Grocery shopping for a family doesn’t have to mean overspending. With food prices fluctuating and family schedules packed, it’s more important than ever to shop smart. The good news? A few simple changes to your shopping habits can lead to big savings over time—without sacrificing quality or nutrition.
Here are ten tried-and-true grocery hacks to help families stretch their budgets while keeping the fridge full and the meals wholesome.
- Always Shop with a List
Start with a meal plan and build your grocery list from there. It helps avoid impulse buys, reduces food waste, and ensures you don’t forget essentials. Apps like AnyList or Mealime can make planning and list-building easier for busy households.
- Buy Seasonal Produce
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are typically cheaper, fresher, and more flavorful. Shop places like GreenLeaf Market, where seasonal produce is front and center—and often on sale.
- Use Fluz for Instant Grocery Cashback
Maximize every trip to the store by using Fluz to buy digital gift cards for stores like Kroger, Target, or Walmart. You’ll earn cashback immediately when you pay with your Fluz gift card.
- Compare Unit Prices
Always check the price per ounce or per pound to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Bigger packages aren’t always cheaper, and store brands often offer major savings over name brands with similar quality.
- Stock Up During Sales
Buy non-perishables like rice, pasta, and canned beans when they go on sale. These pantry staples last for months and form the base of many low-cost, nutritious meals.
- Shop the Perimeter First
Most whole, budget-friendly items like produce, dairy, and proteins are around the edges of the store. The inner aisles are where most processed (and pricier) foods live.
- Avoid Pre-Chopped and Pre-Packaged Foods
It may be convenient, but pre-cut produce and pre-packaged snacks often come with a hefty markup. Opt for whole fruits and vegetables and portion snacks at home using reusable containers.
- Take Advantage of Cashback Apps
In addition to Fluz, use apps like Rakuten and Ibotta to earn rebates on items you already plan to buy. These can stack with store sales and Fluz rewards to multiply your savings.
- Freeze What You Can’t Eat
If you find meat, bread, or produce on sale but can’t use it all in time, freeze it. This helps reduce waste and gives you future meal-building blocks without another grocery run. Here’s a freezing guide from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
- Don’t Shop Hungry
This old trick still holds up. When you shop hungry, you’re more likely to make impulse purchases—often of pricier snack foods. Eat before you shop, and stick to your list.
