Personally, I found that using a menu and a shopping list saves the most money because it helps you stay in budget. Just don't go shopping hungry.

Agree skwirl! If I go grocery shopping without a list, I'll find all sorts of things that I really didn't need when I unpack the groceries at home. And I try to never go to the store when I'm hungry--I'll definitely end up with stuff I don't need or want!

Oh, and I'm not going vegan or lacto-ovo either. Sorry, I was reared in a meat and potato household, my doctors don't necessarily like it, they think I need to eat more chicken--which I'm gradually switching to--trying to eat more vegetables and fruit-- But when I was growing up, everything was flavored with bacon grease (in a can next to the stove, always saved the grease after frying bacon) or everything from potatoes to meat was fried in lard. So grocery shopping to change my cooking habits/tastes is an ongoing learning session.

But when I was growing up, everything was flavored with bacon grease

Who can blame them? The only thing better than bacon grease is the actual bacon.

I watch the weekly flyers and only buy what I need and if it's on sale.