Saving Money on Groceries: 3 simple rules to help you spend less at the grocery store

Want to start saving money on groceries? Are you on a tight budget? Clipping coupons not your thing? Want to know how to come in under budget every time you go for groceries?

Statistics show that we now spend more money on groceries than our cars. Next to the mortgage or rent, groceries are your biggest expense.

Adding to the problem is the ever-rising cost of food. This makes it that much more important to find ways of saving money on groceries.

Fortunately, groceries are a variable expense. In other words how much you spend depends entirely on you. Spending less on groceries is very do-able - it just requires a little preparation. So, what can you do to start saving money on groceries?

Saving Money on Groceries: 3 simple rules to stay on budget

Rule # 1 - Never leave home without the "list" - I don't mean a quickly scribbled list jotted down in the parking lot. Take a few extra minutes to do up a good list. Having a good list and sticking to will pay off big in savings at the checkout counter. Here's are a few tips for making a list that will save you a bundle of money:

1. Write down what items you need - Be sure to take a mental note of what items you don't need, write them down on a separate list if you have to. Go through your refrigerator and cupboards and take inventory of the items you need and don't need. That way you get everything you need and you don't waste money on items you didn't need.

2. Price the items on your list - Write down the price (or your best guess) beside each item on your list. There's a couple reasons for doing this 1) It will help you spot any good bargains for items on your list; 2) it will help you keep a running (see Rule # 2) total while you shop.

3. Add it all up - Finally, add up all the items on your list. This will give you a good estimate of how much your grocery bill will come to. That means no nasty surprises at the checkout counter.

Rule # 2 - Always keep a running total while you shop - This can be tricky to do with all the distractions in a grocery store but keeping a running total while you shop is a surefire way to keep from overspending on groceries. One trick I use to keep an accurate total is to round everything up to the nearest dollar. For example, say I put a loaf of bread in my cart and the price is $2.49, I round it up to an even $3.00 and add that to my running total.

Rule # 3 - Never shop on an empty stomach - Do your wallet a huge favour - eat before you shop for groceries! Shopping for food on an empty stomach is a really bad idea. When hungry even a really disciplined person is likely to spend more than they budgeted for. All the strategically placed goodies and impulse items are just too hard to resist on an empty stomach.

Follow these 3 rules on your next trip to the grocery store and I promise you will be on or under budget at the checkout counter. Want even more tips for saving money on groceries? See the list of tips below.

More tips for saving money on groceries

• Prepare more of your own meals, buy less boxed or frozen meals like tv dinners
• Buy items in bulk
• Get to know your prices (especially for items you buy regularly)
• Resist the temptation of impulse items
• Buy the un-prepared items over prepared items (bag of graded cheddar cheese vs. block of cheddar)
• Buy less expensive produce that is on sale
• Buy meat or poultry from the bargain bin
• Resist 2 for 1 offers on items that are not on your list
• Take advantage of free product samples online or mail in
• Try less expensive cuts of meat
• Try less expensive proteins like beans, lentils or eggs
• Buy whole foods instead of processed foods
• Buy canned seafood or fish
• Buy whole chicken instead of chicken breast
• Buy store or no-name brands
• Do most of your shopping along the perimeter of the store
• Plan meals for the week
• Have weekly left over nights
• Shop late at night
• Cut out expensive sugary cereals like Cap'n Crunch
• Cut down on soda pop and sugary fruit juice
• Don't pay for water
• Hunt down stores with the best deals before you shop
• Found a really good bargain? stock up
• Clip coupons

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