Shopping Tips

Here are a few Canadian online sites to check for food shopping tips, how to save on groceries and downloading coupons: Frugal Shopper Frugal Shopper; Save.ca; SmartCanucks and Thrifty Fun.

www.save.ca, which sends out coupons on behalf of manufacturers.

Where to buy it
Stock up on the right items at the right places and you'll save all around:

Bag-your-own grocery stores
You might not be able to buy your favourite imported coffee at discount bag-your-own grocery stores, but you'll save at least 30 per cent on your weekly grocery bill.
What to buy here Canned goods, frozen meals, packaged foods (such as crackers) and household supplies (such as paper towels).

Warehouse clubs If you don't buy enough to make up the $50 annual fees these stores typically charge, skip them and shop at places such as The Real Canadian Superstore. Sandra Phillips, author of Smart Shopping Montreal, is wary of warehouse-store fees and points out that people can shop for free at superstores, which now sell items in bulk. What to buy here If you do buy enough to warrant the fees, look for deals on meat, frozen shrimp and big blocks of cheese.

Dollar stores. Score deals at dollar stores on stuff you might be currently getting at a grocery store. What to buy here; Toiletries, cake decorations and food containers.

Bulk food stores. Why buy an entire jar of cloves if you only need a teaspoon? Stock up on loose pantry staples at a bulk food store in amounts that you'll actually consume. What to buy here Dried herbs and spices, nuts and coffee.

Go green. Concerned about the high prices of organic foods? Target your spending and go organic for foods where conventional pesticide use is high. These foods include apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.