I don’t know about you but I can’t help but notice how expensive everything is getting.

Everyday we are challenged to stretch our dollar further. We have to put food on our tables and feed our families. There’s no getting around it. Finding ways to spend less on groceries while still getting the things that we need to feed ourselves and our families is a necessity for most of us.

Here are six money saving grocery shopping tips to try the next time you head out to buy some groceries.

1. Clip coupons. Some will say that it’s a waste of time but if you haven’t tried it yet, you’ll be surprised at how much you save. I’m not necessarily talking about buying something just because you have a coupon. No, I’m talking about clipping the coupons for items that you already use. Then to maximize your savings, you match up a coupon with an item that is also on sale at the grocery store. Doing some clipping and pre-planning before you head to the store can save a lot of money.

2. Buy more staples than prepared foods. It is easier to buy a box of macaroni and cheese, but is it more economical? A large box of macaroni and a block of cheese will make more servings for your family than one box of prepared macaroni and cheese. You can find a lot of recipes online and make a lot of those staples for much cheaper than the boxed version.

3. Buy in bulk. Consider the food items that you use most often. Cereals, meats, vegetables, condiments, juices and paper products can be bought in bulk usually at a lower price at food warehouses like Costco, BJ’s, and Wal-Mart. If you have a coupon, you’ll save even more money. But make sure to do your research because not everything in bulk is a better deal.

4. Don’t shop when you are hungry. This is an obvious one right?! Shopping on an empty stomach means that you will pick up more things than you need. You are more likely to pick up that bag of chocolate chip cookies or that box of donuts when the growling gets underway.

5. Make a grocery list. This is another way to stop you from adding unnecessary cost to your grocery bill. Make a menu plan for the week, check your cabinets and the fridge to see what you need and create your grocery shopping list. This will also help with the couponing. Plan it all out ahead of time and grab the coupons you will need for your grocery list.

6. Shop at the same stores. In a new store, you spend most of your time looking for things and walking up and down every aisle. I don’t know how many times I do this and end up forgetting or not finding a lot of things on my list. Going to the same stores makes you more familiar with the prices so you can estimate your bill as you write your grocery list. This is important for sticking to a grocery budget. You’ll also be familiar with their coupon policies. I’m not saying just go to one store (unless they price match and then one store may be sufficient), but stick to the same store or stores that you’re familiar with.

There are always ways to make your grocery budget go further. If you take the time to work on the ideas listed above, as well as others of your own, you will see savings on your grocery bill!