Grocery bills add up fast - but the savings can add up just as quickly if you shop right. Take these 5 steps with you on your next shopping trip and let the savings begin! 

Money-Saving Tip #1:

Pay Attention to Sales. This may seem like common knowledge, but it can be easily forgotten during a hurried, after-work shopping trip. Make a point to compare prices on different brands before you put an item in your cart - sometimes the store brand can be cheaper than the sale price of a name-brand product. Browse your neighborhood stores' weekly sale fliers and make note of good deals. Then, plan a few meals during the week making use of the food you will buy.

Money-Saving Tip #2:

Buy in Bulk. Warehouse stores such as Costco sell items by the case or in large packages - usually at a lower price-per-item than at a grocery store. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money on items we all go through, things like toilet paper, bread, or oatmeal. Keep Tip #1 in mind, though, as occasionally the savings are minimal or non-existent. Be sure to buy only what you know you will use - you don't want to pay for a thousand tortillas just to throw away most of them (if you do bulk up on perishables, be sure you have the freezer space to store them).

Money-Saving Tip #3:

Use the Inernet. You can find lots of money-saving printable coupons for your favorite products by visiting the brand's website. Coupon clearinghouse sites provide coupons for a myriad of items - do a Google search for "grocery coupons" to find sites such as www.shortcuts.com and www.coupons.com that list coupons for hundreds of items.

While you're online, visit grocery stores' websites for online-only deals. Many times these sites will offer free shipping or $10 off your first order.

Money-Saving Tip #4:

Buy In-Season Food at Farmer's Markets or Fruit Stands. You can find the best price on in-season foods such as apples, asparagus, and corn by buying directly from the farmer. Prices are usually at or lower than those at the grocery store - and your produce will likely be fresher and better-tasting too.

Money-Saving Tip #5:

How Much Will You Spend for Convienence? Those boneless, skinless chicken breasts are twice the price per pound as bone-in breasts. Sure, you have to figure that you will be paying for the bones you just throw away - but take a closer look at the two packages and count the breasts in each. If 4 boneless breasts are $12 but 4 bone-in breasts are $8, you can easily save $4 on your grocery bill by choosing to de-bone the breasts yourself. Use the same strategy when deciding whether to buy pressed hamburger patties or bagged salad.

By Lindsay Evans Lindsay Evans is a mother, teacher, and freelance writer in north central Washington state. See her articles at eHow.com.

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