At Home

• done!Make a list of everything you need.

  People who avoid impulse shopping spend up to 23 percent less on their grocery bills.

• done!Plan your menu around what’s in season.

  By choosing meals that have ingredients currently in season, you’ll get better quality food at lower prices.

  Related: What’s in Season? 
• done!Organize your list by food department.

  Save time at the store by taking a few minutes to organize your list at home. You’ll be less likely to forget items if they are grouped together, and you won’t waste time running from the dairy aisle back to the produce department.

• done!Find coupons online.

  Once you know what you need for the week, look for coupons online. While you’re looking for specific items, also look for coupons on nonperishable pantry staples that you use often. Try smartsource.com, couponmom.com, or coolsavings.com.

  Related: 6 Ways to Save on Groceries

At the Store

• done!Shop on Thursday mornings.

  Most supermarkets get deliveries on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, so you’ll find the freshest selection then. But for swift checkout lines and empty aisles, early in the day on Thursday is your best bet.

• done!Reach for the freshest products.

  Retailers stock the oldest merchandise in the front of the display since they need to get rid of it. So to get the freshest produce, eggs, and dairy products pull from the back of the case or display.

• done!Check the price per unit.

  For the most part, bigger is better when it comes to groceries. Buying in bulk can save you money, but check the price per ounce or per pound that many stores list on the shelf to make sure.

  Related: The Five Tastiest Warehouse-Club Buys...
• done!Opt for store brands.

  Many store branded items are manufactured by the same company that makes the pricier name brand items. So you’ll be getting the same quality at a lower price. You’ll generally find these on the bottom shelf of a display.

• done!Know how much you’re spending.

  Use the calculator on your cell phone to keep a running tally of how much your cartload is going to cost. It will help you stick to your budget and avoid impulse purchases.

  Related: Calculate Your Monthly Spending
• done!Think twice about the express lane.

  When faced with a normal length regular checkout lane and a long express lane, choose the normal checkout. Each transaction takes more time than ringing up a few additional items.

  Related: 10 Ways to Shop Smarter
• done!Save your shopping list.

  When it’s time to make your next shopping trip, refer to the most recent list as a reminder of family favorites.

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