If you've bought groceries lately, you probably know full well that the prices are not going down..They've actually been soaring during the last few years! Financial expert Aaron Maguire has tips on saving a little more the next time you buy your groceries.

Why do you think prices have continued to go up?

Oil at over $127 a barrel is a primary factor

Growing incomes in developing countries, results in greater demand for goods

Corn and soybeans have gone up in price because of demand for their use in alternative fuels

Corn is the foundation for many products…seed, oils, sweeteners…etc.

A week us dollar is causing the producers to demand higher prices for their goods

Have groceries really gone up in the last few years?

Yes, and food costs make up about 13% of household spending

Milk has gone up 26%

Eggs are up 40%

Orange juice is up 31%

Beef is up over 13%

Flour is up over 30%

What can we do to save some money at the grocery store?

Make your list before you go to the grocery store

Determine the things that are truly needs and the items that are just unnecessary wants

Don't go to the grocery store hungry

Consider not going shopping and just eat what you have at the house

Clip coupons - read them carefully to make sure you are getting a good deal

Look online for coupon websites…a lot of money can be saved here

Consider frozen foods instead of fresh ones…frozen is cheaper and will last longer

Stay away from pre-cut fruit or vegetables they will cost you more

Don't be tempted to buy the single items the grocery store has available at the checkout counter they are often much more expensive

Buy store brands the quality has improved dramatically in the past few years and there is money to be saved here

Consider buying in bulk, the items you use on a regular basis make sure you look at the price per unit, to see if you are really getting a better price this is usually displayed right next to the actual price of the item