Shopping for everyday essentials like groceries, toiletries, and cleaning supplies quickly adds up and can take a big bite out of your budget if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to save money on routine purchases:

Buy generic or store brand items. Name brands are often more expensive because part of the price goes toward marketing and advertising. Store brands or generics typically offer the same quality at a lower price.

Stock up on sales. Look for promotions on non-perishables and stock up. Things like toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, and other staples you know you’ll use. Buy enough to last until the next good sale.

Use coupons or your app for discounts. Check sites like Coupons.com for digital coupons you can load to your store loyalty card or app. Some stores also double or triple coupon values, so you can save even more.

Avoid impulse purchases. Make a list before you shop and stick to it. Only buy what’s on your list to avoid making impulse buys you may regret later.

Buy in bulk when possible. For non-perishable items you use a lot of, like rice, beans, nuts, granola bars, etc., consider shopping at stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. You can get larger sizes at lower unit prices. Just make sure you have enough storage space and the items won’t expire before you can use them.

Meal plan before shopping. Plan your meals for the week based on what’s on sale and in season. Make a list for just those ingredients to avoid overbuying or making extra trips to the store. Buy only what you need for your meal plan.

Shop less frequently. Try shopping for groceries every 1 to 2 weeks instead of weekly. This can help you avoid impulse buys and ensure you’re using everything you purchase before it expires. You’ll also save time by not shopping as often.