$5 dollars a gallon for milk! $2 for a loaf of bread! Food prices are on the rise, making it hard for families to put a nutritious meal on the table. Here are some cool ways to save.
- Pick products on the top and bottom shelves: You'll find larger sizes and less expensive items stocked here.
- Buy store brands: Don't be fooled by those fancy name-brand labels. Store brands are generally cheaper and have the same quality as the name brand
- Avoid buying prepared and packaged goods: We know they're convenient, but they're also pricey. Avoid frozen dinners and pasta salad mixes. While ready in a snap, they're costly and often loaded with extra salt, sugar and fat
- Join grocery savings clubs: While it is another card in the wallet, you can save quite a few dollars by joining. These programs are free and will entitle you to members-only savings. Check out your local grocer's website for more details.
- Download coupons: The coupon is making a comeback &mdash in a digital way. Check out sites such as www.coupons.com or www.mygrocerydeals.com for weekly coupons.
- Join a warehouse club: Businesses like Costco and Sam's Club allow you to get a whole lot for your buck. Buy staple items and dry goods in bulk and save the grocery store for perishables.
- Buy what's in season: This time of year there's a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Watch for sales at the store or shop at local farmer's markets. Freeze extras for fall and winter and you'll save even more!
- Family Size: Watch for deals on family-size packages of chicken breast and other meats. Divide them up into plastic freezer bags and store in the freezer until ready to use.