

How to Save on Groceries: Smart Comparison Shopping
With rising inflation and talks of recession dominating the news, everyone is looking for ways to stretch their dollar. One area where you might feel the pinch is at the grocery store. But don’t worry—there are strategies to help you maintain a healthy diet without breaking the bank.
One of the most effective ways to cut costs? Comparison shopping for your staple items. 🛍️
It’s easy to fall into a routine of visiting the same grocery store each week, grabbing the usual items, and not paying much attention to prices. However, just a little bit of comparison shopping between nearby stores can lead to significant savings—even if those stores are just a few minutes apart!
💡 Real Savings from Store to Store
Take a look at a simple example. Using the online shopping carts from two stores in close proximity, we found that shopping smart can save you a significant amount. Here's the breakdown:
ItemStore 1 (Mega Retail Center)Store 2 (Grocery Only)7 bananas$2.10$2.387 Honeycrisp apples$8.33$14.562 cucumbers$3.34$1.98Broccoli crowns (500 g)$3.30$2.751 lettuce head$1.97$2.99Lean ground beef (500 g)$5.80$7.70Chicken breast (500 g)$6.45$8.8012 large eggs$3.48$3.792 L 2% milk$3.77$3.79Total $38.54$48.74
- Savings at Store 1: $10.20
That’s a solid chunk of change. And the more you buy, the bigger the savings. For instance, if you double your purchase of ground beef at Store 1, you’d save $3.80 instead of $1.90. 🍖
🚴 Maximize Your Savings with Multiple Stops
What if you took it a step further? Consider making two stops and picking the cheaper items from each store. You’ll not only score a small workout by biking or walking between stores 🚶♀️🚶♂️, but you’ll also save even more—up to $36.63 in total! And this doesn’t even account for bulk purchases, which would increase your savings even further!
🍎 Small Changes, Big Savings
You can also increase savings by making small substitutions. For example, instead of buying Honeycrisp apples 🍏, opt for Gala apples 🍎. The cost for seven Gala apples would be $6.93 compared to $8.33 for Honeycrisps—saving you $1.40. Or go for the bulk bag of Red Delicious apples, which is not only cheaper but gives you more fruit for your money. 🍏🍎
Let’s take chicken as another example. At Store 1, bone-in chicken thighs cost $3.94 for 500g. By calculating the cost per edible portion, you can determine whether bone-in or boneless is the better deal for your meals. A simple switch could save you even more.
Let’s redo our table with the cheapest options at each store and a few substitutions:
ItemCost and Location7 bananas$2.10 (Store 1)3 lb. Red Delicious apples$5.94 (Store 1)2 cucumbers$1.98 (Store 2)Broccoli crowns (500 g)$2.75 (Store 2)1 lettuce head$1.97 (Store 1)Lean ground beef (500 g)$5.80 (Store 1)Bone-in chicken thighs (755 g to obtain 500 g edible portion)$5.94 (Store 1)12 large eggs$3.48 (Store 1)2 L 2% milk$3.77 (Store 1)Total $33.73
Additional Saving over store 1 = $4.81.
🧮 The Bottom Line
When we adjust our shopping cart to include the cheapest options and smarter substitutions, the total savings jump by an additional $15.01 compared to shopping at just one store. 💸
The takeaway? A little planning and comparison shopping can lead to noticeable savings on your grocery bill. In this example, we saved $15 on just a few basic items. If you’re shopping for a family, those savings will add up quickly. 👨👩👧👦
Don’t let inflation and rising prices get you down. Take control of your grocery shopping with smart choices, and you’ll be able to eat well while keeping your budget in check! 🙌
💪 Want to learn more about staying healthy on a budget and improving your fitness? Book a FREE intro session with us at CrossFit CTRL today and let’s help you hit your fitness goals without the guesswork! Click here to book now 👉 Book My Free Intro