your 34-day free trial here

Tried YNAB But Struggled to Make It Work?

You’re not alone.

YNAB is incredibly powerful — but it can also feel overwhelming at first.

If you'd like support, I offer 1-on-1 YNAB coaching where we:

• Set up your categories

• Create a realistic spending plan

• Build confidence using YNAB

• Develop a strategy that actually works

Learn more here!

Top 5 YNAB Mistakes (and how to fix them)

Want to Go Even Deeper? (Beta Opportunity)

I’m opening beta spots for my upcoming Mind-Money Reset course.

Small changes can lead to big results.

And sometimes, it all starts with your grocery list.