• Baby Boomers
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• In Critical Condition
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• Lifestyle
• Money

Almost everyone needs or wants to save money for time to time. Some expenditures can not be changed easily, such as rent, car payments, and insurance. Saving on food is a goal many try to accomplish. It is one of the budget items that can be adjusted, and it is not hard if approached with forethought.

The average American family today dines out and uses convenience foods far more often than families did 25 years ago. This budget area offers an excellent way to spend less while still eating well. To save the most know certain shopping truths. To know how something works, you sometimes need to know what doesn't work.

Six myths of saving money on food

1. To save money you have to use coupons. False. You can save money on food without using coupons, but it takes a little more planning. Two-for-one item sales and special holiday sales can help particularly.
   
   
2. Wholesale stores are always better to shop at. False. While certain items bought in quantity offer significant savings, the choice of what you need or want may not be there. Check the price to be sure it is a better price!
   
   
3. Store brands are always the cheapest buy. False. Sales frequently bring brand names close to store brands. When you add a coupon or buy at a two-for-one sale, the price of brand names may be less.
   
   
4. You save more money by shopping several stores. False. How much is your time worth? How much more will you spend on gas? Would you be able to stick to a set list when you shop more than one store? On a weekly basis, our finding is one particular store will usually be your best buying location.
   
   
5. Buying the largest package saves more. False. The larger volume package does not always save money. Plus, is there any waste? Can you use it all?
   
   
6. It takes a long time to prepare to save money. False. Our weekly grocery trip is planned in less than one hour, rarely longer except for big events. Most of it I do sitting in front of my favorite TV show.

Each of the above six statements are incorrect. Want to save money? Take a look at how you are shopping and what assumptions you are making. Taking time to check out those assumptions may save you from making some costly mistakes.

L. C. Peterson is a freelance writer and web site consultant. Find out more money saving tips at grocerystoresavings.com.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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