Why You May Need To Shop At Multiple Grocery Stores If You Really Want To Save Money
The grocery store that will save you the most money while also holding the most value will depend on your cooking needs. Grocery stores that pride themselves on high-quality, organic products like Whole Foods, Acme, and The Fresh Market can bleed your wallet dry if you're not paying attention. Other stores might be cheaper, but lack some of the fancy products and wholesome shopping experiences, such as Dollar General. Who you need to feed and how much they need should be taken into consideration. There's no need to limit your options when it comes to grocery shopping.
For a household of one to two people, Aldi and Trader Joe's (which uses a particular method to keep its prices cheap) are likely going to be the best grocery stores for your budget. Small families and singles will appreciate the more compact portion sizes and affordability. Each chain has a great selection of frozen meals, seasonal snacks, and produce. For a household of four or more people, or very disciplined meal preppers, wholesale stores like Costco allow you to save money by buying items in bulk.
A flex pick for any family size is Walmart. Customers can buy large quantities of food while finding almost any grocery or household item under the sun. Target's meat and produce selection isn't as big, and Kroger's prices can be higher, unless you're very discerning with your shopper's card.
The benefits of shopping with small grocers
If there's a certain type of cuisine you like to cook or are interested in trying, international markets are where you'll find those authentic ingredients. It makes sense to go to a Middle Eastern grocery store for Middle Eastern and North African food, a Slavic grocery store for Slavic food, and so on. International markets also carry fresh produce and cuts of meat with more variety than the average retailer.
Following suit, you can always shop for fresh produce and meat by checking out the farmers market or attending seasonal events. Your money gets circulated back into the local economy, and you get to meet who's growing your food. You'll be getting the most long-term value out of this kind of investment by getting top-notch food for a price comparable to some major grocery stores. Some states even have financial incentives for those who apply their SNAP EBT credits toward local farmers markets. There are several ways to shop for food in your budget, and the USDA has a directory to highlight smaller grocers near you.