After conversations with lots of food shoppers, some of whom were strangers I accosted in the parking lot begging for a look inside their bags, I’ve discovered the art of grocery navigation is rapidly becoming a lost art. Apparently they don’t teach this stuff in schools. I suspect food companies are counting on that fact so I’m here to pull back the curtain on their shenanigans.
For the next in my short series about food pantry budgets, I came up with a list of crucial elements to successful bargain shopping. Each one might mean a small tweak to your habits but in total, they add up to be a big change. Feel free to print this list and staple it to the back of your i-gizmo. Or tattoo it on your forearm for easy reference. Whatever it takes to remember these tricks when you step through the automatic doors and grab a trolley.
Grocery Shopping Commandments
1. Do NOT Shop Without A List
2. Do NOT Shop OFF Your List
3. Shop For Meals, Not Random Ingredients
4. Calculate Percentages Not Pennies
5. Know Your Total Bill Before Checkout
6. Contemplate Your Cart For Savings Before Checkout *
7. Save All Receipts For Inspection
8. Start at Home with Multiple Store Flyers First
9. Shop Weekly On Optimal Days **
10. Stock Your Pantry Over Several Weeks of Sales
11. Use Price Match, Rain Cheques, & Error Policies
12. Coupon Only On Otherwise Good Prices
13. Collect Loyalty Points But Don’t Chase Them
14. For Best Prices, Bulk Buy Staple Ingredients That Store Easily
15. Buy Amounts That Eliminate Waste ***
16. Check Discounted Shelves Regularly
17. Never Buy What Can Be Made Better & Cheaper At Home
18. Make Your Own Convenience Foods
19. Avoid Sales Tax & Recycle Fees
20. Don’t Buy Out of Old Habit, Explore New Options
21. Never Shop Hungry, Rushed, or Grumpy
(bonus: 22. Try vegetarian one or more nights a week. Wise recipe choices can mean real bargain meals.)
* Spend five minutes doing this before getting in queue. Don’t hesitate to swap items out of your cart.
** The optimal day is after the busy weekend for discounted items but before the new sales start. Ideally you have both the current and following week’s flyers in hand to play the field.
*** Learn to preserve and vacuum seal or expand your recipes to use surplus.
For more of my ramblings in the series, see the budget food pantry post for a list of staples everyone should have around at all times. My at-the-ready list of personal favourite (quick and easy) meals follows.
