How To Save Money on Groceries

1. Plan your meals: Plan your meals for the week and buy only what you need. I usually decide on 5 “bigger” meals for lunches/supper which leaves me room for leftovers and going out for supper once a week! I also check my pantry and fridge to see what I can make using the ingredients I already have.  This will help you avoid wasting food and save money. 

2. Make a grocery list: Before heading out to the grocery store, make a list of everything you need. I like to keep a list on my fridge that I can easily add to throughout the week as I run out of items. Having a list to stick to will help you avoid impulse buys and prevent you from buying things you don’t need.

3. Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk is often cheaper (price per item/weight) than buying individual items. Look for bulk deal on items like tice, pasta, and canned goods. I love places like Bulk Barn and if you’re in HRM .. The Tare Shop in Dartmouth! 

4. Shop seasonally and locally: Buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season for your area as they tend to be cheaper. Unfortunately, Canada has a long winter and that’s not always possible however I find that apples, oranges and bananas tend to be the least expensive during winter! You can also find tropical fruit on sale every once and a while!

5. Buy store brands: Store brands are often cheaper than name brands and can be just as good in quality and taste. You will often find that they are even made in the same factory!

6. Use loyalty programs: Take advantage of loyalty programs offered by grocery stores. They offer discounts, coupons, and rewards for your purchases. The ones I use are PC Optimum and Scene. 

7. Use coupons: Check your local newspapers and flyers for coupons. You can also find them online, some of my favourite websites are: 

– Websaver (Printable + Mail + Cash Back)

– Save (Printable + Mail + Cash Back App)

– Walmart (Printable + Mail)

– PG Everyday (Printable + Samples + Points for Uploading your receipt)

– Flipp (Printable + Price Match App)

8. Freeze leftovers: If you have leftovers and you aren’t going to eat them within a couple of days – freeze them! This will prevent food waste and save you money (and time) on future meals. 

9. Check for clearance items: Check for clearance items at your grocery store. I often find bags of fruit or vegetables for under $2! You can also use an app like Flashfood, which lists clearance items and vegetable/fruits boxes for $5! If you decide to download this app, I do have a referral code that allows us both to get $5! JULI4BPQF Keep in mind that these clearance items are usually close to their best before date, so make sure to stick to your grocery list and meal plan. 

10. Use cashback apps: My favourite cashback apps are Checkout51 and Caddle. They offer cashback on different items every week and can add up to significant savings over time!

11. Don’t buy pre-packaged foods: It might be tempting to buy that delicious looking fruit cup for $5 + dollars however if you are looking to save money you can often buy those same fruit/vegetables for a lot less in the produce section. Not to mention, the fruit/vegetables that they pre-package usually need to be eaten within a couple of days which can lead to food waste. 

12. Get your groceries delivered: If you have a hard time sticking to your list or finding the time to actually go to the grocery store try a grocery delivery or pick-up service! Sometimes if I’m having a really busy week I will order my groceries, this way there are no temptations and no surprises at the register. One of my favourite apps to use is Instacart, my referral code JDAVIES227110 will give you $25 off (and $10 back to me). Most groceries stores now offer pick-up or delivery as well! 

14.  Last but not least, an oldie but goodie… don’t go grocery shopping hungry! If I go before I eat I always end up with snacks and unhealthy food options that I don’t need and that aren’t on my list! 

At the end of the day… remember that your health is an investment! Get creative and have fun in the kitchen trying to come up with meals/snacks using the ingredients you already have in your home.