How to reduce your grocery bill

The Department of Labor says that it now costs more than $700 per month to feed the average family — and costs are still rising.

Here are some ways to shave dollars off your grocery bill:

•Make a list, and stick to it. Set a not-to-exceed dollar amount if you spot genuinely good bargains while you shop.

•Eat before you go. Shopping on a full stomach will cut down on impulse purchases.

•Get in, get out. The longer you’re in a store, the more you’re going to spend. Look down each aisle. If you don’t need anything in that aisle, don’t go down it.

•Check the unit pricing on everything you buy. A bigger package isn’t necessarily cheaper. With meats, check the cut: A more expensive piece of lean meat might be a better deal if you’re not paying for the bone.

•Buy store brands for a week and see if you can tell the difference.

•Cut down on convenience foods as much as possible. Time is a consideration for most people, but on a Friday night you can save more than $10 by making your own pizza and making popcorn the old fashioned way on the stove.

•Buy as little packaging as possible. Individually wrapped sliced cheese and yogurt in small containers cost more.

•Select cheaper cuts of meat that can be tenderized in a crockpot. Make extra and freeze it.

•Buy whole chickens instead of parts and do the cutting yourself.

•Check the per-pound cost of fruits and vegetables like apples and potatoes. You might get a better deal if you select each one instead of grabbing a large bag that might end up going to waste.

•Buy plain rice, pasta and cereals and add your own spices or sweeteners.

•Cut down on the number of trips to the store. Not only will you save gas, but you’ll save on impulse purchases.

•Compare sales flyers for local grocery stores. In spite of gas costs, it might pay to go to more than one store to take advantage of sales.

•Consider buying a small freezer to stock up on sales.