Planning out your grocery store trips can save you time and money 

By: Kaitlyn Stock

It’s a truth universally acknowledged: grocery shopping is intimidating. But going into a grocery store without a list of necessities to purchase will only result in you walking out with a cart full of items you may not even need and stress that you can do without. CanCulture is here to help with  seven tips that any of us could use at home and in store to save a little time and money on our food runs.

Before going

Plan your meals

Meal planning in advance saves you time when it comes to the actual cooking process, but also has the double benefit of outlining your shopping list and making your trips easier.

By planning your meals throughout the week, you can incorporate leftover ingredients lying around that you need to use up. This will not only reduce waste in your household but also help you empty out your fridge before your next major grocery store trip, ensuring that the food you have to consume is always at peak freshness.

 Opt for stores that have a point system

There are many grocery stores with loyalty programs across Canada. For example, shopping at President’s Choice stores, such as Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills, allows you to gain and use PC optimum points.

This is a great way to save money and collect points that you can ultimately redeem for free groceries. Make sure you look through your point offers before leaving for the grocery store.

Avoid peak hours

The last thing you want to do at the grocery store is standing in long checkout lines and around crowded areas. One way to make sure you are not caught shopping during busy hours is to obviously go when it is least packed.

According to Fresh Daily, the top three times with the longest lineups anywhere in Canada are Thursday afternoons between 4 and 6 p.m., Saturday between 12 and 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the store

Take advantage of price matching

Price matching is how customers can get their groceries at a discounted price at participating stores, if they show the cashier that the exact same item is being sold cheaper at another chain. 

Many grocery stores across Canada do price matching. So instead of wasting your time driving around to different grocery stores, you can price match your items using flyers and apps like Reebee and Flipp to ensure you are only getting the best deals.

Eye the sale sections

Buying your favourite items when they’re on sale will undoubtedly secure the best prices. 

It’s also helpful to know that at all times, there’s often at least one deal going on in every aisle of a major grocery store. Going with the flow will have your wallet thanking you in the long run, while also introducing you to different brands and potential new favourites.

Collect coupons

Couponing can help you reduce the costs of your groceries tremendously. While shopping, keep an eye out for coupons near your essential items. Another great way to find coupons is online. You can even try emailing the companies you buy from and they potentially might send you some as a gratitude. 

Check expiration dates

It’s important to check the expiration date on many perishable foods such as meats, poultry, fish and dairy. You can’t be too safe with canned food or spices either. 

This way, you can make sure that you’re not wasting your money on food that you will eventually have to throw out before using. Not only does checking expiration dates save you money, it also reduces waste.