The idea of saving money on your groceries is great. But, you won't know what you save until you know what you spend.

Try these tips to help you start:

Compare the before and after. Try shopping for two weeks the way you normally do, then two weeks using these money-saving tips. Compare what you spent on each shopping trip to see how much you saved.

Take note of what worked. When you find that something really made a difference on the bottom line, make a note — mental or otherwise — and use it again and again.

Make it a family affair. Like any game, saving money can get addictive. Have a competition with family and friends to see who can find the lowest prices or the biggest bargain.

Make a list and check it twice. Write down food items you eat on a regular basis or the foods your family gobbles up in one night. If there are a few new recipes you want to try, get the ingredients ahead of time so you are better prepared and not wasting gas money running back and forth to the store.

Buy more of what you love. When you spot sales or coupons for your favorite products, stock up. If the item has a longer shelf life or can be frozen, having extra on hand could save you another trip.

Look for the great deals. If you're not good with shopping lists, try shopping for the sale items at the store instead. Then, plan your meals after you've purchased your discounted groceries.

Knowing which recipes are family favorites can be a big help the next time you're planning a meal.

Easy ways to keep track of recipes:

• Fill a recipe box. (Use purchased recipe cards, or save more money by making your own out of scrap paper.)
• Write them in a notebook, or clip them from magazines to put in the notebook.
• Print out your favorites and put them in a three-ring binder. Many recipes are printer-friendly!
• Add them to a document on your computer.

Look for recipes that use similar ingredients but have enough variety that you don't eat the same thing every night. Compile a final list of ingredients and take that with you to the store. Avoid straying from what you've planned to avoid unexpected costs.

Once your list of recipe ingredients and other grocery items is compiled, check your local newspaper inserts or search online for money-saving coupons.

Clipping, organizing, and updating coupons can help you save money every time you shop. "I'd say I save anywhere from $70 to $90 every week," author Randall Putala says.

Coupon-clipping tips:

• Compare the price of brand-name foods on the coupon with generic brands.
• Bring competitor coupons to a different store. "Tell the cashier you'd like the deal the competitor is giving with the coupon," Putala says. "And nine times out of 10 they'll give it to you because they want your business."
• Don't buy something with a coupon you wouldn't normally buy without one.
• Write your list on an envelope, and then put the coupons that go along with those items inside the envelope so you have them ready for checkout.
• Clip coupons during the commercial breaks of your can't-miss TV show.
• Make it a routine. Putala says, "I do it every Sunday after I have my morning coffee."

"Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, low in sodium, and many also provide soluble fiber to help lower your risk of heart disease," Rochelle Gilman, R.D., says. "And, they cost less when they're in season." If you'd like to know more about seasonal produce in your area, ask your local grocer about its produce calendar.

When you purchase brand-name products, you could be paying 25-50 percent more than if you bought similar store-brand products, according to a 2005 comparison test by Consumer Reports. In some cases, brand-name companies also manufacture store-brand products without changing anything but the packaging.

Gilman says that Consumer Reports advises shoppers to consider value and quality before making the switch to store brands and to "not expect the same performance from all of them."