15 Proven Ways to Save Money on Groceries in 2025 (Expert Tips)

Grocery prices have skyrocketed by 22.5% in the last four years. Many Americans now struggle to manage their monthly food budgets. The average person spends $504 per month on groceries, and a typical family’s expenses reach nearly $985 monthly.

Food prices climbed another 2.5% last year, but smart shoppers can still save money without sacrificing quality. Simple strategies like switching to generic brands can reduce costs by 20-25%. Buying seasonal produce offers fresher food at better prices. These 15 practical tips will help you cut your grocery bills substantially in 2025, whether you shop for yourself or feed a family.

Create a Smart Shopping Strategy

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Smart shopping begins with a good plan. Weekly meal planning for just an hour can save you approximately USD 500.00 each month65. Research shows that 87% of shoppers now use smart shopping methods and apply 3.9 cost-saving strategies on average2.

Weekly Meal Planning Basics

A good meal plan can transform your shopping habits. My Sunday routine includes planning meals for the week, making detailed shopping lists and getting ingredients ready65. This method stops impulse buys and cuts down on wasted food. Here’s what you need to do:

Review pantry inventory
Select weekly recipes
Create ingredient lists
Schedule prep time
Plan for leftovers

Digital Shopping List Tools

The right digital tools make grocery shopping much easier. AnyList stands out with its recipe imports, meal planning calendars and direct ordering through retailers like Walmart and AmazonFresh66. The app Out of Milk lets you scan barcodes and share lists with others67. These tools organize items by store sections, so you spend less time shopping.

Best Times to Shop for Deals

Wednesday turns out to be the best day to shop68. This middle of the week timing gives you several benefits:

New weekly promotions begin
Previous week’s coupons still valid
Fresh restocks from Tuesday deliveries
Smaller crowds compared to weekends

Shopping early in the morning or late at night helps you find the freshest items68. You should avoid the 4 PM to 6 PM weekday rush to have a smoother shopping experience69.

Master the Art of Couponing

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Paper coupons from Sunday newspapers are history now. My grocery bills have dropped thanks to digital couponing. Smartphone apps and online tools make it easy to save money on groceries70.

Digital Coupon Apps

The best coupon apps blend savings with ease of use. Rakuten gives you cash back and lots of coupon codes, which makes it a great tool to save money70. Honey finds and applies the best coupons at checkout automatically70. Flipp brings all major store deals together in one spot, which really helps during holiday sales70.

Store Loyalty Programs

Smart use of store loyalty programs leads to big savings. Target Circle takes 5% off every purchase 41, which adds up fast for regular shoppers. Giant’s Flexible Rewards program gives you 500 points just for signing up and 1 point for each dollar you spend. Every 100 points turns into $1 in savings41.

Stacking Coupons for Maximum Savings

Stacking lets you use multiple discounts on one purchase71. My savings strategy combines:

Manufacturer coupons with store coupons
Digital offers with loyalty program discounts
Sale prices with cashback opportunities
Store rewards with credit card points

Cashback Apps and Rewards

Ibotta’s average user earns $10-$20 each month, while power users can save up to $300 monthly72. Drop lets you collect points on purchases of all types, from groceries to rides70. Checkout 51 gives unique cash back deals on both groceries and gas70.

Shop at Budget-Friendly Stores

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Your monthly food expenses can drop dramatically when you pick the right grocery store. Recent studies show Aldi as the most budget-friendly grocery chain across the country73. Their prices are 29% lower than other stores74.

Discount Grocery Chains

WinCo Foods ranks high as a budget choice. We focused on their local sourcing practices and low prices for basics like eggs, milk, and chicken73. Food 4 Less runs 101 warehouse-style stores that save customers money through a basic shopping experience73. Market Basket shines with its fresh seafood prices instead of packaged goods73.

Wholesale Clubs Worth Joining

Club	Annual Fee	Key Benefits
Sam’s Club	$50-$110	Free shipping, 2% cashback75
Costco	$60-$120	Bulk savings, specialty items75
BJ’s	$55-$110	Gas discounts, 2% rewards75

Wholesale clubs are a great way to get savings – up to 34% more than regular supermarkets76. Sam’s Club stands out as the best value among warehouse stores75.

