Next time you head to the grocery store, take a second before you grab the biggest package. Sure it’s the biggest, but it may not be the best deal. Often, the middle-sized package costs less per ounce or per unit than the biggest or smallest size, says Teri Gault, founder of thegrocerygame.com. Taking the time to notice a product’s unit-to-dollar ratio can mean big savings in the long term.

Fresh vegetables and fruits account for 19 percent of all thrown away food, says April Lewis-Parks a certified credit counselor and MissMoneyBee.com blogger. The secret is placing them in the correct spot in the fridge instead of on the counter. "Also, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, milk and other perishable goods should never be stored in the refrigerator door," she says.

Big retailers like Best Buy and Nordstrom have started offering "buy online, pick up in store" options. Save on shipping and more by using online discount codes. Plus, get the instant gratification of taking the item home even sooner, says Sara Dunham, Savings.com community manager. Most often you’ll find web prices are lower, too.

This strategy may sound old fashioned, but when you’re done you’ll know exactly where your money going. Write down everything you spend money on for one week. At the end of the week, separate your expenses into different categories like Gas, Grocery/Food, Entertainment, Shopping, Rent, etc. Label envelopes and put a specific amount of money toward each. Once the money is gone you’ll be forced to make the appropriate decisions, says Ornella Grosz, author of Moneylicious: A Financial Clue for Generation Y.