If you are looking for ways to trim the budget here are 6 things that will help you stay on budget at the grocery store thanks to Real Simple.
Bigger is better. Pick products on the top and bottom shelves. Bigger sizes of items, which tend to offer a lower price per unit, are usually placed on the highest and lowest shelves at the grocery store. Smaller sizes, with a higher price per unit, are often given prime placement at eye level.
Skip the name brands. Buy store brands instead. Store brands are usually close to the market leader in quality, but less costly. In fact, the same manufacturer that makes the branded product often manufactures the house brand.
Think outside the package. Avoid buying prepared and packaged goods. You'll pay a premium for convenience. Consumer Reports once found that two pounds of carrots cost 1-29, compared with 7-16 for the same amount of pre-cut sticks.
Become a club member. These free programs entitle cardholders to members-only savings on selected products, a benefit that could shave about 18 percent off your total grocery bill.
Clip coupons. Download coupons for better savings. Check collsavings.com for deals on frequently purchased items and shop on double-coupon days if your grocer has them.
Warehouse it. Bulk retailers like Sam's are 20 to 50 percent cheaper than regular grocery stores when it comes to products like condiments, coffee, bottled water, and canned vegetables. But keep in mind that supermarkets have better deals on items like produce, chips, and cookies.