Stay Fresh and Save Grocery Dollars

A trip to the supermarket often entails examining the expiration dates on certain foods before you buy.

Not only is it the best way to determine what's fresh but it could save you hundreds of dollars each year.

Before you check out at the grocery store you're probably replacing food that's perfectly fine.

The expiration date is deceiving you may be wasting your money, according to nutrition experts.

They say the average american family throws out 600 dollars of food a year.

Shelflifeadvice.com says milk can stay safe seven days after the sell by date, mayonaisse three to four months after opening, cottage cheese 10 to 14 days and eggs three to five weeks.

Dietician Stacy Buzan says families can save in the checkout line by shopping with a menu for the week. So food in the fridge will not stay for too long after the expiration.

Even if food is within the safe zone after the expiration date, Buzan says smell it. If you are still in doubt, throw it out.