11 Grocery Shopping Tips Experts Use to Save Money

2. Shop the store perimeter first

Many shoppers find dollars slip away in the center aisles packed with packaged goods. The perimeter of the store usually holds produce, dairy, meat, and bread—basics that form meals without heavy processing. Buying whole vegetables, fruit, and dairy on the edges helps you avoid pre-packaged convenience items that carry high markups. Walk the perimeter early in your trip to pick the fresh ingredients first, then decide if you really need anything from the middle aisles. If you do venture inside, compare unit prices and favor versatile staples like rice, lentils, or oats that stretch meals and last long. Also, watch where staple items are placed—sometimes the cheaper option sits on lower shelves while branded items get eye-level positioning. Shopping the perimeter doesn’t mean skipping frozen foods; frozen vegetables and fruits can be an excellent value and reduce waste. Make perimeter-first shopping part of a routine, and you’ll naturally steer toward whole foods that cost less per meal.