How to Save Money on Grocery Shopping

Everyone is feeling the financial crunch these days, but food prices keep rising, making shopping for groceries an increasingly difficult chore. But there are several ways to cut costs if you're smart about it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get rewards cards for your local grocery stores. These cards are free and easy to get, and they will save you on your purchases. Some will reward you with a discount once you have spent a certain amount of money, and most give you discounts on specially marked items in the store. As you're shopping, look out for these marked items.

2. Use coupons. Clip 'em, get 'em off the internet, look for them in the mail ... they're everywhere and you should be using them.

3. Loyalty is a virtue, but brand loyalty is not. Start buying generic brands, store brands, and other cheaper brands of foods that you regularly eat. Some you will find don't suit your taste, but most of the time you will find the cheaper alternative is just as good.

4. When you are able to get a really good deal on an item that you use a lot, buy in bulk.

5. Avoid junk food. It tends to be criminally overpriced, and it's not good for you either!

6. Also high priced are some foods that are good for you, like fresh fruits and vegetables. But sometimes you'll find these are available cheaper (and fresher) at street stands and farmer's markets. Even consider growing your own!

7. Let the sales guide your choices. In hard times, we can't always have exactly what we want. If your favorite frozen pizza is not on sale, but your second favorite kind is, then buy the cheaper one.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy simpler, eat simpler. It can be fun to make a big fancy meal, but all those ingredients add up at the grocery store.
• Eat less meat. You'll usually find it's one of your bigger expenses.
• Don't go buying an item JUST because it's on sale or you have a coupon - this is how people end up over-spending or buying things they don't really want or need.