Ontario Grocery Bargain Shoppers?

[kelsco99]

This is probably a dumb idea but here goes...
I have not, in the past, been a very savvy shopper when it comes to groceries. I don't plan. I rarely do lists. Most times I wouldn't recognize a good deal if it hit me in the face. I don't have time to shop around other than look at different flyers.
But now, out of necessity, I really need to sit down and plan a weeks worth of groceries. I need to get food for 4 (2 adults/2kids) for about $75. I have my flyers, my calculator, my pen and paper but I need your help. We don't eat out much but I do end up doing convenience quite a bit.

Where do you shop for your groceries? I am in rural Southern Ontario. Close by I have a Sobey's and a No Frills. A little further away (10 minute drive) I have an A&P, Price Chopper, and Independent. Even further away than that (30 minute drive), I can access Super C.

In one flyer, these are some of the foods I would likely buy...
Are these good deals? How much cheaper can you get them for? Should I wait for better?
What's a better/cheaper alternative?
What would you not buy if you were budget eating? What would you buy if you were budget eating?

Value Pack Boneless Top Sirloin Grilling Steaks $2.99/lb (only if this is really GOOD deal)
Store Brand deli Turkey Breast $1.98/100g
Cantaloupe $1.99
Campbell's Soup (chicken noodle, vegetable, tomato) .49
Broccolli $1.29
Lean Ground Beef $2.69
Boneless Pork Shoulder Capicola Roast $2.69/lb
Quick Meal (BBQ Chick/Pototo Wedge/Sm Salad) $9.99
1.4kg box Minute Rice $4.49
Goldfish Crackers $2.00
Store Brand Granola Bars $1.69
Angel Food Cake $2.79
Strawberries $1.99

Another one has (I would likely skip this store - nothing stands out as a good deal to me)
Janes chicken strips/burgers $7.99/box
Smuckers Jam $2.99
Old El Paso Thick & Chunky Salsa $2.99

and another one...
24 bottles water $2.99
Clementines $4.99
Wonder Bread $1.39
Johnsonville Sausages $3.49/500g


If you can help in any way, thank you! thank you! thank you!

Kelly

 

[Debbie]

Kelly, before you go shopping, be sure to make an itemized list of what you have on hand in the cupboards/freezers.

Campbell's soups is a good price at 2/$1

I like to get my lean ground beef for $1.99 I bought regular last week for 99¢/lb. First time in ages! Boy did it shrink up. We'll be barbecuing hamburgers with it.

I tend to buy the Fish crackers at Costco or Loblaws in the Club pack section.

I think that the granola bars are an okay price. We don't buy them, but I picked up some a few weeks ago at Giant Tiger (do you have one of those handy...sometimes you can get a decent price on some things) for $1.99. I'm selling them at school to raise $$$$ for the Relay for Life

The pork roast sounds like a decent price.

So does the broccoli.

We don't buy Minute Rice anymore. We use the long grain rice. It does take 10-20 minutes, but the price sure helps. And it just cooks, while I'm doing the meat.

DH buys Wonder Bread at No Frills for $1.39, so that is a

I've just done an inventory for this week, and this is what I will write on the calendar. Being preplanned helps after work. I don't have to follow that plan, but having it gives me a sense of order.....and in my life, order is rare!

Here's the list:

• M&M Swiss veal cutlets
• soup and sandwiches
• tortellini (I buy it at Costco, and it is a favourite)
• grilled cheese
• pizza
• meatballs/rice
• tacos (I'll cook the meat ahead, getting rid of the fat lol

Good luck!

 

[mousy_in_canada]

This is probably a dumb idea but here goes...
I have not, in the past, been a very savvy shopper when it comes to groceries. I don't plan. I rarely do lists. Most times I wouldn't recognize a good deal if it hit me in the face. I don't have time to shop around other than look at different flyers.
But now, out of necessity, I really need to sit down and plan a weeks worth of groceries. I need to get food for 4 (2 adults/2kids) for about $75. I have my flyers, my calculator, my pen and paper but I need your help. We don't eat out much but I do end up doing convenience quite a bit.

Where do you shop for your groceries? I am in rural Southern Ontario. Close by I have a Sobey's and a No Frills. A little further away (10 minute drive) I have an A&P, Price Chopper, and Independent. Even further away than that (30 minute drive), I can access Super C.

In one flyer, these are some of the foods I would likely buy...
Are these good deals? How much cheaper can you get them for? Should I wait for better?
What's a better/cheaper alternative?
What would you not buy if you were budget eating? What would you buy if you were budget eating?

Value Pack Boneless Top Sirloin Grilling Steaks $2.99/lb (only if this is really GOOD deal)
Store Brand deli Turkey Breast $1.98/100g
Cantaloupe $1.99
Campbell's Soup (chicken noodle, vegetable, tomato) .49
Broccolli $1.29
Lean Ground Beef $2.69
Boneless Pork Shoulder Capicola Roast $2.69/lb
Quick Meal (BBQ Chick/Pototo Wedge/Sm Salad) $9.99
1.4kg box Minute Rice $4.49
Goldfish Crackers $2.00
Store Brand Granola Bars $1.69
Angel Food Cake $2.79
Strawberries $1.99

Another one has (I would likely skip this store - nothing stands out as a good deal to me)
Janes chicken strips/burgers $7.99/box
Smuckers Jam $2.99
Old El Paso Thick & Chunky Salsa $2.99

and another one...
24 bottles water $2.99
Clementines $4.99
Wonder Bread $1.39
Johnsonville Sausages $3.49/500g


If you can help in any way, thank you! thank you! thank you!

