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If youre paying shelf price at Kroger, youre doing it the hard way

• The free Kroger loyalty account unlocks weekly sale pricing, personalized digital coupons, and fuel points all of which stack together automatically when you shop smart.

• Combine weekly ad sales, app-based digital coupons, Catalina register coupons, and cash-back rebates from apps like Ibotta and Fetch to max your savings.

• Watch for Krogers bulk promos, yellow clearance tags, and seasonal markdowns, then build your weekly meals around those deals to cut your bill without cutting quality.

Grocery bills keep climbing, but that doesnt mean you have to throw your budget out the window. If you shop regularly at Kroger, there are smart ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality or nutrition.

Think beyond coupons and find strategies that save money weekly, including trip hacks that stack, and ways to put extra cash back in your pocket. Heres how to shop at Kroger like a pro.

1. Start with the Kroger Loyalty program

Before you do anything else, get a Kroger loyalty card and digital account via the Kroger app.

Its free, easy to set up in the app or in-store, and automatically unlocks the core savings tools Kroger offers:

• Weekly sale prices and digital deals tailored to your shopping habits.
• Digital coupons that you clip right in the app.
• Fuel points that turn grocery purchases into gas discounts.
• Personalized offers that Kroger often doesnt advertise in store.

Pro tip: Link your Kroger Shoppers Card and email address so every digital coupon you clip applies automatically when you swipe at checkout.

2. Stack discounts like a pro

Coupons at Kroger are still a big deal, especially if you use them right.

• Clip digital coupons in the Kroger app before you shop. These are great because they stack with weekly sales and automatically apply at checkout.
• Look for Catalina coupons at the register.These come attached to your Kroger receipt and the coupons are typically for stuff you regularly buy. Dont ignore them, instead use them for easy savings on your next purchase.
• Some Kroger locations now even have paper coupons alongside their digital ones. These are especially popular with shoppers who prefer physical savings.

Dont underestimate the power of using digital coupons, plus their weekly ads, along with Catalina coupons. By stacking all three, you can create deep discounts on your everyday staples.

Pro tip: Use a free rebate app like Ibotta, Fetch, and Checkout 51 and stack a rebate on top of the above coupons. The rebates are in the form of cashback on name brands along with generic items like bananas, milk, and eggs.

You simply snap a picture of your receipt via the app, and they automatically look for products that have rebates attached to them.

3. Watch for big sale events & special tags

Kroger uses several price tag systems that signal deals for in-the-know shoppers:

• 10 for $10 and similar bulk discounts: You dont actually have to buy 10 items to get the sale price. Each item actually rings up at the discounted unit price. So if you only need five, it will only cost you $5.
• Yellow and WooHoo sale tags: These special tags are either managers specials or clearance deals on meat, produce, and dairy. Look for them and save.
• Seasonal and holiday markdowns: Youll see these markdowns most often on bakery, produce, and meats. They can save you big when you stock-up right after a major holiday.
• Scan the weekly ad before you shop: Then build your weekly meal plan around the sales. Finding the deals first, then figuring out what to cook, is one of the most effective ways to cut your Kroger bill.

Pro tip: Ask about senior discount days. Occasionally, on specific days, Kroger offers a 5% or 10% discount for those aged 55 or older. Ask an employee at your location if they have any senior days coming up in early 2026.

4. Turn your grocery trips into gas savings

Krogers Fuel Points Program is a clever way to turn groceries into discounts at the pump. It works like this:

• Earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 you spend on qualifying groceries.
• 100 points = $0.10 off per gallon at Kroger gas stations (up to 35 gallons per fill-up), 200 points = $0.20 off, and so on.
• Bonus points often come from promotions (like buying gift cards) where you can earn 2 or even 4 fuel points.

Pro tip:Buying gift cards at Kroger is a no-brainer way to save when buying gas and is worth mentioning again. They often run 4x fuel points promoswhen buyinggift cards.

