Shop Smart: 13 Grocery Shopping Tips to Save Money

With the constantly rising prices of goods, you can use up your budget pretty quickly while grocery shopping. If you don’t do it right, you’ll cut through your budget for other household expenses, too. 

Thankfully, with a few practical grocery shopping tips, you can save on regular supermarket runs. Here's how. 

Grocery Shopping Tips: 13 Smart Ways to Save Money 

From joining loyalty programs to eating before you head to the grocery, follow these hacks to keep your budget intact: 

🛒 Use a Credit Card 

This little plastic card speeds up every transaction and helps you earn different rewards. 

Your choice of credit card depends on your objectives. If you want flexible rewards, get a points-based card so you can exchange points for items like shopping vouchers and even airline miles.

If you want to save money, get a cashback credit card. However, remember that rebates may only apply to certain shopping categories.

Credit cards also entitle you to exclusive discounts with partner grocery stores. Use the amount saved to top up your savings or pay other household expenses, such as utility bills. 

So which is the best grocery credit card? Compare your options below and apply via Moneymax: 

Credit Card	Grocery-Related Benefits
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	Grocery rewards earn rate: 1 point per ₱30 spend
UnionBank Cash Back Visa Platinum	Grocery cashback rate: Up to 6%
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®	Grocery rewards earn rate: 2x points on online spend / 1 point per ₱20 spend on all other categories
HSBC Red Mastercard	Grocery rewards earn rate: 4x points per ₱20 online spend / 1 point per ₱20 spend
BPI Amore Cashback Card	Grocery cashback rate: 4%
Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard	Grocery cashback rate: 5%
RCBC Landmark Anson's	Grocery cashback rate: 3% at Landmark Supermarket
Robinsons Cashback Mastercard	Grocery cashback rate: Up to 3% at Robinsons Supermarket; up to 1% at other supermarkets

 

Read more: 40 Money-Saving Tips for Everyone: The Ultimate Financial Hacks List

🛒 Use Your Grocery’s Loyalty Card  

Many grocery stores have loyalty programs. Normally, they come with a card that earns points and entitles shoppers to exclusive discounts. 

Application is usually free. If there’s a fee involved, it’s usually minimal.

Check out some of the most popular grocery loyalty programs and their benefits: 

Robinsons Go Rewards Card

Through this lifestyle program, you can earn points at the following markets: Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Easymart, The Marketplace, and No Brand. This also doubles as a Shopwise card since it’s accepted at Shopwise stores.^[1] 

Puregold Perks

Puregold Perks is Puregold’s loyalty program. It entitles you to exclusive discounts on participating items at Puregold. Moreover, the Puregold Perks card earns 1 point for every purchase worth ₱200 on select items. 

SM Advantage Card

Also known as SMAC, the SM Advantage Card earns points and entitles you to discounts when you shop at SM Markets (including SM Hypermarket Grocery), Waltermart, Watsons, Alfamart, Savemore Market, and more. Earn 1 point for every ₱500 spent at grocery stores.^[2] 

Super8 Rewards

The Super8 Rewards Card earns rewards points and entitles you to special discounts on select products. Use the points earned to pay for your purchases. 

Mercury Drug Suki Card 

For quick drugstore runs for essentials like milk, snacks, and skincare, visit Mercury Drug. Suki Card, its loyalty program, comes with free membership and no annual fees. Earn 1 Suki point for every purchase worth ₱200 and access special discounts on participating products. 

🛒 Check Your Fridge First 

Do this before creating a grocery list. This will give you an idea of which items you’re already out of or which can be repurposed. Ultimately, it will let you know which items you’re supposed to buy while avoiding redundancy. 

Use the food and ingredients left in your fridge to adjust your meal plan for the week. 

🛒 Always Make a Shopping List  

This is one of the most practical grocery shopping tips you should follow. Your list acts as your compass so you don’t get distracted by non-essentials. If you head to the supermarket without a list, you may find yourself putting everything into your cart. 

If you already have specific brands in mind, write them down to avoid analysis paralysis at the grocery. This makes for efficient and less stressful shopping. 

