7 Tips for Saving Money on Groceries (without coupons!)

When you think about saving money on groceries, you may think of tedious coupon clipping and obsessive budget tracking. And I can’t say that I blame you, considering America’s coupon craze, likely fueled by shows like TLC’s Extreme Couponing.

While this coupon method can save you lots of money, it wastes a lot of time you could be spending enjoying your weekend, hanging with friends and family, and engaging in things you actually like to do. To avoid exerting hours of your time and all of your energy toward crafting an old-fashioned coupon binder, consider these easy tips that will still save you big bucks on groceries in the long run. Here are our seven tips for saving money on groceries.

1. Plan your weekly menu

Rather than only making a list, it’s essential to sit down and look at your schedule for the week, says Linda Descano, president and CEO of Citi’s Women & Co., in her Manilla Mini video, “5 Tips for Budget-Friendly Meals.” Before you create a shopping list, sit down and look at your schedule for the week so you know which nights you need to cook. There’s no point in buying extra groceries if you have social engagements where you’re dining out three times that week. Once you’ve which days you’ll need to make breakfast, lunch and dinner at home, sit down and plan menus for each so you know exactly what you’ll need to buy. Here’s an example:

Let’s say Jane has a breakfast meeting on Monday, business lunches during the day on Tuesday and Friday, and she’s going to dinner with friends on Thursday evening. That means she needs to plan her breakfasts for all days except Monday, lunches for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and dinners for all nights except for Thursday. Here’s what her menu plan might look like:

Sunday dinner: Baked whole chicken with a baked potato and mixed greens saladMonday lunch: Chicken salad on whole wheat (using chicken from Sunday dinner)Monday dinner: Penne with tomato sauce and veggiesTuesday breakfast: Greek yogurt with berriesTuesday dinner: Chicken tacos (using chicken from Sunday dinner)Wednesday breakfast: Hardboiled egg, whole wheat toastWednesday lunch: Penne with tomato sauce and veggies (leftover from Monday dinner)Wednesday dinner: Slow-cooker vegetarian or turkey chili with mixed green salad and bread (made during the day while you’re at work)Thursday breakfast: Greek yogurt with berriesThursday lunch: Egg salad sandwich on whole wheatFriday breakfast: Hardboiled egg, whole wheat toastFriday dinner: Slow-cooker chili (leftover from Wednesday) over baked potato with mixed greens

You’ve taken just five dishes and stretched them into 12 (almost) different meals, leaving this as your shopping list for the week:

1 Whole chicken: $102 baking potatoes $4Mixed greens $41 loaf whole wheat bread $3A dozen eggs $3Chili ingredients (crushed tomatoes, beans, meat if desired) $7-$15Large container of Greek yogurt $4Mixed berries $4-$8Penne pasta $2Mixed veggies for pasta $3-$7 (depending on how many veggies you like)Taco ingredients (tortillas, tomato, lettuce, onion, salsa, cheese) $10

[More from Manilla.com: 7 Slow Cooker Meals That Make Dinnertime a Snap]

Your total comes to a maximum of $70, which is only around $5.83 per meal for the week (including dinner!). Plus, if you have leftovers of an item, such as the pasta, you can freeze it and use it during another week.

2. Shop your pantry

After you menu plan and before you create your list, take inventory of items and condiments you already have. For example, no need to buy six different cans of beans for the chili if you already have some available in your cupboard.

3. Stick to your list.

Once you’re in the grocery store, avoid straying from your list. If you see an item that’s on a great sale and you know you’ll use it again and again (e.g., five for four canned deals or two for one salad dressings), go for it! But keep in mind that straying too far could leave you less than pleased with your receipt at the end of your visit, so try to keep you impulse buys to a minimum.

4. Don’t shop on an empty stomach.

Going in hungry can lead to spontaneous purchases, simply because the rumble of your stomach is getting in the way of logical thinking. Consider doing your grocery shopping after a meal so that you can stick to your list without letting your hunger influence your buying choices.

[More from Manilla.com: 10 Secrets to Saving on Groceries (without Clipping Coupons)]

5. Shop the perimeter.

The perimeter of the store is often loaded with fresh produce, where as the middle aisles can be laden with processed and sugary foods. Not only are the latter not as nutritious, but they’re also usually overpriced and can a toll on the wallet. It’s more beneficial to both your health and bank account to shop for fresh, whole foods, which you can find in the outer areas of the store.

6. Opt for generic.

Most of the time, the generic brands of products are exactly the same as their designer-brand counterparts but come at a much cheaper price. While there are some generic items you can steer clear from (e.g., condiments, which can often taste different than their name-brand equivalents), cereals and pantry staples (e.g., flour, sugar, salt, spices) will give you what you’re looking for at a fraction of the cost.

7. Take advantage of your club card.

Sign up for your grocery store’s rewards program to earn points toward necessities, such as gas, and cash-back incentives. It’s an easy way to save up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.