So, ifyou get into the habit of buying gift cards from Kroger for the stores and restaurants you know you'll be visiting,you can scoresomecheap gas. Many Kroger shoppers have reported regularly saving $1 or more per gallon on their fill-ups.

5. Take advantage of pickup & delivery deals

Online ordering isnt just convenient, but when done right, its also a great money-saving tool:

• Kroger often offers exclusive digital coupons for Pickup/Delivery orders.
• Scheduling ahead can avoid high Instacart fees while still capturing digital savings.
• Krogers Boost membership gives free delivery on $35+ orders and extra perks like double fuel points.

Get into the habit of shopping the Kroger app first. That way, youll see all the digital deals first as they're easy to misswhen you'rein the store. Especially things like the cashback offers and limited-time sales.

Pro tip: Ask the meat department for Family Packs that arent on the sales floor yet. Early in the day, stores usually have freshly prepped packs of chicken, pork, or beef that havent made it to the display case yet.

Its been my experience that employees are happy to hook you up when you politely ask. Youll get a much lower per-pound price than the smaller trays on display, and sometimes even fresher cuts. Then you can freeze what you wont eat in the next couple of days.

6. Buy Kroger brands (and dont be afraid to try them)

Kroger store brands like Simple Truth and Private Selection are almost always cheaper than the popular national brands and often just as good.

Even better: Via their Freshness Guarantee, if youre not happy with a Kroger brand product for any reason, theyll refund or exchange it. So, theres very little risk in trying cheaper options to see if your family likes them.

Pro tip: When looking for Kroger-branded items to try, start with what I call the swap items ratherthanthe sacred items.

The "swap items" are the things your family will never notice. Stuff like flour, sugar, canned veggies, shredded cheese, frozen fruit, and pasta. These are often made by the national brand, but cost significantly less.

Stay away from the sacred items at first, also known as the products that your family has a very strong opinion about and would notice in a heartbeat if you tried swapping them for the store brand. These arethings like ketchup, peanut butter, mac & cheese, soda, and popular cereals.

How food prices, restaurant access, and location are changing what Americans put on their plates

• Where you live plays a major role in how much it costs to eat healthy, with annual costs ranging from just over $13,000 to nearly $19,000 per person in the most expensive states.

• High prices arent the only barrier to healthy eating limited access to restaurants and fresh food options can make it harder to maintain a balanced diet, even if youre willing to spend more.

• Rising supply-chain and transportation costs are pushing fresh food prices higher, but smart swaps like frozen vegetables, legumes, and store brands can help stretch your grocery budget.
  

Eating healthy sounds simple enough: more fruits and vegetables, fewer processed foods, balanced meals at home, and the occasional nutritious night out. But in reality, where you live can make that goal far more expensive and in some states, it can feel almost out of reach.

A new January 2026 report from BLogic Systems takes a closer look at what it actually costs to maintain a healthy diet across the U.S., factoring in both grocery shopping and dining out.

And its not just about price tags. In places like Alaska, a lack of restaurants that meet basic healthy nutrition standards limits choices just as much as high food costs.

Ultimately, these factors influence where people shop, how often they cook at home, and how frequently they eat out.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with a BLogic Systems expert, who broke down how economic pressure is changing what healthy eating looks like in America today.

Where is healthy eating the most expensive?

To calculate which states are the most expensive for following a healthy diet, experts explored the economic impact of eating out at restaurants and eating at home.

In terms of eating out, the research focused on the price range of restaurants that offer meals meeting predefined nutritional criteria for balanced, minimally processed, and low-added-sugar profiles. Eating at home was calculated by using state-level grocery price data from the USDA and national food expenditure surveys.

