by Raven Lebeau

Created on: March 28, 2009   Last Updated: January 30, 2010

Collecting coupons can be a hassle; many coupons are intended to entice you into trying new products or purchasing items you don't really need. Sorting through page after page of coupons to find one for the items on your list can take up more of your time than its worth. While some shoppers still swear by coupons, there are other money-saving strategies when it comes to buying groceries. Here are a few simple coupon-free ways to save.

1. Buy in bulk.

When it comes to non-perishable foods like beans, rice, flour, or sugar, it usually pays to buy in bulk. Other items like unprocessed meats and fresh produce are more difficult to buy in bulk, although you can always get together with a friend or family member and split the cost, then divvy up the food at home. Bulk items like lunch meats and cheeses can be money savers if you use them every day and will be sure to get through the entire package before it goes bad.

2. Stock up on sale-priced items.

When a store has a sale on your favorite non-perishable food, be sure to stock up and buy a few extra. Sale prices are usually as good as, or even better than, coupon prices. Canned food is a good thing to stock up on because it keeps indefinitely. Taking advantage of sales prices on frozen dinners or entres is a good idea, too.

3. Buy house brands.

House brand items are just as nutritious and usually taste the same as their brand name counterparts. Before you toss that Jiffy peanut butter or Folgers coffee in in your grocery cart, see if there is a store brand version that will save you some money.

4. Budget the food you put on the table.

Allowing your family members to take an extra helping of an expensive entre is not cost efficient. Instead of putting everything on the table, portion out the expensive food and save the leftovers to for taking to work as a lunch or serving for tomorrow's dinner. To make sure your family gets enough to eat, put out a bowl of some inexpensive side dish like rice, peas, or a lettuce salad.

5. Avoid excess packaging.

Convenience foods are nice for people with who need to save time, but not so great for those wishing to save money. Instead of buying cute, individually wrapped packages of crackers or single-serving containers of pudding, invest in some plastic containers you can send to school or take to work. Buy some inexpensive plastic sandwich bags, too. You can then make your own "lunch sized" packages of chips or crackers or send a small salad to go with a sandwich.

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