How You Can Save Hundreds At The Supermarket

A trip to the grocery store could put a major hole in your wallet, but a few minor adjustments in your weekly menu could save you hundreds of dollars and get you on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. Shape Magazine's Jacqui Stafford has a few suggestions to get you on your way.

Check out the latest issue of Shape Magazine for all of their movey-saving tips or viist www.shape.com.

TIPS AND VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP...

1. Go to the supermarket with a mission
When you are going shopping, you don't necessarily make a list. The best thing to do is jot down exactly what you want to buy. That means you will avoid buying expensive purchases that impulsive buys in the supermarket.

2. Buy in bulk to salvage your budget
We definitely recommend buying bargain food, but try to split them with your friends. This often works out to be more cost effective. If you can get a group of you together and buy and bulk, and than share the expense with your friends.

3. Make your own snacks
Rather than buying those pre-made up snack packs that are 100 calories, you can make them yourself. You can put whole grain crackers in, you can put whole grain cereal in, make up your own pack so you are saving money that way.

4. Give last night's meal a second chance
When you're cooking, if you make too much don't just throw it away, freeze them and they will last you a few days. Than, you can get several meals out of one.

5. Your mother was right: eat those veggies
Eat meat sparingly. Meat, fish and poultry can add up and be expensive on your bill. So you can expand more to fresh vegetables. It's better to go for them and increase the portion size of your healthy vegetables.

6. Use coupons
Stock up on your staples, look for coupons that work on your non-perishables goods, for example. Then, you'll always have healthy food you can get to on hand and use them for a variety of meals.