Based on that, heres a look at the top 10 states where its most expensive to eat healthy:

• Hawaii

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $14.5K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $4.0K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $18.5K

• New York

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $12.2K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.9K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $15.1K

• Massachusetts

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.6K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $3.4K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $15.0K

• Alaska

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $12.0K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.8K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $14.8K

• California

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.7K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $3.1K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.8K

• Connecticut

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.0K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.6K

• Wyoming

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.2K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.1K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.3K

• Vermont

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.7K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.2K

• New Jersey

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.6K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.2K

What drives up the cost of healthy food?

According to BLogic Systems, there are a few factors that come into play:

• "Freshness Tax": Unlike shelf-stable ultra-processed foods, fresh produce, lean meats, and dairy require cold-chain logistics (refrigeration) and frequent restocking. This adds a massive overhead that processed foods simply don't have.

• Supply Chain Volatility: In 2026, were seeing specific spikes in categories like beef and veal (up over 9%) and fresh vegetables.

  • The Global Cold Chain Market is growing at a 13.6% CAGR through 2026. These energy-intensive transport costs are passed directly to the consumer. For Hawaii, where 90% of food is imported, this creates the $14.5K "at-home" cost we see in our data.

• The Production Gap: Fixed costs for supplying fresh fruits and vegetables remain about 40% higher than for grains or sugars used in processed snacks. Essentially, it's cheaper to make a calorie-dense cracker than it is to get a fresh bell pepper to a shelf in a high-cost area.

Making the most of your money

If you find yourself in one of the most expensive states to eat healthy, there are some ways to stretch your budget. BLogic Systems offered some advice for consumers:

• Frozen vegetables are nutritionally equivalent to fresh, but significantly cheaper and won't rot in your crisper drawer.

• Legumes, brown rice, and oats are the "inflation-proof" options.

  • For example, dried lentils provide roughly 20g of protein per $0.25 serving, meanwhile lean beef in New York currently averages $1.15 for the same protein content.

• The 50% Rule: Aim for half the plate to be vegetables (even canned ones with no added salt) and 25% to be an affordable protein like eggs or beans.

• In 2026, the quality gap between name-brand "health" foods and generic store brands is virtually nonexistent. Whenever you can, choose the store-brand.

His four-part plan should have loyal (and disgruntled) shoppers optimistic

• New Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is doubling down on trendy, affordable products and stronger private labels to compete on value without losing Targets signature look.

• Expect cleaner aisles, fewer out-of-stocks, faster Drive Up, and more open checkout lanes at busy times.

• Smarter inventory systems and more investment in workers aim to reduce order issues and make in-store help easier to find.

Target just handed the top job to longtime exec Michael Fiddelke, and his first message was clear. The retailer has real work to do to rebuild trust after a rocky year of boycotts, policy backlash, and sluggish sales.

Fiddelke officially took over Feb. 1 from Brian Cornell, who moves into an executive chair role. Now the focus is a four-part turnaround plan aimed at getting shoppers excited about Target again.

1. Expect better deals + stylishdesign

Fiddelke says Target will double down on what originally made it stand out, which is stylish products at affordable prices.

What that means for you:

• More emphasis on trendy but budget-friendly home, apparel, and seasonal lines.
• Possible refresh of private-label brands (where Target makes higher profit margins).
• Look for a push to compete with Walmart on value without looking cheap.

If Target can do this right, expect to see more Pinterest board-ready displays that made Tar-zhay famous in the first place.

Couple this with more competitive prices, especially in home dcor and clothing, and Target will be definitely be heading in the right direction.

2. Stores are about to get more attention

Target admits that their in-store experience hasnt felt as good or inspiring as it used to. Thats now become a priority of the new CEO.

The changes we should see:

• Cleaner, less cluttered aisles
• Better in-stock rates (fewer empty shelves)
• Faster Drive Up and order pickup
• More staffed checkout lanes at peak times

Translation: Expect less friction and fewer in-store annoyances like out-of-stocks and messy shelves. This could be a nice change if youve felt like Target runs have gotten more stressful lately.

3. More tech is coming (for better or worse)

This doesnt mean theyll be selling more TVs and laptops, but rather introducing more technologybehind the scenesto make shopping frictionless.

