One of the best ways to control spending and avoid impulse buying is to make a list of the items needed… and then stick to the list. The idea is not to buy everything that is on the list plus anything else that looks good. Having already planned your menus, the rest is easy. Some helpful hints for making a shopping list follow:

• Keep an ongoing list and jot down items as your supply gets low.
• Look over the recipes you plan to use. Be sure you have the necessary ingredients.
• Check the cupboards, the refrigerator and the freezer for foods on hand. Are there staple items – flour, sugar, coffee, salt, rice – which should be added to the list?
• If storage space permits, stock up on sale items used regularly.
• Organize your list according to the store layout. See example grocery lists. This will save you time and reduce the temptation to buy foods not on your list. This method is especially helpful in larger supermarkets or warehouse stores where backtracking is time consuming. The longer you are in a store the greater tendency to buy.  

Use coupons wisely.  You can save money if the item is one you would normally buy and if the item is less expensive than similar brands. Use coupons when items are discounted or on sale. Double up on coupons. It’s perfectly legal to use a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon at the same time.

Most cents-off coupons offered by stores or manufacturers are for the more expensive, highly processed foods or for foods in abundant supply.  If you have access to a computer, check online for coupons. For starters, check the Web site of the store where you shop or of products you use. Often the Web site address for many foods is given on the product label.

The next time you shop, notice which edible items on your shopping list do not have coupons. Most likely it’s the already lower-priced, unprocessed foods. Coupons pay off only when an item is on sale and the store doubles coupons. They take time to clip and finding the coupons when you need them can exhaust your sanity. If you don’t have the time and the personality to be an avid “couponer” you should skip the coupons and buy what’s on sale. 

Some stores have double or triple coupon days when a store increases the value of coupons. Grocery store loyalty cards may be another source of savings, offering in-store discounts to cardholders. Don't use a coupon to justify buying a food that your family doesn't need or that costs more than a store brand, even with the coupon savings.  Ask for rain checks if a store coupon is out.