Battle for cash playing out in supermarket aisles

Grocery shopping only a minor expense? Think again.

The average American family of four spends $9,200 a year on food, rounded to $10,000 when paper goods and personal-care products are added to the mix. Overall, it's estimated that Americans spend $1.5 billion a day on groceries.

Yep, supermarket shopping is big business. And, there's a battle playing out in the aisles in front of you encourage you to spend more, according to a recent report by CNBC. In fact, stores are using both low- and high-tech tools to snag a larger share of the $500 billion a year business.

When a consumer walks into a market, they're being monitored. Stores are using brand-loyalty cards and video cameras to track your every move, analyzing buying behavior and figuring out what techniques inspire you to buy more.

For example, stores are doubling the size of their shopping carts. A recent experiment found that the average shopper buys 40 percent more with the larger carts. Apparently, size does matter. Also, newer stores are staying away from the typical straight aisles associated with old-school supermarkets and opting for a design that inspires shoppers to meander. Grocery staples—like milk, bread and butter-- are set up in the farthest corner of the store.

Other techniques like spraying produce and setting up the bakery at the front of the store are set up to appeal to the senses and ultimately entice patrons to buy more.

How can shoppers suit up and stay away from unnecessary purchases? Martin Lindstrom, a marketing consultant, offers several tips to outsmart the store.

His advice:

• Don't bring the kids with you when you shop
• Carry things in your arms instead of using a shopping cart
• Use cash instead of paying with a credit card

Click here for the lowdown.

How much food does your family waste?

Grocery shopping only a minor expense? Think again.

The average American family of four spends $9,200 a year on food, rounded to $10,000 when paper goods and personal-care products are added to the mix.

How much of that food ends up in the trash? According to a study conducted in Tompkins County, N.Y., it's around 40 percent. In a similar study by Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab, a whopping 93 percent of those surveyed admitted that they buy foods they never use.

A new book called "American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of its Food" by Jonathan Bloom, there are several ways to curb food waste.

First, it's important to combat refrigerator clutter. The average family of four squanders more than $40 worth of food each week. Take inventory of the ice box and try not to purchase food, especially fresh vegetables and fruits, that you don't eat. Bloom suggests that shoppers should make a detailed food list and to plan out their meals before heading to the grocery store.

Second, pay attention to the fridge's temperature. The average unit should be 37 degrees Fahrenheit with the freezer set at zero. Also, keep veggies in crisper drawers armed with humidity controls.

Finally, invest in produce containers with top vents and bottom strainers. This will help keep the produce longer. Also, food dehydrators can stretch your food-budget dollar to the end of the year, according to this story by Consumer United Advocate.

Click here to learn more about Bloom's "American Wasteland."

How to put your food budget on a diet

Grocery shopping only a minor expense? Think again.

The average American family of four spends $9,200 a year on food, rounded to $10,000 when paper goods and personal-care products are added to the mix.

It's time to treat grocery shopping like the major expense that it is.

Stephanie Nelson serves up some valuable advice on how to cut costs at the supermarket. Expert shopper and author of "The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half" offers tips on how to save on groceries.

"Your mortgage is set, your car payment is set and you have to pay your taxes. The biggest spending category where you have some wiggle room is groceries. People don't realize that by learning a few tricks, they could be saving a lot of money," she says.

Here are some planning tips from Nelson, depending on the time you're willing to commit:

Five minutes for great savings

Take five minutes at the store to go over strategy and save 20 to 25 percent off supermarket prices. Don't worry about the brand as long as the price is good. When buying food, use the five minute rule to avoid unnecessary precooked and pre-washed foods. If it takes more than five minutes to hunt down a deal, avoid the purchase.

"If you need to save money, being brand flexible is a pretty easy way to do it," Nelson says.

30 minutes for fantastic savings

Looking to spend 30 minutes of planning each week? You can save around 50 percent in savings. Rule number one- shop with a list. Check out the store's weekly flier and plan meals around the week's bargains. Match those sales to coupons from your local paper, and online such as CouponMom.com, CouponSurfer.com and Coupons.smartsource.com. Make sure to keep a price log to see if savings for the week are legitimate. Tip from Nelson? Weigh lettuce heads. Lettuce heads are sold buy head, not by weight, so get the most lettuce for your dollar using nearby scales.

An hour for unbelievable savings

Willing to put in an hour or more a week for grocery planning? You'll earn 60 to 70 percent off the full price of groceries. Shop around for the best deals. This means checking out discount stores, warehouse clubs and drugstores for the best bargains. Look into store policies regarding rain checks, internet coupons, competitors, and guarantees on store brand. The trick is to buy in bulk when on sale and freeze the extras until needed.

Meanwhile, first-time shoppers with our service partner, Peapod, will instantly save $15 on their online grocery order. Use the Consumer United promotional code, WEBSURF15, and click on the promotional link here to start saving!

Tips to put your food budget on a diet

Grocery shopping only a minor expense? Think again.

The average American family of four spends $9,200 a year on food, rounded to $10,000 when paper goods and personal-care products are added to the mix, according to a Chicago Tribune article.

It's time to treat grocery shopping like the major expense that it is.

Stephanie Nelson serves up some valuable advice on how to cut costs at the supermarket. Expert shopper and author of "The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half" offers tips on how to save on groceries.

"Your mortgage is set, your car payment is set and you have to pay your taxes. The biggest spending category where you have some wiggle room is groceries. People don't realize that by learning a few tricks, they could be saving a lot of money," she says.

Here are some planning tips from Nelson, depending on the time you're willing to commit:

Five minutes for great savings

Take five minutes at the store to go over strategy and save 20 to 25 percent off supermarket prices. Don't worry about the brand as long as the price is good. When buying food, use the five minute rule to avoid unnecessary precooked and pre-washed foods. If it takes more than five minutes to hunt down a deal, avoid the purchase.

"If you need to save money, being brand flexible is a pretty easy way to do it," Nelson says.

30 minutes for fantastic savings

Looking to spend 30 minutes of planning each week? You can save around 50 percent in savings. Rule number one- shop with a list. Check out the store's weekly flier and plan meals around the week's bargains. Match those sales to coupons from your local paper, and online such as CouponMom.com, CouponSurfer.com and Coupons.smartsource.com. Make sure to keep a price log to see if savings for the week are legitimate. Tip from Nelson? Weigh lettuce heads. Lettuce heads are sold buy head, not by weight, so get the most lettuce for your dollar using nearby scales.

An hour for unbelievable savings

Willing to put in an hour or more a week for grocery planning? You'll earn 60 to 70 percent off the full price of groceries. Shop around for the best deals. This means checking out discount stores, warehouse clubs and drugstores for the best bargains. Look into store policies regarding rain checks, internet coupons, competitors, and guarantees on store brand. The trick is to buy in bulk when on sale and freeze the extras until needed.