As the cost of groceries continues to rise, consumers are looking for ways to spend less on groceries. Here are 6 tips to help you balance your budget.
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In 2023, a shopping basket for a family of four is expected to cost almost $16,300, up $1,000 on the previous year, although prices had already risen sharply. And it keeps going uphill! Luckily, it’s still possible to reduce the bill by applying these few proven tips. It takes a little work, planning, and mental arithmetic, but it’s well worth the effort.
Compare prices by weight
To make sure you’re choosing the cheapest products, it’s best to compare prices by weight, recommends Annie Ferland, nutritionist, PhD and founder of Science + Fourchette, a nutrition platform.
“Whatever the discount or format, check the price for 100g or for 100ml. It will be displayed in store on the label on the shelf in front of the product. This information, written in very small letters, is very helpful because it allows you to compare two products with different volumes,” explains the nutritionist.
It’s not only a great way to save, but also to discover the real specials. It is also an unstoppable weapon to detect reduflation, which consists in reducing the quantity of the product without lowering the price, creating the illusion that we are paying less.
Cook and avoid processed products
Processed foods tend to be more expensive than others. This includes not only prepared foods (biscuits, ready meals, soups, etc.), but also those that have undergone mechanical processing, e.g. E.g. already cleaned or peeled vegetables, products packed in small pieces, etc. “It is much cheaper to grate your own cheese than to buy cheese that has already been grated. Okay, it takes time, but it’s the price to pay to save money,” says Annie Ferland.
Consult circulars
Use flyers to create your shopping list. Know that the best discounts are usually found on the first few pages. If you consult them regularly, you will know what constitutes a good discount depending on the product. Check everything by checking the price by weight. However, the latter is usually not mentioned on the flyer, only on the store label.
Keep a list of favorite products
Annie Ferland points out that we all have favorite products, such as a certain brand of food, that we buy because we like the taste. “Create a list of these products and track the displayed prices for each one. Notice when the price bottoms out. So then you know when it’s a good deal or not,” says Annie Ferland.
Stock up on products when they’re on sale
Did you know that depending on the product, there are discount cycles every 4, 8 or 12 weeks? By consulting the circulars and identifying these cycles, you can determine when is the best time to buy a particular food item. “Take the opportunity to stock up and store them on your shelves or in your freezer. If you can afford it, a second freezer is a good long-term investment,” says Annie Ferland.
Be flexible in your decisions
Learn how to make more economical choices by prioritizing certain products. For example, include plant-based proteins (legumes, tofu) in your diet to replace meat. Your health and your wallet will thank you!
Frozen fruits and vegetables not only retain excellent nutritional value, but are generally cheaper than fresh ones. Their prices, which are also more stable, are not subject to the same price increases as fresh food out of season.
“Also, do not hesitate to swap one product for another in your recipes. For example, if the red pepper is very expensive, replace it with a green pepper, which is often a lot cheaper,” advises Annie Ferland.