Hey Iowa, Want to Save Money On Groceries? Shop Here!

Food is pretty damn expensive right now and many people around the country have changed their approach to grocery shopping. Whether you're changing the brands of food you're buying or you're using those coupons you get sent in the mail, instead of throwing them in the trash. Some families are straight up eating less food.

If you're feeling like your grocery store trips are draining your bank account, do yourself a favor and avoid shopping at the most expensive grocery store in Iowa. The good news for Iowans is that one of the cheapest grocery stores in America can be found in abundance in the Hawkeye state.

To be fair...two of America's cheapest grocery stores can be found in Iowa. One of these brands just happens to have 38 stores, while the other has 2.

Cheapest Grocery Stores in America

Delish has discovered the cheapest grocery stores in America and if you can frequent either of these store locations, it can go a long way in helping you save money. One of these stores you've likely been to. The other store only has 2 locations in Iowa, so it might not be as feasible to shop at.

Trader Joe's 

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite grocery stores for multiple reasons. The only bummer is that if you don't live near the Coralville or Des Moines area, it can be quite a hike to find one. Those are currently the only 2 locations in Iowa. Some items at Trader Joe's might be more expensive than a standard grocery store but for the most part, you're saving money. According to Delish, "their private label goods deliver on quality without sacrificing affordability."

Not only are the prices fair and the food is of good quality, but Trader Joe's is one of my favorite grocery stores for a different reason. As grocery stores have moved to more self-checkout lanes and less human interaction, Trader Joe's will not be adding self-checkouts. They have real humans working when you want to pay for your groceries. I love that. Pay people, not computers.

Aldi 

Aldi is an absolute staple for my wife and I. There are 38 Aldi locations in Iowa and this grocery store is considered one of the most popular grocery stores in the country, according to Delish. Aldi provides a top-tier quality product and uses a business model designed to minimize the cost to the consumer.

90% of Aldi's products are private-label brands. 25-cent returnable deposit shopping carts, bagging the groceries you bought yourself, not listening to licensed music on the store's speakers, and selling the produce out of the crates they come in all help lower Aldi's prices.

I knew Aldi's were popular but I didn't realize there were 38 of them in Iowa. If you've been feeling a struggle with your wallet at the grocery store and you haven't tried Aldi, it might be worth making the switch. Just remember to bring a quarter, which you'll get back when you return the cart, and bring your own bags so you can bag your items when you check out.