In my part of the country we have a few discount grocery stores

[daleanime]

1. Definitely try to build up a pantry.....

but pay some attention to how long something is 'good' and how quickly you use it up. No matter how cheap never buy more fresh fruits and veggies then you would use, unless your willing and able to can or freeze them. There's no price low enough to make a bargain of food that you wast.

Speaking of which, keep an marker next to the fridge and date leftovers and open jars and bottles. They should be placed in a highly visible area and used ASAP.

Save pasta and veggie water in the freezer along with any clean veggie leavings (clean peels, cabbage cores, the tough outer layers of some onions, etc... Use these to make soup stock which you can freeze 2 cups of at a time for later use.)

Check the unit price and purchase accordingly.