Food prices have Canadians second-guessing everything they put in their shopping carts. "Surely, a single pack of chicken thighs can’t be $19!"
It can. And according to Canada’s Food Price Report 2023, consumers can expect food prices to continue their upward trajectory.
This hike particularly impacts staples like vegetables, dairy, and meat. With the average family of four projected to spend up to $16,288.41 annually on food, up to $1,065.60 more than in 2022, the need to stretch grocery budgets has never been more important.
Although it’s undeniable that money doesn’t go as far in the grocery store as it used to, and won’t for the foreseeable future – that doesn’t mean there aren’t still ways to save.
In this guide, we will show you how to shop smarter, save money, and hopefully limit audible gasps at the checkout.
Key Takeaways
- The average Canadian family of four spends up to $16,288.41 annually on groceries.
- Impulse purchases at the grocery store can add up to over $3,000 for the average consumer.
- Getting a wholesale membership, participating in rewards programs, and using grocery shopping apps are some of the best ways to save at the checkout.
- Make a list and stick to it
- Use a grocery or shopping app
- Make use of grocery store rewards programs
- Shop in bulk
- Shop in international food aisles and stores
- Use curbside pickup
- Grow a garden
- Use sales, coupons, "Enjoy tonight" discounts
- Get a credit card that helps you save on groceries
- Have lunch before going grocery shopping
- FAQ
1. Make a list and stick to it
Easier said than done, I know – especially when those fancy cheese puffs for $5.99 feel utterly irresistible. But, now more than ever, impulse purchases add up.
Here are some tips for making a shopping list that will make you less prone to impulse buys:
- Don’t keep a "mental list": Write your list down on paper or your phone. Otherwise, there’s no way you’ll remember the dill.
- Reference flyers or coupons while planning your meals: Chicken might be on the menu if thighs are 40% off this week.
- Do an inventory of what you have before making your shopping list: Nothing’s worse than the dreaded double purchase (aka, buying a whole head of cauliflower when you forgot you already have a whole head of cauliflower). Check those cupboards and make your list accordingly.
- Organize your shopping list by type: For example, meats, veggies, canned goods, etc. That way you won’t be running back and forth between sections.
- Make your shopping list realistic: If you’re too strict and don’t put items on your grocery list that you and your family love to eat, it could lead to pricey late-night food runs – or an even more expensive food order. If you have a sweet tooth or can’t watch a movie without Doritos, make sure those are included on your shopping list.
2. Use a grocery or shopping app
Grocery store apps like BigOven and Mealime can save you money before you even step into the grocery store.
How do grocery store apps work?
Here are some common features:
- Recipe libraries and curation: Find your favorite recipes and save them.
- Savings suggestions: Apps like the Flipp app or Save.ca suggest the best savings for you, so you don’t have to leaf through flyers.
- Automatically generated shopping lists: Once you’ve picked your recipes, your list will be automatically generated. But make sure you do inventory of what you already have so you don’t overbuy.
Intrigued?
Here are our top 6 grocery shopping app recommendations:
- Big Oven app: Includes a vast recipe database and the ability to create and share personalized recipe collections, perfect for meal planning and inspiration.
- Mealime app: Get personalized recipe suggestions based on your preferences, with automatic grocery list generation, simplifying meal planning and shopping.
- The Flipp app: Access hundreds of digital flyers, compare prices, and create unified shopping lists, saving both paper and time while maximizing savings.
- Save.ca app: Enjoy cashback offers, coupon promotions, and flyer browsing, with the added convenience of printable coupons, store rewards card integration, and in-app shopping lists.
- Checkout51: Earn cash back on grocery purchases by simply uploading a photo of your receipt, with new offers available weekly to maximize savings.
- The Receipt Hog app: Earn cash back by uploading receipts from grocery, restaurant, or cafe purchases, with additional opportunities for rewards through in-app games and surveys.
3. Make use of grocery store rewards programs
A rewards program is a loyalty initiative offered by businesses where customers earn points, discounts, or other incentives based on their purchases or engagement, often leading to perks or benefits.
In other words, when it comes to Canada’s largest grocery stores, it pays to be loyal.
And the other great thing about grocery store rewards programs? They can be used on top of other discounts, credit card perks, and coupons.
Here are some of our favorite Canadian rewards programs:
- PC Optimum: Offers points on purchases at participating grocery stores like Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, and No Frills, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.
- Air Miles: Earn points on grocery purchases at participating stores like Safeway, Sobeys, and Metro, which can be redeemed for flights, merchandise, or discounts.
- Scene+ points: Earn points on grocery purchases at participating stores like Cineplex, where points can be redeemed for movie tickets, concessions, or other entertainment rewards.
4. Shop in bulk
Wholesale clubs sell food in bulk at lower prices per unit, meaning, if you have a family and lots of storage space, a wholesale club membership is a no-brainer.
There is a small annual fee for joining a wholesale club (usually around $60 a year), but if you’re a regular wholesale shopper, the fee will pay for itself many times over.
The most popular wholesale clubs in Canada are Costco and Sam’s Club.
Here are some of our favourite ways to level up wholesale shopping:
- Stock up on non-perishable essentials: If you have the storage space, there is no better place than a wholesale club to stock up on things like paper towels, toilet paper, boxed food, and canned goods.
- Ask yourself "Do I need this in bulk?": Wholesale memberships only save money if you don’t let what you buy go to waste. Sure, $20 is a great price for 40 chicken thighs, but if you only manage to eat 10 of them, you’ve spent more money than you would at a regular grocery store.
