Unless you're one of those folks who eats out at every meal, groceries are going to make up a big part of your budget. Which means optimizing that grocery bill is a big part of smart personal finance.
Of course, between inflation, shrinkflation, greedflation -- and all the other "flations" -- getting your grocery bill under control is getting harder. But what if you could reduce your food costs simply by choosing the right day to shop?
While it may sound odd, there's some method to the madness here. As it turns out, you really could save money on groceries by timing your shopping trip right. Here's the best day to buy groceries.
In general: Wednesday
Overall, most sources agree that Wednesday is the best day to shop for groceries. For one thing, many grocery stores start their new sales week on Wednesday, so you'll be the first to shop all of the latest deals and discounts.
Plus, the new sales day may mean you get twice the sales. Some stores may still offer the previous week's sales, as well as the sales from the new week. This could give the best of both worlds as you get anything you missed from the previous week while stocking up on all the new deals.
Another point in Wednesday's favor? It's about as far from the weekend as you get. The majority of people do their shopping on the weekends, so stores will be less crowded in the middle of the week. This could give you better access to sales goods since you won't be competing with everyone else.
Additionally, items that are close to their sell-by date are more likely to be discounted mid-week than on the weekends. That's because things are more likely to sell without being discounted when the stores are full of weekend shoppers. So, you could potentially pick up some great deals on meat, dairy, and even bread.
Of course, it's important to make sure you can actually put all these sale items to good use. If your discounted meat expires before you can use it, you actually wasted money, rather than saving any.
For you: New sales day
While it's true that many grocery stores start their new sales on Wednesdays, it's not a universal law. Your local grocery stores could start their new sales on any day of the week. (One of my local grocers starts sales on Thursdays, rather than Wednesdays, for instance.)
You should be able to check the dates on the sales flyers you can pick up in store. Or head online to see if they publish digital sales flyers to save yourself the trip.
Another time it may pay to switch up your shopping day is after major holidays. Many grocers actually run holiday sales through the weekend, then start new sales on Monday. In this case, you may be better off hitting the stores at the beginning of the week if you can.
Double up with grocery rewards cards
No matter which day you shop, there's one sure way to save on groceries: credit cards. Make sure you use a grocery rewards credit card on your purchases, as you can find cards that offer up to 6% cash back on groceries. Even better, your card rewards will stack with any other coupons or discounts you use.
And speaking of coupons, there are a ton of great coupon and cash back apps that can help you save on groceries. Most will require you to submit pictures of your receipt, so keep that in mind. Not everyone is comfortable sharing their shopping habits to be sold by third-party companies.
The weekly grocery trip may be getting more expensive, but there are a lot of ways you can save. Whether it's picking the perfect shopping day, using card rewards, or couponing your way to savings -- or all three.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
FAQs
The best days to buy groceries are Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to the lower volume of shoppers and the chance of getting the freshest produce. “Opting for midweek days, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, can often be more budget-friendly,” said Hassa Sanders, founder of Diabetic Life Solutions.
What days are groceries cheapest? ›
Specifically, many experts advise shopping on Wednesday and Thursday. Going to the store during the middle of the week can allow you to get better prices because many stores restock their shelves at this time when their weekly deliveries arrive.
What is the best day to do weekly food shop? ›
The pro advises stocking up on groceries on Wednesdays or Thursdays, as it is common for stores to introduce new deals and discounts around this time. But if it's weekly specials you're after, it's likely Tuesday might be the best day to shop. Meanwhile, Mondays are often earmarked for clearance sales.
What's the best day to shop at Walmart? ›
“A weekday morning, especially mid-week like Wednesday, is a great time to shop at Walmart,” said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com. “You're more likely to encounter a less busy store, stocked shelves and fresh produce and meats.
What is the best day to go grocery shopping for sales? ›
In general: Wednesday
For one thing, many grocery stores start their new sales week on Wednesday, so you'll be the first to shop all of the latest deals and discounts. Plus, the new sales day may mean you get twice the sales. Some stores may still offer the previous week's sales, as well as the sales from the new week.
What is the day in the week the worst day to go grocery shopping? ›
Saturday Is the Worst Day to Go Grocery Shopping
With that in mind, it follows that Saturday is when the big grocery store push happens.
Do grocery stores raise prices on weekends? ›
Missed Sales and Higher Prices
Weekends are prime shopping time for most people, and retailers know this. Consequently, some supermarkets may not offer as many sales or discounts on the weekends as they do during the week. Additionally, popular items may be priced higher due to increased demand.
Is it cheaper to grocery shop once a week? ›
“A smaller household may find it better to shop weekly sales and to buy smaller amounts, to not only stay on budget but prevent food waste,” she said. “But if it's a larger household, it may pay to do bulk shopping less often, like on a monthly basis.”
How many times a month should you go grocery shopping? ›
You'll definitely be spending more time making trips, and likely spending more money than you should. So, even if you're busy and have a hard time making time for a larger shopping trip, try to keep your store visits down to no more than twice a week.
What is the best day to go to Costco? ›
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the least crowded days, according to several Costco staff I spoke to. Thursdays tend to be less busy, as well (though Thursday wasn't mentioned as much as Tuesday and Wednesday). Fridays are busier because of those stock-up-for-the-weekend shoppers.
For instance, did you know that your Aldi trip can go more smoothly if you go there on a certain day of the week? At Aldi, your best bet for shopping is Wednesdays. This is the day of the week when the grocery store chain restocks all its shelves with cheap, delicious products, and produce often goes on sale, as well.
How can I spend less on food a week? ›
20 ways to save money on groceries
- Plan your meals. Planning your meals for the week ahead (or, at the very least, a few days) can pay big dividends. ...
- Write a shopping list. Once you've planned your meals, write a shopping list. ...
- Shop around. ...
- Shop the sales. ...
- Buy in bulk. ...
- Make extra. ...
- Buy produce whole. ...
- Always check the unit cost.
Specifically, mark the first five days of the month. That's usually when Walmart's hidden clearance kicks in at stores. Markdowns, including seasonal inventory, typically happen in this time frame.
What day of the week do most people go shopping? ›
According to Drive Research, 59% of shoppers set out to grab groceries at the end of the week, with Saturday being the day of highest volume. Shocked? Probably not. Most of us are aware that stepping out on Saturday to do just about anything is often more convenient than jamming it into an already tiresome work week.
What is the best time of day to shop? ›
To Beat the Crowds
The best bet is to get to the market early, as soon as it opens, or late, right before it closes. You'll zip through the aisles and check out with practically no one to slow you down. During the week, avoid visiting between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., when most people get off work and head to the store.
How to spend $100 a week on groceries? ›
- Log what's in your freezer. ...
- Ditto for your fridge and pantry. ...
- Start your meal planning with a bag of rice. ...
- Make a strategic shopping list … and stick to it. ...
- Shop farmers markets toward the end of the day. ...
- Shop the freezer section for produce. ...
- Buy the store brand. ...
- Only buy meat when it's on sale.
I do meal planning and one primary grocery trip a month, and I've been doing this since 2014. Grocery shopping once a month has a ton of benefits for our family and helps us in the following ways: Save time—fewer grocery store trips. Save money—no grocery budget surprises plus the ability to buy in bulk.
