5 frugal grocery shopping habits. . . .

People are often amazed (my own family included) that I can subsist on a grocery budget of $100 or less each month. While this seems rather anemic to some (my dad can't seem to stay under $600 - and it's just he and my mom), I do eat well and I can generally manage to avoid most pre-packaged foods (I'm thinking of frozen dinners, here).

Here are my five top tips for bringing a frugal mindset to the grocery store:

1. Make a list. Let me repeat that: MAKE A LIST! Doing this implies that you've put some thought into what you're going to eat for the week or the the month (see tip number two, below). It also reduces the odds that you will throw things in the grocery cart that you don't need, have no intention of using, or are simply spur-of-the moment whim items (see tip #3 for more on this);

2. Plan your menu, at least through the week. If you know that you're going to be home for dinner five nights out of seven, and that you want to bring your lunch to work every day of the week, spend some time cruising the recipe websites to find recipes that you know you'll use. Focus on those that can be made ahead, and avoid those that use expensive, hard-to-find items;

3. Don't go to the grocery store hungry (and for the ladies: try to avoid going when that ole PMS rears her insatiable head. In my world, shopping during this period - no pun intended - is a sure bet that I'll be coming home with chocolate covered cookies, buttery croissants, or red wine. Or all three);

4. Don't be afraid of store brands. If you don't at least TRY the can of store-brand diced tomatoes, you'll never learn whether it tastes sufficiently delicious to merit purchasing over the higher priced brand you usually buy. Some store brand items I avoid, while others work just fine for me;

5. Comparison shop. A couple of years ago, I took the time to note prices of items I often buy at several area stores. That way, I had a list of the store that frequently beat the others (for me, this is Winco) in terms of price. I NEVER shop at Safeway or Albertson's unless I'm desperate or have an outstanding coupon deal.

You may have your own methods for saving money at the grocery store; please feel free to share them with us in the comments!