8+ Tips & Tricks To Saving Money on Groceries As A Frugal Mom
As a Frugal Mom, I love any opportunity to save more money, let alone, ON GROCERIES! Coming out of this pandemic, money is tighter than ever, but as moms, we were built to be survivors and Super Savers if you will!
So buckle up because, with these 8+ juicy and life-saving tips and tricks to saving money on groceries, you will manage to spread the family paycheck in no time! Let’s not forget about the money you’re about to be adding back in your pockets!
What is a Frugal Mom?
If you stumble across this blog post, your most likely a frugal mom (and don’t even know it yet) or you may want to learn more about how to become one! Regardless, of which category you fall under, you struck pure gold! But, before we go any further, let’s discuss what is a Frugal Mom.
To understand what a frugal mom is, we have to first understand the word “frugal.” Frugal is not to be confused with being cheap, but more so, making more economical and thrifty financial choices.
For example, Instead of choosing a name brand in the store while grocery shopping, one may choose to get the store brand to save a few bucks in the long run. Of course, you will have a preference, and not everything you choose to buy will be store brand but a few items here and there will definitely still make a difference.
Spoiler Alert! I couldn’t wait to share that saving tip but I promise there are better ways to save money on groceries listed below!
Why is Groceries such a big expense?
Let’s be real with each other, groceries can be expensive if your not catching sales, using coupons, receiving food assistance from the government, etc! Of course, you know that groceries add up, for the moms that need a reminder, here is a list of why groceries typically are such a big expense:
- Overspending on Groceries
- Not optimizing on Sales, BOGOs, Using Coupons, etc.
- Lots of Mouths to feed but not enough income coming in to feed everyone in the household.
- Wasting Food (either not eating everything brought, or food expiring before usage).
- Demand and Supplies (Inflation)
Okay, now that we know the common factors to why groceries can be such a huge expense, let’s talk about the money-saving solutions to this problem!
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8+ Ways To Save Money on Groceries As A Frugal Mom
It’s time to start cutting your groceries bill in half! Below you will find 8+ Ways to save money on groceries when the budget needs a bit more room.
1) Start Couponing
I can’t stress this enough, couponing will save your pockets when it comes to groceries! There are so many ways to coupon too, frugal moms in training! Here are a few different types of coupons that you can start using to save money on groceries during your next shopping trip:
Digital Coupons
Digital Coupons might just be my favorite choice of coupons, due to their high convenience nature. If you own a smartphone, this might just become your favorite way to coupon as well.
Digital coupons can be found on the web, store apps and websites, and on rebates apps. I like to use the Ibotta App for my digital coupons but we’ll talk more about Ibotta later in this article!
Paper Coupons
Paper Coupons has to be the first form and commonly known way to coupon. You can find paper coupons in the stores, in the newspapers, in your mail, and you can even print out your own coupons!
If you choose to go the paper coupons route, I recommend getting a binder or coupon wallet/ cash envelope to stay organized with your coupons. Here are some good options:
Another great gem would be to catch the weekly Sunday newspapers being sold for just $1 at Dollar Tree! Check out your local Dollar Tree stores to determine, if they sell Sunday’s newspaper and what day.
When I was living in Miami, I found my local Dollar Tree store would sell the Sunday newspaper on Sundays after 10 in the morning. Now, I live in Port Saint Lucie, and found that my local Dollar Tree, sells the newspaper on Monday mornings!
Store App Coupons
If you have a few favorite stores, you like to shop at for your groceries, I would recommend you downloading their store app. Most of the time, on the store apps there will be coupons available for you to use!
Here are a few well-known stores that have their own app that contains store app coupons:
- Target
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Kroger
- Publix
- Whole Foods
Catalinas
If you’re anything like me, you most likely never heard the term “Catalinas” ever before! Well here is your first couponing term that you can now randomly bring up in your next conversation with your mom friends at the park! Catalinas are those coupons that come out of the checkout machine after you make a purchase (typically seen at CVS). Free Coupons, yes thank you!
Rebates Apps
Rebates Apps are another of my favorite, especially those that automatically pick up on your orders and credit you for them! Here is a list of Rebates Apps that I love to use:
2) Use Apps like Ibotta To Save on Groceries
I swear by Ibotta! Absolutely love the Ibotta App, and in the couponing community (yes there’s a community), a lot of moms swear by Ibotta as well! I have legit earned over $75 of Rebate Cash Back from using Ibotta and here is the screenshot to prove it:
If you want to learn more about saving money using Ibotta, check out my blog post, “The Cheat Code to Saving Money with Ibotta.”
3) Shop Grocery Store Brand (Off Brands)
Major Key Alert, choosing store brand over name brand can add some $$$ back into your wallet! Now, you don’t have to go too crazy with buying store brand items, a few items here and there should help recover your wallet from a previous steep grocery bill.
