Groceries eat up a large portion of a typical family's household budget, and prices keep rising. What can you do to balance your budget and ease strain on your wallet?

The US Department of Labor estimates that the average American family of four spends $8,513 per year on groceries, or about $709 per month. This figure will rise by about 4% per year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Take Charge of Your Money and Your Time

Regardless of which country you live in, budgeting advice offered by Sissy Osteen, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension resource management specialist, can help keep those bills in check.

“There are some expenditures families can do without, but groceries are always needed,” Sissy said. “Taking some time to plan menus and curbing eating out can really help keep your household budget on track.”

She offers ten tips to minimize unnecessary grocery expenses.

Limit How Often You Go to the Store

The more times you go, the more money you spend on impulse buying. Consumers making a "quick trip" to the store end up spending 54% more than they intended. Try to shop just once or twice a month.

“A consumer who goes to the store three times per week and spends $10 on impulse purchases each trip will end up spending an additional $120 per month,” Sissy said. “By going to the store just once per week, that consumer will spend only $40 per month on these purchases; shopping once per month results in only $10 spent on impulse items.”

This shop-less save-more strategy can save families nearly $1,000 per year.

Make a List and Stick to It

Plan your week’s meals, including snacks and school or work lunches, and put everything you need on your shopping list. Check what you can use up in your pantry to reduce the items you’ll need to buy.

If at all possible, shop without the kids, so you won’t be pressured by their demands for an extra treat or toy, and you’ll be able to concentrate on your list.

Choose Generic or Store Brand Products

They are generally considerably cheaper than national brand items, and often you won’t notice any difference in quality.

“In most cases you won’t sacrifice much in quality,” Sissy said. “Everything from cereal and frozen vegetables to canned goods and prescription drugs is available under a generic or store brand label. You can save from a few cents to a couple of dollars per item, and the savings can quickly add up.”

Compare Prices, Not Just Between Brands, But Between Stores

However, remember to factor in the time and fuel costs of going to a different store, or what you save on a cheaper can of coffee might cost you more in fuel.

Compare the Unit Cost of the Item

For instance, chicken thighs and drumsticks cost less per pound or kilo than chicken breasts. Bagged apples may be cheaper than bulk apples, but bagged salad is most likely more expensive for a family than buying the lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers separately.

Don’t Buy More than You Need, Even if the Price is Low

You can never have too much toilet paper, but perishable foods and products with a definite use-by date are no bargain if you end up throwing them out.

Make Use of Coupons and Specials

But do check you’re getting the best deal. “Be sure to compare the discounted price to the price of a store-brand product,” Sissy said. “Even with a coupon, you may be better off buying the store brand.”

Save on Eating Out

Eating out is fun, but it can be costly too. If you must eat out, do so at lunchtime to take advantage of lunch specials and lower prices.

Limit Eating Out to Once a Week

Instead of buying lunch every day at work, bring lunch from home. “Spending just $2 per day on a homemade lunch versus $6 per day at a sandwich shop can save you nearly $1,000 per year,” Sissy said.

Curb Your Coffee Habit

That coffee on the way to work each morning, or in your mid-morning break, can end up costing you more than $1,000 per year. Sissy recommends investing in a good-quality machine and making your own coffee at home or at work. Buy insulated cups or vacuum flasks and take your home-made coffee with you.