1. Set Your Budget

It's easier to stick to a maximum amount when you set a specific grocery budget. If you don't have a written budget yet, start there. Designating your money to specific expenses can help you get out of debt and control your spending to make your retirement budget stretch.

Looking at your budget, decide how much you can comfortably spend each week on groceries. Track your spending at the grocery store to make sure you stick with it. If you tend to go over your limit, consider using cash to buy groceries. This restricts you to the amount you set. If you have extra money some weeks, you can roll it over to the following week to give yourself some wiggle room.

2. Plan Meals and Snacks Realistically

Grocery stores create displays strategically to encourage you to put more items in your shopping cart. You can avoid those temptations by going into the store with a solid plan. Each week, look at your schedule to see what's happening. Maybe you're going to a friend's house for dinner on Thursday and you have your book club on Sunday. Looking ahead helps you plan meals that work based on your schedule for the week. In this case, you don't need to plan a meal for Thursday night, but you might need to pick up a side dish or dessert to bring to your friend's house.

Make a list of the specific groceries you need based on the meals you plan. Add in some snacks and extras, depending on how you normally eat. Avoid adding too many items you won't realistically eat before they go bad. Being strategic helps you avoid wasting money on food you end up tossing.  

3. Research Local Pricing

If you pay attention to prices, you'll likely find that, in general, some local grocery stores are cheaper than others. Or you might find some variations for specific items. The meat department might run a little less expensive at a certain supermarket, for instance. Comparing prices for the groceries you buy frequently helps you know where to buy them to save money. Knowing the typical prices also makes it easier to spot a price decrease. Take photos of the products and their price tags for an easy record of costs at different stores, or create a spreadsheet with the data to keep it easily accessible.

4. Shop Sales and Clearance

Timing your purchases well can reduce your grocery expenses. Each week, grocery stores release new ads with special deals. Stock up on the items you use regularly when they're on sale. Another way to get lower prices is by checking for clearance items while you shop. Stores often mark down perishable items such as meat and produce when they're close to their expiration dates. Even shelf-stable foods sometimes go on clearance if they've been around a little too long. Check the dates before purchasing to make sure you can either eat or freeze the food before it expires.

5. Download Apps

Check for smartphone apps for your favorite grocery stores to maximize your savings. They might offer loyalty programs, coupons and special discounts through their apps. You can also go online to download digital coupons for your grocery items from various coupon websites.

Another app option is the rebate app. Apps such as Ibotta, Fetch Rewards and Checkout 51 give you a little money back on purchases. They usually work by having you upload your receipts to show you purchased certain items. You earn cash back or points for those purchases.

6. Shop in Bulk Wisely

Shopping in bulk might seem silly when you're retired, but it can help you cut food costs. Shelf-stable bulk items that last several months are often cheaper per unit than smaller packages and won't go bad quickly. Meat is another option that works well in bulk. Most types of meat freeze well, so you can buy a bulk package for a lower per-ounce price and freeze the extra meat. You can also buy in bulk and split the costs and food with a neighbor or friend.

7. Utilize Senior Living Options

If you don't already live at LifeStream at Sun City, moving there could help you with your grocery budget. Residents enjoy many independent living benefits,  with one being on-site dining options. You get the perk of having a set monthly fee, so you know how much you're spending on your living expenses. That can help you control your spending. Plus, when you eat in the community's restaurant-style dining facilities, you get gourmet food without waste. Cooking for yourself often means you have leftovers or ingredients that go bad and have to be thrown out. You still have the option of cooking in your apartment, but you can also enjoy the on-site dining services to make mealtimes manageable.