• Always use a shopping list. Planning your menus in advance will make it easy to create a list.
• Try to shop when you are not hungry. This will help you avoid unplanned purchases.
• Compare national brand sale prices with store brands. Both are often on sale at the same time.
• Compare the cost of convenience foods with the same foods made from scratch. Oftentimes, convenience foods cost more than similar foods prepared at home.
• Compare fresh, frozen, and canned foods to see which is cheapest.
• Buy foods you like when they are on sale and in season.
• Buy products when they are on sale for later use.

If you have suggestions for article topics or have specific questions, please call call 1-800-287-1491 (in Maine) or e-mail Jane Conroy, Extension Educator.