In the UK they seemed to have better 'use up quick - on special' sections in the supermarket - and for a whole year DH and I only bought from that section - when faced with everything full-price I find decision making very hard now.
i used to love shopping in the wee hours of the morning when i was at uni - always clearance food!
we tend to buy in bulk - having mum live relatively close means we can share things we buy. we also cook in bulk and freeze - or send some home for mum and dad (or both!)

i mostly use lists so that i can meal plan - i take leftovers for lunch most days at work - and there is only certain food that is "work lunch" friendly (for me anyway) - so our meals have to fit with work friendly as well as pantry friendly


thanks for the mention of tomato soup Rouge! Mum bought us a heap cos it's my "go to" thing when i'm feeling blah - but she also bought herself heaps and now can't stomach it so we inherited lots of it. need to come up with ideas to use it up!