Saving Money on Your Food Budget - Grocery Store Must Knows

If you are like most Americans, a large part of your income goes toward groceries. By preparing ahead of time and taking your grocery shopping seriously, you can save a bundle at the store. All of these tips may not work under your circumstances, so take what works for you and start saving today!

1) Keep a shopping list handy in the kitchen and jot down needed items as you use them or think of them during the week.

2) Read the sale flyers from your area grocery stores. Knowing what is on sale should influence your weekly menu planning.

3) Write down your menu for the week. Use the store sales to influence your menu. Your family will eat better for less by following this step.

4) Be open to shopping at different or various stores. Pick two or three stores that have your most frequently purchased items on sale and do the bulk of your shopping at these stores - for this week anyway. Sales change from week to week, so your next week stores may be different.

5) Have the Sunday paper delivered to your home. The coupon savings you can find in the Sunday paper more than pays for your subscription.

6) Cut and save the coupons you are most likely to use. Do not be lured into buying things you won't use or don't need just because there is a coupon. Pass on the coupons you do not cut out - give them to a family member or friend and if they are avid coupon cutters, ask them to pass on their unused coupons to you.

7) Organize your coupons. Get a recipe box, small shoe box, or even an envelope to keep your coupons in. Sort them according to category, for example: put all the dairy together, clean supplies together, and you get the idea.

8) Before your last shopping trip of the month, go through your coupons and sort out the ones that expire on or near the end of the month. If they are for items you will use and will need soon, redeem them before they expire.

9) Do not go grocery shopping without being prepared with your list and pre-sorted coupons. Write the initial of the store with the best sale or price next to the items.

10) Do compare prices, sizes, cost per 100, per ounce, or what ever the measure. Check the bin stickers closely to make sure you are comparing ounce to ounce, 100 pieces to 100 pieces, etc. Be especially careful with paper products such as paper towels or plastic wrap as the measures may confusing.

11) If you are not a math wiz, take a calculator with you to figure out best buys when the bin stickers or signs do not compare apples to apples.

12) Try to memorize the prices for items at different stores. For example one store may consistently have a better price for toilet tissue, or another has the best bargain on milk. After a few times of paying attention to pricing at different stores, you will easily know the best place to buy certain items.

13) If you or your family has favorite brands of certain items, such as spaghetti sauce, watch for coupons for these items or stock up when they go on sale.

14) Keep a "loose" tally of the cost of what is in your cart. This doesn't have to be exact, but knowing approximately how much of your budget you have spent is a very helpful tool.

15) Grocery shop alone! Do not take children or even your spouse. You will not be able to concentrate on saving money when you have the distraction of others interrupting your thoughts. I know, it sounds mean but if you are serious about saving the dollars, this is a very good tip.

16) Make sure you have enough shopping time. If you are shopping for an average size family of 3, 4, or 5 you will need approximately and hour in each store.

To be successful, you need to treat your grocery shopping like a job. It can be fun and challenging if you are properly prepared and by following these tips you are guaranteed to save hundreds of dollars a year on your grocery bill.