8 easy ways to chop your monthly food bill

As if controlling what you eat isn't hard enough, reducing what you spend on food can be tricky too. If you're finding your family's meal costs keep creeping higher,here are eight easy ways to spend less in the grocery aisle.

Eat before you shop

Even the priciest products look delicious when you're hungry. Try to avoid shopping on an empty stomach so you're less inclined to stray from your list. Oh, and while we're talking lists, make sure to make one and don't forget it in the car.

Plan your meals

Try sitting down on Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and plan the weeks' meals. Cookbooks offer terrific inspiration you know those ones you got for Christmas but never open? Once you've got a clear idea of what you'll be eating for the week, make a grocery list and stick to it. This will also give you time to check to see if you have ingredients first, taking the guesswork out of inventory when you're already at the store.

Do take-out smarter

Sure, it's easy enough to hit up a restaurant for dinner, but those tabs can add up quick. Head to the deli and buy a rotisserie chicken instead. It's easy and can stretch a couple meals too. Look for other take-away options in the salad bars of well-stocked grocery stores and bakeries, where items made in-house are generally cheaper than a restaurant meal.Make from scratch. Homemade food is usually cheaper than packaged, and it's more delicious and healthier for you too. Cook in big batches and freeze for meals later. They don't have to be gourmet. Roll up a dozen bean and cheese burritos and freeze them. Your future self will thank you.

Beware of buying in bulk

Buying in bulk can go both ways. You'll usually get abetter price, but if it expires before you can get through it all, then food waste drives up your initial costs. Avoid this by getting into a clean-out- the-fridge soup ritual. Throw all your bits and bobs leftover from the week into one big Sunday soup. It's an excellent way to use up all those wrinkly carrots and dinner's covered too.

Eat less meat

Protein is expensive, so rather than serve whole steaks at every meal, stretch it out in casseroles and stews. And try going meatless a couple nights of the week. It will change things up, and save you money too.

Pack away leftovers before you sit down to eat

If food sits out on the counter after a meal, chances are you'll pick away at it whether you're hungry or not. If you think you're going to have leftovers, pack them away at the beginning of the meal. Now you'll be less tempted to take that second helping, and you've got lunch for tomorrow.

Shop seasonally

In-season produce generally goes for a better price, and it's usually tastier too. Plan your menu around what makes sense right now, just like a real chef.