With food prices steadily rising, finding easy ways to cut down on the weekly grocery bill can help families save more and spend less – without sacrificing good nutrition.

Much like everything else, food prices have begun creeping up in the past few months, even while other economic factors have remained stagnant. With the average American spending roughly 10% of their disposable income on food (for a family of four that averages out to over $500 a month), finding little ways to cut costs can mean big savings. Here are five easy tips:

1. Carry a calculator and keep track of the total while shopping. After check out, do the math and make sure there are no discrepancies. Malfunctioning grocery store scanners end up costing American families millions of dollars each year.

2. Avoid pre-packaged foods. Visit the deli counter for meats and cheeses. Buy whole vegetables rather than pre-cut packages. Not only are they fresher, they are usually cheaper too.

3. Get a discount card. Nearly every major supermarket offers a special discount club that can save you as much as 50% on popular items.

4. Don’t buy individual servings. Instead, buy in economy sizes and separate into individual portions on your own.

5. Consider buying at discount wholesalers for oft-used items. Just don’t get suckered into buying something that you or your family doesn’t usually use. Who needs a 20 lb. pack of cheese puffs anyway?

Remember, even in the toughest of times, good nutrition is important for your family. If you find yourself a little short on cash come the end of the month due to high food costs, a payday loan or cash advance can help you find the money you need to deal with short-term expenses.