That is one drawback – you can get used to a certain product and they stop carrying it. For months I was eating red licorice covered in dark chocolate from Australia. I miss that stuff.

Folgers Coffee

Right now Big Lots is selling Folgers coffee so that’s what I am drinking. I paid $3.00 per 12 ounces. I can pay $5.25 in the grocery for Folgers or get it online at Amazon for $3.76 each if I buy 6. That gave me savings of $0.76 to $2.25 per tub depending on where I was buying it and how many I was buying.

Big Lots also had stuffed green olives for sale. Olives are one of my favorites but I don’t want to pay $7.36 per pound. I got these olives I had never heard of for $3.00 per 13 ounces. My Big Lots’ olives work out to $3.69 per pound for a savings of $2.98 per bottle.

Stuffed Olives

And finally the score of the day. ORGANIC Muir Glen Pasta Sauce (25.5 oz) was on sale for $1.30 per bottle. The sauce retails for $5.19 and discounts to $3.89 so I saved $2.59 to $3.89.

I bought 3 of each item and spent $21.90. I saved $18.99 at the low end and $27.36 at the high end on these products. Which is 44 to 54 percent of retail prices. Not bad.

Muir Glen Pasta Sauce

I notice that Big Lots carries brands from a fair number of countries. It is always a treat when I find something from home or my travels. If I find a brand I don’t recognize I may only buy one as a tester. There is nothing worse than buying 6 of something you don’t like.

I also check out their kitchenware department every time I am there. Over time I have collected some really useful tools.  I have gotten some great Calphalon kitchen utensils for $2.00 and $3.00 that retail for $7 to $15.

Some things to remember when buying food at Big Lots:

1. Check expiration date of products
2. Only buy as much as you can use before the expiration date
3. Only buy one of an item to test if you are unsure
4. Have a price book so you can recognize a deal
5. Check end caps for really good deals
6. Food will be progressively marked down
7. Don’t buy food you won’t eat just because it is on sale
8. Buy food you have never eaten just because it is on sale

Because I lived in Austin, Texas and near Lebanon-Hanover, New Hampshire I was used to shopping in Central Market, Whole Foods and the Co-op. I purchased excellent quality foods that were good value for the dollar for the most part. And I splurged as needed.

I started commuting to Shreveport, Louisiana and had to find a local grocery store to feed me. I began my reconnaissance of the local grocery stores.

Store A is a smallish grocery store conveniently located ¾ mile from my house and serves a mixed socio-economic neighborhood of historic homes. No matter what I would go in there for all I ever come out with was a can of Folger’s and a bag of dog food.

This store specializes in fat, starch, sugar, alcohol and over-priced fresh orange. I was going to starve to death shopping here.

Next I test drove Store B which is 4 miles from my house. This is a grocery store for what was the Shreveport everyman. I began my exploration of the store and was immediately disappointed. There was no variety, no organic foods, no bulk, no nothing. I was so damn depressed. I consulted some locals and they directed me to Store C.

Store C is located 3 miles from my house and serves a higher end socio-economic group. In this neighborhood the houses are beautifully massive and the squadrons of giant flying cockroaches are called water bugs.

I made my trek to Store C to see if this grocery store was going to meet my needs. It has fruits and vegetables, some imported items, organic meat and vegetables and my staples. There is produce that I would consider a staple in Austin that is 3 times the price in Store C so I do without. But still out of the three, Store C was the best suited to my needs.

So you would think the post would stop there:

• Explore your grocery store options
• Pick the grocery store best suited to you
• The End

I thought that was the end too. But a friend, who lives 4 blocks from Store C, told me she was shopping in Store B. I was floored as I had seen what was in her fridge and it looked nothing like what I had seen at Store B.

So BACK I went to Store B. It was fabulous. They had been undergoing renovations for months. I walked into a beautiful produce section immediately hitting a wall of organics that were only pennies more expensive than the regular produce.

Green peppers were $0.99 each at Stores A and C, ORGANIC green peppers were $0.99 each at Store B. I try to stay away from the bakery but they had fresh baked cheese biscuits 3 for $1.00.