Kelly

Ok the way I plan my meals is this way, 1st I make a menu plan, I make all my meals from scratch so then I make a grocery list from all the ingredience that I need,
I love buying campbells soups, only cause you can do so much with it!!
I am going to go down your list of food and tell you what I usually pay I am south of Hamilton so the prices may be different.


Value Pack Boneless Top Sirloin Grilling Steaks $2.99/lb (only if this is really GOOD deal) that is an ok deal, I buy my meat in bulk I get it for 1.99 pound for 1/8 of a cow, this includes T bone cuts from someone in my area.
Store Brand deli Turkey Breast $1.98/100g I think this is an ok deal I am sure someone else can help with that
Cantaloupe $1.99 That is ok
Campbell's Soup (chicken noodle, vegetable, tomato) .49 very good deal stock up on this
Broccolli $1.29 I would get some (and make soup)
Lean Ground Beef $2.69 fair, I like 1.99
Boneless Pork Shoulder Capicola Roast $2.69/lb too fatty for me so I don't pay attention to that price
Quick Meal (BBQ Chick/Pototo Wedge/Sm Salad) $9.99 no idea sorry
1.4kg box Minute Rice $4.49 I get long grain, just better for you and cheaper in the long run
Goldfish Crackers $2.00 good deal
Store Brand Granola Bars $1.69 good deal
Angel Food Cake $2.79 I buy the mix, and bake it No name just add water 1.99 so you can decide what is worth your time or not
Strawberries $1.99 this time of year it is ok

Another one has (I would likely skip this store - nothing stands out as a good deal to me)
Janes chicken strips/burgers $7.99/box I get PC for 4.99, still white meat
Smuckers Jam $2.99 I see it for 1.99 often
Old El Paso Thick & Chunky Salsa $2.99 What size? I get PC for 1.99

and another one...
24 bottles water $2.99 that is good
Clementines $4.99 3.99 is better but this is not bad
Wonder Bread $1.39 I pay 3.99 for 3 loaves of dempsters at costco but this is good for wonder, I miss my bread outlet, I used to get bread for 50 cents a loaf pout..
Johnsonville Sausages $3.49/500g I think that is ok


When I cook I do a lot of casseroles and dishes it really streches your budget, chili is a fav too, it can be made for 5.00, for the 6 of us with leftovers.
Do you go to flyermall.com it has lots of sales there and they update it each week.

Hope this helps!

 

[cabmom]

You've got to check out frugalshopper.ca, go to discussion forum. I've gotten so many freebies from finding out things on this site!

I try to buy everything on sale from flyers or with a coupon.

Marilynn

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I found the exact link to the flyermall for you http://www.flyermall.com/web/flyer/store.html

Hope this helps

 

[kelsco99]

Thanks a bunch everyone! I appreciate the help.

Thank you for the links for extra savings... I'll definitely spend some time checking those out.

Kelly

 

[Scratch42]

And the #1 Rule of Grocery Shopping!

Never, Ever do it while you are Hungry!

janet

 

[tmli]

Also check out www.save.ca for coupons...

Get an airmiles card if you don't already have one and watch for deals at A&P...I have been known to get a 100 bonus airmiles for buying 3 bottles of dish detergent that I use anyways!!

You can then use the airmiles to buy gift certificates for A&P and other places.

I would also suggest something to carry/sort your coupons in and always have them with you.

Companies like Kraft and Procter and Gamble have websites where you can sign up for special offers and emails....I get some really great coupons this way. I am sure most major brands do the same thing.

Good Luck to you. Make saving money a game....my family laughs at me so much when they see how cheap I get things for...they can't be bothered and are really just jealous of me!!!

 

[iluvwesties]

Get an airmiles card if you don't already have one and watch for deals at A&P...I have been known to get a 100 bonus airmiles for buying 3 bottles of dish detergent that I use anyways!!

You can then use the airmiles to buy gift certificates for A&P and other places.

And Airmiles could buy you a flight to Orlando

Great thread

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[iluvwesties]

You've got to check out frugalshopper.ca, go to discussion forum. I've gotten so many freebies from finding out things on this site!

I try to buy everything on sale from flyers or with a coupon.

Marilynn

Thanks for this info Marilynn

B-T-W You MUST be getting excited Only 3 more days to go

Have a Magical trip

iluvwesties (aka Carol) :wave2)

 

[mom22belles]

You've got to check out frugalshopper.ca, go to discussion forum. I've gotten so many freebies from finding out things on this site!

I try to buy everything on sale from flyers or with a coupon.

Marilynn

I have got to agree fruggalshopper.ca is a great site. I have been lurking over there for a few years!

Using coupons can be a great savings. The key to coupons is to keep them organized and to keep them with you ( as in keep them in your purse in a seperate "coupon wallet")

Nancy

 

[kelsco99]

I just spent most of Saturday at frugalshopper.ca

I also checked out the flyermall site - that's a great site too - getting everything all in one spot.

I've got a few coupons now and more on the way.

Thanks for all the tips.

Now I going to make my meal plans for the week and head out.

Kelly