by Marie M. Daniels

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: April 30, 2009

These days it's getting harder and harder to say ahead financially and stick to a budget. And as fuel and food prices rise and everything else we must find new ways to cut costs. The food portion of your budget is often the one that can be pared down the easiest. Little changes can really make a difference and add up to big savings. Little things like using less meat and more sauce or putting leftovers into soup. You may have to do a bit of creative thinking but you can stretch your food dollars. Here is a list of ten ways to help cut your food bill in half.

Leave your kids at home if at all possible. When you take your children to the grocery store they will ask for everything. Kids find toys, books, candy and four-dollar sugary cereals that they want you to buy. If you can leave them at home do it, if not then tell them before hand not to ask for anything. They probably will ask anyway but it will help to put that thought in their heads. You would be surprised at how a trinket or candy bar bought at each trip can add up.

Do you take advantage of coupons when going shopping? Yes it takes some preparation on your part but clipping coupons can save you a bundle. You can find coupons in your Sunday paper, on-line and in your store flier. Don't forget to take advantage of the grocery's double coupon day. Make sure you don't use a coupon just because you have one, which could end up costing you more than you wanted.

Shop at a no frills grocery store like Save-a-Lot or Aldi's. These stores save you money because they do not have the fancy displays like the others. Sometimes the food is just displayed in the box it was shipped in or on the pallet. Don't forget to bring your own shopping bags and a quarter for the cart. Just a simple change of where you shop could cut your grocery budget by 10% to 40% less.

Don't go shopping for food on an empty stomach. You have probably heard that one before, but good advice is worth repeating. Think about all those extra junky goodies that get put in your cart when you are hungry. So go ahead and have a snack or a meal before you go. Your stomach and your wallet will thank you.

Try buying the store brands of products you need. Store brands or private labels are often made from the same manufacturer as your name brands. Because they are made at the same place they will taste the same. Now if there is some thing that you just have to have the name brand because it tastes better that is fine. But don't fool your self into thinking that

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