How to save money on groceries
Let’s face it, the weekly grocery shop can add up to a significant part of your budget. With prices continuously rising, it’s easy for your grocery bill to stretch beyond what you planned. But with a few smart habits, you can take control of your supermarket spend. This blog is designed to guide you on how to save money on groceries, so the next trip is much easier.
How can you save money on groceries?
The smartest ways to save money on groceries are:
| Smart saving habit | Why it may help |
|---|---|
| Plan meals before shopping | Helps you buy for specific meals and use food already at home. |
| Write and follow a shopping list | Keeps the shop focused and makes impulse buys easier to spot. |
| Compare the price per unit | Provides a fairer comparison when pack sizes differ. |
| Try selected own-brand products | Can reduce the cost of regular items without changing the whole shop at once. |
| Use promotions selectively | A deal is useful only when the item is needed and is likely to be used. |
| Reduce food waste | Helps more of the food you pay for reach the plate. |
| Earn rewards or cashback where suitable | May return value on eligible spending, subject to the relevant terms. |
| Set your budget | Setting a budget is key to helping you save on your groceries. |
If it suits how you manage your money, credit card rewards or cashback may provide an additional saving on eligible grocery spending.
Why grocery planning matters
Food waste is one of the clearest areas where a household may be able to make a difference. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported in February 2025 that Irish households waste, on average, €700 a year through food waste. The EPA’s 2024 data also estimated that households generated 219,000 tonnes of food waste, representing 31% of the national total. These are national estimates rather than a promise of what any one household will save, but they show why planning, storage and using leftovers deserve a central place in a grocery-saving routine.
Here are some key steps to follow:
Start with a plan
Meal planning isn’t just for foodies, it’s one of the most simple ways to cut down on waste. Before you hit the shop, take stock of what you already have in your home. Build your shopping list around what you already have and stick to it. This is particularly important around times such as Christmas or back to school. Check out our blog ‘Turn your school shop into cashback at selected grocery retailers with Everyday+'* to make the most of your shopping.
Build a meal plan you can actually use
A useful meal plan does not need to account for every snack or every change of plan. Start with the days you expect to cook at home, choose meals that share ingredients, and leave space for leftovers. For example, vegetables bought for one dinner could be used in a soup, pasta dish, or lunch later in the week. This gives ingredients more than one purpose and reduces the chance that half-used packs are forgotten.
- Check the fridge, freezer, and cupboards before choosing meals.
- Put food with the shortest use-by date into the next few meals.
- Plan one flexible meal that can use spare vegetables, cooked meat, or opened ingredients.
- Keep a running shopping list, so essentials are added when they run low.
- Review the plan before shopping and remove anything you already have.
Set a grocery budget that reflects your household
There is no single “right” grocery budget. The amount that works for you will depend on household size, dietary needs, where you shop, and how often you eat at home. A practical starting point is to look back at recent grocery spending, choose a weekly or monthly amount that feels realistic, and track it for a few shops. The goal is not to make the lowest possible budget. It is to understand where your money goes and identify changes you can maintain.
If a weekly total varies, look for the reason rather than treating every higher-cost shop as overspending. Stocking up on household staples may raise one week’s bill but lower a later one. Separating food, household products, and occasional purchases can also make the pattern easier to understand.
Shop smarter, not harder
Shopping early or late in the day can help you spot fresh produce and meat that have been marked down. Keep an eye out for loyalty discounts, multi-buy offers, and own-brand products, they often deliver the same quality at a lower price. And if you’re buying in bulk, focus on non-perishables and household staples that won’t go to waste.
Compare the real price, not just the shelf price
When two packs are different sizes, the lower shelf price is not always the cheaper option. Check the price per kilogram, litre or item shown on the shelf label. Unit pricing can make it easier to compare brands, pack sizes, and promotions on a like-for-like basis. Then consider whether the larger pack is genuinely useful for your household. A lower unit price does not save money if part of the product is thrown away.
Use own-brand swaps strategically
Switching every product at once is not necessary to save money on the food shop. Start with a few repeat purchases such as pasta, tinned foods, cleaning products, or cupboard staples. Compare the ingredients, pack size, and unit price, then keep the alternatives that work for you. This turns own-brand shopping into a practical test rather than an all-or-nothing change.
Make promotions work for your list
Promotions can lower the cost of planned purchases, but they can also increase the total bill when they encourage you to buy extra. Before choosing a multi-buy or loyalty price, ask three questions: was the item already on the list, will the full quantity be used and is the promoted unit price lower than the alternatives? If the answer is no, the “saving” may simply be additional spending.
Before choosing an offer, here are the key things to watch out for:
| Offer | What to check |
| Loyalty price | Whether membership is required or whether another brand is cheaper without the offer. |
| Multi-buy | Whether you need the full quantity and can use or store it safely. |
| Larger pack | The unit price, available storage, and risk of waste. |
| Reduced fresh food | Use-by date and whether you can use or freeze it in time. |
| Coupon or app offer | Any minimum spend, product restrictions and expiry date. |
Compare supermarkets without making the weekly shop harder
Prices and promotions can vary, so it may help to compare the products that make up most of your bill rather than trying to check every item. Keep a short list of regular staples and note the usual price you pay. This gives you a simple reference point for judging deals and deciding whether a different shop is worthwhile. Remember to consider travel time, delivery charges, and minimum order requirements, as these can reduce the value of a small price difference.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s analysis of the Irish grocery sector highlights the importance of consumer choice and the ability to switch between grocery retailers. In practice, comparing a manageable basket of regularly purchased items can make that choice more useful to your own budget.
