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