• Plan your meals and make a shopping list.
• Reduce shopping time to reduce impulse buying. Specifically, shop when the store is not busy, shop on a full stomach, shop once a week or less, and shop alone.
• Follow your list. Buy only the items on the list. Buy only what you need with the exception of non-perishable items that are offered at substantial savings.
• Take advantage of store specials. Stock up on nonperishable items. Know the prices of your favorite items so you can tell if these are really a good deal.
• Pay attention to unit pricing. Usually items that are at eye level or carry brand names are more expensive. Larger does not always mean less pennies per unit or ounce.
• Only buy larger items if they are less expensive per unit, you have storage space, and you will use them quickly.
• Buy fresh produce in season to save money and get a higher quality product.
• Try to lessen your use of packaged cereals and use oatmeal, grits, or cream of wheat instead.
• Try to use less bread and more whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, and whole-grain pasta.
• Plan several meals a week using dried beans instead of meat.
• Only use coupons for items that you need and will use. Coupons are often given for expensive items that you would not use anyway.
• Serve smaller portions of meat and larger portions of vegetables and potatoes or rice.
• Instead of buying expensive frozen meals, make recipes from scratch in larger batches and freeze them to make your own frozen meals.
• Clean and organize your pantry and freezer. It helps to know what you already have on hand. You will also make more efficient use of your freezer.
• Make your own salad dressing. Use vegetable or olive oil and a dash of flavored vinegar to dress salads.
• Make your own soups. Freeze the extra in single-portion units.
• Take water and snacks with you while you are running errands so you are not tempted to buy these items.
• Pack your own lunch.
• Pay attention to store prices so you can take advantage of “Buy one, get one free's.”
  

Cooperative Extension’s Web page at http://centre.extension.psu.edu/.