What that could mean:

• Smarter inventory systems, so items actually show as available when they are (and vice versa).
• Faster fulfillment for in-store and curbside pickup, along with quicker online delivery.
• More app-based personalization and offers.

The biggest upside for shoppers would be fewer canceled orders and a faster customer service response.

The downside is potentially more data tracking tied to your shopping behavior via the Target app.

4. Investment in workers and communities

Fiddelke has a long history in operations and human resources at Target and has supported higher pay and benefits in the past.

This part of the plan could include:

• Continued wage and training investments
• More focus on local community engagement
• Efforts to stabilize staffing issues in stores

For shoppers, that should translate to friendlier employees who are less overwhelmed.

It will be interesting to see if the new CEO keeps their unofficial 10-4 policy, which trained employees to smile or wave within 10 feet of a customer, and ask if they need help within fourfeet.

Why this reset is happening now

Target has been dealing with falling sales and brand backlash since early 2025, including controversy over social policies and store-level incidents involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On top of that, shoppers have complained about high prices, lack of inventory, and overall store conditions.

Retail analysts say Targets brand is still strong, especially if the company fixes the basics like value, reliability, and a welcoming in-store feel.

In many ways, 2026 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Targets reputation, and your shopping experience will be the real test.

Being a night owl could come with cardiovascular health risks

• Adults who naturally stay up late tend to have poorer heart health profiles than people with typical or early sleep-wake patterns.

• Much of this difference is linked to lifestyle factors like diet quality, sleep habits, smoking and activity levels.

• Over nearly 14 years of follow-up, night owls had an approximately 16% higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared with those in the middle chronotype group.

Have you ever wondered whether being a night owl or a morning person could affect your health?

Researchers are increasingly aware that when we sleep and are active our chronotype may play a role in long-term well-being, especially when it comes to the heart.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association looked at nearly 323,000 adults from the U.K. to explore how peoples natural sleep-wake preferences relate to cardiovascular health and disease risk.

The study

Rather than just recording bedtimes, researchers asked participants to self-identify their natural preference morning, evening, or intermediate and then linked that information with detailed health data.

Cardiovascular health was measured using the American Heart Associations Lifes Essential 8 score, a composite of eight factors known to influence heart disease risk: diet quality, physical activity, sleep health, smoking exposure, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body weight.

By combining these self-reports with medical records and health measurements over about 14 years, the team could track how different chronotypes fared in terms of heart disease outcomes specifically, first heart attack, or stroke.

The results

Compared with people who fell in the middle of the chronotype spectrum, those who identified as definite evening types were much more likely to have lower overall heart health scores based on Lifes Essential 8. In fact, they were about 79% more likely to have a score that signals poorer cardiovascular health.

Over the follow-up period, evening types also had a 16% higher risk of a heart attack or stroke than intermediate chronotypes, even after adjusting for other factors.

Evening people often experience circadian misalignment, meaning their internal body clock may not match the natural day-to-night light cycle or their typical daily schedules, lead study author Sina Kianersi, Ph.D., D.V.M.; said in a news release.

Importantly, the analysis suggested that most of this increased risk is tied to modifiable lifestyle factors. Night owls in the study tended to have habits linked with poorer heart health like less sleep, lower diet quality, or higher nicotine exposure which help explain their lower heart health scores and increased risk.

In contrast, those who identified as definite morning types had a slightly better cardiovascular profile than people without a strong sleep-wake preference, though the difference was modest.

Evening types arent inherently less healthy, but they face challenges that make it particularly important for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle, researcher Kristen Knutson, Ph.D. said in the news release.

What this means for you

Being a night owl isnt a sentence to heart disease, but this research highlights how sleep timing and daily routines intertwine with heart health. Because many of the habits associated with late-night activity are changeable like smoking, diet and sleep patterns people who stay up late may be able to protect their heart by focusing on those core healthy behaviors.

