4 Tips to Save Money on Back-to-School Grocery Shopping

Aug. 7, 2019

The new school year is right about the corner! And with a new school year comes new expenses, including lunch supplies. If you are looking to save money, your grocery budget is one of the easiest areas to cut back and save WITHOUT sacrificing healthy options for you and your loved ones!

Shop at Discount Stores:

We LOVE discount grocery shopping! Here in South Central PA, we have plenty of options for discount grocery shopping including Sharp Shopper, Aldi and local farmer’s markets and produce stands. Sharp Shopper is known for their great discount snack options. This is the perfect place to stock up on snacks and lunchbox staples for your kids. On a regular basis, you can also find great prices on produce, dairy and frozen foods. We recommend starting your grocery stopping at a discount store to see how many items you can cross off your list at a great discount! AND the best part… you can find a lot of organic brands and products at the discount stores.

Pretty female customer carrying grocery basket looking for item in store aisle

Consider going generic:

Something to consider… many of the items (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues) we buy with our grocery budget get thrown away. We are literally throwing away, flushing or eating our money. These are disposable products. Have you tried generic brands? We know, everyone has that one product, they are very brand loyal. For us, it’s JIF Natural Creamy Peanut Butter! But, could you go with a cheaper toilet paper? Have you tried a generic paper towel? Going with a generic brand is a great way to save money!

Download grocery store apps to save big:

Check out your local grocery store to see if they offer a grocery app. If you live in South Central, PA, Giant Food Stores offer a great grocery app that allows you to create an online grocery list, download coupons and even shop from the weekly circular! This is a great way to stay organized and save money!

close up of hands using mobile application on smartphone, woman checking emails on her smart phone in cafe

Shop with a calculator and a list:

One of the very best ways to save money is to make your grocery list and STICK to it! Shopping with a calculator is another great way to stay within your budget. And… there will be no big surprise when you get to the check-out. Many stores now offer online shopping, pick-up and delivery options. These are also great ways to stay on budget and avoid impulse purchases at the grocery store.

Image of senior woman hand touching buttons of calculator with goods in cart near by

For more great tips on saving money, check out Balance, our great money management tool at Blue Chip FCU. There are great articles on financial literacy and saving money! And as always, we are here to help you reach your financial goals and dreams! If you need access to last minute funds for back-to-school shopping (such as laptops, dorm supplies and other big purchases), check out our Summer Fun Loan. Great rates and a short-term make for an easy payback! Don’t delay… offer ends August 31st.