Day 8

Day 8 : Grocery shopping tips

Many like to think that healthy eating is costly. While part of it may be true because of the price of non seasonal produce, I have managed to find a way to keep my healthy eating habits within the means of my student budget. In this post, I will share my grocery shopping tips to help keep the bill as low as possible.

1) Go to the farmers markets (if possible)
Last time I mention it, I promise lol. But farmers markets are one of the greatest way to get fresh produce on the cheap. If you can't attend the farmets market, there are other ways to get fresh produce on a budget. For those who live in Ottawa, the Good Food Box is a great way to get cheap produce! For my Greater Montreal peeps, check out Bonne Boite Bonne Bouffe. Both those services deliver boxes of produce (on a 2 week or a monthly basis) in neighbourhoods.

2) Look at the flyers
Before going to the grocery store, I always look at the flyer just to get the idea of what is on sale this week so I can tailor my weekly plan to it too! Beware : Not everything that is in the flyer is necessarily on sale. Sometimes, they just put a product with a flashy color but there is no actual reduction on the price! Look for the words "save X$" or "XY% off". 
Additionally, take a good look at the multiple buy price. For example, if there is a sale that says : 3/5$, most people believe that you have to buy 3 times the product to get the reduction. Unless it is specified underneath that price that if you only buy 1 the regular price will be applied, buying only one will scan at 1,67$. :)

3) Price match is your bestie and coupons are just a different currency. 
Stores like Real Canadian Superstore, Freshco, Maxi and Wal-Mart do price when you can prove the price with the flyers. After looking at the flyers, just bring them with you and you can enjoy the rebate from all the other stores within one store.
As for coupons, you shouldn't go overboard (like I do with them) but they are a great way to save money. If you see a coupon for a product that you like and will be buying, why not using? 1$ off on something you will buy is 1$ more staying in your pocket! You can get coupons for a lot of different products nowdays. Check out Save.ca, Websaver.ca and brandsaver.ca for home-mailed coupons! Some stores also have their own coupons so be sure to take a look them too!

To tie #2 and 3 together and make you life easier, check out the Flipp App (available on Android  and iOS) which gives you flyers based on your location so you dont have to carry them with you at all times! When you add sales, price matching and coupons, you can save a lot on your grocery bill. The best I got so far was 70% of my whole bill which translate me bying 50$ woth of food for 15$. That lasted me a solid 2 weeks!

4) Don't go empty
Don't go empty handed to the grocery store. Always make a grocery list so you don't wander around for hours. It will also prevent you from forgetting an ingredient too!

Also, make sure to don't grocery shop on an empty stomach. Being hungry in a store full of food will make you want to buy anything and everything (true story...). If you can't go right after a meal, try pack a snack with you and have it right before going so that your tummy doesn't get the best of your wallet!

That is it! Tomorrow is my new workout plan!

Happy Saturday! xox,
Russy