How to Save on Groceries in 2025: Smart Tips to Cut Your Grocery Bill
As we dive deeper into 2025, many of us are looking for ways to stretch our dollars and make smarter choices with our grocery spending. Rising costs, inflation, and changing shopping habits have made it more important than ever to rethink how we shop and cook. Here are some practical tips to help you save on groceries while still enjoying delicious meals at home.
This blog post contains affiliate links. By purchasing products through these links, I will earn a small commission.
1. Don't Let Your Fridge and Pantry Go to Waste
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not cleaning out their fridge or pantry regularly. When you don't stay on top of things, food can go bad before you even realize it.
A simple fix?
Rearrange your fridge to designate an area for foods that need to be eaten soon. This "use it or lose it" space makes it easier to grab items that are nearing their expiration date, reducing the chances of food waste. Regularly rotating your pantry staples and perishables is key to preventing overlooked items from spoiling. Not only does this save you money, but it also helps you avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store!
For me, this really helps me see what needs to be eaten during the week before it goes bad. I usually try to clean out my fridge before shopping each week. It often plays into my grocery plan, too. For example, I saw I needed to use up some ricotta cheese a few weeks ago, and decided to cook up some lasagna soup (so easy and delicious). You can check out the video for that recipe here.
If you want more organization, bins like these can be super helpful to categorize foods and help you see more clearly what’s in your fridge.
2. Cook From Scratch More Often
If you want to save money, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is cooking from scratch. While it may seem like a time-consuming effort, making your meals from basic ingredients is far cheaper than buying prepared foods.
Plus, cooking from scratch gives you a valuable skill set that helps you basic view ingredients as the foundation for a variety of meals. For example, instead of buying pre-made sauces, learn to make simple pasta sauces or stir-fries using common pantry items. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save by ditching processed foods for fresh, homemade versions.
I make bread almost weekly, and rarely buy it from the store anymore. I can’t tell you how much we save from no longer buying loaves, tortillas or any other baked goods. The convenience of those items adds up, and once you start making them yourself, you won’t be able to go back.
I detail how I make my sourdough bread here and my homemade noodles here.
For a list of all my favorite tools for cooking from scratch, head here.
3. Beware of Buying Too Much in Bulk
Buying in bulk can seem like a money-saver, but it can actually backfire if you're not careful. Over-purchasing, especially with perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, or dairy products, can lead to food spoilage before you get a chance to use them. It’s important to balance your bulk purchases with your consumption habits.
Only buy in large quantities for items you know you’ll use frequently and can store properly. Be mindful of how much of a bulk purchase you can realistically consume before the food goes bad. When it comes to non-perishable items like pasta, rice, or canned goods, buying in bulk is generally a smart choice.
4. Stock Your Pantry with Staples
An often-overlooked way to save money is by ensuring that you’re well-stocked with pantry staples. Having basics like flour, rice, beans, canned tomatoes, and pasta on hand will prevent you from having to buy expensive pre-packaged meals or rushing out for last-minute takeout.
Plus, these staples can be bought in bulk, which further reduces the cost. Many simple meals can be made from pantry staples—think hearty stews, casseroles, or homemade bread. A well-stocked pantry gives you the flexibility to create meals without needing to run to the store constantly.
Consider getting a bulk store membership like Sam’s Club (they are almost always having great sales on their memberships for a fraction of the cost of Costco) or ordering from places like Azure Standard or Thrive Market.
5. Don't Skip Simple, Homemade Meals
It’s easy to fall into the trap of eating out when life gets busy, but doing so can quickly drain your budget. Instead, focus on simple meals that can be made quickly at home. Not only will this save you money, but it will also help you build cooking confidence.
Many items we often buy from restaurants, like bread, pasta, and noodles, can easily be made at home using basic ingredients like flour. For example, a batch of homemade pizza dough, pancakes, or noodles can be made from just flour, water, and a few pantry staples. These simple meals are nourishing, cost-effective, and often healthier than restaurant alternatives.
6. Use Sales Apps to Your Advantage
In 2025, there are more tools than ever to help you save money at the grocery store. Using sales apps and loyalty programs is one of the easiest ways to take advantage of discounts, promotions, and coupons.
Apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, or store-specific loyalty programs can give you instant access to cash-back offers and personalized discounts. Simply scan your receipts, track sales, and compare prices across different stores to find the best deals. These apps can quickly add up to significant savings over time.
I also really like Flipp, because you can set notifications for items you buy regularly and know when they are on sale.
Conclusion
Saving on groceries doesn’t have to mean compromising on the quality or quantity of food you enjoy. By adopting a few simple habits—like cleaning out your fridge regularly, cooking from scratch, buying the right amount in bulk, keeping your pantry stocked with essentials, and using sales apps—you can reduce food waste, create delicious meals, and keep your grocery bill in check. In 2025, the key to grocery savings lies in smart planning, using what you have, and taking advantage of modern tools and skills to create a more efficient and cost-effective kitchen.
Happy saving and cooking!
Want to watch about this instead?