Practical Ways to Trim High Grocery Prices

During these times of high food and high fuel prices, you might be asking yourself "Where can I cut back to save money?" A smart spending plan at the grocery store is one place where most people can save some extra money. It just takes time to practice and to develop a spending plan for the grocery store if you haven't done it before.

Know how much you're spending. When you spend $60 at the supermarket one week and $100 the next, you may not realize that your monthly grocery bill is one of your biggest expenses. Save your receipts and analyze them regularly - you will be amazed at how much you spend on groceries, and how much you can save by shopping more carefully. Take time to create a food budget - this will help assure that you spend only what you budgeted.

This is the perfect time to plan for more family meals instead of stopping at fast food restaurants on the way home from work. Have meal planning be a family affair. Write up a menu of the meals and snacks you plan to prepare for the week, while making sure they are affordable and fit your food budget.

Plan every shopping outing. Experts say that planning meals in advance and making detailed shopping lists can cut your grocery spending by 20 percent or more. Check your pantry before you go to be sure of what you need. Review the store flyers and build your plan around what's on sale, and the best coupon deals. Buying in bulk when possible can help you save in the long run.

Stick to your list. Grocery stores are designed to entice you to buy more with their irresistible marketing. By sticking to your list, you will only purchase what you need and "get in and get out" of the grocery store quicker.

Do not shop on an empty stomach. If you go to the store hungry, you will most likely purchase more food than you need, including expensive items as well.

Avoid buying impulse items because they're on sale. And as your mother said, never go shopping when you're hungry.

If possible, leave the young kids at home. Young children naturally want all of the products that are marketed to them and conveniently placed at their "eye" level. Save the battle, extra food dollars and try to shop alone.

Break yourself of "brand" habits. Generic or store brands are generally better buys. Commodities such as sugar, flour, tomato sauce and paper towels are often indistinguishable when the label is removed. Some store brands are different from their national-brand equivalents, so buy small amounts at first to test quality and flavor.

Go easy on highly processed foods in expensive packaging. Buy the basics and add your own sugar, spices and sauces. You'll save 50 percent or more, and feel much more creative. The closer a food is to its natural state, the less it tends to cost.

Don't be deceived by packaging. Check the per-unit costs of each product; sometimes small sizes are more economical than jumbo packs.

Beware of the end caps. Food on aisle "end caps" are attractively displayed to entice shoppers to make additional purchases; these displays are not always a shopper's bargain.

Look up, look down. Items on the upper and lower shelves are often cheaper. The big brands pay big bucks for eye-level shelf space.

Shop off hours. Whizzing through the checkouts in the early mornings or late evenings may give you time to "shop the specials" at more than one store a week.

Don't do all your shopping at the supermarket. Toiletries, for instance, are usually cheaper at discount stores. A little comparison shopping could save you a lot.

Cook once, eat twice: Plan meals with recipes that can be doubled easily. Serve one and label and freeze the other for a later date. Often it doesn't cost much more to make a double recipe.

Buy fruits and vegetables in season. Also check out your local farmer's market.

Bring lunches and snacks to work. This can definitely save food dollars.

Go Meatless. Make at least one or two meatless meals each week.

Cruise through your fridge daily to use items before they go bad.

Invest in a good, inexpensive cookbook. You can be more creative with the groceries you bring home. Look for healthy recipes that you can prepare in a short amount of time.

Cook slowly. Do not overcook. This prevents vitamin and mineral losses.

Save and make use of all leftovers. Serve for breakfast the next day. Use for the kids lunches, or your own.

Don't drive many miles to save a few pennies at a certain store.

Watch "Open or Use By" dates on perishable food to avoid buying outdated products. Also be sure to use these products at home to avoid waste.

Purchase only what you will use and eat everything that you buy to avoid waste.

Watch the cash register when checking out. Errors can be costly.

Buy cheaper store or house brands.

Stock up on "real" bargains and non-perishable food items.

Avoid non-nutritious foods, junk foods, sugary foods, soft drinks, etc.

Find your green thumb. Grow some of your own vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Avoid convenience stores. They are more expensive.

Before checking out, weed out the items from your grocery cart that you don't need.