How-To: Find the Biggest Savings

Hack 1

Make a plan

Just like shopping IRL, having a plan saves time and money. You’ll be able to:

• Get the most from everything you buy
• Use up food you already have at home
• Avoid extra trips to the store
• Take advantage of great deals

As you run out of things, keep a list on paper or on your phone. Then add what you need for this week’s meals.

Hack 2

Stick to your list

Shopping online or with an app is great for avoiding temptation. It’s easier to pass by a picture of donuts than the smell of a freshly baked dozen.

Still, shops will try to encourage you with specials along the way. Know what you need, how you’ll use something, and whether it’s actually a good value, before you add it to your cart.

Hack 3

Shop by unit prices

Some sites and apps will let you sort and shop by unit prices, so you can be sure you’re getting the most for your money. Look under Sort or Filter and choose Unit Price – Low to High (or similar).

If a store only lets you sort by Lowest Price, it’s unlikely to help you. For many products, the lowest price is often not the best value. And sometimes, it can be hard to tell a product’s size from the tiny photo.

Hack 4

Load coupons in advance

Check newspapers and online for sales and coupons. Many stores offer discounts via their apps or shopping sites, and coupons may need to be loaded an hour or more before you shop. Even with a coupon, check to see if you’re getting the best deal!

Make sure you join stores’ loyalty programs, too, for special member discounts.

Hack 5

Share foods across multiple recipes

Don’t buy something you’ll only use for one recipe—unless you know you’ll use it all up.

Avoid throwing food away by finding other recipes that use the same ingredient. The SNAP-Ed NY recipe search is a good place to start. Simply type a food in the search box to see what comes up!

Hack 6

Watch out for fees and markups

Some providers will charge extra fees or raise prices on items to pay for the cost of their service, especially if shopping is handled by someone who isn’t employed by the store. You may find that being able to compare unit prices, maximize deals, and save time makes it worthwhile, but just make sure you’re aware of what you’re paying for.

Hack 7

Use EBT almost anywhere

Online shops often make it easier to see which products qualify for nutrition benefits, and they take EBT for payment. And you can search online for additional resources:

• Find nearby Double Up locations, where you can get twice the fruits and veggies for every dollar
• See where you can use EBT at farmers’ markets
• Click here for a list of New York stores that accept EBT

Hack 8

Check your SNAP balance before you shop

Online and app shopping are great for keeping a running total of the items in your cart, so you can avoid surprises at check-out.

Click here to sign in and check your SNAP balance, or use the ebtEDGE app.