Shopping is something we all do—whether it’s grabbing groceries, replacing everyday essentials, or splurging on the occasional treat. But let’s be honest: the costs of living are rising, and so are our everyday expenses. According to a 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, food prices have increased by 2.9% in the past year alone—and it’s a similar story in the UK, where the Office for National Statistics reported a 3.4% rise in grocery costs. With household budgets feeling the squeeze, learning how to shop smartly has never been more important.
The good news? You don’t need to give up the products you love or spend hours hunting for deals. With a little planning, discipline, and awareness, you can save both money and time while still enjoying the shopping experience. The following tips are timeless, but we’ve updated them with fresh insights for today’s shoppers—so whether you’re doing your weekly grocery run, buying household essentials, or even shopping online, you’ll have the tools to shop smarter in 2025.
1. Don’t Be a Brand Snob: Explore Store and Local Labels
Let’s face it: many of us are guilty of gravitating toward big-name brands. Maybe it’s the slick packaging, celebrity endorsements, or the perception that “popular” equals “better.” But here’s the reality: many store-brand products are manufactured in the same facilities as their branded counterparts, just packaged differently.
For example:
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Kirkland (Costco) often partners with big-name manufacturers to produce its private-label goods, which can be up to 30–40% cheaper.
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Aldi and Lidl in both the U.S. and UK are famous for their own-brand ranges, which consistently win blind taste tests against premium brands.
Pro Tip: Try switching just three of your usual branded items to store brands each week. Compare taste, quality, and cost. Chances are, you’ll find at least one product you’ll happily stick with—and the savings will add up over time.
2. Master the Art of Price Comparison
Grocery prices fluctuate more often than many of us realize. Promotions, seasonal availability, and even shipping costs can impact what you pay. If you’re not paying attention, you could easily overspend without noticing.
In 2025, it’s easier than ever to compare prices before shopping. Free mobile apps like:
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Flipp (U.S./Canada) – aggregates weekly flyers from local stores.
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Trolley.co.uk (UK) – lets you compare grocery prices across supermarkets.
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ShopSavvy (global) – scans barcodes to show real-time price comparisons online and in-store.
Pro Tip: Set aside five minutes before shopping to compare staple items like milk, bread, and meat. Even a $0.50 difference per item adds up significantly over the year.
3. Make a Shopping Plan—And Stick to It
Impulse buying is the number one budget killer. Walking into a store without a plan is like trying to cook without a recipe—you’ll likely overspend and forget essentials.
Here’s a simple three-step plan:
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Check Your Inventory: Peek into your fridge, pantry, and cupboards. What do you already have?
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Plan Around What You Own: Instead of planning meals around what you want, build them around what’s already there. This reduces waste.
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Write a List and Categorize It: Separate into essentials, needs, and wants. Essentials should always take priority.
Pro Tip: Meal-planning apps like Mealime and Yummly not only generate shopping lists but also suggest recipes based on what’s already in your kitchen.
4. Follow the Golden Rule: Never Shop Hungry
Shopping on an empty stomach is a recipe for overspending. Studies published in the journal Psychological Science found that hungry shoppers were more likely to buy high-calorie, less nutritious foods—and spend more overall.
Before heading to the store:
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Eat a light snack, like a banana or granola bar.
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Carry a bottle of water—it curbs cravings and keeps you focused.
Pro Tip: If you must shop hungry, stick strictly to your list and avoid wandering into snack aisles.
5. Buy in Bulk—But Only Wisely
Bulk shopping can be a money-saver if done right. Household staples like rice, pasta, flour, canned beans, or cleaning supplies often cost less per unit when bought in larger quantities. It also reduces the frequency of shopping trips, saving gas or transport costs.
However, bulk buying requires discipline. Perishable items like fresh produce, dairy, and bread might go to waste if you buy too much.
Smart bulk-buying checklist:
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Buy non-perishables (toilet paper, canned goods, pasta, coffee). -
Freeze meats or bread if buying in bulk.
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Avoid bulk purchases of items you’ve never tried—you might regret it later.
Pro Tip: Warehouse stores like Costco (U.S.) or Booker (UK) often have exclusive discounts on bulk items, but make sure you calculate the cost per unit to ensure it’s truly a deal.
6. Shop Seasonally and Locally
Buying produce out of season often means you’re paying extra for transportation and storage costs. For example, strawberries in winter are almost always imported and carry a hefty price tag.
Seasonal produce is:
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Fresher and tastier.
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Cheaper due to higher supply.
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Environmentally friendlier with fewer food miles.
Pro Tip: Visit farmers’ markets, especially toward the end of the day. Vendors often discount produce to avoid hauling leftovers back home.
7. Embrace Technology for Smarter Shopping
2025 shopping is as much digital as it is physical. Mobile apps, loyalty programs, and subscription services can save you both time and money.
Some useful tools include:
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Ibotta (U.S.): Earn cashback on grocery purchases.
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Honey (global): Automatically applies coupon codes for online shopping.
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Tesco Clubcard (UK): Exclusive member discounts and cashback rewards.
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Amazon Subscribe & Save: Up to 15% off household essentials with scheduled deliveries.
Pro Tip: Always combine loyalty rewards with cashback apps for double savings.
8. Watch Out for Marketing Tricks
Stores are experts at getting you to spend more. Here are some strategies they use—and how to beat them:
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Eye-level placement: Premium brands are placed where you’ll see them first. Look at lower or higher shelves for cheaper options.
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End-of-aisle displays: These often showcase “sale” items that aren’t actually the best deal.
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Bigger carts: A psychological trick—larger carts make your purchases look smaller, encouraging you to buy more.
Pro Tip: Stay focused on your list and avoid wandering into aisles where you don’t need anything.
9. Pay Attention to Unit Pricing
Unit pricing (cost per ounce, liter, or gram) is your best friend when comparing products. A bigger pack isn’t always cheaper when you break it down per unit.
Example: A 500g pasta pack for $1.50 costs $0.30 per 100g. A 1kg pack for $2.90 costs $0.29 per 100g. It looks like a small difference, but over time, it adds up.
10. Reduce Waste to Save More
Food waste is not only bad for the environment but also for your wallet. The average U.S. household wastes around $1,500 worth of food annually (USDA, 2024).
Tips to minimize waste:
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Store food correctly (use airtight containers, fridge drawers properly).
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Freeze leftovers and extra portions.
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Repurpose scraps—vegetable peels for broth, stale bread for croutons.
Pro Tip: Apps like Too Good To Go help you buy surplus food from restaurants and stores at heavily discounted prices.
Simple Shopping Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Saving money while shopping isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about shopping smarter, not harder. By comparing prices, planning your purchases, avoiding impulse buying, and making the most of technology, you can stretch your budget further without sacrificing quality.
Remember, small habits make a big difference over time. Switching brands, sticking to a shopping list, or avoiding waste might not feel like much in the moment, but together, these changes can free up hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars a year. And beyond the savings, you’ll also be shopping more sustainably and responsibly, which is a win-win for both your wallet and the planet.
So, the next time you step into a store or load up your online cart, keep these simple shopping tips in mind. Your bank account—and your peace of mind—will thank you.
