Save Money on Food Shopping

There’s no way to get around food costs. But when you shop smart, what you save could add up to a bundle. For instance, if you save just $20 a month on groceries, you’ve banked more than $200 for the year. Here are strategies to save on your food bill.

Plan in advance. Know exactly what you need on a regular basis and buy those products in bulk.

Cut back on convenience foods. Don’t buy items such as packaged salads. You’re paying big for a small convenience.

Use coupons. If you find that you buy some name-brand foods regularly, then make sure you’re clipping the coupons for them. Otherwise, generic foods are comparable in quality and content—and they’re often less expensive.

Shop at the store that is the cheapest overall. There is sometimes as much as a 10 to 15 percent difference on identical grocery orders at two different stores in the same area.