Save Money on Groceries: Six Priceless Tips

With the economy in the gutter and finances in a pinch we are in need of ways to save money now, more than ever. In some cases we can cut certain things right out of our budget, but what about the things we have to purchase, like groceries? There are actually many ways to reduce spending in this area without going hungry.

Below are several examples of how you can save big on your grocery bill.

1. As much as I advocate buying fresh fruits and vegetables, if you are trying to save money this may not be your best option. Produce doesn't stay fresh very long and can be quite spendy. If you are on a tight budget, it's a better idea to purchase frozen fruits and vegetables. They still carry all the nutrients of fresh produce, and they last a whole lot longer.

If you just can't give up the fresh stuff, you'll want to contact your local grocer and find out what day the new produce is delivered so you can get the freshest batch. It will last longer than the stuff that's been sitting there all week.

2. Right now would be a good time to invest in a Sunday Paper. Yes, it does cost money, but it will more than pay for itself with all of the money you'll save on groceries with the coupons. If you aren't up for that idea you might want to check out couponmom.com and eversave.com (the links are listed on the left under resources). Both websites offer a plethora of printable coupons for groceries and household items. They also occasionally provide free samples.

3. Be wary of those 3 for $5 deals. Although they can definitely be great ways to save money at times, they can also leave your pockets and refrigerator empty. The only time you should go for these offers is if you know you are going to use what you buy before the expiration date. Otherwise you'll end up with a lot of smelly food that no one is going to eat. With that in mind, make sure you check all expiration dates and seals. I once bought a gallon of milk, only to get it home and realize the seal was broken.

4. Plan your meals ahead of time. That way you know what you need to buy when you get to the store. If you go in there without a plan you'll end up buying a lot of unnecessary stuff, plus have to make extra trips for items you forgot. So, plan meals for each day of the week, and make a list before you go in. Preparation is a great time and money saver.

5. Try to prepare food according to serving sizes if possible. You'll use less food; therefore you won't have to purchase it as often. A lot of the time when we prepare meals, especially for a family, we just use a whole box of this and full bag of that. It can be very wasteful and cost you a lot more money than the time it takes to prepare proper portions. And trust me, you won't go hungry.

6. Finally, if you shop at a grocery store that offers a savings card and you don't have one, get one! These little cards make a significant difference in the size of your grocery bill. I once saved over $20 in one trip to the grocery store. These things are worth it, so make sure you get one if you don't already have one.

With a little careful planning and smarter shopping choices, there will be more food in the fridge and money in your pocket.