Price Comparison Between Stores

A family that spends $250 weekly on groceries could save $1,800 to $3,700 each year by switching to budget-friendly stores74. Studies show Walmart’s prices are 26% below average74, and Grocery Outlet sells products at 40% less than competitors through their overstock model73. You can maximize savings by shopping smart – get bulk items at wholesale clubs and fresh produce at discount chains.

Buy Generic and Store Brands

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“Name-brand items are often marked up significantly (someone has to pay for those expensive Superbowl commercials,) even when they are basically the same as the store-brand version sitting right next to them on the shelf.” — Mellissa Sevigny, Cookbook author and founder of I Breathe I’m Hungry

Store brands have evolved from simple alternatives into smart money-saving options.Recent studies show that **[75% of consumers](https://share.arvest.com/spin-on-spending/3-things-to-consider-when-buying-generic/)** now rate store brands as equal or better in quality than name brands4.

Quality Comparison with Name Brands

Blind taste tests reveal compelling results about store brand quality. Consumer Reports found that store brands matched national brands in 10 out of 19 product categories77. Store-brand frozen vegetables even provide more variety than national brands with green beans among standard mix12. The price, not quality, represents the main distinction between store and name brands13.

Best Store Brands

Several store brands consistently deliver exceptional value:

Kirkland Signature (Costco): Generated $58 billion in sales14
SimplyNature (Aldi): Has organic, non-GMO options15
365 by Whole Foods: Features over 3,000 grocery items15
Simple Truth (Kroger): Has 1,500 natural products16

When to Choose Generic

Some categories work better with generic options. Common items like sugar, flour, and spices show no noticeable difference between store and name brands78. Shoppers save an average of 40% by choosing store brands over name brands18. Products with simple ingredients usually match name-brand quality, while complex recipes can vary78.

The savings add up significantly – smart shoppers save more than $40 billion annually by choosing store brands14. A typical shopping list can cost 25% less with store brands77.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

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Smart technology gives us powerful tools to get the most out of our grocery budget. We used mobile apps that became great companions for budget-conscious shoppers. Users save between $10-$20 monthly just by scanning their receipts19.

Best Grocery Savings Apps

Ibotta guides the way with cash back at more than 750 stores19. The most active users earn up to $250 annually1. Fetch Rewards makes saving easier by taking receipts from any grocery store, pharmacy, or gas station20. Flipp really shines because it pulls together weekly ads from over 2,000 retailers21.

Price Tracking Tools

Smart shoppers use price tracking apps to spot the best deals at different stores. Here’s a quick look at the top tools:

App	Key Feature	Average Savings
Basket	Local price comparison	30-40% weekly22
ShopSavvy	Barcode scanning	Store-specific deals
Price Cruncher	Unit price calculator	Best value finder

Digital Receipt Scanning Apps

Receipt scanning apps changed the game for earning shopping rewards. Checkout 51 brings fresh offers every Thursday19 and works with any store. ReceiptPal takes receipts from more than 11,000 stores in multiple countries19. These small savings build up nicely – regular users earn $300-400 annually from all their apps combined19.

The best results come from using several apps together. A price tracking tool paired with receipt scanning apps helps you save more money without much extra work1.

Buy Seasonal Produce

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“Farmers markets and farm stands can be great options for picking up fresh produce at a discount.” — U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal department responsible for food and nutrition

Local farmers markets sell seasonal produce at prices 40% lower than regular stores23. The fruits and vegetables taste better and pack more nutrients when you buy them in season24.

Seasonal Produce Guide

Nature’s growing cycles help you save money on fresh produce25. We shopped for broccoli, garlic, and mushrooms in spring, while summer gave us great deals on berries, peppers, and tomatoes25. Farmers have plenty of crops to sell during peak seasons, which keeps local market prices down23.

