I learned this particular shopping method from Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game. Generally, there two rules: Only buy food items when they are on sale, and buy enough to last until they go on sale again.

Here's how it works: Using the supermarket's weekly ads flier, you figure out what's on sale this week. (I mean really on sale, not one of those deals where they raise the price Monday and then put it "on sale" Tuesday at its regular price; I just hate when they do that.) Next you dig through your coupons to find ones that match up with those already great sale prices, and off you go to buy only what's on sale.

Now before you turn the page figuring that's just too much trouble, let me be quick to assure you that Teri Gault and her amazing organization do all the work for us. I am not kidding. Members of The Grocery Game select their supermarket of choice (now available in all 50 states) and log on to the Web site each week. All the sales and all the coupons you will need -- plus where to find them -- are right there on "Teri's List," and you can create your shopping list. It couldn't be any easier, really.

Here's the best part: If you follow "Teri's List," you will chop at least 50 percent off your grocery tab every week.

That brings me to the matter of grocery stockpiling.

You know those extra sale items you just bought because they were on sale? They go into your stockpile. Think of it as creating a tiny store you keep in your pantry, spare room, or broom closet.

It takes about 12 weeks to build a respectable stockpile if you play The Grocery Game and trust the list. There is a nominal fee to have access to "Teri's List." It works out to be about $1.25 per week -- an amazing bargain, given the value you receive. You can learn all about it at TheGroceryGame.com. And if you are a first-time player, you can get four weeks for just $1.

And just when we thought Teri and her crew could not offer a better service, there comes word that they have added Whole Foods Market in many communities to their list of supermarkets. So all you Whole Foods fans, check it out.

And if you are looking for some new affordable dinner recipes that will please your family, check out my newest recipe booklet, "Everyday Entrees." It's available to "Everyday Cheapskate" readers for $6 ($6.50 for California residents to cover sales tax). You can order online from the bookstore at DebtProofLiving.com, or call 1-800-550-3502 during business hours Pacific time.

Mary Hunt is the founder of DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living." You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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