12 tips for saving money at the grocery store

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Groceries take up a big chunk of weekly spending and given they're just getting more and more expensive, CNBC Select has 12 tips to save money on your next supermarket run.

Using the right credit card at checkout can help you earn rewards that can be used to offset your bill. A generic cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card can earn you 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel; see rates and fees). However, specific grocery rewards cards can earn you up to 6% back.

Best cards for grocery stores

CNBC Select ranked the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express as the best overall card for grocery shopping. The card offers 6% cash back in the form of statement credits at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%. Terms apply.

With an average annual grocery spend of $5,703, you can earn about $342 per year in cash back. If you factor in the $95 annual fee after the $0 intro the first year, that's $247 in annual value. (See rates and fees)

If you'd rather avoid annual fees, look into the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express which earns 3% cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%. (See rates and fees) Terms apply. Using the example above, you'd earn $171 per year with this card.

If you buy groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) may be a great option. It offers 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs).

Most grocery stores offer loyalty programs that are free to join. By signing up, you can benefit from member-only discounts that automatically deduct at checkout — without the need to clip coupons.

After you've signed up for your favorite grocery store's loyalty program, maximize your savings by applying coupons for additional discounts. Look out for the weekly circular in the mail and sift through the pages for deals that matter to you. Cut out any coupons and save them for your next grocery run.

There are also digital options that are just as easy to use, if not easier. Download your favorite grocery store's mobile app, browse available discounts and click to load coupons onto your digital loyalty card. Then when you checkout in-store, the discounts will automatically be applied.

A unit price is the cost of an item per ounce, pound, quart or whatever other unit of measure the item goes by. This lets you compare the value of products to make sure you're getting the best value. You can calculate the unit price by taking the total price of the item and dividing it by the quantity (how much of the item there is). So, if a bag of 10 oranges costs $4.00, the unit price is $0.40 per orange.

Generally, a lower unit price means you're getting a better deal. However, under some circumstances you may also want to consider factors like brand quality and quantity vs. how much your household could reasonably consume before it spoils.

Wholesale clubs like Costco can help you rack up savings for buying in bulk. If you have a large family, joining a wholesale club can be a good idea. But remember that buying in bulk isn’t for everyone since you’ll have to spend more money upfront, even though you’re saving overall. This may not be an option depending on your cash flow.

Also, note that clubs come with membership fees. Currently, the cost for Costco membership starts at $60 for Gold Star and doubles to $120 for Gold Star Executive. The cost can be worthwhile if you frequently stock up on items. Plus you can optimize savings by using the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (which has no annual fee, but requires an active Costco membership). (Read our review of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.)

If you go to the supermarket without a list, it can be easy to grab things that aren’t needed. According to Dr. Annie Wilson, a lecturer of Marketing at The Wharton School, that's because your mind tends to switch between a deliberative state (where you're trying to make a decision) and an implementation state (where you're trying to take an action based on that decision).

"So if you don't have a list, you're in that deliberative mindset and reacting to everything in the aisle you're in," she says. "That's why you end up purchasing things that are unplanned."

The next time you go to the grocery store, make sure you have a list and stick to it so you don’t wind up raising your bill. You may also want to consider eating first to avoid spur-of-the-moment items. Dr. Wilson says this is because when you're hungry, you're so focused on satiating that hunger that you think you want to consume more than you do.

Supermarkets are always running various promotions that can help you save on everything from staples, like milk and eggs, to sweets, like ice cream and cookies. Consider buying items on sale whenever possible, especially if the cost is normally high. Sale items are often displayed in prominent locations throughout the store, such as at the entrance and ends of the aisles. 

While buying pre-cut veggies or pre-shredded cheese can save you time while cooking, stores often charge more for the convenience. Opt for whole items, like fresh or frozen veggies and block cheese, to save money.

You can even take a look for yourself the next time you're perusing the aisles or ordering your groceries online. Compare the price for a pre-cut package of fruit or veggies with the price per pound of buying them whole.

If you live near various grocery stores, consider shopping at a few and comparing prices. You can learn which store has the items you need for less and also look at the sales they run. If it’s not too much of a hassle, you may want to grocery shop at two stores to optimize savings.

Keep in mind that shopping around may not always wind up being more affordable if you have to travel longer distances to get to other grocery stores.

If you currently shop at a high-end grocery store, consider switching to a store that's known for more affordable food prices like Walmart, Aldi or Trader Joe's.

Supermarkets put costly, name-brand items at eye level, which can tempt you to spend more money on high-cost items. But if you look at the top or bottom of the shelves, you’ll often find generic brands, like the store’s own brand, that are cheaper and taste just as good. Next time you go shopping, opt for a generic brand to save money.

If you bring reusable shopping bags to the store, you can often receive a discount on your order total. Depending on your city and state, stores like Target and Whole Foods Market can give you up to a 10-cent discount per bag you bring.

A handful of rebate apps, such as Ibotta and Rakuten, give you cash back for buying groceries. You can register for free with one of these services to save more on top of loyalty benefits and credit card rewards. Depending on the app, you may need to link a loyalty card or submit receipts to receive a rebate.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

We interviewed Dr. Annie Wilson, a senior lecturer of marketing at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.