Farmers Market Shopping Tips

The freshest picks and best deals show up early in the morning6. I always take a quick walk around the market to check different vendor’s prices before buying anything – they can vary by a lot between stalls6. You might score some deals if you shop 30 minutes before closing time since vendors want to sell their remaining stock6.

Preserving Seasonal Produce

Good preservation techniques help you enjoy seasonal savings year-round26. The best results come when you:

Process vegetables within 6-12 hours after harvest26
Use fruits within a day of buying them26
Keep your produce in cool, dry spots to last longer26

A quick 1-3 minute blanch in boiling water before freezing keeps vegetables crisp and colorful27. This step stops enzymes that would make food turn mushy or lose its shine27. Smart preservation methods keep seasonal produce fresh and nutritious, which helps stretch your grocery budget further.

Stock Up During Sales

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Smart shoppers can reduce grocery expenses by up to 50%28 by tracking prices and stocking up at the right time. Making a price book helps you spot the best deals and understand sales patterns for items you buy regularly.

Creating a Price Book

Your price book should track how much frequently bought items cost at different stores. The basic details to note are the date, item name, brand, price, size, and unit price29. This helps shoppers recognize real sales and stock up when prices are low. Start by tracking 10-15 items you buy most often, then add more items as you go30.

Best Items to Stockpile

Non-perishable items give you the best value when stockpiling. A well-planned stockpile saves money and gives you food security7. These items are the most economical to store:

Category	Storage Duration	Storage Requirements
Grains & Pasta	20+ years	Cool, dry place
Canned Goods	2-5 years	Room temperature
Dried Beans	10+ years	Moisture-free container
Condiments	6-12 months	Dark storage

Storage Solutions

Food-grade buckets with gamma lids work best for storing bulk items31. Working pantries do better with smaller containers like mason jars or air-tight containers32. Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers help prevent pest problems and make food last longer when storing for extended periods11. The storage area temperature plays a significant role – keep it between 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve food properly11.

Avoid Common Shopping Mistakes

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Simple mistakes at the grocery store can empty your wallet fast. Research shows shoppers spend 29% more time and money in stores that play slow background music33.

Shopping While Hungry

Your hunger has a powerful effect on purchasing decisions. Studies show shoppers make 60% more unplanned purchases with an empty stomach34. We noticed this happens because hunger triggers emotional responses to food displays and leads to impulsive choices. The brain focuses on immediate cravings instead of your shopping list when you skip a meal before shopping.

Impulse Purchase Prevention

Stores trigger impulse buying through strategic product placement and layout design. Bright lights make fresh foods look more appealing35, without doubt affecting your purchase decisions. Here’s how you can avoid unnecessary spending:

Check your cart before checkout
Use headphones with upbeat music to counter the store’s slow tempo
Ask about early discounts for items that expire soon
Stay away from cooking demonstrations and sample stations

End Cap Traps

End caps at aisle ends can trick shoppers about savings. These displays rarely offer real deals – stores actually charge premium prices for these prominent spots33. Manufacturers pay extra for end-cap placement, and you can find these products cheaper elsewhere in the store. Better value sits on the bottom shelf, where store brands and bulk items cost 20-25% less33.

Optimize Your Shopping Route

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Smart store layouts can help you save money significantly. Grocery stores carefully design their floor plans to boost profits. They place high-margin products in premium spots 8.

Store Layout Strategy

Supermarkets typically use a perimeter-based design. Fresh produce welcomes shoppers near the entrance to create a positive shopping mood36. The stores place staple items like milk and eggs in back corners. This makes customers walk through multiple aisles36. You can save money by shopping the perimeter first, where fresh, unprocessed foods usually cost less37.

Avoiding High-Priced Zones

Manufacturers pay extra to place premium products at eye level36. Here’s how prices compare:

Shelf Position	Price Premium	Product Type
Eye Level	20-30% higher	Premium brands
Lower Shelves	Base price	Store brands
Top Shelf	10-15% higher	Specialty items

Time-Saving Shopping Routes

Digital mapping tools can cut shopping time by 40%38. A shopping list organized by store layout sections reduces average trip time from 45 to 25 minutes39. Shopping during early morning or after 8 PM gives you clearer aisles and faster checkout40. The best approach starts at the perimeter and moves inward. This follows your store’s natural flow and helps avoid promotional displays with premium pricing36.

