In these tough economic times, people are looking for ways to tighten their spending. Grocery prices continue to increase. Therefore, saving on food is more important than ever.

The food category of the Crown spending plan comprises 12 percent of Net Spendable Income and includes all food and beverages bought at a grocery store, including pet food. This does not include take-out food or eating out expenses. These go under the Entertainment category.

The following are some ways to help you save at the grocery store.

Using coupons
When you mention saving on groceries, using coupons is usually the first thing to come to mind. Coupons offering discounts on sales and services can be very helpful to your spending plan when used wisely.

The only danger involved in the use of coupons is their tendency to encourage compulsive buying. If you find a coupon entitling you to a discount on an item you would not buy otherwise, don't let this affect your purchasing decision. If you won’t use it, the discount is not really a deal.

On the other hand, if the coupon is for a favorite name-brand product that is normally priced higher and the discount brings the cost of the product down to a more reasonable price range, then by all means take advantage of this opportunity.

One of the easiest ways to use coupons wisely is meal planning. Using coupons and store specials to plan your meals and create a weekly menu is a wise way to take advantage of coupon cost saving. You can find meal planning ideas and other cost-saving advice at www.menus4moms.com.

You can find coupons online at sites such as www.coupons.com, www.couponmoms.com, www.eversave.com, www.grocerydeals.com, www.thecouponizer.com, and www.thegrocerygame.com. Finding coupons online can save you the cost of buying the Sunday paper just for the coupon section. Most grocery stores chains also have copies of their weekly specials online on their store Web sites.

You could start a coupon sharing group with people from your church, office, or neighborhood. If you have a coupon for something you don’t need, you can trade it for a coupon for something you do need that someone in the group isn’t using.

Go generic. Try the store brands. Most of the time, they have the same ingredients and are just as nutritious. This is especially true for canned goods and frozen foods. But be careful in buying a store brand you’ve never tried. It won’t be a bargain if your family doesn’t like it and won’t eat it.

Look up and down. Most grocery stores stock their shelves with the most popular (and pricier) goods in the middle shelves, closer to viewing height. The lowest priced and store brands are usually on the top or bottom shelves. Check out specials on the ends of the aisles. Many times there are good sales on these items. Just be sure you need the item and will use it.

Stock up. A good time to buy extras is for nonperishable goods that are on sale. Many stores have “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” sales on canned goods and frozen items that you can keep for many months. Dried beans are also a good item that keeps well for a while.

Buy “in season.” When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, know which items are in season and plan your meals around that. Items that are “out of season” are more pricey.

Cook from scratch. Most prepackaged foods are costlier than if you bought the raw ingredients and cooked it yourself. This is especially true for frozen entrees and lunch foods.

Go "meatless." Who says you have to have a meat at every meal? Have a vegetarian night a couple of nights a week. There are many nutritious alternatives to meats. Have a "beans and rice" night or try a nutritious salads piled with vegetables.

Individual snack sizes. They are usually more expensive than buying one large pack and dividing the item out into your own sandwich bags. Marketers are very good about creating enticing packaging that children love to take in their lunch boxes. But it’s more budget-friendly to put items in your own reusable small plastic containers or sandwich bags.

And finally:

• Don’t shop without a list. You are more likely to buy items you already have or forget items you needed – requiring another trip to the store.
• Don’t shop on an empty stomach. You are more likely to buy prepackaged foods, junk food, and impulse buys.
• If at all possible, do not take your children with you. Leave them at home with a family member or trade babysitting with a friend. Children can cause you frustration by whining for the latest fad foods, junk foods, or toys. They can also distract you from taking your time to look for the best deals and checking prices. You can be more organized and frugal when shopping alone.