Post by Rod Wood - Prices for just about everything at the supermarket are soaring. But with a little discipline, you can still reduce your grocery bill and provide your family with nutritious food.
 
Here are five tips from Consumer Reports:   
 
(1) Make a list of food items your family needs before you go shopping and stick to it!
Walking aimlessly up and down the aisles will encourage you to pick up extra items like cookies and other munchies.
 
(2) Don't shop when you're hungry! Shoppers tend to be more impulsive, and pickup unnecessary items when shopping on an empty stomach.
 
(3) Buy store brands. The quality of store branded food items has improved dramatically in recent years and many now compete with major national labels. You can save anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.
 
(4) Evaluate unit prices. Compare the cost per unit on both big and small packages to see which is a better deal.
 
(5) Clip coupons. Look through circulars for special deals.
 
Have other money saving ideas? Send them along.