Statistics have a way to convince you about everything whether it is prices of food or essential commodities or anything for that matter! It’s difficult to believe them especially when they speak of consumer price index and overlook the prices of energy and food. Reality is a different ball game and none of us can ever overlook these from our monthly budgets. Since these are things you have no choice about spending on, the least you can do is find ways to reduce costs.

The first step in this direction is learning to be organized. Spend time looking at Sunday newspapers for ads and you are sure to find the most competitive of prices for food items. Make two lists: one with the items you wish to buy and the other of stores you need to go to get them. Then jot down up the route you will drive to all these stores so that you can visit each of them on your list in an organized manner, saving time, money and fuel by taking the right route instead of driving round in circles! Sometimes drug stores also offer food items and sell them below cost price, as ‘loss leaders’.

It is a fine idea to get a membership of at least one wholesale club like B.J’s of Costco. The thought of having to pay a neat sum just to become a member may put you off, but you can make up for its cost through the savings effected. Most people avoid such memberships because they feel they have to buy in bulk to get things are reduced prices. While this holds true for perishable foodstuffs like meat, such memberships do help while buying canned stuff or foodstuffs that have a reasonable shelf life. Sharing the stuff you buy with a friend or family member will make things comfortable for both of you.

You can become an expert saver with simple organization. Decide what you want to buy and then collect only coupons for these items. Printing coupons from sites like coupons.com or coolsavings.com can help. Some stores help you save sizably by matching coupons of manufacturers. Remain well informed about the prices of the goods you wish to buy and make comparisons with other brands, so you remain conscious of the money spent and saved. Those with a brand name will offer large discounts but remember sometimes you could be paying more for the brand. Local brands may offer smaller discounts but are also priced lower. It is wise to compare.

Here are some dos and don’ts while buying at stores.

• Avoid buying on an impulse
• Shop without kids: they could throw a tantrum leading you to make unnecessary buys in order to hush them.
• Keeping processed foods and junk foods out of your shopping cart will save money and keep your waistline trim too. Such foods are strategically placed to bait customers as stores earn huge profits on them.

It is next to impossible for the Government or any statistics to ever come up with honest revelations. You cannot go without food and nor can you help rising prices on food items Learn through organization, to save money by buying only what is necessary rather than what is just desired or bought on impulse. Keeping the tips stated above will be a good guideline and as you learn you will have some more of your own to help you in this direction.