Thirteen Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill

Your grocery bill doesn't have to cause a coronary or homelessness when you get to the checkout. It's true that convenience and snack food seems to be more inexpensive than produce and whole grains. But if you plan ahead of time and restrain yourself from over-doing it, you'll find providing healthy diets to your family doesn't break the bank as much as you thought it would.

1. Plan your week's menus (and therefore grocery needs) before you go.
2. Make a list based on what you need for the menu plan, but base it in part of what sale items are available.
3. Buy certain items in bulk such as pasta, rice, paper products, cleaning products and dairy.
4. If you have access to a good-sized freezer, buy meat in huge packages and then divide it into appropriate portions when you get home - freeze the extras.
5. Don't buy snack foods. If it comes in an individual package, it's not really worth it, compared to how much money you could save by preparing your family's snacks on your own.
6. Avoid pre-packaged empty-calorie foods like soda, candy and desserts. If you want to have a treat, buy an individual portion, or even better, get baking!
7. Plan you menus around what your kids will and won't eat because ultimately, if they refuse to eat what you've saved so much money on, it may cost more to have to buy something that they will agree to eat.
8. Don't be afraid of no-name brands. It's generally the exact same product as the name-brand one, sometimes even prepared in the same plants, and it will save you money. In fact, if you compare the nutritional facts of name and no-name brands, sometimes you'll be surprised to see the cheaper one comes out ahead.
9. Collect coupons and carry them with you at all times in a little envelope of some sort. An mini-accordion file is a great idea because it allows you to file them by type for easy reference, but still fits in your purse.
10. Take advantage of points-earning clubs that may save you dollars or offer items at a special discounted rate at certain times. These clubs often also provide their members with extra special savings in the form of mailed coupons and can give you money off of your bill once you've reached a points threshold.
11. Buy produce fresh, when it's on sale for a good price. Buy frozen when it's not. Canned produce can be a little lackluster and sugar laden. Fruits and vegetables are an important staple, so buy from one or more of these areas as often as you need to.
12. Anything that is fresh now, but can be frozen or refrigerated for a while is a better option than items that need to be used immediately or within a short time-period. Obviously, dairy products are an exception - and another staple of a healthy diet!
13. Consider buying items in bulk and dividing them with family, friends or neighbours. It not only splits the cost, but you may be able to afford a little of a more expensive, desired item that you otherwise would not have found affordable.