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Plan Ahead

Before you head to the store, keep in mind your family's needs. 

  • What does my family like?

  • How many of us will be eating?

  • What do the kids or older people need?

  • How much money did I budget for food purchases?

  • Will we be eating away from home, so that I should buy less food?

  • Will friends and relatives come over for meals?

Plan the menus for your family meals. 

  • Your family needs and tastes

  • Good nutritious foods

  • Variety of foods keeping in mind texture, color, flavor, and temperature

  • Consider wise use of leftovers.

  • Weekly specials and seasonal food, such as fruits and vegetables.

Use a shopping list

A shopping list can save time and help control your spending. 

  • Keep paper and pencil in the kitchen. You can write down things you need when you think of them.

  • If you prefer, create a digital list on your mobile phone.

  • Organize the list the same way the grocery store sections are laid out. You will save time and avoid forgetting items when you shop.

  • Look at the newspaper and/or grocery store apps for sales and coupons.

  • Be sure to check your cupboards and refrigerator before heading out.

Other helpful tips

Use these tips to get you through the grocery store without going broke:

  • Join rewards and loyalty programs at your favorite stores.

  • Buy a Sunday newspaper to get the coupon inserts. 

  • Eat before shopping for food. Hungry people tend to buy more food than they planned on.

  • Know the current prices of the foods you buy most often.

  • Set a grocery budget and stick with it.  

  • Buy the amount of food that fits your family's needs and your storage space.

  • Buy larger sizes of items that won't spoil. It may be cheaper.

  • Buy the quality and size of food that fits how you will use it.

Comparison shop

  • Prices of different brands.

  • Cost of frozen, canned, fresh, and dried items of the same food.

  • Number of servings in each food package.

  • Prices at different stores.

  • Prices of similar foods.

  • Larger packages versus two smaller ones of the same product to get the better value.

  • The cost of convenience foods vs. the cost of making it from scratch.