These 5 hacks make groceries cheaper, according to finance experts

National admin September 20, 2026 0 Comments

These 5 hacks make groceries cheaper, according to finance experts

Going to the grocery store is already a chore most people don’t want to tackle on a Sunday afternoon, but getting the receipt at the end is a whole different beast. The price of groceries is still increasing and, let’s be real, paying more than $6 for a dozen eggs was pretty messed up. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on costs at checkout.

Finance experts do it differently at the grocery store, and have some not-so-secret hacks that will save you some spending money at checkout. Even if you’re in a rush trying to get the grocery run off your weekend to-do list, these five tricks will only take you a few minutes to help give your pocketbook a little breathing room.

Here’s how the experts do it.

1. Get the store app

One of the biggest recommendations from experts is downloading your grocery store’s app.

Kristin McGrath of The Krazy Coupon Lady said the best way to find deals on groceries is through individual store apps, which often feature manufacturer coupons from brands. Most apps allow shoppers to scan products to see whether coupons are available. They also offer category-specific deals, such as buy-one-get-one-free promotions and storewide discounts, along with weekly digital deals.

McGrath recommends shopping on the day those deals are released because the best offers often sell out quickly. If you’re a regular customer, she said, you might even receive personalized coupons.

Another way to save is by joining loyalty programs. Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, said these programs often provide discounts that can be redeemed simply by scanning your loyalty card or entering your phone number at checkout.

2. Look for ‘sell-by’ dates

Another hack is too look at the “sell-by” dates on perishable items.

McGrath said a lot of grocery stores mark down the perishable items, like meat and produce, when their sell-by dates approach. These discounts usually range from 20% to 50% off, but they don’t come out all at once. McGrath said these items usually go on sale a day from the sell-by date.

While these types of discounts don’t conveniently happen simultaneously, McGrath recommends talking with an employee in the bakery, produce and meat departments to see when they put “manager’s special” stickers on products.

It’s not just about finding the markdown, it’s also about waiting. McGrath said if you see a cut of meat, salad kit or a pastry you want that’s two days from its sell-by date, check back the next day.

3. Buy frozen

Getting your fruits and veggies doesn’t always happen in the produce section.

Phil Lempert, also known as the Supermarket Guru, said frozen food is usually cheaper and doesn’t lack quality. Frozen fish is between 10% and 30% less than fish at the counter, while frozen ground beef is often 20% to 25% less expensive than the logs sitting near the deli. Even with fruits and vegetables, you’re saving 20% to 30%, and it isn’t necessarily lower quality.

“Depending on the time of year, frozen produce can actually be higher quality because it’s picked and frozen at peak freshness,” Lempert said.

Freezing food is also a great way to save money. Lempert said some retailers sell large quantities of meat, like a quarter or half of a cow. If you have the freezer space, Lempert said it’s cheaper in the long run to buy the larger quantity. Just make sure to wrap the meat in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe storage bag and eat it within six months.

4. Compare prices

Experts recommend comparing prices as well.

Lempert said on occasion, the same items are sold at different parts of the store with varying price tags. One example of this is cheese.

Because of government standards of identity, a specific type of cheddar cheese is the same product despite different branding or packaging, according to Lempert. However, if you picked up the one at the specialty cheese table, it might cost 40% more than if you bought the same type from the dairy case.

It’s not just while you’re at the store, either. Palmer recommended using tools that compare local deals across grocery stores in your area. She suggested Flipp, an app where you can enter your ZIP code and compare deals and prices of specific items in your area.

5. Reduce waste

While it might seem obvious, experts said reducing the amount you buy goes a long way.

About 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted, according to Lempert, so the best way to save money on groceries is to waste less. This is as simple as having a grocery list before heading into the store and making sure you don’t overbuy and overcook. If you do, make sure you eat the leftovers.

Palmer said planning meals beforehand and only buying what you actually will use helps as well.

If you’re heading to the grocery store on a budget, try out these expert tips on saving money by getting the apps, comparing prices, looking in the frozen section, keeping an eye out for the sell-by dates and making sure you only buy what you need.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 5 hacks make groceries cheaper, according to finance experts

Reporting by Maddie Rhodes, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 6:02 AM.