This post is sponsored by SC Johnson. All comments and opinions are my own.

Most of us spend lots of time looking for ways to get the most bang for our buck! We work hard to save money at Publix, so of course the last thing we want to do is be wasteful with the things we purchase. After all, it’s not a deal if you throw it away BEFORE you get to use it!

In my opinion, the key to being a smart shopper is knowing how much of an item you use, and keeping your pantry appropriately stocked with that item at all times. Notice that I said APPROPRIATELY stocked. This is where most people run into problems. Having an understocked pantry means that you will have to purchase items on demand, and possibly overspending. Having an overstocked pantry can cause excess, and lead to waste which is like throwing money you have already spent right down the drain!

There are a few items that I like to keep stocked in my pantry, as I use them almost daily: toilet paper, trash bags and Ziploc^® brand bags. I always stock up when I see a deal! These items don’t go bad or expire and since Ziploc^® brand bags actually help me with my storage needs, they are a must-have at all times!

One of the best tips I got early on when I started my savings journey was to stay organized. I think that was probably the best piece of advice that I ever received. It’s the key to saving money, and is part of everything I do, from bigger things like budgeting and meal planning, to smaller things like leftovers and labeling open jars of pasta sauce. That’s right, I use a marker to date the tops of pasta sauce (and other foods) so I know when were opened and when they need used by…no more guessing! The same goes for all the other foods that I store in my fridge.

Have you noticed that Ziploc^® brand storage and freezer bags actually make it easy for you to label your bags? They have a spot where you can easily write the contents of the bag, as well as the date, so you don’t have to guess when that cheese was first opened, or what that mystery meat might be in the back of the freezer! Having that information means you can actually use the food you worked so hard to get, INSTEAD of having to toss it in the trash.

I keep a permanent marker right in the drawer where I keep my Ziploc^® brand bags. When I grab a bag, I also grab the marker…easy breezy! Just think of it as a way to keep even more money in your pocket each month!

Look for all your favorite Ziploc^® brand products at your local Publix.