In the face of soaring energy prices and a long winter ahead, people in Maine and beyond are turning to UMaine Extension experts for tips on how to cut costs -- specifically food costs -- in tough times. And their advice goes beyond canning.

Just ask Jane Conroy, a budgeting maven and UMaine Extension educator who writes the Money Sense newsletter. She works with the directors of Piscataquis County food cupboards, who anticipate falling donations and rising demand as the temperature drops. But she also helps people who are looking for ways to stretch their food dollar.

"The energy crisis is on their mind," Conroy says. "Folks are preparing for the increase in their grocery bill -- high bread costs, milk obviously went up. But then it's other staples too, like laundry detergent. What $100 used to buy a family is now less."

Making that $100 -- or $25 or $50 -- go further is Conroy's mission these days. She urges families to create a weekly meal plan, working in leftovers to save money. The plan can then form the basis for a grocery list, which helps keep shoppers on task.

Staying on task can be difficult when "buy one, get one free" offers, promotional displays and coupons abound, but a little homework can go a long way. Conroy's advice: Look at your trash. Seriously. By knowing what you throw away, you'll gain a better understanding of where you can cut back.

Scan supermarket sale flyers to comparison shop for best prices. Don't bother with coupons worth less than $1 unless the store doubles or triples the savings; you may end up spending more than you budgeted. And avoid Internet coupons altogether, unless they come from an established Web site.

In shopping, as in life, timing is everything. Don't hit the supermarket when you're hungry. Factor in enough time to compare prices and try to leave the children at home -- the fewer distractions, the better. If that's impossible, turn it into a learning experience for the youngsters.

For those on a really tight budget, Conroy recommends bringing a calculator to the grocery store.

"If you know you only have $125 to spend, a calculator is going to tell you if a little less is going to have to go into your shopping basket," she says.

Full story by Kristen Andresen at UMaine Today Magazine

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