by Janice Eakle

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

With the rise of fuel prices, and the cost of living today, families have had to cut their spending to justify their budget. Increased fuel prices have affected price increases of many things that effect everyday living including food.

The best way to save on your grocery bill is to shop around. All of the major grocery store chains print weekly ads on their sale items and offer in store specials. If you do not subscribe to a daily or weekly local newspaper, you can look up ads on the internet.

Compare the ads to see which store would benefit your pocket book. Coupon's and store perk cards like the Kroger Plus card are very helpful with saving a few dollars. Most all grocer's and major pharmacy chains offer an in store savings card. You can clip coupons from newspaper ads, products, and magazine's. You can even find and print coupons from the internet. Add more savings by shopping with a grocer that is offering double or triple coupons for the week.

When watching the budget this may also mean shopping at the Dollar General Store, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Big Lots and retail outlet stores. They are found in small strip malls, and their overhead isn't as much so they are able to offer items at a cheaper price.

These stores do carry some name brand items that are priced much lower than what some of the major grocery chains carry. They do honor coupons as well. If you could get a two liter of Pepsi or Coke product for $1.15 every day at the Dollar General Store, why would one pay $1.50 or more for the same product somewhere else? It may only be a few cents saving, but it adds up quickly.

If you include your everyday cleaning items with your grocery list. The Dollar Tree has the going rates to save a buck. Everything in the store is $1.00 or less. Do they carry name brands? Yes, they do.

There are also the big box stores that you purchase items in quantity. Sam's Club and Gordon's Food Service-GFS is a couple of local stores in Indiana where you can buy in bulk.

If you are cooking something in volume, you can always container up the leftovers and freeze them for another time. For instance if you were to make Chili, later you could make chili-dogs, chili nachos, or chili baked potatoes.

Prepare a good size pot roast with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, etc. The leftovers are great reheated and served with a couple different sides. It is also great made into a homemade vegetable soup by adding tomato juice, water, mushrooms, mixed veggies, onion, beef broth or beef bullion.

Saving at the grocery is a little easier if you make a weekly list. List your days of the week and what meals you wish to prepare for the week. Stick to the list, as this will eliminate any unnecessary items in the grocery cart.

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