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1. Use loose tea.
-- Tea bags can cost double, so spend a couple of bucks on a tea strainer and buy loose tea instead.
2. Carry a calculator.
-- Figuring out the total as you shop will ensure that you buy onlyu what you need. Also, watch the scanner and go over the register tape carefully when checking out. Scanner errors cost customers millions of dollars annually.
3. Compare costs.
-- Prices vary for fresh, canned, and frozen versions of fruits and vegetables, as well as for different cuts, (whole, sliced, etc.) so consider all the options.
4. Choose produce by weight.
-- Use the scale to get the best value on fruits and vegetables. One head of lettuce may be larger but less dense than another; heavier grapefruit ando ranges are juicier. Be sure to shake off any excess water before weighing fresh greens.
5. Read the small print on flyers.
-- You'll be out of luck if you do your grocery shopping for a sale item that might be limited to "Friday only" or "starting Sunday".
6. Buy large packages of paper goods.
-- Paper towels, toilet paper, and napkins are cheaper in bulk, so it's better to buy more and store them.
7. Avoid single-serving juices.
-- The same goes for prepared gelatin and pudding. Even better: Buy large sizes and fill small reusable containers.
8. Compare tuna prices.
-- The cost difference between canned light and white/albacore tuna is often considerable. Chunk or flaked tuna costs less and works just as well in most dishes.
9. Get a supermarket discount card.
-- To entice shoppers, many markets offer cards that give substantial savings. The cards are free, and the discounts--somtimes as much as 50 percent--change periodically.
10. Steer clear of packaged foods.
-- They usually cost more. Instead, stop by the deli counter for cold cuts and cheese. Buy a head of lettuce instead of a ready-to-go bag. Check out the bakery counter too.
11. Buy Spanish olive oil.
--Spanish olive oil tends to be up to $4.00 less than Italian olive oil. The same quality for less money.
12. Freeze your own convenience foods.
--Packaged pancakes, waffles and French toast can be costly, so make your own and freeze them.
13. Buy only grocieries and food-related items.
-- A drugstore or supercenter is your best bet for nonfood items such as shampoo and toothpaste.
14. Avoid extras.
-- Toppings displayed near ice cream and dips stocked near chips are far more expensive than options such as chocolate syrup or homemade dip.
15. Use orange juice made from concentrate.
-- It's a much better deal than ready-made or fresh squeezed orange juice.
16. Buy bags of frozen vegetables insteado f boxes.
-- With bagged veggies, you can measure out what you need and reseal the bag. And you're not paying for the extra packaging.
17. Don't feel compelled to make everything from scratch.
-- Some convenience foods actually cost less (and there's no waste): canned beets, frozen squash, pearl onions, canned pumpkin and many other unsauced frozen vegetables, especially in large bags.
18. Compare pasta prices.
-- Italian pasta can cost twice as much as American brands. Note that pasta prices also vary by shape.
19. Buy bouillon cubes.
-- Cubes are much cheaper than canned broth.
20. Buy a jar of popcorn.
-- Instead of buying microwave bags, make your own popcorn, which comeso ut to be about 2 cents per cup.
21. Pass on the frozen pops.
It's less expensive to make your own from fruitj uice.
22. Compare differents brands by price-per-weight or price-per-unit.
Just because boxes or jars are the same size doesn't mean they cost the same. Compare weights of different brands to see which is a better value.
23. Consider shopping at a discount warehouse.
-- Though you pay a membership fee, you can save big bucks. The same honey-glazed ham at a wholesale club may cost half of what it does at your local supermarket.
24. Pass on purchased bread crumbs.
-- It's more economical to freeze bread ends and stale bread. Then when you have enough, make bread crumbsi n your blender or food processore. If you're not going to use them right away, freeze them.
25. Compare alcohol prices.
-- Many states permit the sale of beer and wine in supermarkets, but often you pay more for the convenience. Call the liquor store and check prices first.
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