Bring Your Own Music(01 of13)
Open Image ModalYou know that slow mellow music that they always play in stores? It\'s designed to get your to move slowly through the store, ideally filling your cart as you go. Studies show that classical music makes you buy more expensive items, too. So bring your own music, and play something loud and fast paced to keep you moving through the aisles quickly! (credit:Shutterstock)
Look Down(02 of13)
Open Image ModalMost grocery stores place the expensive brand name items right at eye level, where you\'re most likely to see them and buy them. Sales, brand names, and larger packages (with lower per-unit prices) are often stored lower on the shelves. (credit:Getty Images)
Read Meat Labels(03 of13)
Open Image ModalWhen buying packaged meat, steer clear of any that are packed with liquid. Often times, the meat will be sold with water or some sort of solution to help preserve it, but when you\'re paying by the weight, that means you\'re essentially paying for water. (credit:Getty Images)
Bring Your Own Bags(04 of13)
Open Image ModalIn an effort to be more environmentally conscious, many stores are beginning to charge fees of 5 or 10 cents for using plastic bags. Others still offer plastic for free, but will offer a discount of five or more cents for each reusable bag you bring for your groceries. If you\'re buying for a large family, you could end up saving a dollar or more each week; that\'s $52 or more a year in savings, plus the bonus of being environmentally friendly. (credit:AP)
Never Shop Hungry(05 of13)
Open Image ModalWhen you\'re hungry, your perception of what looks good and what you really need is skewed, and you\'re much more likely to start jumping off-list. Snack before you shop to make sure you\'re only buying those items that you\'ve budgeted for. (credit:Getty Images)
Don't Shop On Pay Day(06 of13)
Open Image ModalJust like shopping when you\'re hungry can skew your idea of how much you need, so can the mentality that you\'ve got all the money in the world to spend. (credit:Getty Images)
Don't Pay For Portions(07 of13)
Open Image ModalSnack size and single serving containers will almost always be more expensive than larger containers. Instead of buying more expensive snack-sized packages or juice boxes, purchase full sized bags and bottles, then separate them out yourself using bags, small plastic containers and reusable drink bottles. (credit:AP)
Buy In Bulk(08 of13)
Open Image ModalBuying in bulk often means a cheaper per-unit price. For essential non-perishable items like toiletries, paper goods, cleaning supplies, light bulbs and batteries, bigger packs are financially smarter and also guarantee you won\'t run out at an inconvenient time. Just don\'t buy more than you need just because a larger package looks tempting. (credit:Getty Images)
Skip The Cart(09 of13)
Open Image ModalThe bigger your basket, the more you can buy. If you want to be more conscious of what\'s going into your basket and how much you\'re buying, opt for a smaller cart or a basket instead. (credit:Getty Images)
Make Saving A Game(10 of13)
Open Image ModalKids love the idea of tossing goodies in the cart, and stores place brightly colored sweets at kids\' eye level deliberately, so if you\'ve got to bring them with you, then make smart spending a game. Explain that they get $12 for snacks that week, for example, and show them how they can get more for their money by choosing cheaper snacks or store brands. (credit:Shutterstock)
Consider Store Brand(11 of13)
Open Image ModalWe know we can count on the taste or functionality of a brand name product, but always check the labels before your decide to spend more for a familiar name. Some store brand items contain the exact same ingredients as the brand names, but for a smaller price tag. You can save without cutting back simply by switching some items to store brand. (credit:Shutterstock)
Live By The List(12 of13)
Open Image ModalMake a shopping list before you leave home and stick to it. No veering in the event of delicious looking sweets and no extras \"because it\'s on sale.\" If it\'s not on your list then you\'re doing extra spending, not saving. (credit:Shutterstock)
Become A Member(13 of13)
Open Image ModalMost grocery stores have a membership loyalty program with money-saving benefits that range from in-store discounts to coupons sent to your home or email. Sign up and take advantage of the savings. (If you\'re worried about junk mail flooding your account, set up a second account that you only give our for memberships and coupons.) (credit:Shutterstock)