10 Easy Ways to Make a Grocery Shopping List That Saves You Money in Canada
Are you tired of spending too much at the grocery store? Do you want to save money on your food bill? Making a good shopping list can help! Here are 10 tips to make a list that will keep more money in your pocket.
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1. Check What You Already Have
Before you start your list, look in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards. Write down what you already have. This way, you won’t buy things you don’t need.
Tip: Make a game of using up food you already have before buying more!
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2. Plan Your Meals
Think about what you want to eat this week. Write down the ingredients you need for each meal. This helps you buy only what you’ll use.
Tip: Try to plan meals that use similar ingredients. This way, you can buy bigger amounts and save money.
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3. Look at Store Flyers
Check the flyers from different stores. Look for sales on things you need. Add these sale items to your list. You can use this sample table for your list.
Store Sale Item Regular Price Sale Price Savings Store A Apples $4.99/lb $2.99/lb $2.00/lb Store B Chicken $8.99/kg $6.99/kg $2.00/kg Store C Pasta $2.49 $1.99 $0.50 -
4. Use Coupons
Look for coupons in newspapers, online, or in store apps. Add items with good coupons to your list.
Tip: Only use coupons for things you were going to buy anyway.
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5. Buy Seasonal Produce
Fruits and veggies that are in season cost less. They also taste better! Add seasonal produce to your list.
Season Fruits Vegetables Spring Strawberries, Rhubarb Asparagus, Peas Summer Peaches, Blueberries Tomatoes, Corn Fall Apples, Pears Squash, Brussels Sprouts Winter Oranges, Grapefruit Carrots, Potatoes -
6. Choose Store Brands
Store brand items often cost less than name brands. They usually taste just as good. Look for store brand options for items on your list.
Tip: Try one store brand item each shopping trip. If you like it, keep buying it!
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7. Buy in Bulk (Sometimes)
Buying big amounts can save money on things you use a lot. But be careful! Only buy in bulk if:
- You have space to store it
- You can use it all before it goes bad
- It’s really cheaper per unit
Good things to buy in bulk:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Canned goods
- Toilet paper
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8. Don’t Forget Your Reusable Bags
Many stores in Canada charge for plastic bags. Put “Bring reusable bags” at the top of your list. This small step can save you money every time you shop.
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9. Group Similar Items Together
Write your list in groups. Put all the fruits and veggies together. Put all the dairy items together. This makes shopping faster and helps you avoid impulse buys.
Example list groups:
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Dairy and Eggs
- Meat and Fish
- Bread and Grains
- Canned and Dry Goods
- Frozen Foods
- Household Items
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10. Use a List App
Try using a smartphone app for your grocery list. Many apps let you:
- Share lists with family members
- Save lists for future use
- Scan barcodes to add items
- Track your spending
App Name Features Price Flipp Store flyers, coupons, list-making Free AnyList Shared lists, recipes, meal planning Free basic, paid premium Out of Milk List sharing, pantry tracking Free
Bonus Tip: Stick to Your List!
The most important tip? Once you make your list, stick to it! Try not to buy things that aren’t on your list. This helps you avoid spending extra money on stuff you don’t need.
Making a good grocery list takes a little time. But it can save you lots of money! Try these tips next time you go shopping. You might be surprised how much you can save.
Remember:
- Check what you have
- Plan your meals
- Look for sales and use coupons
- Buy what’s in season
- Try store brands
- Buy in bulk (sometimes)
- Bring your own bags
- Group items on your list
- Use a list app
- Stick to your list!
Happy shopping and saving!