Here is a summary of eight tips to help save on your grocery bill, courtesy of Smart Money:

Stockpile

Be aware of the sales cycles in stores and stockpile accordingly. Store discounts and sales, which often run on a 10-to-12-week sales cycle. Popular and competitive items cycle every three to four weeks and seasonal items very one to two weeks.

Explore the store

Some of the best deals aren't obvious unless you take the time to price compare within the store. Cheese prices, for example, may differ between the cheese counter, the deli and the dairy case for the same product.

Keep an eye out for sales. There are twice as many unadvertised sale items in the store as there are in the weekly circular. But be cautious.

Try store brands

Most store labels are produced by the same manufacturers that make the well-known brand names. Buying store brands can often results in appreciable savings.

Buy "must go" foods

Check with supermarket staff what time items are marked down. Stores often discount dairy, baked goods, produce and meat by 50% or more as these items approach their sell-by date or become less attractive (think bruised apples or crushed bread).

Shop on Sundays

Use coupons from your Sunday newspaper and the weekly sales circular, to maximize your savings.

Use sources other than the supermarket

Supermarkets aren't the only place to go for groceries. Other possibilities include:

• Drugstores and pharmacies for milk, over-the-counter medications and personal-care items.
• Superstores for snacks, cereals and cleaning supplies. The added bonus: Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart are likely to accept competitor's coupons and match sale prices.
• Online, Amazon.com is gaining traction as a grocer, thanks to its free shipping policy and discount prices on bulk quantities.
• Warehouse clubs for alcohol, prescription medications and pantry staples.
• Discount grocers for anything. Aldi and Save-A-Lot primarily sell products bearing their own label, instead of brand names. There's less selection, says Kellam, but prices are usually at least 20% lower than at the supermarket.
• Surplus stores for dry goods -- but check for quality and expiration dates.

Check unit prices

Buying the bigger size isn't always the best deal. The Federal Trade Commission found that bigger sizes of tuna fish, peanut butter, ketchup, coffee and frozen orange juice were often pricier per unit than smaller counterparts.

Become a coupon connoisseur

Join your supermarket's loyalty club because many offer bonus sales. Also check online coupon sites - because technology limits you to one print-out coupon per computer (as opposed to buying five weekend papers) manufacturers are often more generous with the coupon amounts.

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