Buy in bulk only when the numbers and storage make sense
Bulk buying tends to work best for products you use regularly, that have a long shelf life and that you can store safely. Check the unit price first because a large pack is not automatically the cheapest. For perishable food, decide how it will be portioned, stored or frozen before buying. Sharing a bulk purchase with family or friends may also be practical, provided the product can be divided safely, and everyone actually needs it.
Reduce food waste after the shop
Saving on groceries continues after you leave the supermarket. How food is stored, seen, and used can determine whether a planned purchase becomes a meal or waste.
- Use a “eat me first” shelf or container for food approaching its use-by date.
- Keep the fridge organised so opened products are visible.
- Freeze suitable food in usable portions and label it with the contents and date.
- Turn leftovers into lunch or build them into the next day’s meal.
- Serve smaller portions first, with the option of seconds.
- Check storage instructions and understand the difference between “use by” and “best before.”
A simple food-waste check can help identify the biggest opportunity. For one week, note what is thrown away and why. Common reasons may include buying too much, a change of plans, or poor visibility in the fridge. Once the reason is clear, the solution becomes more specific.
Save money on food shopping throughout the year
Grocery costs can change around school terms, Christmas, family occasions, and weeks when you are at home more often. Planning a little earlier can spread purchases and reduce last-minute spending. For back-to-school shopping, our guide to turning your school shop into cashback at selected grocery retailers with Everyday+ looks at another way eligible purchases may provide value.
The same cost-of-living approach can be used beyond the supermarket. If transport is another regular household expense, see our guide on how to save money on fuel for practical ways to review that part of your budget too.
Earn as you shop
Cashback can be a useful supplement to the savings made through planning, comparing prices, and reducing waste. It should not replace those habits, and it is worth checking the card's terms, eligible retailers, and your usual repayment approach before deciding whether it suits you. Paying interest or fees can take away from the value of rewards.
If you’re already spending at the grocery store, why not earn something back? The Avant Money Everyday+ credit card** is designed for your everyday purchases to give something back, especially groceries. You’ll get:
- 5% cashback on grocery spend for the first 12 months (up to €25 per month)*
- 1% cashback on groceries after the first year*
- 0.1% cashback on other retail purchases*
That means your weekly shop could be quietly pocketing you a nice bonus, without changing a thing about how you shop.
**Government stamp duty of €30 will be charged to the account and refunded on the same day. Variable interest rate 20.8%. Typical APR 22.9% (Annual Percentage Rate). Representative example: Assuming a credit limit of €1,500 drawn down in one transaction and repaid over 12 months in equal monthly instalments, total amount payable is €1669.00. The cost of credit is €169.00.
A simple four-week grocery-saving plan
| Week | Focus | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the baseline | Keep receipts, separate food from household items, and note any food thrown away. |
| 2 | Plan and compare | Create a meal plan, shop with a list, and compare unit prices on regular items. |
| 3 | Test targeted changes | Try a small number of own-brand swaps and use promotions only for planned purchases. |
| 4 | Review what worked | Compare spending and waste with week one, then keep the habits that were practical. |
Frequently asked questions
What are smart ways to save money on groceries?
Plan meals around food you already have, shop with a list, compare unit prices, test cheaper alternatives, use promotions and store food, so it is used before it goes to waste. Rewards or cashback can be an additional benefit where they suit your needs, and the spending is eligible.
How can I save money on food shopping each week?
Start by tracking one or two normal shops. Identify the products bought most often, the food most often wasted and any unplanned purchases. Then choose a few measurable changes, such as planning four evening meals, changing two regular items, or setting a limit for extras.
Where can I earn rewards on everyday grocery shopping?
Some supermarkets offer loyalty schemes, app-based offers, or member prices, while some payment products offer rewards or cashback on eligible grocery spending. Compare the conditions, participating retailers, spending caps, and exclusions before relying on the reward.
Can you use a credit card for groceries?
Yes, many grocery retailers accept credit cards. However, using credit for essential spending should be considered carefully. Cashback or rewards may be outweighed by interest or charges if the balance is not managed in line with the card's terms.
How can I save more on grocery promotions?
Use offers for products that are already on your list, compare the promoted unit price with alternatives, and check whether you can use the full amount. Avoid increasing the total bill simply to reach a discount or minimum spend.
Which credit cards are best for groceries, fuel, and family bills?
There is no single card that is best for everyone. Compare the annual percentage rate, fees, eligible spending categories, reward rate, caps, exclusions and how you expect to repay. A reward should be treated as a supplement, not the main reason to borrow or spend.
Is buying in bulk always cheaper?
No. Check the unit price, storage space, shelf life and how quickly the product will be used. A bigger pack can cost less per unit but still be poor value if some of it is wasted.
How do I compare grocery prices when pack sizes are different?
Use the unit price shown on the shelf label, such as the price per kilogram, litre or item. This makes it easier to compare different brands and sizes on a like-for-like basis.
Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit agreement, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit report, which may limit your ability to access credit, a hire-purchase agreement, a consumer-hire agreement or a BNPL agreement in the future.
Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Rates and loan terms are correct as of 1st September 2026 and are subject to change. Avant Money credit cards are only available to customers over the age of 18 and resident of Republic of Ireland.
*Cashback applies at selected grocery retailers. Max. cashback €25 per month. 5% cashback valid for first 12 months; 1% thereafter. 0.1% cashback available all the time on other retail spend. Exclusions apply, see www.avantmoney.ie/credit-cards/everydayplus#faqs
Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules.