25 cheap grocery swaps that taste the same

ReceiptRoast suggests three kinds of swaps: store brand, bulk and skip it. Here are the most common winners from each.

Store-brand swaps (save 20–40%)

• Pasta, rice, oats and flour
• Canned tomatoes, beans and broth
• Frozen vegetables and fruit
• Breakfast cereal (the “toasted oats” next to the famous box)
• Butter, milk, cheese blocks and yogurt
• Pasta sauce and salsa
• Painkillers and allergy pills (check the active ingredient)
• Dish soap, trash bags and paper towels

Bulk and size swaps (save 15–50% per unit)

• Ground coffee or beans instead of cold-brew cans or pods
• A large tub of yogurt instead of single cups
• A big bag of chips, portioned, instead of several small bags
• Whole chicken or family packs, frozen in portions
• Block cheese you grate instead of pre-shredded
• Whole lettuce or spinach instead of salad kits
• Large rice and oat bags, if you’ll use them within a few months
• A water filter instead of bottled water

Skip-it swaps (save 100%)

• Checkout candy and gum
• Energy drinks: one fewer pack a week is about $400 a year
• The second flavour of ice cream
• Scented candles and flowers from the grocery store (cheaper elsewhere, or as a monthly treat)
• Pre-made sandwiches when you have bread at home
• Duplicate snacks: pick one bag, not three
• Single-serve snack packs
• “Healthy” items you won’t eat before they spoil
• Kitchen gadgets in the seasonal aisle

Not sure which swaps matter for you? Scan one receipt and ReceiptRoast picks the three with the biggest savings on what you actually bought.