Even if you have a food budget, you may soon find yourself wasting money. Over the course of a year, this can add up to hundreds of dollars or more of wasted cash that could have been used for other expenses.

Are you aware of the common ways you may be wasting money on food? Let’s take a closer look at three:

1. Shopping without a list. If you neglect to create a list before heading to the store, there is a good chance you will buy things you don’t need while forgetting essential items. Furthermore, you will waste a lot of time as you move aimlessly from one aisle to the next.

2. Avoiding generic brands. There is no denying the fact that with some products, buying the brand name is better than the generic. At the same time, there are situations in which you can save money by opting for the generic or store brand. Before you walk past a generic item, take the time to compare the ingredients to the brand name. You may be surprised to find that they are similar, or quite possibly the same.

3. Not using a store rewards card. Why would you opt against this when it is free to take advantage? All you have to do is apply for the card and use it when you checkout. By doing so you can take advantage of many discounts, most of which you would have missed out on by not using the card.

If you strongly consider the three ways above that could be costing you money, it may not be long before you are making a change to your approach at the grocery store. In the end, your goal is to get what you need by spending the least amount of money possible. Are you willing to implement one or more of these tips to reach this goal?