| To save on food, be an opportunist. Buy what you | | | | themselves. We love to snack on the grapes and |
| like, but buy on sale. Do you need oranges every | | | | peaches that grow behind the house. |
| day? Buy them when they're cheap, then buy | | | | 6. Double coupon deals. If a store near you doubles |
| grapefruit or orange juice when it's on sale. | | | | the value of your coupons, buy the smallest size of |
| Opportunism is the key to low-cost living in general. | | | | the coupon item. A doubled 50 cent coupon saves |
| You get everything you like, and lots of variety, | | | | you $1 off a $2 package of toilet paper, but the $1 |
| because everything goes on sale once in a while. | | | | package is free. |
| Here are ten more ways to get cheap food. | | | | 7. Buy by pound or piece. Buy the large pieces of |
| 1. Stock up during sales. We recently bought 20 or 30 | | | | produce when priced by the piece, and you'll get |
| cans of tomato paste on sale for 10 cents per can. | | | | more for the same price. Conversely, buy small |
| That's cheap food. You can do this with all | | | | pieces when priced by the pound. If you get four |
| non-perishables. | | | | bananas for the price of two large ones, you'll still |
| 2. Try store brands. Some are as good as name | | | | only eat one at a time, right? |
| brands and some aren't, but all are cheaper. Test | | | | 8. Plan your shopping. Saving on your grocery bill isn't |
| them, maybe without telling the kids. | | | | just about cheap food. It's also about not buying |
| 3. Buy fruits and vegetables in season. They are at | | | | things you don't need on impulse. |
| their highest quality at the point where the price is | | | | 9. Use a small cart. If you can't carry too much, you'll |
| the lowest. | | | | buy less. |
| 4. Garden. Gardening can be a great way to stay in | | | | 10. Never shop for food when hungry. Eat a meal |
| shape, and can help you save on food as well. | | | | first and you'll save on food you don't buy. This |
| 5. Fruit trees. Even if you don't like to garden, you | | | | simple idea has saved us a lot. |
| can have a fruit tree or two that take care of | | | | |