on a budget??

Im trying to figure out how to save some money and start putting more in savings. Our biggest expense outside of our mortgage is our food bill! yikes!
Yes, we do have a family of 7, but Im thinking there has to be a way to cut our grocery bill.

any suggestions?

CUPONS CUPONS CUPONS!! I have a binder of cupons!! I take the ones out that I need when I do my list!! I also shop at costco, grocery outlets and places like that...I actually LOVE the grocery outlet here!!

Coupons! I always buy on sale items if they are cheaper, even if we prefer a different brand. Buy meat in bulk, it's usually cheaper. Eat lots of frozen/canned veggies as they are not expensive, use rice and pasta as bases for lots of dishes as they are inexpensive and filling.

Those are a lot of good suggestions!

Another thing that friends recommend is using Coupons, Grocery Coupons - TheGroceryGame.com (http://www.thegrocerygame.com)I can't use it because of the area we live in. There aren't many options as far as grocery stores go.

I like to use the Hillbilly Housewife website. Hillbilly Housewife (http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/) She has a lot of great recipes & menus for being on a budget!

If you are big meat eaters, what about cutting out meat on some meals. Say you normally have some sort of meat every single night for dinner. What about cutting out a time or two? You might not notice a big change right away but in the long run, you'll save some & every little bit helps.

Another small tip is to make a menu & stick by it! Buy only the items you need for your menu's.

And go shopping after you have eatten something. if you shop on an empty stomach, you tend to spend more!

What about buying generic foods? A lot of store brand foods taste the same as name brand!

Shopping local farmer's markets for fresh fruits & vegetables often helps a lot!

this time of year is great for soups, stews, chili's, etc. Make them homemade & they are relatively inexpensive & very filling!

oh, and another thing is, make sure you are following portion sizes and that you utilize leftovers!!! that can help so much. We cook for two nights and tehn eat leftovers the third!

wow Ladies, what great advice!! thanks!!

I shop with a grocery list. W/o a grocery list, I tend to spend more on BS crap...LOL!!!
Coupons are awesome too!!! Depending on where you live, subscribe to the Sunday paper. Here and San Diego had coupon sections. :)
For a family of 3, we spend no more than $300-400 on monthly groceries.

Yes Hillbillyhousewife.com has some great suggestions for a big family, I wish I could do it! but I not willing to make my own bread and milk!!

We do meal planning for 2 weeks in advance, then grocery shop for what is needed to make those meals. We cut back on snacks because it is a waste of money in our house. The kids just go through them to fast. So we do a snack that we have to actually make to eat it, then it goes farther.

Planning, and when ever we get extra money like taxes or what not. I buy bulk of things we use all year long.