Money Smarts Blog

Are you suffering from sticker shock at the grocery store? You’re not alone.

According to the USDA’s Food Price Outlook for 2025, grocery store prices are still on the rise — up 3.2% between March 2024 and March 2025. While that’s not as steep as previous years (hello, 2023’s 8.4% jump 😬), it still adds up, especially if you’re feeding a house full of hungry teenagers like I am.

As a family of five, including three teens with bottomless stomachs, food is expensive enough. But rising costs make it even more important to stick to my $225 per week grocery budget (yep, inflation got me too). That’s $11,700 a year on groceries alone — and that’s before we even think about the occasional splurge at a sit-down restaurant.

Here are a few of my go-to grocery-saving hacks that help me stay (mostly) on budget:

Shop around

Sam’s Club is still my go-to for bulk buys (hello, giant bags of frozen veggies and snacks). I still trust Hy-Vee for meat and specialty items, and Aldi remains my budget hero for everyday essentials. I also keep an eye on weekly ads, sometimes a surprise sale at Fareway or Walmart can totally change my route.

Sure, hopping from store to store takes effort, and I definitely don’t do it every week. But if I can save $20+ in one trip? Totally worth the extra stop.

Skip the packaging

We all know the convenience tax is real. I get it – those pre-cut fruits and veggies look great when you’re in a rush. But trust me, the price difference isn’t worth it. For example:

• Whole fresh pineapple (Aldi): $3.49
• Pre-cut pineapple container (Hy-Vee Short Cuts): $7.29

That’s double the price for someone else doing five minutes of cutting.

Go generic

There are some name brands I’ll defend to the grave (looking at you, Doritos), but for pantry staples like flour, sugar, rice, and milk, I’m 100% team generic. Most store-brand products are made in the same factories as the big names, just in different packaging.

And don’t overlook your local Dollar Tree or discount grocer for basics. A box of pasta is a box of pasta, folks.

Join loyalty programs or download apps

Most stores have loyalty programs now, and if you’re not using them, you’re leaving savings on the table. I use:

• Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks to save on gas
• Sam’s Club Scan & Go to track what I’m spending in real time
• Ibotta and Checkout 51 for digital rebates on everyday stuff

Scan your receipt, get cash back, repeat. It’s like digital couponing without the scissors.

Groceries will probably never feel “cheap” again, but with a little planning and creativity, you can still keep your budget in check. By using some of these tips, your grocery bill will be noticeably smaller in no time!