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12 Ways to Tackle High Grocery Costs You Won’t Hear About From Your Grocery Store

A carton of eggs
Last updated Nov. 2, 2026 | By Team FBZ

If you're feeling the pain of high grocery prices, you're not alone.

🚨Inflation is a problem: Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows food prices have exploded from before the pandemic … up over 25.1%!

This means that your cart of groceries, which was $80 in February 2020, now costs you $100.08 — and you feel that struggle every time you check out.

You're no fool: You look for deals, clip coupons, and buy in bulk. But it just doesn't feel like enough.

So what can you do? This list offers ideas to improve your finances outside the grocery store. Read it to ensure that you're not missing out on money — because you can't afford to right now.

  1. Most grocery chains offer free loyalty programs with member-only pricing — no paid membership required. Simply signing up at stores like Kroger, Safeway, or Publix can shave off your total at checkout.
  2. Store-brand products can help you save significantly compared to name brands, and the quality is often just as good. Aldi, Trader Joe's, and Costco's Kirkland line are all worth trying if you haven't already.
  3. Many stores will match a competitor's lower price if you ask. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy all have price-matching policies. Just show the ad or pull it up on your phone at the register.
  4. Timing your shopping around seasonal markdowns can make a big difference. Buying grills in September, winter coats in March, or patio furniture in October can help you score because stores need to clear space for the next season.
  5. TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross get new shipments during the week, so saving your shopping trip during the weekdays can give you a better selection at already-discounted prices.
  6. Stacking your store's rewards program with a cash-back credit card means you save twice on the same purchase. A card that earns cash back on groceries adds up quickly over a year.
  7. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club can be worth the membership fee, especially for household staples, paper goods, gas, and pharmacy items where the per-unit savings really add up.
  8. Senior discount days are more common than you'd think. Stores like Kohl's, Ross, Goodwill, and many local grocery chains offer senior discounts on specific days of the week.

Knowing about these hacks could help you save even more money on your weekly grocery haul or next shopping trip. And since you’re already thinking about how to maximize your money, check out these offers from our partners below.

Save potentially $100s on home insurance

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Too many homeowners skip Farmers, not realizing that they could save $778 on average just by switching.1And yes, you could switch your home insurance at any time.

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Download this app that's paid out over $400 million for doing simple online tasks

Is there such a thing as easy money? If you know your way around the web, there certainly is.

That’s because data is currency these days, and many companies are willing to pay out millions for it. 

Finding these companies can be time-consuming on your own. But a company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $400 million to users since 2019, and has over 100,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

You can pick and choose your tasks and complete them at your convenience. The coins you earn from each completed task can be converted directly into things like Visa gift cards, Amazon gift cards, cryptocurrency or cold-hard PayPal cash.

Signing up for a Freecash account is easy and if you’ve got enough free time on your hands, you can join the ranks of Freecash users getting their share of more than $400 million.

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Set up direct deposit - pocket up to $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400.2 Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.40% APY3on savings for up to six months on new accounts (3.30% APY standard + 1.10% APY boost; terms apply) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.2 That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 10/19/26)4 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

This company could foot your home repair bill

Everyone talks about home insurance. Hardly anyone talks about what it doesn't cover. Appliances like water heaters, fridges, and dryers aren't protected, and many homeowners don't find out until after they get a hefty repair bill.

A home warranty fills that gap. It's backup coverage for appliances, plumbing, and electrical, and if you live in Ohio and own your home, it could save you $1,000s on repairs.

American Home Shield is one of the most trusted names in the space. Instead of paying full price on repairs, you pay a monthly plan fee and a simple one-time service fee per covered fix.

Not everyone qualifies, but here's how to check in seconds:

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This plan could save you $100s when appliances break down. Get your free quote.

P.S. Use the link above, and you'll get 50% off your first year on select plans!5

Turn your home’s value into funds

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is another option some homeowners compare alongside cash-out refinances and home equity loans.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool6 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

To get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Compare Offers

Pay no interest on balance transfers until 2028

Imagine getting an intro 0% APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (APR then 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable)). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card.

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of account opening, then a 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable) APR (balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

It doesn't just stop with balance transfers, though. Cardholders also get a generous intro APR of 0% for 12 months from date of account opening on purchases. After the intro period for purchases and balance transfers, the APR is 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable).

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Take advantage of massive discounts on travel and restaurants

Think AARP is only for retirees? It’s not — anyone can join! And there’s a good chance you’ve been missing out on huge perks. An AARP membership gets you massive discounts on:

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  • Meal deliveries
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  • Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you'll also get insider info on health and wellness and you can add a partner for free. That’s twice the perks for just $15 for the first year (only $1.25 per month!). It basically pays for itself.

How to become a member today:

  • Click the link below, select your free gift, and click "Join Today"
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Get 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal

Earn a $200 bonus + up to 5% cash back with this criminally underrated cash back card

Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) and you could earn a $200 bonus after spending an easy $500 in the first 3 months. This card is criminally underrated with one of the best spend-to-bonus ratios we've ever seen — the bonus is worth almost half the spend!

No additional work is required. Apply for the card, see if you're approved, spend $500 within 3 months, and earn a $200 bonus. Boom! 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) also lets you earn cash back on everything you buy: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Plus, if you want to finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt, you can also do that with this card. Take advantage of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. Do not skip this card — it's a sleeper hit with insane value and NO annual fee. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

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Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is settled, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!7

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Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

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