Stretching Your Dollar at the Grocery Store

In 2026, the average household spends around $300 a week on groceries for a family of 4, and even more if you have teenagers. As prices continue to increase, many shoppers are looking for ways to save on their food budget. With some planning, there are many ways to stretch your dollar when you go grocery shopping.

Look at your calendar. Know what days you are more likely to grab a sandwich before heading to evening activities versus evenings when you know there will be time to cook.

Make a menu. Have a plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for the week. This helps you narrow down your grocery list and makes work and school days less stressful.

Check your pantry. There is often a can of beans or jar of pasta sauce in the back that you forgot you had. Work this into the menu for the week. There is no need to purchase items you already have on hand.

Consider protein alternatives. Meals often center around protein, but there are cheaper alternatives to the classics, like beef and chicken. Beans work well for many dishes. Adding beans to a whole grain like rice, whole grain pasta, or quinoa makes a complete protein that helps fill you up while adding fiber to your diet. Whole grains may be a little more expensive than normal sides, but one purchase can usually be used for multiple meals.

Transform leftovers. Thinking creatively about your leftovers can make them go further than just eating them on their own. For example, you could take the leftover chicken from Tuesday, shred it, and make chicken soup or quesadillas later in the week.

Don’t shop without a list. Write out what items you will need for your menu that week. Even if you are running to the store for a few things, take a minute in your car and add them to a list before you go in. Stores market to distracted and hungry customers, so having a list will help you stay on task, and hopefully, on budget.

Look for coupons and sales. While you are making your menu and list, look through the store ads and apps to see what’s on sale, what coupons are offered, and their limitations. If ground chicken is on sale this week, consider using it instead of a different protein. While it is recommended to shop a store consistently to learn their prices and layout, which can help you budget better and reduce impulse purchases, don’t hesitate to look at sale ads from other local stores.

Consider ordering online. If you are making your list and checking on sales for the week online or in the app, go ahead and add the items to your cart for pickup. Picking up your groceries saves you time, and if you are shopping with kids or are an impulse buyer, it can also save you money. Many stores offer free pickup if your order is over a certain amount.

Try the store brand products. Store brands are generally a better value. A Consumer Reports study concluded that 76% of store-brand foods compare favorably to name brands. The average total savings when purchasing store-brand items is 33%.

Check unit pricing. Some items, such as cereal, will list the price per unit in the bottom corner of the shelf tag. For example, if you are paying $2.88 for an 8.9-ounce box, 1 pound would cost $5.18. The competitor may be charging $3.13 for a 10-ounce box, making the cost $5 per pound. While the second box is more expensive, you are getting more for your money.

Read labels. Do the foods you are buying have good nutritional value? Check out the nutrition label on the side of the package to see what health benefits you are getting from your food. Why waste money on empty calories? It is okay to grab your favorite snack, but make sure that most of the budget is going towards healthy, beneficial foods for you and your family.

Grocery shopping on a budget can be a lot of work when you first start, but once you establish a routine, you will see that you’re not just saving money but also time during the week. Happy shopping!