May 25, 2025
With a new baby and two other growing boys, the price of food adds up quickly for Kandyce Thorton.
“I feel like every time I go to the store I’m spending more than I should,” Thorton told News 5 Cleveland reporter Elizabeth VanMetre in a story published May 1.
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And Thorton isn’t the only one feeling the pinch. Faced with high food costs, nearly 9-in-10 Americans (88%) have changed the way they shop for groceries, according to a 2025 survey commissioned by LendingTree.
Shoppers are going generic
One key strategy Thorton employs is opting for generic-brand products.
“I try to get something similar, even if it’s generic, just to kind of keep the price down,” she said.
It turns out Thorton isn’t alone in this choice. The survey published by LendingTree shows, among those who changed their shopping habits, 44% were buying more generic brands in pursuit of savings.
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Other grocery savings strategies
Another creative way to cut back on grocery spending is to create a meal plan and stick to it. According to the LendingTree survey, around 38% of shoppers who changed their habits reported sticking more closely to their shopping lists. Only buying what's on your grocery list and resisting the urge to splurge on extra items can help you save money.
If you struggle with temptation while walking down the aisles, opting to order your groceries ahead of time and picking them up at the store can also help you avoid adding extras to your cart.
“You can make your list when you’re at work or when you’re at home and we do the shopping for you,” Marcie Mathis, director of a Meijer grocery store, told News 5 Cleveland.
Similarly, there are food delivery apps that can send someone to shop for only the items you request and bring them straight to your front door.
As you make your list, don’t forget to look for relevant coupons and look for weekly savings in store flyers. Although you might just save a little bit here and there, the savings can add up over time.
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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make optimal financial decisions for their situation. She loves digging into the nitty-gritty details of financial products and money management strategies to root out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her goal is to help readers find the best course of action for their needs.
