As Manitoba shoppers grapple with spiralling food costs, some of us are turning into newbie grocery store flyer investigators or looking to Tik Tok for tips long used by the more frugal Canadians. Either way, these rising costs have us all looking for advice, whether in print or online, to lessen the particularly sharp pinch at the supermarket.
At Westoba, we’re here to say you’re not alone – inflation and continued supply chain issues are impacting consumers globally. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to spend less and avoid unnecessary waste.
We’ve put together five helpful tips to get you saving while grocery shopping this year:
Make a list — and stick with it
A list will guide you safely through those food-packed grocery aisles. There are handy grocery apps that sort your items by category (also a huge time-saver), such as AnyList, Mealime, Opt Up and more.
“Making a grocery list is essential to my shopping regimen,” says Patti McEvoy, Branch Manager. “I find this happens more when running to the store on my way home from work. I need to keep myself from buying snacks I don’t normally eat.”
Don’t be fooled by the sale stickers
Just because there’s a deal doesn’t mean you’ll save money. Think carefully about what you’re buying — if it helps, keep track of the items you usually buy and their costs until you get to know regular average prices. Practice pricing out those value packs; is that two extra rolls of paper towels really a deal?
There’s no shame in buying the generic brand
Everyone has one or two brand-name items that they can’t replace. If buying ‘No Name’ macaroni and cheese will cause a family revolt, maybe go for the brand name stuff. Keep in mind there are plenty of generic-brand groceries similar to premium brands, and that means a better grocery bill.
Tracy Houck, Financial Consultant, says you have to get over the temptation to buy a big-name national brand. “One thing I love to buy while shopping is generic coffee,” says Tracy, “you get way more for your dollar, and it tastes great.”
If you can afford it, buy in bulk
Buying in bulk on items with a longer expiry date can save you money in the long term. If you’re not sure whether to go bigger, whip out the calculator app and do a quick conversion to see how much money you can save. It also helps to stagger the items between weeks so you don’t run out of everything all at once.
Get a points card
You don’t have to be a ‘club-member-super-saver-rewards-earner’ at every store, but it helps to be one at the store you frequent the most. These programs might not save a ton of money, but a dollar saved is a dollar earned, right? There are even smartphone apps that let you load them, so you don’t have to carry them on you.
Coupons are a great tool for saving money; additionally, downloading your favourite grocery store’s app will allow you to find featured special sales or specific bargains. Signing up for their alerts and notifications is also a wonderful way to be prepared (and lessen that anxiety) when you walk into the store.
The same goes for gaining points through your credit card. “I try to use my cashback credit card as much as I can,” says Jennifer Knapp, Financial Consultant. “With every dollar spent, it earns me points to redeem.”
Westoba has partnered up with Collabria and has some great options to choose from, including some with a rewards program. Check out the following options:
Cashback Mastercard
- No annual fee
- 2 points for every $1 spent on gas
- 1 point for every $1 spent on entertainment
- 0.5 points for every $1 spent on other
Centra Gold Mastercard
- $50 annual fee
- 1 point for every $1 spent on everyday purchases
- 5,000 Welcome Points (for 2023)
Visa Infinite Card
- $120 annual fee
- 3 points for every $1 spent on groceries
- 2 points for every $1 spent on dining and entertainment
- 1 point for every $1 spent on other
- 15,000 Welcome Points (for 2023)
Bonus Tip
Don’t go to the grocery store when you’re hungry. You’ll come home with all sorts of stuff you wouldn’t otherwise buy.
Found this helpful but could use some more direction with your financial wellness? Start by getting a snapshot of your financial situation by taking our Financial Fitness Quiz online, which takes only three minutes.
If you need more one-on-one guidance, our team can help you determine your financial status, make recommendations, and help you reach your financial goals with a Financial Fitness Checkup. Book an appointment with one of our experts.
