Shopping for groceries is something we all need to do. Here are a few ways that you can stretch your budget and save money on groceries the next time you’re at the grocery store.

1. Shop from the flyer for many of the best deals, but don’t assume that everything in the flyer is actually a sale.
2. Make a grocery list and stick to it. Add what you know you’re out of and include the flyer items in the list as well.
3. For something you buy regularly, that won’t expire quickly, consider stocking up when the item is on sale.
4. Try to avoid processed and “convenience” food since the prices are higher than the cost of the ingredients. You’re paying for the labour to prepare the meal for you. Cooking your own meals is cheaper and most likely better for you. That said, if time is an issue, it’s better to have some of these ready-to-eat meals on hand than to go get fast food.
5. Buy the private label brands like Compliments, Kirkland and President’s Choice. In the past these were considered cheap imitations, but now they are not only less expensive, but the quality of some of these products surpasses that of the national brands.
6. A great way to save money on groceries is to use coupons that you find in the newspaper, your mail and on sites like Save.ca.
7. Compare different sizes of an item, the largest package may not always be the cheapest. To do this easily, calculate it as dollars per 100 gm/ml, some stores already do this for you right on the price tag.
8. Buy frozen vegetables. This will save you from throwing out spoiled vegetables. Frozen vegetables have been found to be more nutrient-rich as they are frozen at their peak ripeness.
9. When you are buying fresh fruits and vegetables, buy them when they are in season. This often leads to lower prices and fresher produce. You can also look into farmers markets in your area, though not all are cheaper.
10. Eat less. I don’t mean you should skip meals, but proper portion control and less snacking in not only healthier, but you will save money.