Nine smart ways to save money on food.

Grub. Chow. Eats. Whatever you call food, you can’t ignore that the cost of groceries has significantly increased in recent days. We don’t know when prices will level off, but we have a few tips to help you save money on your next trip to the grocery store.

Sign up for loyalty programs

Free loyalty programs are one of the easiest ways to save on groceries. Shop, use your card or the store’s app, and get rewarded with points that can be redeemed for in-store items or fuel discounts. Loyalty programs also typically provide advance notice of sales, exclusive savings and personalized deals.

Pay with a rewards credit card

Using a cash-back credit card for groceries provides a discount with every transaction. Use your reward money to offset future food purchases or set it aside in a savings account.

Review ads before you go shopping

If you have more than one grocery store nearby, compare prices between stores. Store apps and websites are updated each week and make it easy to find the best deals. However, be mindful of the store’s driving distance. With the high price of fuel it doesn’t make sense to go after deals that cost more in driving expenses than they’re worth.

Compare prices at the shelf

Store brands and generic items are usually cheaper than brand names while still providing high quality. However, don’t assume the store brand is always the least expensive. Sometimes big names are the cheapest when on sale.

Use coupons

Old-school paper coupons from weekly circulars and downloadable digital coupons are effective tools for trimming dollars from your grocery bill. Use your store’s app and website, as well as manufacturers’ websites, to find coupons.

Buy in bulk

When considering buying in bulk, it’s easiest to take advantage of deals on nonperishable items. Warehouse clubs are the obvious shopping choice but don’t overlook sales at local grocery stores that may be even cheaper on certain items.

Before buying perishable foods—such as produce from a farmers market—have a plan in place for how you will use or preserve it. Freezing, dehydrating and canning are great ways to take advantage of deals on fresh fruits and vegetables, especially when they’re in season locally.

Keep the season in mind

Many people only buy what they need for the next week or so. If you look out a bit further you can trim your grocery bill. For example, if you have a tradition of making Christmas cookies, and sugar goes on sale in October, that’s the time to stock up.

Also, look for deals on non-perishable holiday goods that you’re confident you’ll use later, such as storage bags and containers or paper goods.

Make a list—and stick to it

Keep a list on your smartphone or on a piece of paper. While you’re making a list, note what you already have in the fridge and cupboard so you don’t buy duplicates. When you’re at the store, only buy what’s on the list.

Also, hungry shoppers are susceptible to making impulse buys. Eat before shopping. If your kids are going along, make sure they eat something beforehand, too. This will help you only put items in your cart that are on your list.

Bring your own bags

Some stores give a discount for each bag you bring. Plus, reusable bags cut down on our use of natural resources and waste.

Consumers provides banking services for more than 120,000 members. If you have banking questions, call us at 800-991-2221. We make it easy to bank how you want, when you want.

Federally insured by NCUA