How to save money on groceries: 15 tips that work
Updated October 7, 2026 · By the Souski team
Groceries are often a household's biggest variable expense, and one of the easiest to cut without eating worse. Here are 15 practical tips for before, during and after your shop, and the method to set (and stick to) a realistic grocery budget.
First, set your grocery budget
Add up your grocery spending over the last three months (bank statements or receipts) and take the average. Then set a budget a little below it, say 10% less, and track it week by week. A €400 monthly budget is about €92 a week: much easier to check as you leave the shop.
That's the idea behind envelope budgeting: one "groceries" envelope, and when it's empty, you cook with what's already in the cupboards.
Before you shop
- Check the fridge and cupboards. You avoid buying duplicates and build meals around what needs eating first.
- Plan the week's meals, even roughly: 4 or 5 planned meals are enough to shape your list.
- Write a list by aisle and stick to it. Anything not on the list waits until next week.
- Eat before you go. Shopping hungry fills the trolley with snacks.
- Check your shop's offers and app for deals on things you buy anyway, not to discover new cravings.
In the shop
- Compare the price per kilo or litre, shown on the shelf label. The big pack isn't always the cheapest.
- Look at the top and bottom shelves: the priciest products are often placed at eye level.
- Try own-brand and value ranges for your basics: pasta, rice, flour, tins, cleaning products.
- Be wary of multibuy deals: "3 for 2" only saves money if you'd have bought it anyway and will use it before it expires.
- Choose seasonal fruit and veg, and try markets near closing time, when some stallholders cut prices.
After you shop
- Put new items behind older ones so you use up what expires first.
- Batch-cook and freeze: home-made portions replace ready meals and takeaways on tired evenings.
- Use up leftovers: soups, bakes, omelettes, big salads. Food waste is invisible spending.
- Look at anti-food-waste apps that offer bags of unsold food at reduced prices from shops near you.
- Log each shop so you know where your grocery envelope stands before the next trip (see how to track your spending).
What costs the most without you noticing
- Quick trips "just for bread", which rarely end with just bread.
- Processed products: bagged salads, grated cheese, ready meals. You're paying for the preparation.
- Drinks: fizzy drinks, juice, bottled water, which weigh heavily on the receipt (and in the bag).
- Non-food items slipped into the trolley: decor, clothes, gadgets, which inflate the grocery line without you noticing.
Your groceries with Souski
In Souski, create a "Groceries" category with your monthly budget. Each time you pay at the till, log the amount in 5 seconds: you see straight away what's left in your envelope and how much you can spend before the end of the month. For more ideas, read our 30 tips to save money.
Your budget ready in 3 minutes, your spending logged in 5 seconds. Free, no bank connection.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for groceries each month?
There's no single right number: it depends on household size, where you live and your habits. The most reliable approach is to add up your grocery spending over the last three months, take the average, then set a target a little below it, say 10% less.
Does online grocery shopping really save money?
Often, yes: you order from your list, see the total before checking out and avoid the temptations of the aisles. Just check for delivery fees and the substitutions offered when items are out of stock.
Are own-brand products lower quality?
Not necessarily. Many are made by the same manufacturers as well-known brands. The easiest thing is to try them on your basics and keep the ones you like.
Should I shop once a week or once a month?
One big shop a week (or every fortnight) plus a small top-up for fresh food is a good balance. Every extra trip to the shop adds unplanned purchases.
This guide gives general pointers and isn't personalised financial advice.