Unless you sit down to make a budget you are not likely to realize that a large part of your earnings is spent on buying groceries that you have bought on a whim to try out new recipes which are thrown away after a few months. Grocery items are not cheap and you cannot compromise on quality by buying cheap stuff which may be unhealthy for the family. Since eating is essential we have no option but to buy groceries and use them to make home cooked meals which is the most inexpensive way to get fed and stay healthy. As a regular shopper at supermarkets you may be aware about the little tricks they use to encourage customers to buy more than they actually planned. If you are fighting a constant battle with grocery bills and regretting about buying essential groceries at rates higher than your neighbors then it is time to take a hard look at your spending habits. While coupons are the usual route people take to save money on groceries chances are they will be available for things you do not require. Traveling to farmers’ markets to buy vegetables, poultry and dairy products at a lower rate may be a smart idea but the fuel spent on this trip may wipe out the savings. If you try to shop only when there is a sale or discount offer on certain items at the local supermarket you will spend half your life looking for grocery bargains instead of cooking. The ideal way to save money on groceries is to shop smartly by adopting a few tricks of your own like supermarkets do to save money and also purchase items that are essential for your home while staying within your budget.