13 tips to cut your grocery bill

Saving money at the grocery store takes a bit of preparation, but overall savings can make it worth your time. Here are some tips.

•Try to go to the grocery store only every two weeks.

•As you make your grocery list, put a check mark by the items that you’re likely to find cheaper at a dollar store, and go there first. Bathroom supplies such as soap and shampoo, kitchen utensils, gift wrap and stationery, party supplies and cleaning supplies are all cheaper at the dollar stores.

•Coupons: Many food chains will coordinate their weekly sales with coupons in the weekly paper, giving you more savings. It’s even better if your store doubles coupons. Compare the store brands with what you’d pay if you use the coupons for name brands.

•Store brands: Often the product is made in the same plant as a name brand. In many cases you can’t tell the difference in quality or taste.

•Read the unit pricing: Big doesn’t always mean a bargain.

•Look down: The better bargains are usually not at eye level on the shelves.

•Combine grocery lists with a friend or two, buy in bulk, and split the products.

•When you plan your menu, consider what meals can be doubled and frozen.

•Consider what meals you can prepare cheaper from scratch than buying prepackaged.

•With so many households where both partners work, time is limited for both shopping and meal preparation. Consider whether a like-minded neighbor would split the work with you. A couple days a week you prepare double meals, and another few days your neighbor does the same. You save both time and money on the days you don’t cook because the food was bought in bulk.

•Shop at bread outlets for day-old bread and pastries.

•Check club warehouse stores for good deals on bulk items like meat or frozen foods. (Ask if they accept coupons, too.) On big packages of meats, break down the packaging, rewrap and freeze.

•Unless you have a big family, be wary of perishable food spoiling before it’s used if you buy in bulk. Instead, stock up on paper products, pasta, canned pet food, frozen vegetables and non-perishables that are on sale.