During these tough economic times, we're all looking for ways to save a little money.

This Monday we start a week-long series of special reports we're calling super savers, with advice to slash your grocery bills in half.

Local grocery stores like Trig's in Wausau are taking notice of cautious shoppers habits, and are rolling out great deals.

"Families all over the country and this area are watching every penny and are paying close attention to the state of the economy," said Alan Alden, Trig's Director of Operations.

Before you make your next trip to the grocery store, be sure to take note of ways to shrink your bill.

Experts say the first thing is to make a list, and stick to it.

Stores are always trying to get you to buy impulse items.

"We'll have ways to entice you into buying great items as you shop around the store," said Alden.

While your planning ahead, look for instant coupons.

"It's amazing to watch some of the rings at the register as some come through and you realize they are saving 35 or 40% on a single transaction because they brought coupons into the store," said Kindl Midlikowski, Trig's Marketing Director.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for incentives that are not always advertised, like grocery stores that give away deals to senior citizens.

"The first Tuesday of every month, there's a 5% discount on everything in the store for senior citizen customers, we don't challenge anybody if they come in and take advantage of it and tell our cashier you know at the front they'll automatically give it to us," says Alden.

The surest way to save, is to buy the store's own brand.

"We probably have 1,700 or 1,800 of the store brands throughout our store, the quality is every bit as good as a national brand," says Alden.

In the end, these tips could save you hundreds of dollars each year.

"The economy is tough and yes, we are listening very intently to what your customers have to say," said Alden.

We will put what we've just learned to the test, by going out and actually shopping with the experts.