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How Redditors Save Money on Groceries
How Redditors Save Money on Groceries
From "Eat Everything" nights to emergency frozen pizzas, here's how Redditors keep food costs down.
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Gas and airfare are not the only prices surging at the moment. Grocery prices saw a 0.7% jump from March to April, with beef prices resuming their record climb and tomatoes climbing 15.1% in a single month — and 39.7% in the last year, according to the latest CPI report. With higher prices making shoppers anxious, we took a deep dive into Reddit sentiment to see how people are making food shopping more affordable. We used an AI tool to help analyze and summarize responses. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances. Here are some common strategies: Reverse meal plan: Check what you have on hand at home and look for recipes that include those ingredients. Reverse meal plan: Have an “Eat Everything” night: Designate one night a week to polish off leftovers or make a big soup or stew from produce on its last legs. Some users take one week per month to eat only what’s in the house to clear out pantry food. Have an “Eat Everything” night: Use free pickup services: Ordering groceries ahead for free pickup reduces impulse shopping and allows you to see the full price of your cart before you check out. Another strategy: Shop with a basket if you only need a few things. Use free pickup services: Hit stores strategically: Try ethnic grocery stores for cheaper spices, produce and staples like rice or beans. Hit stores strategically: Keep an inventory sheet: A physical or digital list of what’s in your freezer and pantry prevents duplicate buying, which can lead to wasted food. Keep an inventory sheet: Stretch your protein: Make your meat go further by replacing part of it with lentils, finely chopped mushrooms, grated carrots or zucchini, or even oats. Stretch your protein: Keep an emergency meal in the freezer. Stash a frozen pizza or frozen burritos for the nights when you’re too tired to cook — it will save you the $50 Door Dash. Keep an emergency meal in the freezer. Get more tips on frugal grocery shopping here.Meet MoneyNerd, your weekly news decoder
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Explore more on About the author WMS™ Kate Ashford is a writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet. She is a wealth management specialist (WMS)™ and certified senior advisor (CSA)® and has more than 20 years of experience writing about personal finance. Previously, she was a freelance writer for both consumer and business publications, and her work has been published by the BBC, Forbes, Money, AARP, LearnVest and Parents, among others. She has a degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Kate has been quoted by outlets including the Associated Press, MarketWatch, NBC and Fortune. She is based in New York. Published in How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money Get Your Free Credit Score By NerdWallet How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling 50/30/20 Budget Calculator By Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola