Make a list and check it twice

Before you go grocery shopping make a menu of what you will eat for dinner for the next 5 nights (keep in mind you will be having left overs at some point). Then make a list of ALL ingredients needed for each recipe. Check through your kitchen of what you already have. Then add the items you still need on your shopping list. This way you dont end up having several bottles of soy sauce etc. Doing this WILL save you money. I didnt believe it, but I tried it and it really does work, we saved alot. You just must stick to the list and not buy what you dont need at that moment.