Write down what you'd like to eat, and then make a list of the foods you need for those meals. Making a list of grocery items can help people avoid impulse buying that increases their grocery bills, she said. Learning how to read labels can help consumers judge whether foods are good buys nutritionally. When shopping, look at products on bottom and top shelves. Many times, they're cheaper, Wright said.
Grocery stores tend to place more expensive brands at eye level.
These are terrific sellers for grocery stores, but they may not be better buys than some of the other brands found on the shelves. Furthermore, placing items at the end of an aisle doesn't allow consumers to easily compare prices. The same is true for other items on sale, Wright said. People should be familiar with regular food prices. Just because it's on sale, doesn't mean it's the best bargain.