A really big step towards economical food buying is watching newspaper advertisements. Each week the big super-markets and chain stores run all of their weekly specials, and savings will add up fast if you plan as many of your menus as possible around these featured items.
Compare Prices
Compare them at home in your newspaper, when you are deciding the best place to shop and save. And compare the difference in price among fresh, frozen, and canned foods. For example; food dollars will go a lot further (yet meals will not suffer), if you serve frozen vegetables, or fresh vegetables in season, on-the-plate ... and use less-expensive canned vegetables in stews, casseroles, etc.
Read Labels Carefully
Look for the word “enriched” on white bread and flour labels. This means that the “B” vitamins and Iron, lost in the milling process, have been replaced. Also check the “net weight” when comparing similar bargains.
Avoid Waste
Extra-large sizes of canned fruits, vegetables, juices and staples like baking powder may not ALWAYS be bargains. Often these purchases are only partially used, and eventually go to waste. Unless you can use the entire contents of the extra-large container, buy the smaller size.