Save on groceries in Canada!

Shopping for groceries on a budget has become increasingly challenging in recent times. I want to assure you that it’s still possible to save on groceries in Canada in 2025!

Here are some tips to help you prepare for shopping and spending less to feed your family in Canada:

Check Your Pantry, Fridge & Freezer

Make sure you know what you already have on hand. It’s easy to overbuy, especially for items you use frequently. You can even keep an inventory of what you have and restock when you reach a certain number.

Search The Sales Flyers

Don’t forget to check out the flyers for sales. If there are things you always use that are on sale, think about buying a bit extra. You don’t need to hoard stuff, but grabbing a few extra boxes of your favourite cereal when it’s on sale can save you money until the next sale.

Remember: Everything you buy is on a 4-6 week sales cycle. If it is on sale this week, you will see it for roughly the same price in 4 to 6 weeks.

Make A Menu Plan

Planning meals for your family may seem to be an overwhelming task that consumes a lot of time. However, I can assure you that investing time in meal planning will save you time, reduce stress, and help you save money in the long run. By dedicating a small amount of time each week to assess the meals you can prepare with the food you have at home, you can streamline your grocery shopping and meal preparation process. For example, if you already have ingredients to make 4 dinner meals, you only need to purchase items for 3 other meals that week.

Check Your Local Shop’s Sales

Shopping locally is even more important today, with food insecurity, supply issues, and the local economy relying on us to keep money local.
In recent years, I have found that local butchers, bakeries, and groceries offer specials and even regular prices comparable to or better than the big box stores. To me, purchasing as much as you can from a local business and supplementing with items from other stores is the ideal way to shop.

Many local shops will have either websites or social accounts where they share their weekly specials or flash sales. Be sure to follow the shops in your local area.

Make A List – Only buy what you need!

Remember, it’s easier to stick to buying only what you need when you plan your meals and know what you already have at home. This way, you’ll only buy what you need for the week. If you come across something on sale that you won’t use, it’s not a good deal if you throw it away! Download our Shopping List

Don’t Shop Hungry

Hungry shoppers tend to buy more. If you go to the grocery store when you’re hungry, everything will look appealing, and you’ll end up putting more items in your cart than necessary.

Shop Alone

It is not always possible, but if you can shop alone, you will spend less money, stick to your list, and not be distracted.

Look High & Low

Manufacturers invest significant amounts of money to ensure that their products are prominently placed at eye level in stores. Typically, higher-priced brands are strategically positioned at eye level where most shoppers are likely to focus their attention. It’s always a good idea to thoroughly browse above and below eye level to discover a wider range of options and potentially find better deals.

Shopping Online

A few retailers in Canada offer online ordering services with pickup and delivery options. My experience ordering online for pick up has been positive and beneficial for staying on budget and saving myself time.

The key to ordering online is knowing your prices (as some can vary online from in-store) and factor in any additional fees.

Buy In Bulk

Buying in bulk requires more cash flow upfront but will save you money in the long run. If you cannot buy in bulk, consider group purchasing items. Ask a friend or family member to split a flat of canned soup, or package of rice, etc…

Savings Apps & Coupons

You can use coupons, loyalty cards, and cash-back apps to save even more!

Two apps that I have been getting amazing deals with are FoodHero (at Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, etc) and Flashfood (at Loblaws stores).

Flashfood is a fun way to reduce food waste and save up to 50% on groceries at stores near you. Here’s my personal Flashfood referral code: RUTHY7JY. If your first purchase is over $10, you’ll get $5 off! Use the code when you sign up or on the Rewards tab. Download the app today! https://flashfood.onelink.me/yAxk/referral

For FoodHero, my code is RuthS11 where we both get a $5 credit, download the app: https://foodhero.app.link


While some of these tips may be things you already do, there is always room for improvement. Remember to make time to prep meals, make items from basic ingredients, and skip the convenience food. This will help stretch your food budget and be healthier for you and your family as well.

If you find these tips for saving on groceries in Canada helpful, please share them with your friends.

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