One of the first things that you want to do when you buy groceries is buy in bulk. Whatever you can find that you can buy a larger container of, you should purchase that container instead of the smaller one. For example, if you want to buy paper towels, you want to purchase the package of 8 rolls instead of the 1, 2, 3, or 4 roll package.

It costs the manufacturer less to package them in groups of 8 than it does to package them in groups of 2 and this savings is passed to you, the consumer. Buying larger quantities also cuts down on the amount of waste packaging that you throw away every day, as well. So, you’re not only helping your budget, you’re helping the planet buy buying in bulk.

Leave the kids at home. When you take the kids with you to the grocery store, they typically begin begging for things as soon as you walk in the store, whether it is in the candy aisle or the cereal aisle.

Don’t listen to your kids or deal with putting items that they have snack into your cart back at the last minute, it is easier to leave them at home. Ask them what they want before you leave and make a list, so they feel included.

Coupons! When do you use them? Well, the obvious answer to that is before they expire, but you might want to keep a check on your local store’s sales and try to double up on your savings. This takes a little effort and depending on your schedule, it may or may not be worth the time you put into it, but doubling up your coupons with your grocery store’s sales can save you bundles.

Do not forget that you have a freezer at home! Odds are good that if it’s perishable, you can freeze it, even if you do have to prepare it first. Broccoli and other produce items, for example, can be bought fresh, but they need to be blanched before they can be frozen.

H&M has some of cutest clothing for girls at cheaper prices than the GAP. Avoid department stores that tend to price children’s clothing at the same price point as adults. There is no justification for a 4T Ralph Lauren skirt to cost that same as an adult skirt. The one exception is at Macys, which has great deals on children’s clothing during their major sale events.

Apparently, the best store to bargain shop for girls is at Target. You have a lot of option and the clothes are well constructed with most items in the $10-$17 range. Plus shopping at target is very acceptable (unlike K-MART), so you can save money without worry about the “cool” factor.

It seems like the designers for boys clothing are the hero on making them look like little action heroes. Bargain shopping for these tykes is an art form that few know how to do. Target has great stuff for little guys, with Children’s Place giving the most for your bucks. However, SEARS is also a great place to find cute little items from designers like Sean John and Levi, for very reasonable prices.

Although Old Navy is great place for basics like Cargo pants, the really cool stuff is at GAP. Bright colored lumberjack jackets and knit caps will keep your little guy looking stylish. Another good place is Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx. Usually both these stores have nice suits from designers like Polo Ralph Lauren for such a bargain that you could also pick them up a little toy to make up for forcing them to go shopping.

Further signs of a shift in the market include both Morrisons and Tesco selling energy efficient light bulbs at low prices, while Asda, the Co-op and Somerfield greatly increased the proportion of in-season vegetables produced in the UK.

Larry Whitty, chairman of the NCC, said: “The food we eat is responsible for one-third of our impact on climate change. NCC’s research has spotted important signs of progress right across the market … but much remains to be done if supermarkets are to become truly green grocers.”

Meanwhile, separate research being published today by the Climate Group reveals poor consumer awareness of companies taking the lead on climate change. The research shows that two-thirds of people were unable to name any brands that are taking a lead, but said 80% of consumers were making some effort to be green.