The prices are cheaper than Store C, the quality and selection are better than Store A. I was so happy I damn near burst into tears.

I now firmly believe that the choice of grocery store should be revisited annually.

The grocery chain marketing departments are constantly reassessing: what should be sold at each store, improvements and renovations, the pricing strategies, specials, etc. You never know when something is turning to your advantage in a different store.

When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh mown hay.

In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying .

The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread and cookies…

I don’t buy toilet paper there any more.

Don’t worry. Making smart choices will allow you to keep your family happy. Buying frozen meals, side dishes and vegetables can provide great-tasting, high-quality foods for a fraction of the cost of dining out or fast food options.

Here are some tips to help you save money at the grocery store without sacrificing taste or quality:

Always shop with a list: If you don’t, it’s very likely you’ll overspend. Even if you just go to the store for milk, take a note that says, “Just buy milk.”

Combine convenience and value at mealtime: According to Technomics, 35 percent of people are eating out less often. Frozen foods such as Banquet Select Recipes deliver incredible value over eating out. For around $1.50, your family can enjoy a complete meal that has been thoughtfully prepared with tender cuts of meat like white-meat chicken, rich sauces, colorful vegetables and flavorful touches like shredded cheese.

Frozen fruits and vegetables are healthy alternatives to fresh: The rising cost of fresh fruits and vegetables can make it difficult to provide your family with these essentials. Buying frozen fruits and veggies will save money–sometimes more than half the price of fresh. Since frozen foods last longer, you can stock up at once and cut down on gas-guzzling trips to the grocery store.

Get the whole family involved in saving money on food: Put your kids in charge of clipping coupons and, as a reward, give them a percentage of the savings as an allowance. You’ll teach them about value and get some help with this tedious task.

Account for the entire cost of a meal: Frozen foods often provide a complete balanced meal as opposed to some meal mixes that say “just add chicken,” which may be the most expensive component.

Don’t overlook your savings: Pay attention at the checkout to make sure the prices and discounts from coupons and frequent-shopper programs register correctly.

Working these small changes into your grocery shopping trips will not only save money and time, but they will help keep your family happy and satisfied.

Phil Lempert, one of the nation’s top trackers of supermarket trends, is a regular guest on the TODAY show and has written articles on food trends in USA Today and other national publications.

Always make a shopping list and stick to it–if you don’t, you might bust your food budget.

1. Share savings with a friend: People are passionate about scoring great deals and word of mouth is a good way to find deals.

2. Seek savings offline and online: Those achieving the greatest savings are clipping print coupons and printing online coupons.

3. Organize your coupons: Organize coupons the way in which you walk through the store -putting those expiring soonest in the front.

4. Stock up on sale items: When you see an item on special, or a savings is featured with your loyalty card and you have a coupon-stock up (66 percent of coupon shoppers say they are often able to combine coupons with other in-store specials, sales or frequent-shopper discounts).

5. Access coupons everywhere: Create a coupon envelope that lives in-and is always returned to-the car of the family’s main shopper.

6. Get meal ideas from coupons: If you find a fantastic coupon, don’t dismiss it simply because the item is not usually on your list. Planning your meals at the same time as reviewing coupon offers lets you take advantage of really great deals-and try new recipes.

7. Double your savings: If your favorite retailer offers double or triple coupon values, shop on the days when you can get even more savings.

8. Do your savings homework: Consumer research indicates big-ticket purchases require research. The Internet can help. Electronics, appliances, furniture, autos and trips top the list of more expensive items that require planning.

9. Call manufacturer 800 numbers: Up to 35 percent of manufacturers only send coupons upon request.

10. Plan meals using your store’s circular: Grocery is the No. 1 savings category (89 percent), according to a survey on red plum.com. RedPlum’s coupons, savings and deals reach more than 100 million shoppers weekly. Many savvy cooks create meal plans based on what the stores advertise that week.

Learn More

For more tips to stretch your budget, visit redplum.com.