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One of the largest budget items for most people I speak with is groceries. Although we all have our own ideas about how much is the right amount when it comes to buying food for our families, I thought this article I came across on  www.bankrate.com (which, by the way, is a great site to go to for information on all things finance) had some great tips for cutting spending in this area.

It’s a simple thought, but I completely agree with the tip that says don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry, tired or upset. “Comfort” purchases do nothing but cost you money. I also like the idea of keeping an actual written record on the prices you pay for everything. That way over time you can develop a feel for whether or not you really are getting bargains on your more common purchases. And, while having a list when you shop is usually the best policy, allowing yourself the flexibility to go off list if you see a particularly good buy and adapting your weekly menus accordingly is also a good way to save.

One tip the article gives that I use myself is keeping track of when your favorite grocery stores do markdowns on almost ready to expire items like meats, breads, etc. You can save a lot by just keeping track of these markdowns. For instance, I enjoy ready made rotisserie chickens. One of my local stores will knock $3 off a pre cooked chicken after a certain time at night. So, by just waiting an extra hour or so, I can save a nice chunk of money. Keep track of these sorts of markdowns at your local stores. There are several more simple, but effective, tips in the article. I’ve provided a link below. Happy shopping!

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20040518a2.asp