6. Look for unadvertised in-store specials. Meat departments often cut prices with "butcher's special" or "manager's special". Normally this means that the store needs to move the meat while it is fresh and that means savings for you.

7. Buy store brands. Every supermarket chain offers an in-house brand for almost every product. Choose the in-store or generic brand and save because the store label products are often much less than the name brand item. One reason is that the cost of nationwide advertising is included in the price of those name brand products.

8. Never shop when you're hungry. If you're hungry, everything looks delicious and it's easy to load up a cart with much more than you need. Eat before grocery shopping.

9. Stick to a shopping list. Make the list at home before you go to the store. Avoid impulse purchases because these up the total of your bill and often are things you don't need.

10. Look for day-old bakery goods, slightly wilted produce, and damaged items at a discount. Don't buy anything that looks too old or damaged but day old bakery items heat up fresh in the microwave. Trim wilted leaves from lettuce for a tasty salad.

11. Shop in the early morning or after dinner. Avoid the rush hour crowd that is grabbing groceries on the way home from work. It's best to go at a quieter time when you can think about your purchases. Avoid Saturday - often the biggest shopping day in supermarkets. Stores are crowded, shelves can be empty, and the rush may cause you to make mistakes.

12. Watch the items ring up and check your bills. Stores often make pricing errors. If you spot one, be sure to point it out (be polite) and most cashiers will correct it. If not, ask for a manager or stop by the management desk on your way out. Errors can range from a few cents to dollars so keep an eye on your receipt.