The amount you spend on food is one of the easiest expenses to control. Reducing the grocery bill may mean making more homemade foods, and buying less prepackaged items while obtaining some added benefits:

You will be eating healthier foods, and perhaps shed a pound or two!

• Make a weekly meals schedule for the coming week according to your budget, and to stick to your list. Buy only things you need and nothing more.
  
• Reduce your visits to the grocery store. Frequent trips mean more expenses. Also, eat before you go to the grocery store. You're more apt to fill your cart up with things you don't really need when you are hungry.
  
• When you cook a meal, double the quantity and store the other half in your fridge. When you get home late one night or are feeling exhausted after a hard day at work, you will be less tempted to buy prepared food or expensive take-out on your way home as you have a frozen meal waiting that you can quickly pop into your microwave.
  
• Find local grocery stores with the best prices while taking into account the fuel cost to get there. Some stores may offer better deals on specific items that you need.
  
• Buy house brands.
  
• Reduce your use of convenience items or prepared foods.
  
  
• If you drink often, try to buy less expensive,beer, whiskey or wine.
  
  
• Buy groceries at buying clubs, discount houses, and warehouse stores. When practical, always buy in bulk. You shouldn't buy large quantities of perishable items unless you're sure you'll use them up before they go bad. Also, don't buy things on sale or in bulk if you are not sure you can use them; they're only great deals if you use all of them!
  
• Pack meals for the entire family.
  
• Junk food can be cheaper but healthy foods fill you up longer.
  
• Celebrate special occasions with picnics rather than eating in fancy restaurants.