Clipping coupons not on your list of things to do? That’s ok, because you can still save a bundle of money at the grocery store by doing these 10 simple things!

1. Plan Your Meals

It sounds too easy, but having even a basic plan for your weekly meals can help save you money. How? Less grocery trips to the store and less temptation to order out, to name a few!

2. Cook From Scratch

Stop buying the prepackaged processed foods, the pre cooked meals in the deli, and ordering out.  You can cook your meals from scratch for a fraction of the cost, and they are healthier too.

3. Cut Meat In Half

Have one meatless meal a week and stretch the meat you do buy by using only half of what a recipe calls for. Fill in with less expensive ingredients such as beans, rice and vegetables and no one will ever notice.

4. Buy The Smallest Size

Don’t buy jumbo apples and oranges. Don’t buy the largest pepper in the bin. How much of that apple will go to waste? How much of that pepper will you need for your recipe? Purchasing smaller sizes gets you more for your dollar and less waste too!

5. Shop in Season

In season produce will always be cheaper. Learn what is in season in your area and purchase those items. For example buy apples in the fall, strawberries and blueberries in the summer etc. I can purchase a 1 lb container of strawberries for .99 in the summer months. In the winter that price jumps to 3.99 for that same container.

6. Watch For Loss Leaders

These are usually the sales listed on the front page of your grocery sales flyer. These items aren’t making the store any money, but their low prices are luring you into the store. These are usually your best deals. The back page of the flyer often has great deals too.

7. Bake Ahead Of Time

Make up a big batch of pancakes and waffles (from scratch!) and freeze it for quick and easy breakfasts. Make up meals for you freezer to have on hand when life gets busy and take out is tempting. And use the loss leader meats and other ingredients in those meals to save even more!

8. Find a Frugal Cook Book

Not all cookbooks are created equal. When you plan your menus, choose a cook book that is focused on saving you money. My favorites? May all time favorite is Cheap Fast Good.

9. Drink Water Instead of Juice or Soda

Not only is it better for you, it’s better for your wallet too. It doesn’t get any cheaper than free! Add some lemon and lime slices and put it in a pretty pitcher.

10. Buy Spices In Bulk

This has been a huge money saver for us. Find a co-op or bulk supply store and stock up spices you use the most. Learn how to make your own taco seasoning mixes and other packaged mixes. All that is in those are the a few different spices mixed together. You can do that at home in less than five minutes, and your mix won’t have the preservatives and MSG either!

If clipping coupons isn’t interesting to you, or you just don’t have the time for it in this season of your life, you can still save loads of money on your grocery bill each week by implementing even one of these things.

And did you notice that most of these things not only save you money, they are healthier for you too? Eating healthy doesn’t have to come at a high price!

Do you have any other ideas for saving money on groceries without clipping coupons? I am sure there are many more that I don’t have here!

All photos from Flickr.com For more great money saving ideas, be sure to visit Frugal Friday over at Life As Mom.

I have been weeks behind on clipping coupons. I really don’t like that. Especially when I have inserts that have expired before I have had a chance to clip them. Time to put clipping coupons on my weekly to do list again!

I was determined to clip and file them all before I went to bed last night. Amazingly, it didn’t take me nearly as long as I thought

Expired coupons in the trash, the rest all clipped and ready to be filed.

And DONE!

Whew that felt good!

Have you tackled any projects lately that you have been procrastinating on?

This post is linked to Tackle It Tuesday

I am excited with our menu this week, because my shopping list is short, my freezer and pantry are stocked so I am fairly positive we will be able to com in under budget this week. Provided that I stick to my lessons learned, that is

Here is what is on the menu this week:

Breakfasts:

Sausage, egg and cheese casserole x2

Cereal w/ milk, Fresh squeezed OJ

Banana Crumb Muffins, Fresh OJ

Eggs, Toast, Fruit salad

Waffles w/ syrup, fruit salad

and 1 YOYO day (your own your own )

Lunches:

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

EM Pizzas

Leftovers x2

(My kids are going with grandparents and have a few other activities this week, so we won’t be having lunch at home a couple of days)

Supper:

Fathers Day Cookout

Cheeseburgers,Tater Tots, Salad

Chicken with rice, steamed broccoli, salad

Hot dogs, Beans, broccoli salad

Ham and asparagus crostini, Salad

Homemade Pizza

Hope you have a great week!

For more great menu plans, visit OrgJunkie (and check out the great giveaway this week!)