Always make a list before grocery shopping, and stick to your list!

Do not go food shopping when you are hungry. You will buy more.

Convenience foods are more expensive. For example baking a cake is less expensive than buying one at the bakery. Washing and cutting vegetables yourself is less expensive than buying the pre-cut, pre-washed vegetables. A bag of dried split peas or beans can be cooked into a hearty, nutritious meal for about one dollar!

Limit sweets and soft drinks as well as cigarettes and alcohol purchases.

Always look at the unit cost on items at the grocery store. This should be posted on the shelf where the price is located. The unit cost tells you the price per ounce, pound or other unit of measurement. This allows you to compare different sized packages and determine which is the better deal.

Clip coupons for items you customarily buy and carry them with you anytime you go shopping. Do not buy something just because you have a coupon for it. Buy the item only if you need it.

Shopping at convenience food stores is always more expensive than your full service grocery stores and “Superstores.”

Check grocery store circulars for weekly specials. Plan your menu for the week using the sale items that your family favors.