Money-Saving Grocery Tips from Real Moms

Grocery shopping (and how much it costs to feed a young, growing family!) can be the bane of a mom’s existence, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are 11 money-saving grocery tips collected from MOPS moms all over the US.

Meal plan.

Start by planning meals one week at a time. Plan meals that are inexpensive and use items you have on hand. Review your super market sales ad (usually can be found online) to plan meals based on sale prices.

Eat leftovers.

When you plan your menu, use leftover items in later meals. For example, if you bake a whole chicken on Monday, plan to use the leftovers (assuming your family will not eat a whole chicken in one sitting) in chicken enchiladas on Wednesday. Leftovers also make great lunches!

Make freeze-ahead meals.

Not only are these more convenient for cooking later, but you can buy ingredients in bulk to make multiple meals. And because food keeps longer in the freezer, you will waste less.

Shop with a list

– and stick to the list. Don’t be tempted by sale prices or impulse purchases!

Budget for your groceries and shop with cash only.

You can’t overspend what you don’t have.

Shop alone.

Leave the kiddos with dad, grandma or a friend for a little while so you can shop – undistracted – for your groceries.

Never shop hungry.

This will help with those craving, impulse purchases.

Keep your shopping trips to a minimum.

If you are meal planning for a week at a time, try to only go to the grocery store one time per week – if you aren’t there, you can’t spend more money!

Buy meats in bulk.

Separate meat into smaller portions before freezing. Cut large chicken breasts in half. Watch your grocery store, local butcher, Costco or Sam’s Club for sales and stock up when you find a great deal. If you do much of this you may need to invest in a deep freeze and food saver storage system.

Use coupons for items on your list (or that you regularly use)

– just don’t buy more because you have a coupon. Always compare the item you have the coupon for with store brand prices (often it’s more economical just to buy the store brand and forego using the coupon).

Avoid convenience purchases.

Instead of buying small, one-serving packaged items, buy in bulk and use small containers/baggies to portion out lunches or travel snacks.

Check out our Meal Planning Pinterest Board for more money-saving ideas, sample menus, budget meal recipes, coupon sites and more!

Things have gotten crazy in the Oliver household recently, as Rachel and husband James welcomed a sweet bundle of joy wrapped in pink {Reagan Leigh} to their home. The road to parenthood hasn’t been an easy one but Rachel is amazed at how God carries you through the bumps to new, exciting places. When not editing, writing or brainstorming for work at MOPS International, she enjoys bouncing, cooing at and trying to get a giggle out of her little “sweet pea.” Connect with Rachel on Twitter@rachelroliveror on her blogRachel & Reagan.Things have gotten crazy in the Oliver household recently, as Rachel and husband James welcomed a sweet bundle of joy wrapped in pink {Reagan Leigh} to their home. The road to parenthood hasn’t been an easy one but Rachel is amazed at how God carries you through the bumps to new, exciting places. When not editing, writing or brainstorming for work at MOPS International, she enjoys bouncing, cooing at and trying to get a giggle out of her little “sweet pea.” Connect with Rachel on Twitter @rachelroliver or on her blog Rachel & Reagan.Things have gotten crazy in the Oliver household recently, as Rachel and husband James welcomed a sweet bundle of joy wrapped in pink {Reagan Leigh} to their home. The road to parenthood hasn’t been an easy one but Rachel is amazed at how God carries you through the bumps to new, exciting places. When not editing, writing or brainstorming for work at MOPS International, she enjoys bouncing, cooing at and trying to get a giggle out of her little “sweet pea.” Connect with Rachel on Twitter@rachelroliveror on her blogRachel & Reagan.

Things have gotten crazy in the Oliver household recently, as Rachel and husband James welcomed a sweet bundle of joy wrapped in pink {Reagan Leigh} to their home. The road to parenthood hasn’t been an easy one but Rachel is amazed at how God carries you through the bumps to new, exciting places. When not editing, writing or brainstorming for work at MOPS International, she enjoys bouncing, cooing at and trying to get a giggle out of her little “sweet pea.” Connect with Rachel on Twitter@rachelroliveror on her blogRachel & Reagan.