When making your household budget stretch in these tough economic times, every little bit counts. Money might be tight, but there are many simple ways to save bucks by trimming your grocery bill. 

Coupon shopping

The days of waiting a whole week to clip a few coupons from the Sunday paper are long gone. Go online and let the virtual clipping begin. A great place to start is on the manufacturer's Web site. Companies update their sites frequently, and it's a quick and easy way to find great deals. After arriving at the store, search for your favorite brands that are on sale and stock up. The biggest savings come from combining in-store deals with the coupons you've brought with you.

A little work pays off

If you're willing to put in a little time in the kitchen, you can save big at the checkout. Veggies cost less when you peel and cut them yourself, and fruit juice concentrate costs less than pre-mixed juices. Another way to save is to create your own marinades, seasoning blends and salad dressings. A few extra minutes in the kitchen can save a bundle.

Look beyond the price tag

Evaluate your shopping choices carefully. A good place to start is laundry detergent. A detergent such as Tide might not be the least expensive product on the shelf, but the next leading detergent which might contain 80 percent water and force you to use extra capfuls is no bargain. Shopping smart means looking at a product's overall value.

Make one, freeze another

Shopping without a list or on an empty stomach tempts you to make unnecessary purchases that can hurt your budget. Before leaving home, plan your meals for the entire week and buy everything in one trip.

Another way to save time and money is to get enough ingredients to make multiple meals that freeze well. You can cook several portions of your favorite dish at once and freeze what you don't eat right then. When you don't feel like cooking, you have a meal that's quick, easy to prepare, and cheaper than ordering in.

Courtesy of ARAcontent