SAVINGS AT THE STORE

Pick Up The Pace! The more time you spend in a store, the more money you'll spend. On average, shoppers spend 50 cents to a dollar per minute they spend in a store beyond a half hour. Set an alarm if you need to and organize your shopping list by store layout so you have a game plan.

Ready, Set, Eat! Before racing to the store, eat something. Shopping when you’re not hungry can save you $20 or more per month ($5 per trip).

$$$ Stick To The List - Shoppers report saving $10 per trip by sticking to shopping lists and avoiding impulse purchases - a savings of $40 a month or more than $500 a year.

$$$ Kids Play, You Save! – Some moms report saving $15 per shopping trip by going solo (a savings of $780 year!). Time your shopping while your kids are at school, at a friend’s or in the care of another family member. Offer to switch kids with a friend for an hour each week so you can both reap the time and money savings!

$$$ Try Cyber-Couponing – Find bargains anytime day or night with online coupons. Web sites like www.coupons.com and www.couponmom.com have a dizzying selection and some will even text coupon codes to your cell phone. Is there a blogger in your area in the know about local deals? Spending just 20 minutes per week couponing can save up to $1,000 per year.

$$$ Check Your Receipt - Review your receipt to make sure you weren’t overcharged. Consumer Reports found that 70 percent of shoppers have found mistakes in their store receipts, so a few seconds spent reviewing your receipt could amount to big savings!

Write Prices Down – Keep track of the best prices for your weekly staples so you know which stores have the best deals. Shoppers who keep tabs on prices report saving 20% on their bills by comparing prices and stocking-up when they see a major deal. Challenge yourself to beat your “high score for savings” with each trip.

$$$ Skip Snack Food - Save $40 month ($10 per trip) by forgoing just two snack items per week. As an alternative, make your own bulk snack mix when items are on sale: raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, dried fruit. A little goes a long way and lasts a long time! Kids can help!

Don’t Forget Your Club Cards - Many grocery stores have customer loyalty programs designed to enhance repeat business. It is estimated that club cards can help you save 20%-30% off your total bill. Ask about additional perks that may be offered with the card, like gas savings and even airline mileage! Make sure your spouse has one, too.

Go Big – If your family guzzles soda, ice tea, or seltzer, purchasing 2-liter bottles instead of individual cans may save up to 50% off your drink purchases. Screw the cap on tight after each use to keep it carbonated the entire week.

SAVINGS IN THE KITCHEN

$$$ Suppertime Stretch - Stretch your protein in casseroles, stews, sauces. Bulk up casseroles with extra protein by adding beans or lentils. One package of ground turkey can be used for tacos tonight and spaghetti sauce tomorrow. Do this once a week and save $360 year!

$$$ Brew Your Own Coffee - Find your favorite brew at the supermarket and set your coffeemaker to start automatically each morning. You’ll save $10-$15 a week and you can wake up to the smell of fresh coffee each morning, without the line.

Homemade Salad Dressing - Families have an average of 3-4 different bottles of salad dressing in their refrigerators that expire every three months. Make your own signature salad dressing using olive oil, balsamic vinegar and various seasonings for an average savings of $60 per year.

Buy Dry Instead Of Fresh Pasta – Dried pasta stores longer than fresh pasta and represents a much better value, with an average savings of 50% per ounce.

Jazz Up Frozen Pizza – Just because it’s frozen doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the combos you love. Add your own toppings for gourmet pies that would otherwise cost $20-$30 at a pizzeria. If you prefer delivery but hate the half and half charges, purchase cheese pizza and do up the other half with toppings on hand.

Fill Up On Whole Grains and Protein - Along with your vegetables, proteins and whole grains are healthy ways to feel full. For only $1.52, a family of four can enjoy whole wheat spaghetti as a side dish.

$$$ Bag It - Bringing lunch just three times a week can save you $100 per month or $1,200 a year. Try grilled sandwiches (Panini-style), wraps or last night’s dinner if you’ve overdone it on sandwiches.

Not sure what to do with leftover shredded chicken? Turn it into BBQ Chicken Sandwiches for lunch or snacks.

Pancakes For Dinner – Switch it up one weekend a month and surprise your family with pancakes, fruit and turkey sausage for dinner. It’s fun, healthy, and you can save $120 a year.

Label & Store - American families throw away 14% of the food they buy. Store leftovers in food-safe containers and mark the date you cooked the food. Keep leftovers that need to be eaten earlier towards the front so that you don’t forget about them. Incorporate these once a week into your family’s meal routine.

$$$ Do It Yourself – Be cautious about some convenience foods, which can cost up to three times as much than if you had made them yourself.

$$$ Save on Electricity - Crock pots are known for their tasty, filling meals and easy, no-fuss recipes. For 10 cents you can heat your crock pot for 8 hours, whereas it costs 32 cents to run your oven for only an hour. Do this once a week and save $480 on your electricity bill per year.

Looking for a no-fuss meal? Try Crock Pot Chicken Fricassee, another incredible recipe from our chef.

Homemade Cleaners - The average price of an all purpose cleaner is $3.75. Mix 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water twice a month to make a homemade, all-purpose household cleaner … save $90 a year!