EVERYONE NEEDS GROCERIES

Aside from working, paying taxes and sleeping, everyone has to eat.  Dining out is a luxury.  Dining in is practical, healthy and financially sound.  This means grocery shopping is a part of life.  It also provides valuable life lessons for your children: budgeting, making smart choices and savvy shopping tips.

Do your homework.  Before you go shopping have your kids help you take an inventory of your groceries.  This will help you decide what needs replenishing and helps eliminate buying duplicate items.  Think of what meals you will be making during the week. Make a shopping list.

Take advantage of money-saving strategies.  Using coupons, enrolling in your grocery store's customer loyalty program and being aware of rebates will all save you a significant amount of money.  Make this a fun project: once a week hunt for coupons in your local newspaper with your kids.  Generally local newspapers have one day a week for coupon offers.  Keep in mind that just because you have a coupon for an item it's not a bargain if you don't need that item.  Check coupons against your shopping list. If you have a coupon for an item on your list put an asterisk next to that item to remind you.

Remember that store brands can save you quite a bit of money over regular-priced name brand items.  According to Consumer Reports, blind taste tests revealed that companies have made such great improvements in their private-label brands that it is often difficult to distinguish taste between the two. This can save an average of 30 percent off your grocery bill.

Common wisdom suggests eating a healthy snack before grocery shopping helps cut down on impulse buying.  Sticking to your list will also help with impulse buying.  Allow your child one healthy impulse buy such as a piece of fruit or some other nutritious snack and set a price limit.  This will help your child learn the value of using a choice wisely...it will also make your shopping trip just a little more pleasant!

Finally, pay attention to the check-out process.  Have your child watch as items are scanned to be sure you are being charged accurately.  If you feel an item has wrung up incorrectly, question the clerk.  If necessary ask for a manager to check the price on the shelf against the scanned price.  Some grocery stores will even give you the item for free, or some other reward for an incorrect scanner price.

Go green and put your kid in charge of bringing reusable shopping bags with you. This helps to reduce the energy and natural resources required to make paper or plastic grocery bags and keeps them out of landfills. Teach your kids a valuable ecology lesson by example.