Some medications or therapies work best when they align with a specific time of relevant circadian rhythms, and this time will vary depending on whether you are a morning, intermediate, or evening chronotype, Dr. Knutson said. Targeted programs for people who naturally stay up late could help them improve their lifestyle behaviors and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Brands are spending $8 million a pop to put their best foot forward

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Record-high prices: Super Bowl LX advertising slots are commanding around $8 million for a 30-second spot, making the Big Game one of the most expensive ad buys in media roughly $233,000+ per second of airtime with production, talent, and campaign costs pushing total spend far higher.

• Wide variety of advertisers: The lineup includes traditional power players like Bud Light, Pepsi, and Dunkin alongside newcomers and unexpected sectors such as Raisin Bran, AI startups, and pharmaceutical brands.

• Buzz-worthy creative: This years ads promise celebrity stars, nostalgic callbacks, humor, social causes, and even direct industry messaging exemplified by a tech company mocking a rivals ad strategy.

As Super Bowl LX approaches on Sunday, the advertisements that will be shown before and during the game are creating as much buzz as the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks the two teams that will take the field. Traditionally, Madison Avenue pulls out all the stops for the top TV event of the year.

For advertisers eager to reach what could be more than 100 million live viewers, airtime is now one of the most coveted commodities in media. A 30-second commercial costs about $8 million, a price that has stabilized at record levels after years of steady growth.

But the airtime purchase is just the beginning. Companies reported spending millions more on production, celebrity fees, and campaign amplification, with total investments often reaching $15 million$30 million or higher once all elements are factored in.

Whos advertising in 2026

This years Super Bowl ad roster blends legacy big spenders with fresh entrants across industries:

• Beverage & snacks: Bud Lights humor-driven spot starring Peyton Manning, Post Malone, and comedian Shane Gillis has already gone viral in teaser form.

• Travel & lifestyle: Expedia features Ken (yes, that Ken) exploring global travel, while Universal Orlando Resort debuted a heartwarming theme-park narrative.

• Food & consumer goods: Classic brands like Hellmanns mayonnaise, Pringles with Sabrina Carpenter, and Kelloggs Raisin Bran with William Shatner are all rolling out game-day spots.

• Tech & services: Instacarts disco-flavored ad stars Ben Stiller; TurboTaxs teaser features Adrien Brody.

• Health & wellness: Hims & Hers tackles wealth and wellness disparities in its ad, and Novartis uses NFL stars to promote prostate-health messaging.

• AI sector drama: Startup Anthropic has stepped into the Super Bowl spotlight to rib a rival AI company in its first national ad, positioning its Claude chatbot as ad-free and user-focused.

This mix reflects both the breadth of categories willing to pay premium prices and the ongoing trend of brands using the Super Bowl to make bigger cultural statements.

Ads to watch for

Marketers and media critics are spotlighting several ads that could define the conversation post-kickoff:

• Nostalgia meets innovation: Xfinitys blockbuster Jurassic Park reunion featuring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum blends beloved IP with a creative tech twist.

• Purpose-driven storytelling: Rings emotionally charged spot focuses on its new lost-dog search feature, accompanied by a $1 million donation to animal shelters.

• Humor & unexpected pairings: Ads starring unexpected celebrity combos like Shatner in a cereal commercial or Pringles playful, romantic spot are generating early buzz.

• Industry commentary: Anthropics meta ad critiquing AI advertising itself could spark debate beyond typical product pitches.

The bigger picture

Even as media consumption fragments, the Super Bowl remains a cant-miss cultural moment that unifies broadcast, streaming, and social conversation. Analysts note that nearly half of viewers tune in as much for the ads as for the game, a testament to the enduring economic and cultural value of this ad showcase.

With all slots sold out months before kickoff and marketers investing in pre-game teasers and social campaigns, this years Super Bowl advertising lineup is poised to set new benchmarks not just in price, but in creativity and conversation around how brands engage a massive, diverse national audience.