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Grocery Prices for Canadians Set to Increase in 2021 – Here’s How to Save on Your Next Bill

Posted by Jenna King. Last updated on January 13, 2021 by Food Network Canada Editors

With grocery prices in Canada set to increase in 2021 by nearly $700, you may be looking to trim your monthly household expenses. And that doesn't mean you’ll have to eat canned beans at every meal. Carving out a little extra time and getting into a few of these simple habits can significantly reduce your bill without having to sacrifice on your favourite meals and snacks.

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Always Make a List

<p>Plan ahead. Take 10-15 minutes before you head to the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/ranking-canadian-retailers-grocery-delivery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grocery store</a> to plan out your meals for the week. That way, you can maximize your use of ingredients while avoiding impulse purchases. Here are some <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/blog/weekly-meal-plan-ideas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">easy weekly meal plans</a> that really work.</p>
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DIY Snacks

<p><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/healthy-tasty-snacks-to-avoid-getting-hangry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make your own snacks</a>, as travel-sized snacks can be pricey! Make a big batch of your own trail mix, caramel corn or granola — it’s easy, fun and you’ll be amazed at how much it will save.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/no-bake-pumpkin-chocolate-granola-bars/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Easy No-Bake Pumpkin and Dark Chocolate Granola Bars</a></strong></p>
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Buy on Sale

<p>Grab what’s on sale and work with it. Your stew recipe calls for potatoes, but sweet potatoes are discounted. So why not give the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/18-most-common-ingredient-substitutions/#!ingredient-apple-sauce-for-oil" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">substitute</a> a try? </p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/blog/healthy-ethiopian-vegan-potato-stew/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ethiopian Vegan Potato Stew</a></strong></p>
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Skip the Pre-Made Stuff

<p>Make the easy stuff yourself. It’s hard to beat the convenience of pre-made salad dressing or pasta sauce, but making your own has an important benefit beyond the savings: it allows you to control the ingredients, avoiding unnecessary sugar, sodium and preservatives.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/caesar-salad-dressing/5594/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Caesar Salad Dressing</strong></a></p>
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Coupons

<p>Keeping an eye out for coupons and making use of them can make a real dent in your grocery bill. Remember to stock up on your <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/pantry-staples-based-on-cuisine/#!1-Turmeric-Getty" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pantry staples</a> and household favourites when they’re on sale. </p>
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Get Gardening

<p>Whether you have a big yard or a little balcony, try <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/organic-gardening-what-when-to-plant-1927482/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">planting some herbs and veggies</a>. Set up a swap with friends — you grow carrots, they grow peppers — so you can get a variety of produce, for less!</p>
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Buy No Name

<p>Buy no name. Sometimes you have to get the real deal — Maille Dijon mustard, Bubbies Kosher dill pickles — but for everything else, give the generic brand a chance. More often than not, you won’t even be able to tell the difference, except in your wallet.</p>
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Price Match

<p>With many retailers offering price matching, you don’t have to physically shop around anymore to save big — keeping an eye on both paper and online flyers can really pay off.</p>
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Buy in Bulk

<p>If you have the pantry space, buy bulk on items that are popular in your home. You can portion out perishables, freezing half for later.</p>
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Food Apps

<p>There’s an app for that. Download one of the many apps available to help you plan, organize and save. <a href="https://www.checkout51.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Checkout 51</a>, for example, allows you to get money back on items after you’ve bought them, while <a href="https://flipp.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FLIPP</a> allows you to compare flyers from multiple retailers.</p>
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