It’s no secret that grocery prices are rising, and shoppers everywhere are looking for ways to save. Scoping out the weekly deals on the Flipp app is a great way to save — but what if we told you that you could be saving even more with some small changes to your shopping list? Here are some simple “swaps” or alternatives that may help you shave a few extra dollars off your grocery bill. 

1. Swap shredded cheese for blocks of cheese.

Baggies of shredded cheese are convenient, but you can save up to $1 at most stores by buying a block of cheese instead. Shred or grate it yourself at home and you’ll get a greater quantity for less. 

Flipp Tip: Calculate the price of shredded and block cheese per ounce for an accurate comparison.

2. Swap chicken breast for chicken thighs.

The “low fat craze” is over, so why not switch things up and save money by opting for lower-cost, flavorful dark meat? Chicken thighs can be up to 30% cheaper than breast, so take a chance and save up.

3. Swap ground beef for ground chicken or turkey.

As of April 2022, the price of ground beef has increased 18–20% on average compared to a year ago in the U.S. and Canada. You can swap ground beef for other proteins in recipes like pasta, sauces, and stews. You can even use half the amount of ground beef and half of another protein to reduce the amount of red meat you used and help stretch your budget. 

For information on cheaper meat options, check out our blog, Cheaper Cuts of Meat That Could Save You Money on Groceries.

4. Swap fresh fish for frozen fish. 

Frozen fish is approximately 20% cheaper than fresh, and since it’s frozen at its peak freshness, all the flavor, nutrition, and texture are preserved. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to learn that freezing fish helps kill parasites and other pathogens.

5. Swap breakfast cereal for oatmeal.

A box of breakfast cereal can cost between $4–6, and before you know it, you’ve finished the box. A pack of oatmeal costs around the same, is more filling, and lasts a lot longer.

6. Swap fresh vegetables for frozen vegetables.

While the price of fresh vegetables has increased, frozen vegetables have remained stable. Plus, Frozen vegetables are picked, prepped, and frozen at their nutritional peak, meaning that you could be getting more vitamins and minerals from frozen vegetables in comparison to fresh.

An array of frozen vegetables

7. Swap canned beans for dry beans. 

Beans can be used as a protein source in a hearty vegetable chili, as a substitute for taco meat, and even molded into patties like in black bean burgers. To get the most value out of this versatile ingredient, opt for dry beans and legumes instead of canned. You’ll get a lot more for a lot less.

For more meatless protein alternatives, check out our blog, Meat prices are Rising- Here are 4 Protein Alternatives to Help You Save.

8. Swap brand name products for private label or store brands. 

Most grocery stores have their own store brands such as Great Value by Walmart and Kirkland by Costco. A lot of these products are made at the same facilities as the brand name products, so by buying these, you’ll enjoy the same quality at a lower cost. 

For more ways to save on groceries, you won’t want to miss our post, Tips to Save You Money at the Grocery Store.

9. Grow your own herbs instead of buying them.

Fresh herbs add flavor, fragrance, and color to your favorite meals, and you’ll be surprised by how much you can save if you grow your own herbs. For example, a small pack of fresh, trimmed basil costs around the same as a basil plant, and once that tiny pack is done, you’re stuck having to buy more.

Want to start your own herb garden? Read Save Money and Eat Fresh With Your Own Herb Garden.

Fresh, chopped herbs laid out on a white tabletop.

10. Swap coffee pods for ground coffee.

Coffee pods are convenient and easy, but if you want to save money, we recommend buying old-fashioned ground coffee instead, which can be up to $5 cheaper. If you own a coffee pod machine like a Keurig or Nespresso, you can purchase a reusable coffee pod that can be filled with regular ground coffee and reused.

11. Swap single-serving yogurt cups for tubs of yogurt.

We know that single-serve yogurt cups are great for school lunchboxes and easy snacks to grab and go. However, convenience has a price. If your goal is to save money, buy the 32-ounce tubs of yogurt that you can portion out yourself.

12. Swap potato chips for popcorn. 

Packaged snacks, especially potato chips, have become extremely expensive. For one bag that’s half full of air, why not buy a bag of popcorn kernels for around $4 instead? You can pop them on the stovetop with a bit of olive oil or butter and will get a lot more pop! for less.

Saving money is not easy, but with these simple swaps, you’ll get closer to meeting your goals. If you enjoyed this blog post, we think you’ll also like to read Eat Healthier and Save Money With These Easy Food Swaps.

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