Evening Edge

We asked Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, for her Top 10 tips for saving money on food.

Here are her suggestions:

POUYA DIANAT / pdianat@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Stephanie Nelson doesn't go grocery shopping without a list and coupons. She feeds her family of four on $82 a week.

• PHOTOS

1. Know how your stores' coupon policies work. Ask if they double coupons.

2. Wait to use grocery coupons when the item is on sale. You may get the item free.

3. Over 75 percent of grocery coupons come from the Sunday newspaper. Buy two to three copies to save the most.

4. Print free coupons from coupon Web sites. Also download electronic coupons to your loyalty card from some store Web sites such as Kroger.com.

5. Be brand flexible. Buy the brand that's on sale with a coupon, or get the store brand if it's less expensive.

6. Sign up for your store's loyalty card and provide complete mailing information. You may receive high-value store coupons.

7.Know prices for items you purchase often and stock up when they hit their lowest price.

8. Shop once a week or less to reduce impulse shopping. Plan your week's meals around your store's sale items and make a comprehensive shopping list.

9. Be flexible about your store choices. Check ads for area stores and shop at the one with the best deals on your items that week.

10. Learn how to use the drugstore savings programs. Combine sale prices, store coupons and automatic rebates to get free merchandise every week.

• More advice from the coupon mom

• Feeding a family of 10

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