Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store

The cost of food accounts for a large portion of most families' household budgets. But when finances get a little tight, the food budget is usually the first thing to get slashed. Face it, your hard earned dollars just don't stretch as far as they used to. Here's how to save money at the grocery store so your cash will go a bit further. 

Clip Coupons. The Sunday paper is a goldmine for coupon clippers. There are also a number of great websites such as coupons.com that allow you to access and print coupons online.

Buy Generic Food Items. Store brand foods taste just as good, if not better than some of the fancier brands. So if you want to see your food budget stretch a little further, give generic brands a try. 

Buy Bread Items From Bakery Outlet Stores. Bakery outlet stores get shipments of bread and other baked goods at least twice a week--sometimes more, and they can sell it for a fraction of the cost. If you're worried about the bread going stale, simply stick it in the freezer until you're ready to use it.

Buy in Bulk. With the exception of produce and milk, most of your everyday food and household maintenance items can be purchased in bulk from wholesale retailers like Sam's Club and Costco.

Grow Herbs and Produce in the Backyard. Growing fresh produce and herbs in your backyard can be a big money saver. Items such as tomatoes, squash, radishes, carrots, onions, herbs and green beans practically grow themselves.

Buy Produce From the Farmer's Market. Produce at farmer's markets can be purchased for pennies on the dollar. Buying directly from the farmers eliminates the middle man--so there are no extra fees tacked on for shipping, packaging, or store overhead.

Leave the Children at Home: When kids run around the grocery store begging for cookies and Barbie cereal, it can cause you to become distracted and lose track of what you spend.

Following these simple tips can help you save big on your monthly grocery bill.