Top tips to save on groceries

(NC) Between inflation and high interest rates, many of us are struggling to pay our bills. While we can save money by cutting back on things like restaurant meals and the number of different streaming services we subscribe to, some things are essential, including groceries. Here are four ways you can get more for less when shopping at the grocery store.

Watch out for sale items
Get familiar with promo programs at your local grocery store. Many retailers have regular sales that can really help when it comes to saving on groceries. Loblaws and Zehrs, for example, have regular “price drops” every four weeks on over 400 products, where they lower prices on certain items so you can get more value from everyday grocery shopping. Stock up on these and other on-sale items that you regularly use. Grocery stores also lower the price of items that are close to their best-before date. The food is still good; it just needs to be consumed soon – or frozen – for peak freshness.

Buy in bulk
In general, you’ll save money by buying products in larger packs. If you have the storage space, stock up on toiletries and other household items. If your storage space is limited, consider sharing the cost and contents from larger packages with friends or family members.

You can also buy produce or protein in bulk packs and freeze the portion you won’t be able to use immediately. To ensure you’re really getting a deal when buying in bulk, compare the per-unit price on different-sized packages.

Comparison shop
Scan store’s printed or online coupons and flyers to find the best deals on the items you need before you go shopping. Just remember to factor in the value of your time and any travel costs for fuel or transit before you head to too many stores to find the best deals. But also note that many grocery stores will price-match their competitor’s current promotions, so you can often get everything you’re after in one place.

Use loyalty plans
If you shop at a grocery chain with a loyalty program, such as PC Optimum, you can use the points you’ve earned to get instant savings off your bill. Some of these programs allow you to earn points at affiliated retailers or by using a branded bank or credit card.

Find more tips on how to save on groceries at loblaws.ca.