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2.1 HOW YOU SHOP AT A GROCERY STORE - SUPERMARKET DISCOUNTS

== Shop quickly. In grocery stores, it's estimated you spend an extra 50 cents for every minute you shop over 30 minutes. Stores are designed to distract you, slow you down, and get you to buy impulsively. Don't fall for it.

== If it's not on your list, don't buy it. If it wasn't on your list, then you didn't need it, and you'll probably pay too much.

== Read the label. The label tells you what's in a can of soup or a bottle of cough medicine, and if a name brand and store brand are similar.

== Always check out store brands. Stores can now clone most popular products.

== Avoid small sizes, especially single sizes and packets. Large sizes are usually cheaper. However, there are plenty of exceptions. Use your calculator.

2.1.1 GROCERY TIPS - SUPERMARKET DISCOUNTS

== Never shop when you're hungry. You'll buy too much, choose impulsively, and be in a terrible mood.

== Avoid most convenience foods.

== Buy what's in season. Whether it's fish or strawberries, it will be cheaper and better.

== Dried or powdered or condensed is almost always cheaper than ready to eat. Except for camping food.

== Buy less meat. About 30% of the average budget goes to meat. Eating less saves money and is healthier.

== Design your weekly meals around sales. With practice you can save $100s by making a weekly meal plan based on store sales. Some people claim they save 30% by creating menus primarily out of sale items.

== Have a left-over plan. The average family throws away 15%-25% of their food ($600-$1070/yr.). Don't buy too much to begin with or create meal plans that let you use leftovers.

== Don't buy non-food products at a supermarket. You may pay 30% or more for the convenience. The packages will be small, the selection limited, and they'll stock only the most popular brand-names. In fact you could be paying 90% more than lowest price of a drug store or discount department store house-brand.

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