8 Ways Savvy Shoppers Are Outsmarting Inflation at the Grocery Store

Groceries are a non-negotiable, but sky-high prices don’t have to be. 

Whether it’s inflation, rising membership fees, or just the cost of feeding your family, savvy shoppers know how to fight back. 

From cashback cards to cutting unnecessary costs, these smart strategies will help you take control of your grocery bill without cutting corners on quality. Time to save big while keeping your fridge (and wallet) full.

1. See if You Can Cut Your Credit Card Interest Rate by 70%

Every month, you make payments toward your credit card debt. But you never seem to make a dent. It’s because of those sky-high interest rates — as much as 24% interest. It can feel impossible to get ahead.

But Fiona could help you find offers to cut your interest rate by 70% as soon as tomorrow. 

Here’s how it works: Fiona can match you with new loan offers at a lower interest rate — as low as 5.20% APR*. That’s 70%* lower than the average credit card interest rate. And it’s the key to finally getting ahead.

You can use this new loan to pay off all your existing credit card debt, then you’ll be left with one (cheaper) monthly payment that will help you get out of debt faster.

If you have a credit score of at least 620, you could get up to $100,000. With no collateral. And terms go up to 144 months.

Worried you won’t qualify? Take two minutes to check online and see if you could cut your credit card interest rate by 70%.

*Based on creditworthiness. Average credit card interest rate is 24.72% as of 8/14/23, according to Forbes Advisor’s weekly credit card rates report.

2. Earn Up to $360 a Year* With This Cash Back Card

Let’s cut to the chase: If you don’t get cash back on every purchase, you’re overpaying. And who doesn’t like cash back?

We do. The Discover® Cashback Debit account will pay you 1% cash back on up to $3,000 monthly (that’s potentially an extra $360 annually).* There’s no impact on your credit score for signing up and no minimum balance requirements ever.

Need groceries? Tap your card for cash back. This card has no fees, access to over 60,000 ATMs, and the Early Pay direct deposit feature allows you to get paid up to 2 days earlier. The app lets you handle your banking needs and connect a virtual wallet like Apple Pay to amplify your rewards. Checking account deposits are FDIC-insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law. 

Does your bank do all that? If not, open a free Discover checking account to get special treatment from a bank that will actually put money back into your account. 

*See Deposit Account Agreement for details on transaction eligibility, limitations, and terms.

3. Get Rewarded for Your Everyday Purchases: $300 Bonus Included

Ready to earn more on every purchase? 

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, you’ll get an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases in your first year—up to your first $20,000 spent. That’s up to $300 in bonus cash back just for doing what you already do: shop, dine, travel, and shop some more.

You’ll also earn 6.5% cash back on travel through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 3% on everything else. And with no annual fee, this card is designed to put more money back in your wallet.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® also has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers* (regular APR of 19.74%–28.49% applies). It’s the perfect way to pay down debt or make larger purchases without extra pressure.

With millions of satisfied cardmembers and a lineup of benefits like Purchase Protection, Zero Liability, and even Trip Cancellation Insurance, this card is built for both everyday convenience and ultimate peace of mind.

Turn Everyday Spending Into $300 Bonus Cash with Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

*A balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open applies.

4. Get Paid to Shop: $200 Bonus and 1.5% Cash Back on Everything

Want an extra $200 for just doing what you normally do? 

With the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, it’s as simple as making everyday purchases. Just spend $500 in the first three months and you’ll pocket a $200 one-time cash bonus. No complicated hoops to jump through—just easy money to reward your regular everyday spending.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a 1.5% cash-back rate on every single purchase. Whether you’re grabbing groceries or booking a vacation, you’re always earning without needing to worry about categories. Plus, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (after that, a regular APR of 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable) applies). 

Need to transfer a balance? You can also take advantage of the 0% intro APR on balance transfers (balance transfer fee of 3% applies), giving you more flexibility while paying down debt.

Snag that $200 and start earning cash back on everyday shopping today!

5. Boost Your Cashback Earnings— and Get a $200 Welcome Bonus

Tired of credit cards that overpromise and underdeliver? Companies are quick to tell you you’re getting a great deal only for you to find out your rewards will barely make a dent in your spending. It’s time for a better card that delivers on those promises.

This cash back card gives you exactly what you’re looking for. Welcome bonus? Check. Usable cash back? Check. And that’s not all. 

Here are all the perks you’ll get with this card:

• A $200 welcome bonus (based on minimum spend requirement)
• Unlimited 2% cash back on purchases
• 0% intro APR through 2026
• No annual fee

This card is as straightforward as it gets… and that’s why we like it. Learn more about how to earn your $200 sign-up bonus. 

6. Cancel Your Car Insurance

You might not realize it, but your car insurance company is probably overcharging you. In fact, they’re kind of counting on you not noticing. But don’t worry; this is an easy fix. 

This new tool from The Penny Hoarder gathers all your best options together in one place, so you don’t have to waste time browsing endless insurance sites for a better deal. On average, drivers who shop around tend to save $500 per year or more. 

Getting started is super easy, too. Just tell us a little about yourself and the kind of car you drive, and we’ll send you a few personalized quotes you can compare to find the best fit for you. 

Stop overpaying for car insurance. It only takes a few minutes to compare your options and see how much you could be saving.

7. Get Up to $300 Just for Setting Up Direct Deposit With This Account

If you bank at a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, your money probably isn’t growing much (c’mon, 0.40% is basically nothing).¹ 

But there’s good news: With SoFi Checking and Savings (member FDIC), you stand to gain up to a hefty 4.00% APY on savings when you set up a direct deposit or have $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits and 0.50% APY on checking balances2 — savings APY is 10 times more than the national average.¹

Right now, a direct deposit of at least $1K not only sets you up for higher returns but also brings you closer to earning up to a $300 welcome bonus (terms apply).³

You can easily deposit checks via your phone’s camera, transfer funds, and get customer service via chat or phone call. There are no account fees, no monthly fees and no overdraft fees.* And your money is FDIC insured (up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance through the SoFi Insured Deposit Program).⁴

It’s quick and easy to open an account with SoFi Checking and Savings (member FDIC) and watch your money grow faster than ever.

8. Get Paid $225/Month While Watching Movie Previews

If we told you that you could get paid while watching videos on your computer, you’d probably laugh.

It’s too good to be true, right?

But we’re serious. By signing up for a free account with InboxDollars, you could add up to $225 a month to your pocket. They’ll send you short surveys every day, which you can fill out while you watch someone bake brownies or catch up on the latest Kardashian drama.

No, InboxDollars won’t replace your full-time job, but it’s something easy you can do while you’re already on the couch tonight, wasting time on your phone.

Unlike other sites, InboxDollars pays you in cash — no points or gift cards. It’s already paid its users more than $56 million.

Signing up takes about one minute, and you’ll immediately receive a $5 bonus to get you started.

*SoFi® Checking and Savings (member FDIC):

1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus when they set up Direct Deposit of at least $1,000 during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period. Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/24. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.00% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/2/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

2. APY disclosures

SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/2/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

3. Fee Policy

Our account fee policy is subject to change at any time.

4. Additional FDIC Insurance (must be bolded)

SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $2M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/terms. See the list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks.

5. ATM Access

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds

Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

7. Overdraft Coverage

Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with direct deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting e(i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.