Tips for Saving Money on Groceries

The momstown Oakville message board is a resourceful tool for Oakville moms.  Not only do we share and support one another but there is constant chatter about things that all moms think about.  Recently, there was lots of conversation about saving money on groceries, finding the best deals in Oakville, etc so we set up a Moms Night Out event to share ideas and tips and hopefully get everyone's grocery bill down a little bit! The group was a mix between people who are regular price matchers, those who are great sale shoppers and those who were complete newbies to the world of coupons and flyers.  We've now got a permanent message board thread that is updated with the most recent deals and steals in Oakville!

Here is some of the information shared:

Where To Find The Best Deals & Coupons
-websaver.ca
-mrsjanuary.com
-Checkout51 app (for Iphone or Ipad users)
-Coupon boards at grocery stores
-Local flyers that come in Thursday's Oakville Beaver

Tips for Price Matching 
-Stores that price match in Oakville are No Frills, Superstore, Walmart and FreshCo
-Each store may have slightly different rules for price matching.  momstown Oakville moms prefer price matching at Walmart or Superstore.
-Sort through all the flyers and find items that you use or would buy anyway and stock up if it’s a non-perishable item.  Try to plan your meals around sale items.
-Let the cashier know you have items to price match.  Keep all the price match items together with the corresponding flyer and check out those items last.
-You must have the flyers with you to show the cashier.
-If you have multiple items in one flyer, write each of the items on the front page of the flyer with the corresponding page number.
-Best time to do price matching is early mornings or in the evenings, less busy times

Another great tip that was shared was about the Scanning Code of Practice.  If the scanned price of an item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the first item free, up to a $10 maximum.  Not all, but Nnearly every major retailer in Canada participates in supporting the Scanning Code of Practice.

And the final tip that I think is worth sharing is about food waste.  Before you toss perishable food into your grocery cart, think about exactly how you’ll use it. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans generate roughly 30 million tons of food waste each year. Using leftover vegetables, poultry, or meat in soups, stews, salads, and casseroles minimizes cost and demonstrates your creativity in the kitchen.

Do you have any other great tips to share?  Leave us a comment about what saves your family money at the grocery store.