Everyone is feeling the crunch of the economy these days, even at the grocery store. Here are a few tips that can help you save money on groceries each week:

• Always make a grocery list of the items you need for the week, and stick to only getting those items. This will save you from impulse buying extra items.
• Plan your weekly menus ahead of time. Pick out the recipes of the meals you want to make for the week. Check to see what ingredients you have on hand and those that you'll need to pick up at the store. Add what you need to your grocery list.
• A meal plan and grocery list will allow you to cut out multiple trips to the grocery store saving you money on impulse items as well as help you save gas.
• Evaluate the unit prices – buying in bulk may seem like a cost savings, but it’s not always the case. When items are on sale, check the cost per unit on the bulk item versus the smaller package to make sure you are getting the best deal. Also, keep in mind how much you can truly eat. Buying in bulk makes sense as long as you will be able to use the entire amount before it spoils.
• Avoid buying prepped food if possible – the convenience comes with a higher price tag.
• Frozen foods are often just as tasty and have a longer shelf life than fresh produce. You'll find quite a bit of savings on buying frozen fruits, veggies and seafood.
• You can find additional savings by clipping coupons and using a store discount card. Look through the weekly circular for specials or featured items. Just make sure that all "featured" items are actually on sale - sometimes manufacturers pay for advertising to promote their products, but don't offer any additional savings. Sign up for a store card, and you may be eligible for extra discounts without having to use coupons.
• Buy store brands - it's worth a try. A lot of store brands are as good as or sometimes better than name brands these days. You can potentially save 20% to 50% over the name brand price.
• You can also save money on groceries, especially produce and dairy products, by joining a warehouse club like Costco or Sam's Club. Take a friend and split the items and cost. You'll end up with the same amount of items that you'd regularly buy at the grocery store, but for a savings. Again, make sure you don't impulse buy, and ONLY buy what you know you can use before it spoils.
• Finally, consider growing a garden. Home-grown fruits and veggies not only save you money on groceries, but they taste better. And, they're readily available in your own backyard without having to make a trip to the store.