REDUCING FOOD COSTS

     1.  BUY THE NEWSPAPER TO SEE WHAT IS ON SALE AND CUT COUPONS

          FOR ITEMS YOU NEED.

     2.  PLAN YOUR MEALS BASED ON SALE ITEMS.

     3.  PREPARE A SHOPPING LIST BASED ON YOUR MEAL PLAN AND WHAT

          YOU ALREADY HAVE ON HAND.

     4.  DON'T SHOP WITHOUT A LIST.

     5.  DON'T SHOP MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK.

     6.  DON'T SHOP WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY.

     7.  KEEP A TALLY AS YOU SHOP SO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE SPEN-

          DING.

     8.  BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED AND CAN USE BEFORE THE FOOD SPOILS.

     9.  PLAN TO SHOP WHEN  THE STORE IS NOT CROWDED SO YOU WILL

          HAVE TIME TO COMPARE PRICES.

   10.  SHOP WITHOUT CHILDREN WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

   11.  AVOID IMPULSE BUYING.

   12.  AVOID BUYING CONVENIENCE FOODS.

   13.  COMPARE NUTRITIONAL CONTENT AND UNIT PRICES TO DETERMINE

          BEST BUYS.

   14.  SAVE AND TRADE COUPONS FOR ITEMS YOU NEED.

   15.  BUY AND STRETCH TO LOOK FOR BARGAINS BECAUSE THE BEST BUYS

          MAY NOT BE AT EYE LEVEL.

   16.  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SEASONAL SPECIALS.

   17.  BUY DIRECTLY FROM FARMER OR CURB MARKET IF POSSIBLE.

   18.  BUY LARGER QUANTITIES IF PRACTICAL.

   19.  DON'T USE CREDIT TO BUY GROCERIES.