Tips & strategies

Did You Know?

Smart tips and strategies to help you eat well on a budget.

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planning

Lower your grocery bill before even setting a foot in the store

Before going shopping a quick look at what is already in pantry, fridge, and freezer can provide inspiration for next week’s meal ideas. Make a list of items that are still missing, and stick to the list when at the store!

shopping

How to save money at the grocery store

Saving at the grocery store mostly happens before the actual shopping trip. Meal planning and creating a shopping list are helpful strategies to counteract stores' attempts to maximize customer spending.

planning

Price first, then nutrition, then taste, then convenience

Putting food on the table when money is tight becomes a balancing act. The ingredients must be affordable, and the meal should be nutritious. It should also taste good and be ready fairly quickly.

shopping

The price of convenience – or fleecing at the till?

Since the pandemic, major Canadian grocery store chains have reported record earnings and increasing profits. At the same time, many consumers are struggling to put food on the table and have to scale down their purchases.

penny-pinching

Dried beans cost 1/3 the price of canned beans

Canned beans are convenient. Dried beans are cheap. The gap between the two is some forward planning and fairly little effort.

shopping

Store brands and branded products often come from the same factory

Buying store brands does not mean sacrificing quality or taste. Sometimes identical products are simply sold in different packaging.

shopping

Spices worth stocking

Some spices have broad use and are quite shelf-stable. They might be worth stocking, to flavour otherwise bland low-cost staples such as rice and beans.

shopping

The surprising cost of take-out delivery

Ordering take-out and have it delivered feels convenient in the moment, but the final bill often comes as a shock. On top of the food itself, platform fees, delivery charges, service fees, and a tip for the driver can easily double the cost of a modest meal.

shopping

The cost and benefits of grocery delivery services

Grocery home delivery has its place, but it does come at a cost. Personal circumstances dictate whether ordering groceries in makes financial sense, and there are a few strategies that can offset the delivery fee.

shopping

The cost of subscribing to a meal-delivery service

For busy households looking to simplify their dinner routine, meal-delivery is one of many options. Various companies promise to save time on meal prep, help customers eat healthier, or simply deliver the convenience of prepared meals right to the door.

penny-pinching

Elevate even the simplest meal

During tough times it's difficult to keep one’s spirits up. When the pantry is also pretty bare, preparing meals can be a daunting task. That’s when it’s especially important to make meal time as comforting as possible without adding cost.

penny-pinching

When money is tight become a ‘foodie’

When money gets so tight that it becomes difficult to put food on the table it is easy to get discouraged. It may seem counterintuitive, but becoming a ‘foodie’ at that precise moment might be surprisingly effective to stay positive.

Meal Prep

Put meal time on autopilot

For busy households, preparing meals can seem like a never-ending chore. Putting much of the related effort on ‘autopilot’ can make life easier and reduce the temptation to order take-out.

Meal Prep

Are busy people truly too busy to cook?

Many people are busy today, juggling work, family, and social obligations. Therefore, cooking is often seen as a dreaded chore. Making it a priority could change that.

Meal Prep

Kids can cook - let them!

Today’s families are busy, but usually the children have more time on their hands than their parents. Spending some of that time in the kitchen will build skills for the kids and likely stretch the family food budget further.

shopping

Shopping seasonal - Does it pay off?

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Make every grocery dollar count

Practical habits can help your food budget go further every week.

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