Join Store Loyalty Programs

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Grocery store loyalty programs help members save an average of USD 576.00 each year41. We used these programs to get customized discounts, fuel rewards, and exclusive deals that work alongside other money-saving methods.

Best Grocery Store Programs

Giant’s Flexible Rewards program rewards new members with 500 points right away, and every 100 points equals USD 1.00 in savings41. Kroger Plus rewards shoppers with fuel points and creates customized discounts based on what they buy42. Target Circle keeps it simple with a 5% discount on everything you buy41, which sets it apart from regular point-based systems.

Maximizing Loyalty Points

Smart point collection can lead to big savings. A complete strategy has:

Strategy	Benefit
Digital Coupons	Auto-deduction at checkout41
Fuel Rewards	Up to USD 1.00 off per gallon41
Special Events	2x – 3x points earning43
Birthday Rewards	Free items or bonus points44

Member-Only Deals

Stores now give special member pricing through digital apps and customized offers42. Members get early access to sales and digital welcome coupons worth over USD 50.0044. Mixing loyalty programs with digital coupons and sales ended up cutting grocery bills by 10-20%41.

Buy in Bulk Strategically

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Smart bulk buying can save you up to 27% on everyday items45. Your success depends on choosing the right products and storing them correctly.

Bulk Buying Calculator

A good bulk price calculator will help you figure out your actual savings. The math takes into account unit price, quantity, and available discounts10. The price per serving matters more than the total cost. A case of diced tomatoes at USD 11.00 might look expensive but costs USD 1.10 per can compared to USD 2.00 for individual cans46.

Best Items to Buy in Bulk

Items with long shelf life are a great way to get the most value:

Item	Shelf Life	Savings Potential
Dried Beans	10+ years47	29%45
Whole Grains	3 years47	25%45
Hard Cheese	6 months46	37%45
Nuts/Seeds	18 months47	30%45

Storage Requirements

The right storage methods keep bulk items fresh longer. Food-grade containers with gamma lids give the best protection11. These storage solutions work best with temperatures between 40-70°F to prevent spoilage11. Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers serve as another option by keeping air out11. Products stored the right way can stay fresh up to 10 years11.

Use Credit Card Rewards

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Smart use of credit card rewards can save you a lot of money on groceries. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card guides the pack with 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets for the first USD 6,000 annually48.

Best Cards for Grocery Shopping

The American Express Gold Card shines with its 4X points at U.S. supermarkets up to USD 25,000 yearly49. We tested the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards that gives 3% back at grocery stores50. The Chase Sapphire Preferred lets you earn 3X points on online grocery purchases48.

Maximizing Cash Back

Your rewards grow best with smart spending habits. A family that spends USD 500 monthly on groceries can pocket USD 360 annually with the Blue Cash Preferred card9. The annual fees need careful thought – the Amex Gold costs USD 325 while other cards come with no-fee options51.

Reward Program Comparison

Card Type	Reward Rate	Annual Spending Cap
Blue Cash Preferred	6% cash back	USD 6,000
Amex Gold	4X points	USD 25,000
Capital One Savor	3% cash back	Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex	5% quarterly	USD 1,500

Credit card rewards are a great match for store loyalty programs and stack well with other savings methods52. The right card choice depends on your spending patterns and how you like to redeem rewards48. You can boost your grocery savings by combining rewards cards with store sales and digital coupons53.

Shop Online Smartly

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Online grocery shopping helps you save money but you need to watch out for various costs. Research shows some stores charge 15-20% higher prices online compared to their physical stores54.

Online vs In-Store Prices

Each retailer sets different prices for their online and physical stores. Wegmans charges 20% higher prices online than in their stores54. You’ll pay USD 4.53 for a gallon of whole milk in-store but USD 5.29 online54. Walmart, Giant, and Whole Foods keep similar prices on both platforms54.

Delivery Service Comparison

Major delivery services have their own pricing structures:

Service	Monthly Fee	Delivery Fee	Minimum Order
Instacart+	USD 9.99	Free over USD 35	USD 35
Amazon Fresh	USD 9.99	Free over USD 35	USD 35
Walmart+	USD 12.95	Free over USD 35	USD 35

Pickup vs Delivery Savings

Curbside pickup is the most affordable online shopping option. Major chains like Kroger and Walmart offer free pickup services for orders over USD 3555. A recent study found a USD 68 difference between delivery and in-store shopping for the same items3. You can maximize your savings by combining pickup with digital coupons while shopping conveniently55.

Reduce Food Waste

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American households waste around $1,500 on food each year56. We saved money on groceries and reduced waste by storing food properly and planning meals carefully.

Proper Food Storage

The right storage temperature is vital – keep refrigerators at 40°F or below and freezers at 0°F57. Store food in covered containers and check leftovers regularly to prevent spoilage57. A well-laid-out fridge needs proper air circulation to preserve food, so avoid overcrowding58.

Meal Planning to Minimize Waste

Smart meal planning cuts food costs when you check what’s already in your kitchen before shopping56. Cooking meals with ingredients from your cupboard can reduce grocery bills by half59. The Store Cupboard Challenge recommends planning 4-5 main meals each week and using leftovers flexibly60.

Using Leftovers Creatively

Your leftover ingredients can become delicious new meals that save money. Try these ideas:

Make bread pudding or croutons from stale bread5
Create homemade stock with vegetable scraps5
Add cheese rinds to soups for extra flavor5

Good food management goes beyond storage – it creates a system where every ingredient has a purpose. Families that follow these strategies spend less on groceries and keep their food fresh longer59.

Track Your Savings Progress

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People often discover surprising patterns and ways to save when they track their grocery expenses. Research shows families miss about USD 100-200 in their monthly grocery estimates17. This makes expense tracking a vital part of managing your budget.

Grocery Budget Templates

Budget tracking becomes easier with free templates61. Microsoft Excel provides spreadsheets you can customize to track household expenses and automatically calculate your remaining balance62. These templates work best when they include:

Template Feature	Purpose	Benefit
Food Categories	Item classification	Spending pattern analysis
Price Tracking	Cost comparison	Store selection optimization
Quantity Log	Purchase volume	Bulk buying decisions

Savings Goal Setting

The best way to set realistic targets is to look at three months of grocery expenses63. Most families should set aside 50% of their monthly income for necessities, which includes groceries64. The USDA recommends USD 987 monthly for a family of four on a thrifty plan64.

Monthly Savings Analysis

You can spot ways to cut costs through regular analysis. People who actively track their spending save about USD 500 each month by making smarter shopping choices17. The process that ended up working includes:

Keeping receipts with purchase details
Recording expenses right away
Looking at spending patterns monthly
Making budget adjustments based on what you find63

