I go on the shopping tour.... I get produce from one place, a green grocer with excellent prices, just tiny aisles and shopping carts from every store known to man. I have a butcher and a fish monger, both who have gotten to know me. I only buy what I will cook within the next two days. I buy good bread and deli meats from an italian bakery/deli. Everything else I get from the supermarket. For the most part, I only shop once a week, but make enough to get me through the next several days, living on leftovers.
My best advice is just buy what you know you can consume. Don't buy in bulk unless you positively will use it. Sometimes, money in the bank is better than money on your shelf...in other words, keep a very tight inventory.
So the separate stores where you shop all have lower prices than the supermarket where you also shop? Does it pay (in the long run) to drive to all these separate places, or all they all within walking distance?
I used to shop three stores, but that's not feasible anymore. Not where I live now and not with the price of gas. I would have to drive too far to visit all three, let alone only buying food I cook within two days. Then going back if I don't want to eat leftovers the next five days.
There must be a big difference between country livin' and urban livin' and how we must have to buy to save money. I would think that even in the city you would want to stock up, but maybe not.