18 ways to beat inflation

You don't need to switch to only store brands or spend hours combing Sunday circulars to cut costs. Just be a little more mindful of how you manage your money and your time.

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Stores use all kinds of marketing ploys to get you to buy more than you ever intended. "The supermarket is set up so that you will buy on impulse," says Marion Nestle, author of "What to Eat." The more you see, the more you purchase.

That's why they make you march all the way to the back to buy milk and they keep the aisles long and unbroken. So bring a list and stick to it, and never shop when hungry or tired, as you'll find it harder to resist temptation.

And search high and low. "The cheapest items are often on the top and bottom shelves, since companies pay for prime space on middle shelves and aisle ends," says Paco Underhill, author of "Why We Buy."

Potential savings: Up to $1,200 from cutting out just half of unplanned purchases

NEXT: Food - Know when to stock up