9 Genius Grocery Store Hacks That Will Save You Money

There are a lot of ways to save money at the grocery store, but not all of them are obvious! In addition to short-term savings like taking advantage of sales and coupons, there are dozens of little choices you can make to save money over time.

Here, I’ll share 9 clever tips and tricks that will help you save money at the grocery store. From picking the freshest produce to avoiding overspending, these simple grocery store hacks can help make it easier to stick to your budget!

For more grocery shopping hacks, check out my eBook Grocery Guru! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member.

9 Genius Grocery Store Hacks

1. Order Cakes From The Bakery

If you’re planning on getting a cake for a party, don’t buy it on the day you need it! Instead, call the bakery department a few days ahead of time and put in an order for the type of cake you want.

Not only is this an easy way to ensure you get the right flavor and frosting, but it also guarantees the cake will be as fresh as possible! That’s more than you can say for the pre-made cakes that have been sitting in the bakery’s display case.

2. Be Smart With Quantity-Based Sales

Don’t let a sale fool you into buying more than you actually need! Apparently, people tend to buy 30-100% more than they normally would on sales that are based on quantity (such as 5 for $10). Stick to buying the amount you know you’ll use unless it’s something you can freeze or store for a longer period of time.

3. Pick A Smaller Cart

If you’re looking to save money at the grocery store, pick a smaller shopping cart! Shoppers buy up to 40% more when they use a large cart as opposed to a smaller cart or basket.

Smaller carts fill up fast, so you’ll have to be more restrained with the sizes and amounts you buy. This simple shopping swap is sure to save you money in a hurry!

4. It Never Hurts To Ask

As Nora Roberts wrote, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” This sage piece of advice is useful in all kinds of scenarios, including while you’re perusing the aisles of the grocery store.

If you see a dented can or a product that’s nearing its expiration date, ask the store clerk if you can buy it at a discount. A “yes” will save you some money, and a “no” certainly won’t hurt you!

5. Make The Most Of The Meat Counter

The helpful folks who work in the meat department can provide a wealth of useful information and helpful services. From getting custom cuts to breaking down a whole chicken, you can save a lot of time and money by getting friendly with the meat department!

(And don’t miss my other tips for making the most of the meat department!)

6. Get Your Bread Sliced

Buying a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery? You can save yourself some time and mess by asking them to slice it for you! Not only will it be done in seconds, but you can also choose how thick you want each slice to be to suit your preferences.

7. Keep Bakery Bread Fresh

Bread from the bakery department typically comes in open-ended paper bags. These bags help maintain a crisp crust on baguettes and crusty loaves, but too much air will make your bread go stale quickly.

If you’d rather prevent staleness than keep the crust crispy, transfer your bread to an airtight bag when you get back from the store.

8. Shake Off Your Produce

When picking produce that’s sold by weight, give it a good shake before putting it in the bag. The excess water can make your produce heavier, and thus, a bit more expensive.

And while it should go without saying, make sure to shake your produce off over the produce case and not onto the floor. You don’t want someone to slip and hurt themselves because you made the floor a slippery mess!

9. Choose Bagged Greens With Less Air

When buying bagged greens, look for bags without a lot of air in them. Greens release gas over time that can cause the bag to puff out, so a bag that is less puffy will typically be fresher than a bag with more air in it.

Do you have any favorite grocery store hacks?