by Edward Matthews

Created on: September 02, 2010   Last Updated: September 05, 2010

Why spend more on food than you have to?  Most families spend more on food than their car payment each month.  You wouldn’t dream of walking onto a car lot and grabbing the first car you saw.  But many people do exactly that when buying food.  Follow these five tips and you will get that grocery bill back under control.

 Buy in Bulk

There is a wholesale club of one sort or another in nearly every major city.  While these do require a membership, they can lead to some real savings in your grocery bill.  Many items are much cheaper in bulk, from cereal to pasta.  Just compare apples to apples by looking at the price per unit, and you will be surprised how much you save.  Most families will save more than the membership price in the first month.

Avoid Eating Out

While grabbing a bite at a drive-in can be very convenient, not only is this usually the unhealthy choice, it is not the cost-conscious decision.  The simple step of packing a lunch or a snack to take with you will drastically lower your food budget.  You can pack a lunch for under two dollars, but you will not find a deal like that at any restaurant.

Avoid Individually Packaged Items

While the assortment of small cereal boxes may delight your children, you are paying a large premium for packaging.  Larger packaging is much more cost effective.  If necessary, you can repackage items in smaller containers yourself, and for much less money.

Get the Paper

Many grocers advertise their week’s specials in the Wednesday edition of the local newspaper.  By reviewing this and planning your shopping accordingly, you can get the items you need where they are the cheapest.  Many stores now match competitors’ prices, so bring along the paper and consolidate all shopping into a single trip while still getting the best prices. 

Clip Coupons

Coupons are not yet a thing of the past, so clipping coupons can add up to big savings on your grocery bill.  Some stores are also known for offering promotions such as doubling or tripling coupons, so you can make your food budget buy even more.

Remember these five simple tips the next time you are shopping and you will be happy with the results.  It is possible to really slash your food bill and still buy the food you like.

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