How to Save Money on Grocery Shopping

By now, you probably know that one of the biggest ways to slash your budget is by eating (and drinking) at home. But did you know that you can save even more when you shop for groceries and other essentials with Ibotta? Here are five ways to earn cash back on grocery shopping.

1. Shop in-store

Ibotta offers cash back on hundreds of everyday essentials at more than 500,000 in-store retailers — no coupons needed. That includes grocery stores like Kroger, Albertsons, Aldi, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s; wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s; and big box stores like Walmart, Target, Kmart, and more.

Before you head to the store, open the Ibotta mobile app and tap Find offers at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap Grocery. From here, find your favorite local grocery stores and browse and add offers for items on your shopping list. After your shopping trip, open the Ibotta app and tap Redeem to upload your receipt. (You may also need to scan the barcodes of some products you purchased.) Your cash back will be credited to your Ibotta account within 24 hours!

To make things even easier, some retailers let you link your store loyalty account in the Ibotta app. When you use your linked loyalty account at checkout, your purchases will be automatically matched to qualifying offers, and you’ll see the cash back in your Ibotta earnings within 24 hours. No need to upload a receipt!

Earn even more in-store: You can save even more on your grocery purchases by combining offers on individual products with the overall cash back you earn at checkout at retailers when you use Pay With Ibotta at Walmart, Cost Plus World Market, and more.

2. Shop online

Of course, shopping doesn’t have to mean leaving the house. You can shop online for many essentials and save money doing it! Just open the Ibotta app, scroll down the home screen, and tap Online Shopping to start earning cash back on purchase at retailers like SamsClub.com, GNC.com, Walgreens.com, Vitacost, and VitaminShoppe.com. Or, check out Thrive Market, a subscription service that delivers organic and non-GMO food and home goods right to your door. And don’t forget about essentials for your furry family from PetSmart.com and Petco.com! After you check out, Ibotta will automatically calculate your cash back and add it to your Ibotta account.

3. Get a kit

If you’re new to cooking at home or simply want to skip the shopping list and grocery store, try a meal kit like Home Chef, Purple Carrot, or Sun Basket. You’ll get a box full of recipes and ingredients delivered right to your door. Or, if you’re strapped for time or would rather avoid the cooking part altogether, Freshly offers nutritious pre-cooked, chef-prepared meals that are delivered to your home ready for you to reheat and eat in minutes. What could be more convenient than that? Earn cash back on meal kits when you order online through the Online Shopping section of the Ibotta mobile app.

4. Don’t forget the drinks!

You can also use Ibotta to save on beverages, from your morning tea or coffee to your evening cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. In addition to picking up tea or coffee during your regular grocery shopping trip or online order, you can use Pay With Ibotta to earn cash back on your entire purchase at coffee shops like Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee, Beans & Brews Coffee House, and Water Street Coffee. The next time you stop in for a to-go beverage, consider adding a bag of brew-at-home coffee or tea. It’s the best of both worlds: one for now and more for later!

You can also use Ibotta to save on alcohol purchases. If you live in a state that allows alcohol sales at grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and other retailers, you can add it to your regular grocery shopping. Or, add alcohol offers in the Beer, Wine & Spirits section of the Ibotta mobile app. You’ll find offers that work at specific retailers, as well as offers that will work at any liquor store. After shopping, open the Ibotta app and redeem your receipt to get your cash back. Or head to Total Wine & More and use Pay With Ibotta to save on a percentage of your purchase at checkout. For online shoppers, try Winc Wine Club, a subscription service that delivers four hand-picked bottles of wine to you each month. If you’re running low right now, use Drizly’s alcohol delivery service and you’ll have your favorite beverage at your door in as little as one hour. You’ll find both in the Online Shopping section of the Ibotta mobile app.