Looking for a few ways to save more and spend less at the grocery store? Check out these tips on what you may not necessarily need to buy and could probably skip!
One of the best ways to improve your grocery budget is simply to stop buying things that aren’t a necessity… right? But what constitutes a “necessity”?
Certainly, that’s based on personal preferences, your current lifestyle, and even where you live. However, if you’re willing to get creative and maybe do a little extra laundry or dishes, you can likely save a bunch on your grocery budget!
35 Things You May Not Need to Buy
Recently, I polled my Instagram community to get ideas on what kinds of items are easy to skip buying to save a little extra on the grocery budget. Here are some of the most common ideas that were submitted!
Note: These are just ideas to give you inspiration for creative ways to save money. Everyone is different and it’s important to do what’s best for you and your family!
Dryer Sheets / Fabric Softener
Do without, use wool dryer balls, or use white vinegar.
Laundry Detergent
There are so many online recipes for homemade laundry detergent — or you can skip detergent entirely and try laundry balls.
Paper Napkins
Use a set of cloth napkins and keep them on your chairs between meals. You can usually use the same napkins for a day or two before washing. (Or just use wash cloths or hand towels!)
Paper Towels
Use old t-shirts cut into rags instead of wasting paper towels. Keep them in a separate basket so you always have them ready to go whenever a spill arises. (We haven’t bought paper towels at our house in years and it’s been super easy to go without!)
Dishwasher Detergent / Jet Dry
There are many online recipes for homemade dishwasher detergent, but one follower recommended this combo recipe:
- Squeeze 2 drops of liquid dish soap into the dishwasher dispenser and fill it the rest of the way with baking soda.
- Pour a bit of distilled vinegar into the rinse aid slot and run your dishwasher on the normal cycle.
All Cleaning Products
Vinegar and essential oils can make up most of the cleaning products you’d need around your home. They’re super easy to make yourself!
Plastic Bags / Food Wrap
Store leftovers in glass food storage containers or bowls with beeswax wrappers. You can also invest in a set of reusable zip-top bags which are great for school snacks and are washable.
Trash Bags
Use leftover grocery bags from the store. (These are great for dog waste bags, too.)
Disposable Plates / Silverware
It’s a little more hassle to wash everything, but you can save a lot by never using disposable dishes.
Feminine Hygiene Products
A reusable menstrual cup will save so much money and waste over the years. Plus, these reusable cups don’t contain toxic chemicals that are often found in regular pads and tampons.
Disposable Diapers
Use cloth diapers to save money and the environment!
Tissues
Use a few good old-fashioned handkerchiefs, or just use toilet paper.
Hand Soap
You can make your own for pennies using a few squirts of dish soap and a foaming hand soap pump. (Or check out this slightly fancier recipe that uses essential oils — still very inexpensive!)
Makeup
It’s amazing how much money people spend on cosmetics when they really aren’t necessary. Consider going make-up-free or adopting a very minimal makeup routine. It might feel strange at first, but you’ll get used to it!
Alcohol
This is a huge budget breaker at grocery stores and restaurants — just go with water!
Pop / Juice / Extra Drinks
Cut back on the soda pop and stick with water or milk — your wallet, your healthy, and your teeth will thank you!
Bottled Water
If you don’t want to drink tap water, purchase a filter for your faucet or a filtered water pitcher to store in your fridge.
Eggs
Although it’s definitely an investment up front, having your own chickens could help your grocery budget in the long run (especially if the price of eggs skyrockets like it did recently!). It’s also a great chore for small children.
Junk Food / Candy
These items really add up at the register and don’t add anything to your health. Skip them and enjoy the savings!
Snacks
Skip snacking in between meals and you’ll likely notice a big difference in your grocery bill — especially if you buy lots of pre-packaged snacks. Or try making your own snacks! (Looking for ways to save on snacks? Check out some easy ideas here!)
Ice Cream
Make it yourself or go without.
Buttermilk
Simply pour one tablespoon of distilled vinegar or lemon juice in your measuring cup, then fill the rest with regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes and you have buttermilk!
Heavy Cream
If you just need heavy cream for an ingredient (not to make whipped cream), you can substitute half whole milk and half melted butter.
Salad Dressing
Most store-bought dressings are full of sugar and preservatives. You can make your own with more quality ingredients for pennies — just Google your favorite dressing and dozens of recipes will show up. You can store them in mason jars in your fridge, so they look pretty too!
Mayonnaise
It’s surprisingly easy to make your own mayo with oil, mustard, lemon juice, and an egg. And it tastes SO fresh!
Jams / Jellies
It’s quite easy to make your own jams and jellies from fresh or frozen fruit. You can even make freezer jam so you don’t need to can/process anything with special equipment.
Salsa
A big vegetable garden always means lots of freshly canned salsa throughout the year. You could also buy veggies from a local farmer’s market.
Taco Seasoning / Spice Blends
You can save a ton of money by mixing up your own seasoning/spice blends, and they will likely taste better too. Just Google your favorite seasoning blend and you’ll find a recipe!
Flour
Buy wheat berries in bulk and grind your own flour. Of course, this involves purchasing a grain mill which can be pricey, but if this is something you’re interested in, you’ll likely save in the long run. (You can also check out this frugal hack submitted by a reader years ago to use a coffee grinder to make your own flour!)
Bread
Invest in a bread maker and you’ll make your money back in no time — plus it tastes delicious! (Or try sourdough for very little out of pocket! I’ve been on a sourdough adventure over on Instagram, if you want to follow along!)
Broth
Any time you have leftover bones or vegetable scraps, you can boil them to make your own bone broth. Store it in the freezer and use it for soups, stews, casseroles, and gravies.
Meat
Try going meatless several nights per week to save on meat costs. (Check out these 52 meatless meal ideas for some inspiration!)
You might also experiment with buying meat in bulk directly from local farmers to save over grocery store prices (and support your local farmers).
Deli Meat
Skip the high prices on processed deli meat and buy a whole ham instead. The deli counter will usually even slice it for you for free!
Cereal
Toast, eggs, or homemade muffins are typically less expensive breakfast options — unless you can get cereal at a rock bottom price.
Yogurt
Making homemade yogurt is very simple and economical — you can even do it in the slow cooker!