Seven ways to save Big on Groceries and $888 in Free Coupons
Want to slash your grocery tab? Saving money on groceries is easier than collecting binders of coupons and buying 455 rolls of toilet paper.
Here’s a list of simple (and some unexpected) tips to help you maximize your grocery budget.
1. Shop With A Calculator
This is one of the easiest ways to make sure you don’t overspend at the grocery store (besides shopping on a full stomach). Bring your old-school calculator with you, or use your phone. However you do it, set a limit for how much you plan to spend beforehand, then hold yourself to it.
Add up the price of each item as you toss it in your basket, and you’ll be surprised how much easier it is to stick to your budget.
Voila! No more wallet-gouging surprises at checkout.
2. Get a Free $225 Before You Shop
It’s too good to be true, right?
But we’re serious. A website called InboxDollars will pay you to watch short video clips online. One minute you might watch a chef teach you the recipe for fudge brownies and the next you might get the latest updates on Kardashian drama.
All you have to do is choose which videos you want to watch and answer a few quick questions about them afterward. Brands pay InboxDollars to get these videos in front of viewers, and it passes a cut onto you.
It’s possible to earn up to $225 per month watching these videos — that could make a serious dent in your grocery bill.
Unlike other sites, InboxDollars pays you in cash — no points or gift cards — and it’s already paid its users more than $56 million.
It takes about one minute to sign up, and you’ll immediately earn a $5 bonus to get you started.
3. Raid your pantry.
Challenge yourself to look through your pantry (or fridge) and see what kind of meals you can throw together with the ingredients you already have. Who says you have to stock up on more groceries when there are perfectly good chicken thighs shoved in the back of your freezer and a couple unopened cans of black beans and salsa on your shelves?
4 . Check the Unit Price
Bigger is always better, right? Maybe, but it’s not always cheaper.
Don’t blindly choose the largest can of coffee or bottle of detergent just because someone taught you once that buying in bulk will help you save.
Do a unit-price comparison. The unit price is often located on the price tag affixed to the shelf below the product, with phrasing like “$0.59 per ounce.”
If the unit price isn’t listed, divide the price of the item by the number of ounces or other unit of measurement. You might find that the smaller item is a better buy, especially if the product is on sale.
5. Try different grocery stores.
Why did you pick your current grocery store? Is it the friendliest? Is it in the most convenient location? If we’re being honest, most of us probably shop where we do out of habit.
Don’t let a comfortable routine cost you money.
If you’re not sure which grocery stores are worth your time and money, ask around. People who are getting the best deals will gladly gush about their favorite spots.
Also, if you want to save money on food, be sure to check the weekly ads in your area for what’s on sale at competing grocery stores. You might find that shopping at the store down the street is costing extra money in the long run. Figuring out a new shopping plan may be frustrating at first, but it’s worth it to keep some extra cash in your pocket.
6. Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
People do a lot of silly things when they’re hungry. They say things they don’t really mean, eat all of their roommate’s chips, and aimlessly stroll the grocery store aisles like zombies.
And while your best friend might not hold you responsible for what you said when you were “hangry,” your grocery bill won’t let you off the hook so easily. Step away from the 48-count of frozen waffles and put back that pineapple upside-down cake from the bakery.
Walk into the grocery store with a full stomach, and you might be shocked by how much lower your grocery bill is!
7. Buy generic.
You know generic pasta is cheaper, but you’re still not convinced it won’t ruin your grandmother’s lasagna recipe.
Are generic brands really as good as the name brands?
A group of Consumer Reports “taste testers” found that most store brands measure up to the name brands in taste and quality—and they’re usually 15–30% lower in price!
In other words, your less expensive lasagna will taste just as delicious as the National name brand
How to Get $888 in Free Manufacturer Coupons
There’s something so satisfying about that “ding ding ding” the barcode scanner makes as the clerk rings up your coupons at the end of a shopping haul.
It’s like you’re on a gameshow.
“Let’s see how much we can save on this grocery trip!” an imaginary announcer boasts in the background.
- Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose that I’ve included certain products and links to those products that I will earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.
All right, so it’s not that exciting, but finding a gold mine of coupons can help you save hundreds of dollars a year on groceries.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t fret; I’ve got you covered.
How to Snag Free Coupons Before Your Next Grocery Run
Read How I save 40% on my groceries here.
Below, you’ll find four different coupon request forms. Click through, and fill out your information. Then, you’ll start getting coupons delivered to your inbox.
All totaled, you could save more than $900 a year!
Ready? Let’s do this.
1. Pillsbury Coupons – Up to $250 in Free Coupons
Sign up for Pillsbury.com emails to receive up to $250 in yearly coupons, access to free product samples (quantities limited, one per member) and the easiest recipes sent right to your inbox.
Because of the high value of these coupons, they’ve limited it to one set of coupons per person, so if you need more, get someone else in your household to sign up, too.
2. Betty Crocker Coupons – Up to $250 in Free Coupons
Give Betty Crocker your email address, and it’ll send you up to $250 worth of coupons that can help you get deeply discounted or free canned goods, cereal and yogurt.
In addition to coupons, Betty Crocker’s free email delivers the best of Betty’s 15,000 kitchen-tested recipes, how-tos and more — straight to your inbox!
Most people get bored making the same food week after week, so wouldn’t it be nice to occasionally be surprised with simple recipes you can make on a budget?
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Pampers Coupons — Turn Dirty Diapers Into Rewards
Parents, let’s get real for a second. You funnel a ton of money into diapers, and you don’t get crap in return. OK, well, that’s a poor choice of words, but you get where we’re going with this… They all end up in the trash.
It’s time to change that. (No pun intended on that one.)
Sign up for Pampers Rewards, and earn points each time you buy a new batch of diapers.
Here’s how it works:
Register for Pampers Rewards here. You’ll earn 100 bonus points just for registering and signing into the mobile app.
In the packs of diapers you buy, you’ll find a code. Scan the code with the app, and earn more points. You’ll get another 50 bonus points for the first code you scan.
Exchange points for rewards, like $5 off Pampers diapers or pants (700 points). Or $30 off your first order of Hello Fresh (30 points). You can even enter sweepstakes, like a chance to win a $250 gift card to Lowe’s (30 points) or free Cheerios for a year (30 points).
You’ll also receive weekly customized emails with tips and coupons that are tailored to each stage of your pregnancy or your baby’s development.
Go ahead and sign up for a Pampers rewards account for free coupons and chances to win awesome prizes.
Enfamil coupons — Get up to $400 in Free Baby Gifts and Coupons
Expecting — or already have — a little one at home?
Join Enfamil Family Beginnings to get up to $400 in free gifts and a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship for your baby*.
Your gifts will include things like coupons for baby necessities, free samples of Enfamil formula and other goodies.
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