If you’re like many people, you’ve been looking for ways to trim your food budget.

Some ways to save money on groceries include purchasing generic brands, meal planning, sticking to a set budget, checking out sales and comparing prices.

1. Make a shopping list and meal plan

If you’ve ever walked into the grocery store with no list and ended up spending more money than you thought you would, you can appreciate the importance of planning ahead. Decide on the meals and snacks you’d like to have for the week, and create a list that only includes the necessary ingredients.

Sticking to the list can help you avoid impulse purchases. Create meal plans based on healthy items that are on sale and in-season.

Before creating your shopping list, be sure to “shop” your own pantry, fridge and freeze

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