🛒 Try Meal Planning  

One of the best grocery tips to save money is to map out your family’s meals for the week. When you know what you plan to cook in the coming days, you have a solid grasp of the items you need to put in your grocery basket. 

Don’t buy food items just because you think you or your family might need or want them. Instead, get items you know your family will actually eat. This will help you avoid food wastage. 

With that, involve your family in planning meals and creating the grocery list. 

🛒 Shop Alone 

How to save money on groceries when you have kids? Don’t take them shopping with you! Otherwise, your grocery cart will be filled with candies, chips, and even toys that weren’t part of your original shopping list and budget. 

The group may also end up eating out, which is another expense.  

🛒 Eat Before You Go  

When you go grocery shopping while hungry, you’ll likely end up buying snacks and refreshments. These things cut a share of your grocery budget.  

The solution is simple: don’t shop hungry! Before you leave home, eat lunch or some snacks. Drink plenty of water as well.  

🛒 Keep an Eye Out for Promos

This may sound obvious, but keep your eyes peeled for discounted items, which are usually located near the entrance or in the center of the grocery store. Stock up on discounted canned goods, sauces, and personal care items like soaps, toothpaste, and shampoos since they have long shelf lives. 

Also, always check the posters or flyers being distributed. These materials usually promote grocery discounts you can avail of within a specific period. 

🛒 Buy Private Labels for Everyday Items  

This is one of the best money-saving grocery shopping tips. That’s because private-label items are usually more affordable than products from popular brands.

A lot of leading supermarkets^[3] offer private-label options for everyday items, from bathroom tissue rolls and dishwashing soaps to shampoos and lotions. They also offer food products like breads and meats sourced directly from suppliers, thus removing high mark-ups. 

You can find these brands in their own aisles. In some supermarkets, they may be located on the bottom shelves. 

Read more: 8 Hacks to Save Money on Food for Families and Employees

🛒 Buy in Bulk and Bundles

Some items, such as canned goods, cooking oils, diapers, toiletries, and even pet food, are more affordable when you buy them in bulk. Buying in bulk also saves you trips to the grocery stores, reducing your fuel use. 

From time to time, grocery stores sell product bundles. For instance, a pack of pasta noodles may be bundled with a pack of spaghetti sauce. Chips may be bundled with dips. A facial wash may be bundled with a bottle of toner.

This conveniently allows you to save a few bucks.

🛒 Buy Fruits and Vegetables from the Palengke or Talipapa

Fruits and vegetables at grocery stores tend to be expensive. To save money, get them from your local palengke or talipapa. 

Buying produce from your local palengke or talipapa comes with other benefits. First, the products are guaranteed fresh since they’re usually delivered early in the morning. Second, you have the freedom to pick your fruits and vegetables, as opposed to the pre-packed ones at supermarkets. 

You may also buy from vegetable and fruit vendors roving around your barangay or village. Some of these sellers source their vegetables from their own backyards, ensuring the items’ freshness and quality. 

🛒 Check Out Multiple Grocery Stores in Your Area

While staying loyal to one grocery store offers perks, one downside is that you miss out on promos and discounts offered by other supermarkets. 

If possible, visit a different supermarket on your next grocery run. That way, you can compare prices and see the other supermarket’s money-saving perks. You can also find which supermarket offers the widest range of products. 

🛒 Use a Grocery Shopping App 

If you can’t go to the supermarket right away, use a handy grocery app to get what you need. Just add the items to your virtual cart and wait for them to be delivered to your home. 

More than convenience, some supermarkets offer discounts exclusive to the app. Your credit card may also offer online grocery shopping deals you can only avail of in-app. 

Popular online grocery apps in the Philippines include Grab, foodpanda, and MetroMart. 

Related: 6 Helpful Tips to Save on Monthly Subscription Apps

Final Thoughts

Food and household items take a significant share of your monthly budget. Remember the grocery shopping tips above so you can save money and shop efficiently during every supermarket trip. 

Sources: 

• ^[1] Robinsons Go Rewards at Shopwise
• ^[2] SM Advantage Card Pointing System
• ^[3] Puregold is the Only Supermarket Retailer in the Top 10 Most Valued PH Brands (Bilyonaryo, 2024)