Difficult economical times have all Americans looking at ways to stretch a dollar. One way to stretch your dollar is to review the amount spent on food. Did you know that you could save 15 percent or more at the grocery store if you follow some simple rules? Saving money at the grocery store means that you can feed your family more nutritious meals and have more dollars for other household necessities.

There are many ways to save money on food. It just takes a little planning and know-how to select the best buy and plan enjoyable meals for your family.

How do you save that 15 percent at the grocery store?

Follow five simple rules of effective shopping: 1) use grocery store ads and coupons when planning to shop, 2) have a planned menu, 3) write a grocery list, 4) use unit pricing to select the best buys and 5) use ingredient substitutions.

Using shopping ads and coupons can usually help save you about $4 to $7 per week, if you shop every week. Making a menu can be done easily and can save money and time. People who write out a menu usually find themselves in the grocery store about once a week. Those who do not write out a menu usually find themselves making extra trips to the grocery store.

How can you save even more?

Plan inexpensive meals that do not require expensive ingredients. Look for simple recipes, quick to cook meals and foods requiring less preparation time.

Are coupons a good way to go?

It really depends on the item and the value of the coupon. If you normally buy a particular brand item, then the coupon could be a great savings. However, if you don’t normally buy the brand, you might not save as much. Don’t buy an item because you have a coupon for it unless it is something you need. Compare prices and brands before making a decision. Often times, the store brand is less expensive than the item even with the coupon.

What about unit pricing?

Unit pricing helps you decide which is the best price. Many people believe that the larger the item the less expensive it is. This may not always be the case. Unit pricing allows you the opportunity to compare the prices. Most grocery stores list the unit price right on the shelf below the food item. If you don’t see the unit price, calculate the old fashion way: price divided by the weight.

Buying the store brand items rather than name brand items will also save you money. A Lot of times you will find that there is not a big difference in the product except the price.

Finally, think about other food items, especially spices and seasonings that can be substituted. Spices and seasonings can add expense to the grocery bill. If there is a seasoning you will use only a few times, try to substitute the item for something you use on a regular basis. For example, one slice of soft bread can be substituted for ¾ cup of soft breadcrumbs. Not only can you substitute dry staple goods but also meats and dairy products can also be substituted. One thing to remember is your final product made with the substituted ingredient may differ slightly from the original, but still be acceptable in flavor, texture and appearance.