How to Save Money on Groceries: 7 Secrets No One Will Tell You!
How to save money on groceries? With grocery prices rising every year, it’s a question almost every household is asking. The average Indian family now spends 35.3% of their monthly budget on food, up from 33.5% in 2005, so it’s natural to feel the pinch.
Many of us enjoy cooking healthier, home-made meals, but the grocery bill often jumps higher than expected. The good news? With a bit of smart planning, a simple budget spreadsheet, and a few hacks no one talks about, you can save more without cutting back on essentials.
In this article, we’ll explore simple ways to save money on groceries through meal planning, budgeting apps, and smart shopping strategies.
How to Create a Grocery Budget that Actually Works?
Creating a grocery budget involves several steps:
- Track Your Spending: Keep a record of how much you spend on groceries each month.
- Identify Your Needs vs Wants: Make sure you are spending money only on what you need.
- Stick to Your List: Once you have a grocery list based on your weekly meal plan, stick to it.
A quick way to make sense of your monthly spending is to follow the 50-30-20 Rule of Budgeting, a framework many households use to balance needs, wants and savings.
How Can You Track and Cut Grocery Costs Easily?
The first step in saving money on groceries is understanding where your money is going. Most grocery bills are made up of staple items like rice, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and packaged items.
But with a few simple habits, you can stop overspending without changing what you eat. Quick ways to cut grocery costs:
- Set a realistic monthly grocery budget based on your household size and consumption.
- Keep a running list of items you frequently buy so you don’t end up purchasing duplicates.
- Check your pantry before heading to the store to avoid buying items you already have.
- Track your expenses using a free budget spreadsheet or a budgeting app
- Plan small mid-week top-ups instead of big unplanned hauls that lead to impulse purchases.
7 Hacks to Save Money on Groceries Every Month!
Saving on groceries doesn’t require big sacrifices but just a few smart habits. These simple tricks can help you cut costs without cutting out the food you love.
Here are seven easy, everyday ways to lower your monthly grocery bill.
1. How Can Weekly Meal Planning Help You Save Money on Groceries?
Weekly meal planning helps you stay organised and avoid costly takeout orders. Using a weekly meal plan template, meal planning ideas, or the best meal planning app lets you map out meals, create exact grocery lists, and ensure nothing goes to waste.
When you know what you’re cooking, your grocery bill naturally drops. Plus, meal prepping is a great way to take advantage of bulk buying benefits, saving you money on groceries over time.
2. How Do Couponing and Home Delivery Apps Help You Save on Groceries?
Couponing apps are fantastic for saving money on your grocery runs. These apps help you find cashback offers and discounts on your favourite grocery items.
For example, Blinkit, BigBasket, Amazon Fresh, and JioMart often offer discounts, combo deals, and loyalty rewards. Many of these platforms provide additional savings through bank offers, coupon codes, and first-order discounts. Further, pairing this with budget-tracking apps like jUMPP helps you stretch your budget.
3. What Is the 60/30/10 Grocery Rule for Smarter Grocery Spending?
The 60/30/10 grocery rule is an excellent budgeting strategy to help you save money while eating healthy.
| Category | % of Budget | Examples |
| Essentials | 60% | Grains, rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits, milk, dairy, and basic cooking items |
| Proteins + Snacks | 30% | Paneer, lentils, eggs, chicken, nuts, biscuits, ready-to-eat snacks |
| Luxury / Extras | 10% | Premium chocolates, speciality coffee, imported sauces, gourmet items |
You can use a grocery budget spreadsheet to plan your grocery list according to this rule.
4. Why Is Buying Local and Seasonal Produce Cheaper?
Local markets and vegetable vendors often sell fresher produce at lower prices because seasonal items don’t require long storage or transport. Carrots, cauliflower, spinach, and other in-season veggies are always more budget-friendly.
Buying local also helps you support small farmers while cutting your grocery costs.
5. How Can Bulk Buying Save You More Money on Groceries?
Bulk buying benefits you by lowering the cost per unit on staples like rice, lentils, flour, and even seasonal vegetables. When paired with meal prepping, it cuts down on frequent grocery trips and helps you plan meals using what’s already at home.
Bulk buying benefits:
- Lower Per Unit Cost: When you buy in larger quantities, the per-unit cost of the item decreases.
- Long Shelf Life: Products like pulses, grains, and even cooking oils can be stored for a long time without going bad.
- Fewer Trips to the Store: Bulk buying can reduce the frequency of grocery store visits, saving you time and fuel costs.
Tip: Don’t bulk buy perishable items like leafy vegetables, bread, or fresh dairy
6. Why Should You Compare Prices Across Stores Before Shopping?
Comparing prices across supermarkets, online grocery apps, and local stores can help you spot better deals. Prices often vary by 10–30% for the same item.
But while doing this, it’s important to carefully check expiry dates, especially when you see unusually low prices. Items that are close to expiry are sometimes sold at a discount, but you should be cautious with them.
7. How to Store Groceries Properly and Reduce Food Waste?
Wasting food is a hidden cost in grocery shopping. If you buy perishable items like fruits and vegetables, it’s important to store them correctly to ensure they last longer.
Smart storage tips to reduce food waste:
- Freeze leftovers to extend their life and use them for quick weekday meals.
- Use airtight containers to keep grains, snacks, and cooked food fresh for longer.
- Store dry items in a cool, dark place to protect them from moisture and pests.
- Keep fruits and vegetables separate to slow down spoilage (ethylene-sensitive items spoil faster when mixed).
- Label and date containers so you always know what needs to be used first.
- Follow FIFO (First In, First Out) to ensure older items are consumed before new ones.
These small habits help you reduce waste, save money every week, and make the most of everything you bring home.
Conclusion
Saving money on groceries is entirely possible with the right approach. Whether you’re making a meal plan, using budgeting apps, or shopping smart with bulk buying, there are countless ways to cut costs.
With these tips and strategies, you can make your grocery shopping more efficient and budget-friendly while still getting the food you love.
Start tracking your grocery spending with the best expense tracking app and take control of your monthly budget today.
Source: ANI News
How to Save Money on Groceries: FAQs
You can save money on groceries by planning meals, making a shopping list, and avoiding impulse buys. Bulk buying and choosing store brands over expensive labels can also cut costs.
The 6 to 1 grocery method is a smart shopping strategy that helps control spending while maintaining a balanced diet. It involves buying 6 proteins, 5 grains, 4 fruits, 3 vegetables, 2 snacks, and 1 treat per grocery trip.
Reducing your food bill starts with cooking more meals at home and avoiding expensive, pre-packaged items.
Saving money quickly requires cutting unnecessary expenses and setting a strict budget. You can also focus on tracking daily spending to help you build savings faster.
The average grocery budget for two people varies based on location and lifestyle. In India, a monthly grocery budget typically ranges between ₹8,000 and ₹15,000 for a balanced diet.
Saving money on a low income requires careful budgeting for groceries and prioritising essentials. You can start by tracking your expenses, cutting out unnecessary spending, and setting small savings goals.
