To save money on groceries, you can use techniques that are easy to incorporate into your daily schedule. Learn how to use resources effectively, such as your local grocery store's weekly fliers, to plan ahead. Examine what you are typically spending each week on groceries, and cut back by paying attention to sales and using leftovers. Be intentional about meal and budget planning, and teach the family about how to conserve.

1. Plan Meals

Use local grocery store advertisements to plan meals according to what is on sale. Look for healthy recipes that contain sale food items for the best value. For example, if whole chickens are on sale, decide on meals that feature chicken, like chicken soup and sandwiches. When breakfast sausage is on sale, purchase extra to put in the freezer. Come up with as many meals as you can using what is being offered on sale. Cook ahead of time whenever possible, and make double recipes to put some of it in the freezer for when you are short on time. Stock up on sale snack and cleaning items.

2. Visit the Farmer's Market

Prepared foods can be expensive and filled with non-nutritious chemicals and empty calories. Organic foods that are locally grown, such as fresh vegetables, can be bought at local farmers markets for many delicious and nutritious advantages. Farmers markets can also offer the best deals since there is little overhead spent on transporting produce.

3. Price Comparisons

Look at the sales at your local grocery stores and compare notes. Choose the store for each trip based on which one offers the best values. Pay attention to general pricing in each store. Make notes on which stores offer the best value for the items you typically buy. Try different brands that are offered on sale. Compare the unit prices located on the store shelves to find better bargains. For example, sometimes you can save more by purchasing a larger size than the one that is offered on sale. Try using store and generic brands that can offer even bigger savings. Many of of those items are processed at the same plants as name brands, but cost a lot less since they aren't advertised.

4. Coupons and Store Specials

Clip coupons from the newspaper, store ads and magazines. Check grocery store message boards in the store and online and public libraries for coupon swap-boxes. Look for in-store specials that often are not advertised. Look for store specials like day-old bread that is nearly as good as fresh. Buy vegetables and fruits in season when they are lower priced. Get the best deals in bulk. Consider fruits and vegetables offered at year-round savings, like carrots and bananas. Many items purchased can be canned, prepared and frozen for later use.

5. Use All Leftovers

Think about how you can use leftovers while you are preparing meals. For example, roasts can be used to make sandwiches and tacos. Leftovers may be packed as is in many lunches for use away from home. Make TV style frozen dinners for easy and quick use. Label everything so that items are easy to find in the freezer.