part in some of the great deals this year already. The Bank of Montreal 2011 Holiday Spending
Outlook last week predicted there will be less under the tree and more on tables this year. Each year
it seems we spend more and more on food. It shouldn't come as a surprise really. The cost of food
has continued to increase, and in addition a lot of us are still eating more than we should. But in
putting portions aside for this discussion, what if I told you there are deals similar to tax free savings
all year round at one of the places you shop the most. Yes that's right, the grocery store. Remember
couponing? It's making a big comeback. Perhaps you've seen TLC's show Extreme Couponing? Well
there's actually a way to get some deals similar to this but do it the healthfully too.
A common misconception among people who don't use coupons is that the value of the coupon really
isn't enough to make a difference in the long run. Nothing could be further from the truth my healthy
eating friends. As a rule in our house the priority list for grocery choices it's always nutrition first, and saving money second. As an example, last week's groceries included lots of fresh and can fruits and veggies, assortment of nuts, haddock, yogurt, cottage cheese, whole grain cereals and bread, and a few miscellaneous products like dish detergent and baggies. Had we not used coupons and shopped sale items total spent would have been over $75, but because we shopped wisely we paid only $41.43.
So how can this be done? Plan your meals for the week by using Eating Well with Canada's Food
Guide. Shop flyers and then use both these and the guide to make your grocery list. Match coupons
only with the foods you are going to eat and buy. The key is to only buy what you intend on eating,
and not because there is a sale. This is how you avoid the pitfall of ending up with 'junkier' cheaper
foods. If you consider the food guide, there are tons of choices here that regularly have coupons.
Juices, canned fruits and veggies, whole grain cereals, breads, pasta and rice, yogurt, fortified soy
beverages, canned meats and fish and nuts butters are some of the popular ones. From time to time
there are also coupons for fresh produce too believe it or not. But how do you really get the deals? As
in food for free, or better yet, making money towards the rest of your grocery purchase? (And yes it
can be done, because I have done it). It's takes a little of what's called grocery cart and supermarket
smarts.
When I say couponing I don't just mean using one coupon here or there to save a dollar. I mean really
using grocery coupons to their full advantage to get the healthiest eats for the absolute lowest dollar
possible. For example, did you know that in some stores you can use a manufacturer and store coupon. That's called coupon stacking. Other stores during a buy one get one free promotion will allow you to use coupons on those items too. Some stores will not only match sale prices from others, but they will also accept competitor coupons too. Combing a sale price, or something that is 50% off (say day old bread or about to expire yogurt) with the above coupons tips and tricks is really the key to big savings.
To become fluent in this try to shop at the same store and get to know their coupon policy.
So where can you find coupons? Just about anywhere really. Newspapers and magazines, grocery
stores, the internet, products (especially cereals) are places to keep your eyes open. Certain food
manufacturers have also been known to send coupons to loyal customers who have contacted them.
It's somewhere around 2% of coupons that are distributed actually get used. If you ask me, that's big
savings that a lot of people are missing out on. If you looking to save money and eat healthy this
holiday season (or all year for that matter) grocery coupons are the way to go. Saving $20 a week is an extra $1040 a year, which is enough to make anyone's season a little more jolly.
As seen in Telegram December 5, 2011
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