Updated on January 2nd, 2024
When I lived in the US, I ALWAYS used coupons, but after moving to Denmark, where coupons are not a thing, and the cost of living is higher, I had to find other ways to save money. Here are the 5 ways that I use to save money on groceries without relying on coupons.
#1 Browse Weekly Sales
Even though the grocery stores in Denmark do not have coupons, they still have weekly sales. I try to plan my meals around the sales, such as if there is a sale on the Tex-Mex brand Santa Maria or Steff-Houlberg hot dogs, but of course, that does not always work out. There are also nonessential items I will NOT buy unless it is on sale because they are too expensive to buy otherwise. For example, I like buying Ribena which is a blackcurrant concentrate you mix with water. A bottle of Ribena is $5, which adds up if I constantly buy a bottle when it runs out, so I wait for it to be on sale when it goes down to $2. One way to save money on groceries is to plan your meals around the weekly sales and buy nonessential items when they go on sale.
#2 Shop Daily
Another way I save money is that I shop daily for groceries. There are two grocery stores within a 5-minute walking distance from my apartment, so I make it a habit to plan what I want for dinner that day and then shop for groceries for that meal. Shopping daily also reduces food waste because I only buy what I need for that day, and if I have leftover ingredients from the previous day, I can incorporate them into my dinner plan for the next day.
On a side note, if you have leftover portions from one of your meals, saving them for lunch or dinner the next day is perfectly fine. It reduces food waste and saves money you would have spent on that meal. But back to my point of shopping daily for groceries. Shopping daily is not an option for everyone, which brings me to my next point.
#3 Make a List and Stick to It
When planning my meals, I always make a grocery list because otherwise, I will buy things I do not need. When you are browsing the sales, you can add the non-essential items that are on sale that you would like to buy, and when you plan your meals, you can add those items to the list as well. I also add items I am low on or have run out of, such as toilet paper or olive oil, so I can ensure I get them the next time I go grocery shopping.
When you make a list, the most important thing to do when grocery shopping is to stick to it. If you stray from your list, you may buy things you do not necessarily need and spend more money than you planned. Everyone can benefit from making a grocery list because you will know what you need and are less tempted to buy unnecessary items.
#4 Shop at Discount Stores
Denmark has two types of grocery stores – discount stores and supermarkets. Discount stores like the Danish stores Coop 365, Netto, Rema 1000, and Dagli´Brugsen, as well as other stores like Lidl, are smaller and have less selection, but they also tend to have lower prices than supermarkets (Walmart and Target in the US are good examples of supermarkets). Bilka, føtex, Kvickly, and SuperBrugsen are Danish supermarkets that sell groceries, clothing, home goods, and electronics, and there was even one chain of supermarkets called Irma that only sold organic and sustainable foods, which is way more expensive than shopping at a discount store.
I do most of my grocery shopping at discount stores since they normally have everything I need for my meals and good quality food. Also, many discount stores have a section for food with reduced prices that are about to expire. I recommend checking out the reduced section because you may find meat or produce you were planning on using in your meals. You can also freeze the food if you do not plan on using them immediately. However, there are some things I cannot find at discount stores, like certain brands of vegetarian alternatives like Quorn. When I shop for groceries at the supermarkets, I stick to my grocery list because it is so easy to spend way more than I planned because there is so much to look at when shopping at the supermarkets.
#5 Get a Members Card
The last way I save money is that I currently have a Coop members card through my partner’s mother, who paid the initial fee to join. The Coop members card is for a chain of Danish grocery stores with 2 supermarkets (Kvickly and SuperBrugsen) and 2 discount stores (Coop 365 and Dagli´Brugsen).
By having a Coop members card, I have access to weekly member-only sales, giveaways for free items (I have won everything from cookies and candy to koldskål and egg salad), and a 1% bonus on everything I buy as well as a 2% bonus on items that are part of the member’s only sale (there is also an added monthly bonus for having YouSee as my phone provider). The bonus I make I can use on future purchases, and I end up having around $10 extra each month for groceries. If you often shop at a particular grocery store, it would be a good idea to see if they have a member’s card, and most are free to join. Also, if your local grocery store has an app, it would be worth checking out, as they often have sales you can only access through the app.
If you are looking for more ways to save money on groceries, you can read Money Saving Superhero’s Fantastic Frugal Living Tips post on how to spend less money on food shopping. You can also check out my post on 3 Expenses You Should Cut When Saving Up to Buy a House.
John Nyck says
What’s about prescriptions? Can you please write an article on How one can save on prescriptions??
Colleen's Conclusions says
I spent $35 last weekend because I wanted salad (got 2 individual ones) individual cake slices, baked chips and frozen pizza. Then yesterday I just went ahead and got my groceries to last for a week and that was $85. In May I think I spent $140 total. I was gone one weekend though.
That’s great you only spent $140 in May & as long as you know how much you’re spending & you’re not buying a non-necessities all the time, you’re doing good.
Thank you! I’ve been trying to work on it!
Grocery shopping is a pain. I spend anywhere from $35-150 each time I go depending on what I need. $150 is when I need hearing aid batteries, water, meat, toilet paper, pads, plus everything else.I try to get that stuff I listed at the first of the month but my hearing aid batteries last for about two months.
Grocery shopping can be a pain & there are some days where I can get everything I need for $10 but when I need to get other necessities it can be $50+.
These are great tips. Meal planning and taking a list when I go grocery shopping are must’s for me.
Thank you! & I’m glad you feel the same way!
we don’t really use coupons either. I use a membership card and keep my eyes peeled for sales
That’s great you use a membership card too & it’s a good idea to look out for sales!
Grocery shops in the US are terrible, if you go into most places about 90% of the food brands are GMO (MONSANTO) with traces of Glyphosate which is finally being outlawed in many countries. Check the MONSANTO DO NOT BUY LIST, and you will see how many “popular” brands are all Monsanto subsidiaries. Getting coupons for brands which are laced with poison, you aren’t really saving any money in the long run. It is scary how contaminated much of the food supply is.
Great tips. I wish I could shop daily and just buy what I need / want for that particular day. Bet it saves loads of money x
I am always looking for ways to save on money, these tips on saving on groceries will be of great help to my personal finance strategy!
Good tips! I just don’t understand people who don’t meal plan – shopping must be so stressful and feel so aimless! Since we’ve been meal planning we’ve got our weekly shop for two down to £20 combined when we shop at Aldi, which is so much better than the £40 or so other people seem to be spending. Can’t work it out!
Meal planning is essential 👌 I also have recently come to appreciate how good it is to have a list and stick to it! You can save a fortune (like actually!) X
This is a fabulous article thank you for sharing. I do a lot of online shopping where I can compare prices easier. Planning meals around what is on sale is also a great tip. I like to have a empty my pantry meal or meal plan where you buy very little and try and use what you have on hand or frozen. So glad I found your blog I love you content!
Great tips! I use coupons when I can but these are great ways to supplement the coupon use! Thanks for sharing!