by Gaynell Parker

Created on: August 08, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Is your pocket book feeling the pinch? The average price of groceries has gone up like everything else. But, there are ways to save money and still eat well and I'm not talking about boxed Mac n' Cheese...

I've found saving money on shopping comes down to menus, a list, coupons, buying generic brands, thrift store bakeries, no children, and focus.

First, a menu. Whether shopping for a week or two weeks, this is the only way to keep a food budget. It's helpful to view the adds for places you shop as you create the menus and build from what's on sale. Don't just plan for dinner items make a menu for every meal you plan on serving your family. Leave nothing to chance even if it's just how many boxes of cereal or how many loafs of bread.

Many stores have shopping lists on their websites, enabling you to add or delete what you want. They also print up with prices for when shopping making it easier to compare.

Next the list. Never go to a grocery store without a list. Stores count on impulse buyers. Include everything you need to purchase, and don't buy anything else. The only exception would be in-store specials not mentioned in the adds.

After making the menus and creating the shopping list, make sure to have plenty of time to shop without children. I used to shop with my children, but it involved more than one cart, several people asking "Are all those your children?" and ended with a migraine.

Be sure to check generic or store labels. These items are generally cheaper than brand names, even with coupons, yet they taste the same.

Coupons, though sometimes a pain, are worth it. If a store has a brand name cereal on sale and you have coupons taking a dollar off two boxes, it adds up. Watch for deals like that. There's no need to subscribe to several papers just two copies of the Sunday paper will bring in enough coupons. I use coupons for cereal and items that I would otherwise purchase as a generic.

The bakery thrift store is a great resource. I generally find items at 30 to 40 cents cheaper per loaf and when buying 10 loaves at a time, that adds up. They are also the best place to buy hamburger buns in the twelve pack and specialty breads.

That's something else to watch for at the regular store; day-old-bread racks. I can pick up sourdough or other specialty breads at half the regular cost.

Lastly, going into the store focused, knowing what you are buying and sticking to a list, enables you to be happier when you leave. Shopping will no longer be your enemy, it will be your families friend as you feed them well and on budget.

Learn more about this author, Gaynell Parker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.