- Check TikTok for Costco shopping pro tips: Some enthusiastic wholesale shoppers have created TikTok accounts, garnering millions of followers searching for the best deals. Check out accounts like CostcoHotFinds.
- Fill up on gas: Most Costco locations have gas stations onsite where members pay less per litre.
5. Shop in international food aisles and stores
Next time you need to stock up your pantry, be sure to visit international food aisles. You might be surprised to see that many goods, such as spices, jams, coffee, coconut milk, pasta, etc., are significantly cheaper than their North American counterparts.
Why are international goods cheaper? In the article "Why some groceries are cheaper in the international aisle," food industry expert Sylvain Charlebois explains that the high value of the Canadian dollar in international markets helps keep imported food prices low. In other words, same spice, lower price!
6. Use curbside pickup
One of the best ways to save money is a COVID-era classic: curbside pickup.
This may sound counterintuitive because curbside pickup incurs service costs. However, it’s a no-fail way to stick to your shopping list and prevent impulse purchases because an employee collects your items for you.
So, if you know you don’t stand a chance when it comes to loading your cart with non-essential items, curbside pickup could make a huge impact on your grocery bills.
Shop at Sobeys, Safeway, or IGA grocers? Check out Voilà:
Voilà offers easy online grocery shopping. Place your order, choose your timeslot, and Voilà delivers at fees starting at $4.99 or free for curbside pickup. You can receive up to $80 off your first 4 delivery orders or $60 off your first 3 curbside orders with promo code VOILAFIRST
- Guaranteed fresh groceries
- Prompt, professional, and friendly delivery service
- Delivery pass for regular shoppers
- Promotions for new customers
- Grocery store prices on the high end
- Delivery isn't available everywhere
- Earn Scene+ points
- Welcome offers for new customers
- 3-month Delivery Pass Trial
- All Curbside Pickups: $0 pickups fees and no minimum order
- Refer A Friend Program
- Curbside pickup available nationwide where participating stores are located
$75 GeniusCash + Unlimited transactions for $0 + Ding-free non-affiliated ATM usage.
$25 GeniusCash + $50 bonus for funding a new account, and $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs
$12 GeniusCash + Access trusted news coverage 24/7 + Digital and home subscription options.
$25 GeniusCash + Delicious meal choices with fresh ingredients + Front-door delivery.7. Grow a garden
Growing a garden is not only a way to get the freshest herbs and produce, it could also save you a worthwhile amount of money.
Love your herbs? Those plastic packages they come in at $3.99 each add up fast. Having even a small outdoor garden allows you to grow a plentiful supply of those herbs for up to half the year (depending on your climate).
Here’s an example of concrete savings:
In 2024, tomatoes in Canada cost between $1.93 to $2.42 a pound, while a packet of heirloom tomato seeds that can grow many plants over time is just $3.99.
To provide some context: A single tomato plant can yield anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds of tomatoes. That’s a lot of tomato sandwiches for a lot less.
However, growing a garden is a commitment with upfront costs – it’s not as simple as cutting coupons out of a Sunday flyer.
Here are some key considerations before you begin your gardening era:
- Upfront costs: To start a garden you’ll need planters, dirt, watering cans, and other gardening supplies, which could run you $50+, depending on the size of your garden.
- Daily watering and care: Although watering a small produce garden takes all of a few minutes, plants need consistent care. If you travel for work, gardening may not be for you.
- Light: Many plants need high light exposure to produce fruit. Take note of how much light your outdoor space gets per day.
8. Use sales, coupons, "Enjoy tonight" discounts
Never underestimate the tried-and-true method of coupon collecting. It can be all too easy to chuck those flyers in the recycling but you could be missing out on price cuts for the items you’re buying anyway.
The best places to find coupons are in the entryway of grocery stores and in the mail.
And, don’t forget, some of the best price cuts aren’t advertised in flyers. While you’re shopping keep an eye out for deep price cuts on items that are still fresh but about to expire. These items are usually cut down from 30% to 70%!
9. Get a credit card that helps you save on groceries
If you don’t already have a credit card that earns you cash back or rewards on groceries, you’re missing out on big savings opportunities.
Here are some of the best grocery credit cards in Canada:
- American Express Cobalt™ Card: Earns up to 5 points per $1 spent on groceries with multiple redemption options and a welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points.
- BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card: Offers up to 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases, along with a $50 annual lifestyle credit and a 10% bonus on points when adding an authorized user, plus a substantial welcome bonus.
- BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*: Provides 5% cash back on groceries (up to $500 per month) with a bonus earn rate of up to 10% for the first 3 months.
10. Have lunch before going grocery shopping
You’ve probably heard this one a million times, but it bears repeating because it’s true. Never shop when you’re hungry.
Impulse purchases add up. So if you need it, have a bagel before you hit the grocery store.
How do you save at the grocery store?
Figuring out how to deal with skyrocketing food prices is something many Canadians have in common. Do you have any clever tips to save money that we’ve missed?
FAQ
Can you save on groceries if you purchase in bulk?
Non-perishable or long-lasting food items like flour, pasta, olive oil, canned goods, meat (when frozen) can save you money if purchased in bulk.
Which is the cheapest grocery store in Canada?
On average, the cheapest grocery store in Canada is Walmart. But to make sure you’re always getting the best deals, you have to shop around for the lowest prices.
Is it better to buy groceries with a credit card?
Yes, it’s always a good idea to purchase groceries with a credit card. Otherwise, you are missing out on potential rewards and cashback
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