It’s not news that grocery prices (really all prices) are on the rise, from supply chain issues, environmental emergencies and overall inflation. Finding ways to save is becoming an everyday essential for most families. Here are some savvy tips to help you eat well, limit waste and spend less.
- Shop flyers.
Flyers like our own bi-weekly sale flyers are a great way to save on everyday favourites. Using flyer apps like Flipp allow you to build a shopping list full of discounted items so you can be sure to stock up on your favourites. - Plan at least three meals per week.
Meal planning can seem daunting, so committing to three meals is a great place to start. Knowing what you are going to be eating for at least three meals will help ensure that the food you are buying will actually be eaten, rather than sitting in the refrigerator for weeks before it is thrown out. - Make a shopping list.
Make lists before shopping, and plan how you will use items on the list. Having a list helps you to stay on track and purchase only what you know you will eat in the coming days. - Don’t shop hungry.
We have all heard this one, but it really is true. A hungry belly is more likely to overspend and talk you into filling your cart with items you don’t need. - Eat your leftovers.
Not only does that take the pressure off you to cook a big meal each day, it also prevents all that good food and money spent from going to waste. If you don’t have enough leftovers to feed the whole family, repurpose what’s left into something new. - Stock your pantry.
When you find non-perishable faves on sale, it’s the perfect time to stock up. This not only allows you to have ready-to-make ingredients on-hand, it also cuts down on your weekly budget as these staples are taken care of in one shop. - Keep your fridge and pantry organized.
This will help you easily see what you already have so there is no danger of overbuying items. - Consider canned or frozen.
First, these items can be stockpiled when found on sale. Second, they are frozen or canned right at their peak ripeness, making them a great way to include quality ingredients in your meals while keeping the cost per serving lower than fresh options. - Make meals from scratch.
Making your own meals from scratch is one of the biggest ways you can save money. Normally, higher processed or ready-to-eat food costs more, so making your own meals can save you money. - Limit meat consumption.
By going plant-based for three to four meals a week, the average family can save 25% on weekly grocery bills; plus it has a positive impact on your health and the planet’s. - Shop organic from the dirty dozen produce list.
While organic is a healthier option, it can have a higher price tag. Each year the Environmental Working Group shares their list of the top twelve conventionally-grown produce items with the highest levels of toxins from pesticides. Budgeting to purchase these items as organic will allow you to limit your toxic exposure while staying on budget. - Join reward programs. Are you a Fare Points member?
Many grocery stores offer loyalty reward programs that translate into savings, like our very own Fare Points Rewards. Members earn points when purchasing regular-priced products, and once $500 is spent, a 15% coupon is offered for use on a future purchase.
