Smart Tips for Grocery Shopping

Grocery store prices are rising and we need to be more savvy about the foods we buy for our families. A big grocery bill can quickly eat away at your family bankbook (I know personally).

So I’m going to list for you four simple grocery shopping tips that will help you, however much energy you put into each one. Start keeping track of what you spend each week at the grocery store and see if these don’t make a difference.

Plan your meals: Plan your family meals at least a week ahead but you could even work up to a month. This will allow you to limit your grocery store trips to once a week. It also keeps the question, “What’s for dinner?” at bay. Pick a day each week to pull those recipes and list out the ingredients you will need to buy for the coming meals.

Use less meat: Meat is one of the more expensive items on your family grocery shopping list. My husband has issues with this one but it’s true and you can sneak it in by making salads with lots of good filling ingredients like beans and seeds (sunflower). Find ways to stretch the meat you do buy by making casseroles and soups. Try having meatless meals :o

Cook double: Cook once and freeze half for another meal. This saves time and can save money if you find your items on sale and need to cook up. Make two lasagnas and freeze one. Make a double batch of soup and freeze half. Your tired self will thank you when the time comes to pull that already made dinner from the freezer. Need ideas for meals you can freeze? I recommend The 30 Day Gourmet's BIG Book of Freezer Cooking.  It has a whole plan for cooking for the freezer.

Buy only the fresh items that you need for the week: When it comes to fresh produce, unless you have a plan for preserving the excess buy only what you need for that week’s meals. Your hard earned money can quickly go to waste in spoiled vegetables and that’s no fun.

Keep an Organized Pantry: Knowing what you have on hand will keep you from buying items you already have. From wasting items that will go bad if you don't use them. And save money. How?

Buy in Bulk: When an item goes on sale buy extra. To a bit of studying to know how to preserve perishables without too much hassle. Organize your freezer for extra space or buy a separate freezer for times such as this.

Use Coupons: Coupons can save you money at the grocery store. Don't use every coupon you see but do clip the ones that will be useful for you. Organize your coupon cutting and using so you don't miss out on a great deal.

Coupon Helps

1. Homemaking Organized's online coupons
2. Organic Grocery Deals
3. CoolSavings.com

More Grocery Shopping Resources

• Onine Grocery Coupons
• Pantry Checklist and Organization
• Aisle by Aisle Grocery List and Shopping Organization Software
• Save Thousands on Groceries and Cook Great Food

Use these grocery shopping tips for a calmer experience when it comes to planning your dinners.