5 Frugal Grocery Shopping Tips You Probably Haven't Heard

On a budget? You've come to the right place! Here at Allrecipes, we love a good money-saving hack. But so many of these tips can feel repetitive, uninspiring even. We put our minds together and rounded up our very best frugal grocery shopping tips. Here's what we came up with:

Ride Your Bike

Here's a tip for all you active, bike-riding, multi-tasking shoppers out there: "We ride our bikes to the co-op and can't carry much, which helps focus the mind on what we truly need," says Senior Editor Carl Hanson. "Otherwise, I'd be walking out with 10 bags of Juanita's tortilla chips every week."

Shop at Aldi

If you live near an Aldi, according to Executive Editor Susan Hall, shop there as much as you can to save money.

"They have lots of organic, high-quality items at a fraction of the price of, say, a Publix," according to Susan. "They don't always have everything I need, but you can count on staples and a sprinkling of fun tems, too."

Don't Shop Hungry

OK, OK — this probably isn't the first time you've heard this piece of advice. But it's true (and Content Marketing Manager Frances Crouter says she never seems to remember it until it's too late)!

When you shop hungry, you're more likely to fill your cart with unnecessary items that catch your eye (or, rather, your appetite) in the moment. Make sure to head to the grocery store after a satisfying meal to avoid purchasing things you don't really need.

Skip the Shopping Cart

Associate Editor Sarra Sedghi knows how to avoid temptation on Target runs: Skip the cart unless it's absolutely necessary. Get in, get what you need, and get out. If you need to carry more than your arms will allow, opt for a basket.

Fill Your Bags First

If you shop with reusable bags (you should!), you'll love this money-saving hack from Editorial Fellow Bailey Fink: "When I'm shopping I put my two reusable bags in the cart and once they're too heavy or full, I have to stop shopping and check out." That way, you'll avoid buying unnecessary items and you won't accidentally purchase more than you can carry.

Related:

• 20 Budget-Friendly Dinners for Beginner Cooks
• The Groceries You Need for Quick and Easy Meals
• This Single-Income Household Eats Well on Just $40 a Week