Grocery prices have increased in recent years. So it’s more important than ever to find easy ways to save. The good news is that there are several free apps that can help you lower your grocery bill by making sales, earning cash back, and reducing food waste.
Of course, many of these apps can even be used together, helping you save money on a single shopping trip.
Below are some of the best grocery apps to download, along with other tips that can definitely help you spend less every time you shop.
Apps that help you save on groceries
Return
Return brings together weekly ads from hundreds of grocery stores and retailers into one easy-to-use app. Instead of checking multiple store websites one by one, you can browse sales in one place.
The app also lets you search for specific items to compare prices at nearby stores. This makes it easier to find the lowest price before you go shopping.
Note that Flipp includes digital coupons at participating retailers and lets you create shopping lists around current deals. It is available in the United States and Canada.
Quick food
Quick food partners with participating grocery stores to sell foods that are nearing their expiration dates at discounted prices. Many items are discounted up to 50% or more.
Depending on your local store, you can find meat, produce, dairy, baked goods, prepared meals and frozen foods.
Inventory changes throughout the day as stores add new items. You purchase discounted items through the app and collect them from the participating store to save money while helping to reduce food waste.
Too good to go
Too good to go helps restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores and other food businesses sell surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Customers can purchase inexpensive “goody bags” filled with unsold food.
Because the contents are a surprise, you won’t know exactly what you’re getting until you pick it up.
That said, the value is usually much greater than the price you pay. The app has expanded to many cities in the United States, Canada, and several other countries, although availability depends on which local businesses participate.
FoodHero
FoodHero connects shoppers with discounted food items at participating grocery stores before they go to waste. Products are often marked down because they are close to their expiration date.
Items available may include meat, dairy, produce, deli items, baked goods and prepared foods, and selection varies by location.
After purchasing through the app, you will collect them directly from the grocery store. FoodHero currently serves select regions in the United States and Canada.
Fetch
Fetch is a rewards app that gives you points when you scan grocery and retail receipts. You can also connect select online retailer and grocery store accounts to automatically earn points.
Some offers award bonus points for purchasing specific brands or products. Keep in mind that general receipt scanning also earns points, even if you haven’t purchased featured items.
Points can be redeemed for gift cards to many popular retailers and restaurants. The app is free and works with receipts from thousands of stores.
I use this app regularly and love it. You can learn more about Fetch and my experience here.
Ibotta
Ibotta offers cash back on groceries and many other everyday purchases. Before shopping, simply add the available offers to your account.
After your purchase, you verify it by uploading your receipt or by linking a participating loyalty account. The eligible cash back is then added to your Ibotta balance.
Once you reach the minimum payout threshold, you can withdraw via PayPal, direct deposit, or certain gift cards. I noticed that new offers are added regularly.
Although I personally prefer Fetch for these types of applications, Ibotta is a good solution to add to the mix.
Ok 2 eat
Ok 2 eat is an educational app created by the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education. It helps consumers understand food safety, dates on labels, storage guidelines and ways to reduce unnecessary food waste.
The app explains that many expiration dates are related to quality rather than food safety. It also provides advice on proper storage and when food is actually safe to eat.
By helping users avoid throwing away perfectly good food, Ok 2 Eat can reduce food waste, saving money over time.
Although designed for Canadian consumers, food safety advice is good for everyone.
More Ways to Save Money on Groceries
Apps are helpful, but they’re honestly only one part of reducing your grocery bill. These additional habits can save you even more money throughout the year.
Meal plan
This isn’t a new concept, but it helps if you do it.
Planning your meals before you go shopping allows you to only buy what you will actually use. It also cuts down on last-minute grab-and-go shopping and impulsive shopping!
Start by looking at what you already have in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Then prepare meals around these ingredients before purchasing anything new.
Even by planning just a few dinners a week, you can reduce food waste and make grocery shopping much more efficient. Over time, these small savings can really add up.
Meal plan around in-store sales
Check the weekly grocery ads before deciding what you’ll cook that week. Building meals around sale items can definitely reduce your total grocery bill.
For example, if chicken, pasta, or fresh produce is discounted, make those ingredients front and center on your weekly menu. Save recipes using more expensive ingredients for another time.
Using sale prices as a starting point allows you to stretch your grocery budget further. Apps like Flipp (mentioned above) make comparing weekly sales much easier.
Eat Something Before Shopping
Shopping while hungry often leads to impulse purchases that weren’t on your list. It becomes much harder to resist snacks, desserts and ready meals.
Try to have a meal or even a small snack before heading to the grocery store. You will be more likely to make thoughtful decisions rather than emotional ones.
Many shoppers find that they spend significantly less when they’re not hungry. This is one of the easiest money saving habits to adopt.
Make a list and stick to it
A shopping list gives you a clear plan before you enter the store. This also helps avoid forgotten items that require another shopping trip later.
Try organizing your list by department, such as produce, dairy, frozen foods, and pantry items. This makes shopping faster and helps you avoid unnecessary browsing.
Challenge yourself to only buy what’s on your list unless you find a great sale on something you’ll definitely use. Staying focused can significantly reduce impulsive spending!
Shop through the store app and use curbside pickup
Many grocery stores allow customers to place orders online through their app or website. This makes it easier to track your total when you shop.
Using curbside pickup can reduce impulse purchases because you’re not walking through store aisles. You also have more time to compare prices and remove unnecessary items before checking out.
Many stores also offer digital coupons that can be clipped directly in their app. Perhaps these additional discounts could help reduce your final total even further.
Try Aldi
Aldi is also known for offering lower prices than many traditional grocery stores by keeping operating costs low. The company offers a smaller selection of products, mostly private label.
Many shoppers are discovering that they can complete an entire grocery trip for less than they would spend elsewhere. The simplified shopping experience also makes traveling faster!
Although you won’t find all national brands, Aldi brand products often receive high marks for quality. Combining Aldi purchases with the savings apps above can help stretch your grocery budget even further.
So there you have it! I hope these tips help you.
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Good luck!
Photo by Andri Arbianto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/colorful-fresh-groceries-in-eco-friendly-bag-33366963/
Anna Thurman is a work-from-home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. His findings are published weekly here on Real Ways to Earn.
