“With gas and corn prices surging, the retail costs of basic items such as milk, apples, pork chops and potatoes have gone up 8.5% in the past year, according to the most recent American Farm Bureau Federation's Marketbasket Survey.”

"[A dietitian] told me to use meat sparingly. Instead of a steak, I should buy extra-lean beef stew meat and cook it in a soup or stew. 'Americans are obsessed with protein, but it's the one nutrient we actually get too much of,' [the dietitian said.]"

“To shave off more money, I should also consider adding at least three bean-based meals to my week, whether it's a burrito, bean soup or rice and beans for dinner.”

“"People tend to buy less food than what they really need," Sass said. And that means going out again, which often leads to greater spending (and impulse buying). Most people could reap the biggest benefits from stockpiling a few weeks' worth of items in their pantry or freezer when they see a good sale.”

“At the store, I was surprised to find out how little fresh produce I could get for my money, even with most of my choices -- including broccoli, cabbage, nectarines, green beans, carrots, zucchini and corn -- selling for 99 cents a pound or less. So, I added some canned fruit and frozen vegetables, such as lima beans and peas, that Sass said are almost as nutritious.”

“Could we do this again? Probably. But I don't think we would. Saving money is like dieting: You can't cut back too much at once or you'll blow the plan completely. The next week I spent more than ever, to make up for feeling deprived.

“But the week did teach me a lot about being more strategic with my shopping and my planning of meals around what was in season or on sale. With a little more wiggle room in the $100 weekly budget -- OK, at least $75 -- I could save as much as $300 a month, still get one dinner out and actually be satisfied with what I was eating.”