If you’re a bit picky with your grocery items and using store brands, I would recommend you start with using Publix store brands and or Kroger (depending on your location). Publix typically has really good quality items at more affordable prices for my frugal mommies out there.
4) Start Shopping at Places like Dollar Tree and Dollar General
Shopping at Dollar Tree and Dollar General is a MUST if you’re really trying to save extra money on everyday items! Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores ever! I love the idea I can simply walk around in Dollar Tree and pick up items and place them in my cart, and simply count the items to know what my total at the register will be. Oh, I forgot to mention, everything at Dollar Tree is just $1 (2024: $1.25).
Dollar General is a bit different than Dollar Tree, at Dollar General, not everything is $1, but there are typically higher value and quality items at Dollar General at a cheaper price than other stores. Some items you might find in Dollar General that you won’t find in Dollar Tree are:
- Big Named Character Pinatas
- Outdoor Living Items Like a Charcoal Grill
- Pampers Easy Pull Ups & Baby Formula
- TracFone and PrePaid Phones
Another plus to going to Dollar General is that they also offer coupons on top of low prices as well as Pickup services! You can easily access their coupons online or on their app, order in-app, and pick up your groceries/items at the store! Oh, and for my military mommies, Dollar General offers a military discount!
5) Buy In Bulks
If you find yourself always purchasing the same items every time you go to the store, you should start considering buying in bulks to save extra money! If you have an extra $60 to $50 annually, you might even want to go ahead and invest in a membership at Costco, BJ’s Wholesales Club or even Sam’s Club!
I would first check to see which one of these wholesale retailers is local to you. Once you figure out the distance, then I would compare membership prices, and items offered.
Most Costco locations also have members-only gas stations, which typically have more affordable gas than other local gas stations in the nearby area. Please note that Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesales Club does also offer gas services, I just know in my local area, they don’t always have a gas station. To help narrow down your choice, here is a rundown of the most commonly used wholesale clubs:
Costco (Most Commonly Used)
Pros:
- Offers One Complimentary Membership
- Better Membership Auto Benefits: Costco Auto Program, Rental Cars.
- Offers Extra Value Shopping Cards to Military, Teachers, and College Students.
- Low prices on groceries, gas, and other items that may not be available at other stores
- Get freebies like samples and coupons
Cons:
- Most expensive Membership (basic membership costs: $60/year)
- Money spent on gas to drive to and from the nearest store.
Sam’s Club (Best Value Membership)
Pros:
- Cheapest Membership (Basic membership costs $45/year)
- Offers same day delivery via Instacart
- Complimentary Membership
- Offers Free Select Prescriptions with Plus Membership
- Has organic options in certain departments like cereal selection or laundry detergent
- Save big on high item tickets like Tvs.
- Has an app that allows you to scan and pay for your own items (Scan & Go app)
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer First Responders and Military Discounted Membership
- Not coupon friendly
- Location (Most likely further than your local grocery store)
BJ’s Wholesales Club (Veteran & Coupon Friendly)
Pros:
- Super Coupon Friendly: BJ’s accepts manufacturers’ coupons and allows them to be stacked on top of in-club coupons!
- Offers Same Day Deliveries and Pick up Services!
- Offers a Free One Day Trial Membership and Also Military Discounted Memberships!
- Has Mobile App with Digital Coupons
- Complimentary Membership for a member of your household
- Offers a one year return policy
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer Pharmacy
- Limited Amount of Locations across the United States
6) Learn The Shopping Season for each Item
Learning when to buy certain items and when not is very much key to getting the best value for your everyday items. Typically there’s always an end-of-the-year and season sale, this is the perfect time to rack up on items at their lowest cost.
A good example of shopping off-season for the best value is shopping for winter items in the summer. Since it’s the summertime, that makes items like swimsuits, and anything to do with water and sun will be the most expensive items in stores due to high demand.
But, this is a perfect time to stock up on long sleeves, jackets, and sweaters since there are items that are not in high demand during the summertime. Of course, this method also works vice versa, during the wintertime, this is the best time to purchase summertime Items!
7) Shop at Local Farms
If you’re looking for ways to save money, shopping at local farms is a great way to do that. Local farmers are able to offer their products at prices that are much lower than what you find in the grocery store.
With all of the fresh produce and goods around, it’s hard not to have fun while saving some bucks! Here are some extra tips to help you save money with local farms:
1) Check out your local Farmer’s Market for amazing deals on fruits and veggies. You’ll be able to talk with the people who grew them too.
2) Try growing your own vegetables or herbs if possible – this will save you time and money!
