Food costs are rising. Have you noticed the rise in milk, vegetables, orange juice, and other staples in your refrigerator? Grocery stores are becoming more gourmet and all-natural foods carry a higher price tag. It’s very easy to leave the grocery store and spend just as much money as you would have spent going out every day for dinner. The key is making sure you only buy what you need. Don’t succumb to impulse buys, and buy generic when quality and taste is not an issue.

USA Today wrote an article in their weekend issue about saving money on food costs. Here are some great tips from the money people over at USA Today.

1. Leave the kids home. You’ll make smarter choices without little ones tugging at your sleeves. If you have to bring them, give each child some money to buy something he or she wants.
2. Read advertising circulars carefully. Just because a product is featured doesn’t mean it’s on sale. Food companies know that buying placement in circulars will boost sales and sometimes don’t offer lower prices, says ShopSmart editor-in-chief Lisa Lee Freeman.
3. Watch out for end-of-the-aisle deals that aren’t really deals. Stores often put sale items at the end of aisles, but foodmakers sometimes pay for these key locations without offering deals. Look for signs showing prices were cut.
4. Avoid precut and prepared foods. Getting sliced deli cheese and prepared fresh fruit and veggies will cost. Freeman says sliced cheese can cost twice as much.
5. Check unit prices closely. Bigger isn’t always cheaper. If a small jar of peanut butter is on sale, it may cost less per ounce than the giant container.
6. Bring a list. If you have to go back, you’ll spend even more. And lists should limit impulse buys.
7. Shop with cash. If you’re prone to overspending on credit or debit cards, just bring as much money as your budget says you should spend.
8. Keep an eye on the price scanners. About 70% of respondents to a Consumer Reports survey said they found mistakes in the prices scanned.
9. Eat first. Shop hungry and you’ll wind up buying things you don’t need but want at that moment.
10. Shop on price, rather than brand. You’ll likely save money without sacrificing much or any taste or quality. So give store brands a chance.