Do I really mean grocery shop at home before at the store? You bet! When you make up your grocery list for the week's meals, first do a check of the contents of your fridge and pantry. Your list might have a can of tomato sauce, but we tend to put staples (and the really odd items) on our grocery shopping list without checking our own kitchen inventory.

When you do your grocery list, take the extra minute or two to check the pantry and fridge. That can of tomato sauce might be hiding behind the creamed corn and baked beans. And the jar of olives you need might actually already exist in the fridge, and it hasn't even been opened to boot!

Most people can find at least one item on their shopping list they have duplicated without checking their own kitchen first. And fortunately for your budget, many find more than one item they already have in their cupboards. So do your budget a favor by checking before you shop!