The Easiest Way To Stop Overspending At The Grocery Store

If you're constantly struggling to stay under budget at the grocery store, it's easier than ever to save money while getting all the kitchen staples you need. Whether it's through couponing or shopping manager specials, there are several ways to cut down on your spending without sacrificing the essentials. But there's one easy way to prevent overspending at the grocery store that you may not have thought of: curbside pickup.

We asked Alli Powell, a professional "frugal foodie" and owner of Grocery Getting Girl, how curbside pickup keeps food costs low. "Not going into the store forces you to skip the temptation of impulse buys," Powell explains. "Ordering online and skipping the trip inside the store is a great way to save." Curbside grocery pickup took off during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet distancing guidelines and offer a more convenient way to shop. Even now, it's still going strong as one of the simplest ways to stay within budget.

When you're shopping curbside (or even opting for delivery), you're not beholden to the many ways retailers lay out stores to maximize profits, whether that's items placed at eye level to trigger impulse buys or complementary products grouped together to increase sales. Sure, apps have their own tricks, like countdown timers signaling the end of a sale or product suggestions based on your recent purchases or dietary needs. Still, it's an easy way to cut down on grabbing those extra snacks at the checkout lane or anything else that catch your eye.

One-way curbside pickup cuts down on spending by clearly displaying per-unit prices when shopping online or through the app, which is an often overlooked grocery pricing detail that matters more than size. They're also displayed in-store, but it's much easier to compare items (or even different store apps) from the comfort of your home. This helps you determine which option offers the best bang for your buck. For instance, some bulk items can end up costing more overall.

Another way curbside pickup keeps more money in your pocket is that there's less friction when shopping. You can easily see your total at a glance, remove items if you're going over budget, or quickly add items from your favorite list. This prevents you from forgetting anything while walking down the aisles and having to make a second trip. And these are just a few of the ways curbside pickup gives you more control over your spending.

Now, you might worry that in-store shoppers won't know how to pick the right meat or produce. There are a few ways around this. In many apps, you can leave notes specifying what you're looking for, or you can pop in quickly to shop for those items before picking up your order. In most cases, shoppers don't have issues with product quality, especially if you place your order in the morning or when it's not busy, so they have more time to choose the best items. And if you do get a bad apple or cracked eggs, many stores make it easy to request a refund online; no questions asked.

Not all major grocers offer convenient curbside pickup, but many do. In fact, we highlighted the best grocery store chains for pick-up orders. Some are partnered with Instacart, which can mean higher prices compared to in-store, depending on the chain. For example, Aldi uses Instacart, which can raise prices and offset it's usual budget-friendly appeal. This means that placing pickup orders at Aldi is not very affordable. Walmart, on the other hand, typically offers the same prices online and in-store. Some other grocery store apps may even feature sale prices directly in the app. That said, it's still worth heading there in person every once in a while to check out in-store only specials.

Instacart tipping also increases your total costs — and it's not something we recommend skipping to save money. Pickup fees may also apply. For example, Walmart charges a $7 pickup fee for orders under $35. Sam's Club members pay $4 for pickup, while Plus members get free pickup. Likewise, Amazon Prime members may pay a $2 pickup fee for Whole Foods orders under $35, and Target offers free pickup with no minimum order. In some cases, it may make more sense to add a few extra items to meet the minimum rather than pay the fee.