As grocery prices continue to rise, putting food on the table has become increasingly difficult for many Americans and their families. Just in the past year, from August 2025, food prices increased by 3.8%, and one in four Americans using credit cards to purchase food struggles to pay those bills. While rising costs may be out of consumers’ control, there are ways to make grocery shopping more affordable and stretch your grocery budget further.

The cost of necessary groceries like poultry, dairy, and produce hit a record high this year. Author and financial coach Vivian Tu highlights the rising costs of several grocery staples: beef by the pound is up 12%, dairy is up 9%, and produce is up 5.3%. Making these five intentional changes to the way you shop can help reduce expenses and make your wallet a bit happier.

1. Meal Plan Budgeting

Before heading to the grocery store, take inventory of what you already have in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer and plan your meals around those ingredients. Break down your daily meals and snacks in weekly or bi-weekly intervals to give you a better idea of how much you’ll need to spend before you even get to the store. By planning meals that work with your existing ingredients and your budget, you can make the most of what you already have and avoid unnecessary purchases or a last-minute takeout order.

2. Write out a Grocery List

“Never go grocery shopping hungry” may be an old phrase, but it’s one worth taking seriously—especially with today’s grocery prices. Consumers are underprepared and overspending, leading to impulse purchasing and a higher bill than intended. Taking the time to write out a checklist, either on a piece of paper or your phone, will help you stay organized in the store, skip unnecessary aisles, and cut down on decision fatigue. 

3. Savings Apps

Flipping through a weekly ad book and clipping coupons can be tedious. As the world of online shopping becomes more and more relevant, so do online coupons! A variety of savings apps are free to download for consumers looking to shop smarter. Here are our two favorite savings apps to save time, money, and keep everything in one location.

Flipp

Fetch

4. Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk isn’t just beneficial for large families—it can help stretch your grocery budget when done strategically. Start by thinking about the foods you eat most often and which ingredients can be used across multiple meals. By purchasing the frequently used items from your meals in larger quantities, you can save money over time while making sure you always have ingredients on hand.

Not sure what to buy in bulk? Here’s a list of items we keep stocked in our pantries and freezers:

• Rice
• Potatoes
• Frozen fruits vegetables
• Canned food items like soup, tuna, tomato sauce
• Meat, if you’re able to freeze it
• Dried beans and lentils

5. 5-4-3-2-1 Grocery Shopping Method

The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery shopping method is a simple way to reduce food waste, avoid impulse purchases, and stretch your grocery budget. The method involves choosing five vegetables, four fruits, three proteins, two grains or starches, and one flex item like a sauce or snack during your shopping trip. Each number represents the number of different types of items, not the total quantity or portion you purchase. The method can easily be adjusted to fit your household, whether you’re shopping for one person or a whole family. By giving yourself a set number of items in each category, you can focus on what you actually need, avoid buying more than you’ll use, and make your trips more intentional and grocery budget-friendly.

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As we look for ways to save during the uncontrollable rise in grocery prices, small changes and avoiding unnecessary spending. Making intentional changes to how you grocery shop, like meal planning, making a list, buying in bulk, using savings apps, and using shopping strategies, will help your budget stretch further.

Visit our blog to see recipes and more ways to save money around your household!