Everyone's got to eat, but grocery shopping can be expensive. Even though cooking at home can still be significantly cheaper than eating out, purchasing groceries can be one of the costliest areas of your budget, especially if you have a family. Fortunately, there are ways you can plan and prepare to make the most of every ingredient in your kitchen and in your shopping cart. These tips can help you save serious cash, no matter what you eat and where you shop.

Start By Surveying Your Pantry

Before you set foot in a grocery store, take a few minutes to survey your fridge, freezer, and pantry. What do you already have on hand that you can use to prepare your meals for the next week? This helps ensure you're using up any food you have before it spoils while preventing you from spending money on ingredients you really didn't need.

Make a Meal Plan

Based on what you have in your pantry, you can start to make a meal plan for the next week. Take a look at your calendar when you're doing this so you can set yourself up for success. For example, if you have a busy evening on Wednesday night, you can prepare a larger meal on Tuesday so you'll have leftovers when you need them. This will prevent you from spending more money by grabbing something on the run instead. You can also check out cooking resources like The Kitchen Community for meal ideas that incorporate ingredients you already have on hand.

Make a List

Once your meal plan is laid out for the week, you're ready to make your list. Having a list on hand helps you avoid spending money on unnecessary items and can help make the entire trip more efficient. It can also encourage you to make the right choices about which items you actually need to buy this week.

Shop Smart

When it's time to buy your groceries, consider shopping online. This helps you see your total as you go and can help limit the temptation to buy something that looks tasty while you're out. If you do shop in person, never shop hungry. Also, while sticking to your list is important, keep an eye out for sale prices on items you eat often. Being flexible with certain ingredients can also save you money on your weekly grocery bill.

Opt for Meatless Dishes

Meat is a tasty and hearty source of protein, but it can be expensive. Consider making at least two meals a week meatless ones. You can incorporate other more budget-friendly sources of protein to keep it filling, such as pasta, eggs, dairy, and beans. Vegetarian meals are not only less expensive in many cases, but they're also a healthier choice in most situations. Eating less meat can help improve your cardiovascular health and even reduce bad cholesterol.

Clipping coupons can help, but there are many more practical ways to save money on your groceries. For most people, the most money can be saved with careful planning while taking advantage of what you already have in your home. Take steps to set yourself up for success and you can truly see the savings add up.