How to squeeze a nickel

Here's hoping you find new ideas among these staff and reader tips

This article is the archived version of a report that appeared in June 2009 Consumer Reports magazine.

Food

• In the supermarket, I look at the unit price. Many items such as tuna have a quantity surcharge—the bigger container has a higher unit price than the smaller one.
• I bring coffee to work in a thermos.
• Once or twice a year I won't buy as much food as usual and I try to empty the freezer and cupboards before buying more. The freezer, especially, is full of food I forget.
• Avoid bottled water. Buy a decent water bottle for everyone in the family, put their names on them, and refill.
• Cook more at home and make enough to freeze. Later, when you don't have time to cook, you're not tempted to buy prepared food, which costs more.
• Buy wine and beer by the case, which is cheaper. Either stock up for yourself or split with friends.
• Cut out wine and beer.
• I eat breakfast at home instead of buying it on the road or at work.
• Bring a bag lunch to work. And bring your own snacks too; those trips to the vending machines can add up.
• Buy kitchenware (pots, pans, knives, etc.) at kitchen-supply wholesalers. Many are open to the general public.
• Grow your own vegetables and herbs. You'll save a lot (think about the cost of a bunch of parsley or thyme) and you'll use them more since you'll have them on hand.
• We cut our grocery bill in half by planning next week's menu and shopping with a list.
• If you don't want to cook, get takeout instead of dining in the restaurant. There's no table service, so there's no tip, and you can resist adding dessert to your order.
• Eat half the restaurant meal and save the other half for lunch or dinner the next day.