8 Ways to Save Money Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping can be quite expensive, especially if you have a long list of items to get. It seems as if I can't leave the grocery store without spending at least $30 every time. If your pocket book feels depressed when you leave the grocery, apply these tips for next time.

There always a way to save a buck, right? That's the goal here. It's inevitable that we have to go to the grocery store eventually, so let's look for ways to save some money while we are there.

1. Plan ahead. Make a list of everything you need for the week to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you don't plan, you will shop mindlessly and throw anything and everything into the basket, and chances are you won't eat everything you buy.
2. Healthier choices are cheaper. You won't be spending as much money buying fresh fruits and vegetables as you would be buying cookies, chips, and ice cream. According to WebMD, "You can get more for your money if you consider the nutritional value of food for the price."
3. Keep an eye out for sales and coupons. Sunday newspapers are the best for cutting out grocery coupons. Try planning your meals around what's on sale and what you can get two-for-one.
4. Eat leftovers. Instead of throwing out food and buying more, brown bag your leftovers to work or school. "Packing your lunch not only saves you money, but you can control all the ingredients so they are healthy and low in calories," says Diekman, who is Nutrition Director at Washington University.
5. 3 words:  frozen, canned, or dried. Even though frozen, canned, or dried foods aren't as fresh, they are still nutritious and considerably cheaper. If a specific recipes calls for diced tomatoes or carrots, buy the can. Also, frozen foods last longer- more bang for your buck!
6. Eat vegetarian once a week. Instead of buying expensive cuts of meat and fish, substitute with other forms of protein such as beans, eggs, tofu, and legumes.
7. Buy and cook in bulk. Prepare a big chili, stew, or gumbo and freeze for a long time! Cooking in bulk saves both money and time.
8. Plant a vegetable and herb garden. There's nothing better than summer-fresh produce. Imagine cooking a recipe which calls for tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion and it's already all in your garden? Herbs can be costly as well, so plant some basil, oregano, Italian flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, etc. in separate pots. The aroma will be amazing.