Tired of watching your money disappear every month? Good news: you don’t need to become a coupon ninja or give up your favorite stores. These simple, practical habits—especially helpful if you shop at Target, Walmart, Costco, or your neighborhood grocery store—can help you save big without feeling deprived.
1. Plan Your Meals (and Actually Stick to the List)
Wandering the store with no plan is a fast track to overspending. Start by checking what’s in your fridge and pantry, then plan out 5–6 meals using what you already have. Make a grocery list and stick to it.
Bonus tip: Use one ingredient multiple ways. One rotisserie chicken = tacos one night, soup the next.
Savings potential: $200–$300/month
2. Use Curbside Pickup to Avoid Impulse Buys
Stores are designed to tempt you. Avoid the trap by shopping online for pickup—no endcaps, no bakery smells, no distractions. Plus, you can track your total and make adjustments before you check out.
Pro tip: Use the “sort by unit price” filter online. Bigger containers often save more in the long run.
3. Swap Name Brands for Store Brands
Store-brand items (like Target’s Good & Gather or Walmart’s Great Value) are usually just as good as the name brands—and way cheaper.
Try this: Do a blind taste test with your family. If no one notices, switch for good.
Savings potential: $20–$30/week
4. Avoid Midweek Grocery Trips
Those quick “just one thing” trips usually turn into $20–$30 impulse spends. Stick to one weekly trip and plan better to avoid extra runs.
Hack: If you have to go, take only cash or a low-balance gift card so you can’t overspend.
5. Split a Costco or Sam’s Club Membership
Team up with a friend or family member and split the cost (and the goods). Alternate trips or shop together.
Stick to: Essentials like TP, pet food, baking supplies. Skip the $70 patio heater unless it’s on purpose.
6. Have a Couple “No-Spend” Days Each Week
Pick 1–2 days each week where you spend absolutely nothing. No gas, no takeout, no online shopping.
Make it fun: Turn it into a family challenge—reward yourselves with a home movie night if everyone sticks to it.
Savings potential: $150–$200/month
7. Use Cashback Apps Like Ibotta and Fetch
Scan your receipts or link your store loyalty cards, and watch the points add up.
Stack your savings: Combine a store sale with a cashback offer for extra deals—sometimes it’s even cheaper than store-brand stuff.
8. Join Free Store Loyalty Programs
Programs like Target Circle or your grocery store’s rewards program give you exclusive deals and even birthday perks.
Tip: Download the app, clip the digital coupons ahead of time, and watch those small savings stack up fast.
9. Batch Errands to Save on Gas and Temptation
Plan a smart route—hit the store, pharmacy, and post office all in one go. Fewer trips mean less temptation (and less gas used).
Hack: Share a grocery list with your household using an app like Google Keep or Notes.
10. Set a “One Treat” Limit per Store Trip
Let yourself have one small indulgence—whether it’s a fancy coffee or clearance throw pillow. Just one.
Better yet: Set a monthly treat budget using cash or a gift card. Once it’s gone, you’re done.
11. Don’t Shop Hungry or Frazzled
This one’s classic for a reason. Eat a snack, drink some water, and look over your list before hitting the store.
Keep in your car: Reusable bags, snacks, water, and maybe a calculator to track spending.
12. Wait 24 Hours Before Any Purchase Over $25
Give it a day. If you still want it tomorrow, and it fits the budget—go for it. But odds are, you’ll forget about it or realize it’s not essential.
Use a “cooling-off” list in your notes app for impulse items. Revisit weekly.
13. Only Buy in Bulk If You’ll Actually Use It
A giant tub of spinach isn’t a deal if it goes bad before you eat it. Know your habits and only buy what you’ll realistically use or freeze.
Label bulk items with when you opened them, so you know how long they’ve been sitting around.
14. Use Discounted Gift Cards Like Cash
Watch for store gift card deals—especially around holidays. Buy them for places you already shop.
Hot tip: Costco sells discounted gift cards year-round (like $100 worth for $75–$80).
15. Track the “Little Extras”
Keep tabs on small splurges like lattes or impulse buys. They add up fast.
Try this: Keep a “Didn’t Buy It” list. Every time you skip a non-essential, write it down and tally up the savings.
16. Shop at Discount or “Rescue” Grocery Stores
Stores like Grocery Outlet or salvage stores carry near-expiration or overstock goods for dirt cheap.
Tip: Search Facebook groups or Reddit for local spots—some of the best aren’t well-advertised.
17. Start a Simple “Price Book”
Track the usual prices of your top 15–20 items. You’ll learn what’s actually a good deal (and avoid falling for fake sales).
Example: Milk, TP, cereal, coffee, eggs—just the basics.
18. Do a “Pantry Challenge” Month
Choose one month a year to eat mostly from your pantry and freezer. It’s a great way to cut spending and use up forgotten ingredients.
Make it fun: “Freezer Fridays” or “Mystery Can Monday” can turn it into a creative cooking adventure.
19. Join Your Local Buy Nothing Group
You’d be surprised what people give away for free: unopened food, toiletries, even Costco-sized packs of stuff they didn’t use.
Search: “Buy Nothing [Your Town] Facebook Group” or check out Nextdoor.
20. Actually Make Your Returns
Don’t let money sit in your trunk. Set a “Return Friday” reminder to take back stuff you don’t need or forgot about.
You’ll be amazed how quickly that refund money adds up.
Bottom Line:
You don’t have to make big sacrifices to save a big chunk of money. These 20 habits are doable, repeatable, and honestly kind of fun once you get the hang of them.
Want even more ways to stretch your money? Subscribe to the Inflation Busters newsletter—we send out 1–2 clever money-saving tricks a week to help you fight back against rising costs.