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Food is probably one of the biggest expenses in any budget. If you’re finding your budget is strained, your food budget should be one of the first things you examine. Eating out less frequently will save an amazing amount of money, right off the bat (for a family of 5, we typically spend $20 – $50 to dine out). Saving money at the grocery store is practically an art form, and you’ll leave the store beaming with pride once you start using the following tips to pare down your grocery bill.

1. NEVER shop without coupons. Coupons are basically free money that food manufacturers give you to help pay for your groceries as an incentive to use their products. Not using coupons is like throwing away money. Get free printable grocery coupons by clicking here. Keep your coupons neat and orderly with a coupon organizer. You can even purchase coupons at online auctions. Your savings will more than make up for your purchase price. Click here to view current listings for grocery coupons.

2. Plan out a weekly menu. This helps in two ways: it will ensure that you know precisely what ingredients you’ll need to purchase on your next shopping trip, and it will eliminate the last minute scramble, when you try to decide what to make for dinner and end up calling out for pizza because you’re too tired to think and too hungry to wait.

3. Always shop with a list. Read your weekly menu plan, and check you fridge and pantry to see what things you need to complete those recipes. Sticking to the list will ensure that you won’t go into the store with a wandering eye. Just go down your list, checking off the items as you go. Buy only what’s on the list and nothing more.

4. Have a budget. Determine how much your household’s budget can allow for groceries each week. Stick to this amount, even if it means buying store brands or other substitutions.

5. Don’t shop while you’re hungry. I’ve made this mistake several times, heading to the grocery store before I’ve had lunch. The result is usually a ridiculous horde of junk food (sweets, chips, sodas, etc.). Shopping immediately after you’ve eaten will eliminate those impulse purchases that appeal to your growling belly.

6. Buy frozen vegetables. They’re nearly as healthy as fresh vegetables, but much less expensive. And since they’re stored in the freezer, they store for a much longer time period.

7. Grow your own vegetables. Not only will you save a LOT of money at the grocery store, you’ll be amazed at how much better garden-fresh veggies taste. Far better than even those at your local produce section.

8. Keep a grocery check list. Make a list of all the staples you normally keep on hand. Next to each of the ingredients you write, write a tally mark for each one you have on hand. Each time you use one, put a line through the tally mark (so that you then have an “x”), so that you can keep track of what you have on hand, and when you need to buy more.

9. Buy the items you use a lot of in bulk. The membership fee to Sam’s Club or Costco will pay for itself within a visit or two, and you’ll save money by buying things in large quantities. Give your shopping some thought, though. If you don’t bake a lot, you have no need for a 10 pound sack of flour. If your family doesn’t like pasta, you probably shouldn’t get that 10-pack of spaghetti sauce. (It isn’t cheaper if you don’t use it.) Don’t buy a lot of meat, unless you have an extra freezer at home. If you don’t have a Sam’s or Costco type club in your area, you can order bulk items online (most with free shipping). Click here to visit Amazon’s beta grocery store. I did the math on several items, and they really are cheaper than buying individual packages in my local grocery store.

10. Look for specials. Try looking at your store’s circular online, before going shopping. Our store, for instance, offers “meal deals” every week. You buy the main course, and get side dishes, drinks, condiments, and sometimes dessert for free. Buy only if you use all of the items. (Buying a main dish to get free yams and Diet Coke won’t really save you much if you don’t eat yams or drink artificially sweetened drinks.)

11. Try store brands. Some people are brand-loyal. My kids are generic-loyal. When my kids were younger, I started buying my store’s brand of frozen pizza pouches. Then I came upon a coupon for Hot Pockets for buy one get one free. My kids HATED them, and said that Hot Pockets had a funny chemical taste. Give the store brands a try. They’ll definitely save you money, and you just might find you like the flavor better.

12. Eliminate the trips to the store for just one item. This wastes gas, and more often than not, you’ll actually buy more than what you went in for. Making a meal plan and shopping list should eliminate the need for “one item” trips… but if you find you’re still doing it, you should analyze your process. Are you keeping up with your pantry list? Writing your recipes first, then the shopping list? If you absolutely must run to the store for one item, don’t go to convenience stores. You’ll find yourself spending up to 100% more for an item.

13. Stock up when items are on sale. If your favorite body wash or shampoo is on sale, grab enough to last you several months.

14. Don’t waste left overs. Plan a left-over night each week. Even chicken bones can be used to make chicken stock (the stock can be frozen). Even tiny portions of left over chicken and veggies can be frozen. Save up until you have enough to make a nice chicken soup.

15. Shop without the kids. If you’ve shopped with kids, you know how they tend to realize that they absolutely NEED a certain thing… in EVERY SINGLE aisle you shop in. Shopping while they’re in school ensures that you’ll avoid the frustrating gimmes.

16. Don’t buy frozen meals. Have you ever looked at what you get for your money? Check it out next time. An single-serve entree of spaghetti for $3.99? You can buy more than 2 boxes of whole wheat spaghetti and a large jar of sauce for that price. Frozen mac & cheese for $2.99? You can make an entire casserole of homemade mac & cheese for less than that, AND it would taste better. Find something you like, make it, and freeze individual portions. It’s cheaper, healthier, and more flavorful.

17. Cut out the junk food. Junk food is a lot of money for little to no nutritional value. You’re essentially paying out good money for bad health. Opt for snacks of fruits & veggies instead.

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