3) Find out which local farms have u-pick options so you can pick your own berries or other crops as they ripen throughout the
8) Join Grocery Stores Rewards Programs to Save Money on Groceries
If you’re looking to save extra money on groceries, joining your favorite grocery store reward program, can be very rewarding for you (no pun attended, okay all puns attended here)!
The first thing you need to do is find out if there’s a particular grocery store reward program that’s right for you. There are many different versions, so make sure whichever one suits your needs best is available at your local supermarket before signing up for anything!
Then, sign up for the club by scanning your card at checkout or linking it online when prompted with any necessary information like address, email address (the most common), and birthdate. Note that, you can also sign up for reward programs online or via store apps as well.
After that, just start shopping as usual but scan using a quick scanner every time Signing up for your most-used grocery store rewards program can surely help you start saving more money on your everyday purchases. Some stores will ask you for your phone number or email address connected to your account, so make sure you enter this information correctly.
To help you get a head start on your Grocery Stores Rewards Programs search, here are a few commonly used store’s rewards programs:
- Kroger
- Target
- Winn Dixie
- Dollar General
- Walgreens
9) Shop BOGOs (Buy One, Get one Free)
BOGOs are my absolute favorite deals! If you didn’t already know, BOGO is an acronym for Buy one, Get one! BOGOs are an awesome way to save money on groceries. But how do they work? It’s simple!
The first item in the BOGO offer is full price, and the second item is discounted by 50%. So if you buy one of the items at full price, then you get a free one with it. How does this help me save money?
Let’s say I am able to buy 2 cans of soup for $5 each, rather than 1 can for $4. That means I just saved myself $2 and got another can of soup for free. And that doesn’t even factor in using coupons or shopping sales to further reduce your total purchase cost! BOGOs are a great opportunity to stock up!
In Florida, I typically find the best BOGOs at Publix and Winn Dixie! To help save you some extra money on your next shopping trip, search for BOGOs in the items you need. For example, if you’re looking for pasta noodles, try to pick the one that has a BOGO sale going on to get more for your buck!
Common Questions/FAQ About Saving Money on Groceries and Being A Frugal Mom?
Got questions about saving money on groceries? Here are the top frequently asked questions about saving money on groceries and budgeting for groceries:
How can I save money when I am already frugal?
The answer is simple: by being even more frugal. Are you saving money and choosing the most cost-effective options in all areas of your day-to-day life: Gas, groceries, rent, bills, subscriptions, etc.
To save more money, you will simply have to find the areas that need to be squeezed a bit more and start seeing if you can start implementing any of the frugal tips I mentioned earlier to your frugal lifestyle.
How do you become a frugal mother?
I always think of the best mom as a frugal mom. The definition of “frugal” is spending less money than you earn.
When I became a mother, I quickly learned that being frugal and saving on every little purchase was not just smart for me but it was also important for my family’s future! It can be tough to make financial decisions when you are tired from raising kids all day long, but these frugal tips I mentioned earlier will show you how to become a frugal mother and save money while still providing your children with everything they need.
What is the 50 20 30 budget rule?
We all want to make the most of our income. So what can you do if you feel like your paycheck is just too small? One popular budgeting rule that many people swear by is the 50 20 30 rule.
The idea behind this rule is that 50% of your income should go towards necessities such as housing, food and transportation while another 20% goes towards savings or discretionary spending. This leaves 30% for debt repayment and other monthly expenses. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing money, but this might be a good starting point for those who are new to budgeting their finances.
How can I be frugal with groceries?
It’s tough to feed a family on a tight budget, but it can be done with some careful planning and creativity. But what if you’re not sure where to start? Here are some quick tips for being frugal with your groceries:
- Shop at warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club (look into membership prices)
- Buy in bulk whenever possible, as this will save you money over time
- Plan meals around what is on sale that week, and don’t buy anything extra just because it is discounted
- Buy generic brands instead of name brand when the price difference isn’t much
- Don’t let your kids pick out produce on the shelf; they’ll always choose something expensive! Let them choose side dishes instead
How much should a grocery budget be for a family of 4?
To find out, you need to know what foods your family eats. If your palate includes mostly fresh produce and lean proteins, then it may only cost $150-200 per week! On the other hand, if you’re in charge of feeding an entire household with kids who have grown up on fast food and sugary cereal breakfast sandwiches, then it might take more than double that amount.
The Last Thing You Need to Know About Saving Money on Groceries as a Frugal Mom
Whether you’re shopping at the grocery store, warehouse club, or convenience store for your everyday needs, there are plenty of ways to save. Some people prefer using coupons and buying off brands; others love joining reward programs and shopping BOGOs.
No matter what type of shopper you are, we’ve got some ideas that can help make groceries more affordable. What are your favorite ways to save on groceries?
As always, sharing is caring! Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends and family, and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, etc.). Also, don’t forget to share your life-saving tips on saving money on groceries below in the comments!