What I Only Buy on Weekly Digital Deals at Kroger (and Freeze to Save Money)
If you are trying to lower your grocery bill without spending hours couponing, this is the one habit that has made the biggest difference for our family.
I keep it super simple. I don’t chase every deal, and I do not buy things just because they are on sale. I only stock up on the items we already use when they hit their lowest price through Kroger weekly digital deals.
Then I freeze the extras. That is how I avoid paying full price later. It literally pains me when the occasion happens that I have to pay full price for one of these items… thankfully that rarely happens!
My Simple Kroger Strategy That Actually Saves Money
Each week, I check the Kroger digital coupons and look for real discounts on everyday foods. If the price is low enough, I stock up. This is easiest to do with the Kroger Weekly Digital Deals.
Kroger allows you to purchase 5 of each of these items PER transaction. If it’s something that your family really uses, it’s worth it to do a few transactions to get 10 or 15!
I almost always buy 5 of each item because that is what the coupon allows in one transaction. It is an easy way to build a stocked kitchen without overcomplicating things.
Over time, this means fewer full price purchases, fewer last minute grocery trips, and a much more predictable grocery budget. Also, I’m able to just throw together dinners quickly because I have a stocked pantry and freezer… a big win when you have a large and busy family like me!!
What I Only Buy on Weekly Digital Deal at Kroger
These are the items I rarely pay full price for. When they go on sale with a Weekly Digital Deal (and they predictably do!!), I buy 5 and freeze what we will not use right away.
Butter
When butter drops to around $1.99, I buy (at least) 5 and freeze it. It keeps well and we use it all the time. When I run out of butter in the refrigerator, I grab one from my stockpile in the freezer and throw it in the fridge to thaw. With the amount of baking my family does, this is a game changer!!
Bacon
When bacon hits a stock up price like $3.99, I grab 5 packs. It is easy to freeze and gets used quickly. Again, I just wait until I use a pack that I have in the fridge and immediately replace it with one from the freezer so it is thawed and ready to use for next time.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs go on sale often and make quick, easy additions to evenings that we grill chicken or steak. I buy 5 packs and freeze them.
Frozen Chicken
When frozen chicken breast, thighs or tenderloin is included in a digital deal, I stock up. Having it in the freezer makes weeknight meals much easier. I might not buy 5 of these (that would be A LOT of chicken!) but I definitely always grab one or two.
Ground Beef
Ground beef is one of our most used ingredients. When the price drops, I buy 5 pounds. We use 2 pounds at a time for our family of 6 so this goes pretty quickly! It goes into the freezer and is part of my weekly routine of pulling out meat to thaw in the fridge.
Breakfast Sausage
When it is on sale, I buy 5 and freeze it. I keep the same routine with this as I do with the bacon. We always keep a pack thawed in the fridge for simple breakfasts or toppings for pizza!
Bread Products
Bread, buns, and rolls freeze well. We homemake most of the bread products that we freeze, but when something like Dave’s Killer Bread goes on sale I buy it and throw it in the freezer for when life is a little bit busy. Convenience foods are great when you need them and this keeps me from paying a premium!
Frozen Vegetables
These are already budget friendly, but digital deals make them even cheaper. I buy 5 bags at a time for easy side dishes. Always having a vegetable in the freezer makes life just a little bit simpler.
I also have a preschooler that LOVES broccoli. She would eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So, having her favorite food on hand is a great hack!
Why Freezing Saves So Much
The freezer is what makes this strategy work.
Instead of buying these items every week at whatever the current price is, I buy them once at the lowest price and store them.
That means that
- You are not paying higher prices later
- You always have food on hand
- You can build meals without another grocery trip
It is a simple shift, but it adds up SO quickly.
What I Skip (Even If It Is on Sale)
Not every deal is worth it.
I always don’t bother buying:
- Anything my family will not actually eat
- Random sale items that do not fit into our meals
- Complicated coupon strategies
If we will not use it and I wouldn’t buy it even at full price, I do not buy it.
Final Thoughts
You do not need a complicated system to save money at Kroger.
- Check the weekly digital deals
- Buy 5 when the price is right
- Stick to what your family already uses
- Use your freezer
That is it!
This simple routine has helped us keep our grocery budget under control without extra work, and it is something anyone can start doing right away.
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