The size of common items we buy at the grocery store is changing. They may appear to be the same size but in many instances they're actually smaller. How can you get the most for your money? As our Iris St. Meran tells us, paying attention to where the product was made can mean more cash in your wallet.

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"Take a jar of nationally advertised peanut butter, there's a bubble in the bottom of it that takes up a considerable amount of space, so that they, when they fill the jar, they're filling it with less product than they used to," said The Cart Starts Here creator, Bill LeMon.

Le Mon created 'The Cart Starts Here' Program which encourages people to buy locally made products. He says most often these businesses stay true to the original size and packaging. He compared Byrne Dairy's ice cream with a national brand.

"The national brand package design is done so that it makes it look larger than it is," LeMon said, "The package is not much different that it was when they were giving you a full half gallon."

Byrne Dairy has a third more and is a dollar cheaper.

LeMon's message to the consumer is to think locally. Buying these products not only saves you money, but helps the local economy.

"People know that Hoffman hot dogs and Hinerwadel's potatoes, and Gianelli's sausage are local products. And they're willing to support it," LeMon said, "The money that's spent on groceries on local brands, most of it stays in the local market. Whereas national brands, something like 14%."

The next time you make your grocery list, check it twice. Buying local could mean more for you in the checkout line.