The 7 Grocery Store Hacks Every Shopper Needs to Know During Inflation

One third of Americans say they spend over $100 a week on groceries. If you’re one of them, here’s how you can save.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
With inflation driving up food prices, one third of American shoppers say they spend $100 or more on groceries each week. Here’s how to save money if you’re one of them. 
Jerry
knows exactly how important saving money is—after all, we created the world’s first
super app
to save Americans money on
car insurance
! Today, we’re taking a close look at another major expense: grocery shopping. 
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

7 in 10 Americans are more likely to shop on a budget—but quality still trumps price

A recent study from cereal manufacturer Malt-O-Meal shows that Americans are spending more at the grocery store—and budgeting even more. In fact, seven in 10 of those surveyed reported that they’re more likely to budget now than in the past
Why are Americans spending so much on groceries? Inflation, the war in Ukraine, and other factors have driven up the price of food significantly in the past year. But some prices are climbing faster than others. For instance, eggs cost 23% more in April than in March, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, thanks to a combination of inflation and the decimation of chicken populations by avian flu. 
Even with prices so high, money isn’t the #1 concern that shoppers bring to the grocery store. 34% of consumers in Malt-O-Meal’s survey said quality was most important to them, compared to 30% who named price as the most important factor. 

The 7 grocery store hacks you need to know

If you’re battling rising prices, it’s time to stop shopping smarter. These seven hacks can help you keep your grocery costs low in spite of world events. 
  1. Shop alone: Grocery shopping, whenever possible, should be a solo activity. If you’ve got kids, partners, or friends along, it’s easier to get talked into adding something to your cart that you don’t really need. 
  2. Make a list: Speaking of what you need and what you don’t, never set foot inside a store without a list of what you need. There are plenty of shopping list apps to make this task easier, but good old paper and pen will also get you through! 
  3. Never go to the store hungry: You’ve probably heard this one before, and it’s true—if you go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you’re more likely to shop with your appetite instead of your head. Plan your trip right after a meal, or grab a snack on your way out the door. 
  4. Use flyers to track deals: Those flyers piled near the supermarket doors are good for more than stuffing into packing boxes. Pick one up and use it to plan out your shopping list so you’re scoring the best deals. 
  5. Track your spending: Maybe you’ve already got a grocery budget, but rising prices mean it might be time to revisit it. Instead of deciding beforehand what you should spend, start by tracking what you do spend on groceries. Then you’ll have data you can use to trim out unnecessary spending. 
  6. Follow the seasons: Out-of-season produce will be more expensive than in-season fruits and veggies, so take advantage of what’s fresh near you! Use this
    seasonal food guide
    to find out what’s hot (and cheap)! 
  7. Download a rebate app: Coupons are so last year—a rebate app is the new way to find grocery savings! 
And while you’re at it, download the Jerry app to free up space in your budget for better shopping! On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance. That’s eight weeks of groceries—or more, if you’re using these hacks! 
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings