The cost of food continues to rise and many families realize that last year's grocery budget just isn't cutting it anymore. To keep costs affordable, many shoppers approach meal planning and food buying in a new way.

OnMilwaukee.com and Lisa Malmarowski, director of brand and store development for Outpost Natural Foods, joined forces to compile a list of suggestions for shaving off a few dollars -- or more -- from grocery bills.

Cook meals. The top way to save money on food is to cook your own food, and stay away from convenience foods like frozen and boxed dinners. Inexperienced chefs can find simple recipes on the Internet or ask friends and family members for their favorite recipes.

"Frozen dinners, prepared salads and cut-up vegetables are all more expensive than making the items yourself," says Malmarowski.

Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk / larger amounts usually costs less than purchasing supplies for one meal. Buying multiple items when they are deeply discounted is a money saver, too. For example, Pick 'N Save featured bags of Starbucks coffee for $3 off, so buying two was almost a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

"Buying in bulk is a great way to save," says Malmarowski. "It's usually less expensive per pound and you can try items you may not want to commit to a whole pound of. Spice in bulk is super inexpensive as well."

Buy in season. Focusing on vegetables and fruits that are in season results in tastier and more affordable meals. Shorewood's Janna Kraus says this made a difference for her family.

"I actually kept track of my produce bill for January and February, and noticed a savings just from buying food that was in season, like oranges, and passing on other items that were (not) in season, like plums," says Kraus.

Take stock of ingredients. Before you go to the grocery store, make a mental note of what you already have in your cupboard and fridge. If you have, say, a can of beans and lettuce, by purchasing tortillas, tomatoes and cheese, suddenly you have an entire meal for an additional $5.

Make larger amounts / avoid going out to eat. Make a large entree, divide it into appropriate-sized servings and store it in a reusable container in the freezer. This way, you have food for lunch and / or dinner available and it's less likely you'll spend money on going out to eat.

"Many folks right now are foregoing a fancy restaurant meal and planning a nice meal at home," says Malmarowski. "While it may not cut you grocery bill to do this, it will cut your overall food bill."

Use a crock pot. Split pea soup, black beans and chili are hearty meals that when made in large batches cost under $1 per bowl. Plus, the crock pot is easy and convenient to use, especially for people who work all day. Just give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning to prepare, and you'll appreciate the effort when you return home from work.

Use coupons. Now more than ever, saving a dollar here and a dollar there makes a difference, so clipping coupons is worth the effort. Other food savings promotions help, too, like Pick 'N Save awards a $10 grocery gift card for every 10 pharmacy purchases. Develop a system for saving receipts and coupons so they are easily accessible.

Be flexible when shopping. If you get to the grocery store and notice that chicken is on sale, swap out the evening's hamburger plan for the less-expensive option.

"Be flexible enough to change your plans if the store is running a great special on something different," says Malmarowski.