Comparison Table

Strategy	Primary Benefit	Key Features/Tips	Best Time/Situation	Tools/Resources
Create a Smart Shopping Strategy	Saves ~$500/month	Weekly meal planning, inventory review, detailed shopping lists	Wednesday shopping works best; avoid 4-6 PM rush	AnyList, Out of Milk apps
Become Skilled at Couponing	$10-$20 monthly (simple), up to $300 (active users)	Digital coupons, stacking multiple discounts	During store sales cycles	Rakuten, Honey, Flipp, Ibotta
Shop at Budget-Friendly Stores	29-40% lower prices	Aldi prices are 29% below average	Early morning or late evening	Wholesale clubs ($50-120 annual fee)
Buy Generic and Store Brands	25-40% savings	75% rated equal/better than name brands	Best for simple commodities	Kirkland, SimplyNature, 365, Simple Truth
Use Technology to Save Money	$10-$20 monthly via receipt apps	Price comparison, digital coupons, receipt scanning	Research prices before shopping	Basket, ShopSavvy, Ibotta, Fetch
Buy Seasonal Produce	40% lower prices	Early morning shopping, market comparison	Natural growing seasons	Farmers markets, local stands
Stock Up During Sales	Up to 50% savings	Track prices, bulk purchasing, proper storage	Sales cycles	Food-grade buckets, mylar bags
Skip Common Shopping Mistakes	29% less spending	Shop after meals, skip end caps	Less busy times after eating	Price comparison tools
Plan Your Shopping Route	40% time reduction	Start with perimeter, check lower shelves	Early morning or after 8 PM	Digital mapping tools
Join Store Loyalty Programs	$576 annually	Points systems, fuel rewards, member-only deals	Special events and promotions	Store apps, digital cards
Smart Bulk Buying	Up to 27% savings	Long-term storage items, price per unit focus	Storage space availability	Bulk price calculators
Use Credit Card Rewards	3-6% cash back	Various reward rates, annual spending caps	Regular grocery purchases	Blue Cash Preferred, Amex Gold
Smart Online Shopping	15-20% price variance	Compare online vs in-store prices	Orders over $35 for free delivery	Instacart+, Amazon Fresh
Reduce Food Waste	$1,500 annual savings	Proper storage, meal planning	Weekly meal prep	Storage containers, meal planners
Monitor Your Savings	$100-200 monthly identified savings	Expense monitoring, budget templates	Monthly reviews	Excel templates, tracking apps

Last words

Shopping for groceries has changed by a lot. These days it’s easier than ever to cut down monthly food costs. My experience shows that mixing different saving methods works better than using just one. The best results come from combining store loyalty programs with seasonal shopping and expense tracking.

Technology is a vital part of how we shop for groceries now. Shopping apps help you watch prices, spot good deals, and rack up rewards points. You can stack digital coupons with store discounts to save even more money. The store you pick makes a big difference too. Places like Aldi can cut your grocery bills by 29%, and wholesale clubs help you save up to 27% when buying in bulk.

Smart grocery shopping in 2025 needs a balanced strategy that ended up working well for me. Good planning saves about $500 each month. Store loyalty programs add $576 in savings every year. When you store food properly, you avoid wasting $1,500 yearly. These methods work even better together – you can use loyalty programs with seasonal shopping, mix credit card rewards with digital coupons, and keep track of expenses while cutting down on waste.

You don’t need to try everything at once to become skilled at saving money. Pick one or two methods that fit your shopping style and daily routine. Keep track of how much you save and slowly add more techniques as you get comfortable.

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FAQs

Q1. How can I save money on groceries without compromising quality? You can save money on groceries while maintaining quality by buying generic and store brands, which are often 20-25% cheaper than name brands but comparable in quality. Additionally, shopping for seasonal produce and taking advantage of store loyalty programs can lead to significant savings without sacrificing food quality.

Q2. What are some effective strategies for reducing impulse purchases at the grocery store? To reduce impulse purchases, avoid shopping while hungry, create a detailed shopping list before you go, and stick to it. Use headphones to block out store music that may influence your spending, and be wary of end-cap displays which often feature items at premium prices rather than actual deals.

Q3. How can technology help me save money on groceries? Technology can greatly assist in saving money on groceries through various apps and tools. Price comparison apps help find the best deals across stores, while receipt scanning apps offer cashback rewards. Digital coupon apps and store loyalty program apps provide additional savings opportunities and personalized discounts.

Q4. Is buying in bulk always a good way to save money on groceries? Buying in bulk can lead to savings, but it’s not always the best option. It’s most effective for non-perishable items with long shelf lives. Use a bulk price calculator to determine if the per-unit price is actually lower, and ensure you have proper storage to maintain quality. Only buy what you can realistically use before it expires.

Q5. What’s the best way to track grocery expenses and savings? The most effective way to track grocery expenses and savings is to use a combination of methods. Keep all receipts, use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to log expenses immediately after shopping, and review your spending patterns monthly. Set realistic savings goals based on your average spending, and adjust your budget as needed. This approach can help identify additional savings opportunities over time.