Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Find out where to get the best grocery prices in your town. Our free grocery price comparison tool helps you save money on everyday food items.
I’ve created two grocery shopping posts about various supermarkets in Canada that I think will help you out, especially newcomers.
Find The Best Grocery Prices: Town vs. City Shopping
I know some of you don’t have the luxury of having many shops in your town.
However, when you get out to the city to shop, having your price list ready from your town grocery store will help you decide.
We’ve started to notice, and I don’t know if you have, but prices on some food items are getting a bit, let’s say, high.
We already know that peanut butter has shot through h the roof and what was once $3.99 regular price is now $7.99 for a 1kg jar of Kraft Peanut butter.
I’m probably even pricing that low compared to some of the shops we’ve been in.
If we can try to put the regular price of products if we know them as we post in the grocery game, this will help us see how big of a savings we got.
Not everyone is as budget-happy as we are, but if you want to know where the money is being spent, you need to know who sells the product for less at the regular price.
We can then potentially put that extra money towards higher priced items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, or other items that never go on sale but we need to stock up on.
I don’t have to tell any of you that you post your weekly shops because most of you blow us out of the water when you shop with the amount of savings, discounts, and coupons.
Grocery Price Comparison List
Since we had such a great shopping month in March, we wanted to step it up by comparing shopping prices in our area.
We know that doing a price search in the grocery store for products we typically stock in our pantry and freezer each week will help us understand when we are getting the best deal.
There’s nothing worse than finding out you could have saved a few bucks here and there if only you knew the prices.
If we keep saying, “It’s on a buck, who cares?” then the money we could have used towards our bills or put into our emergency savings account is lost.
Many people don’t go to four or five different grocery stores whenever it’s time to shop.
We like to price match at a grocery store that allows this convenience for shoppers, which makes the trip not only cost-efficient on gas but also on time.
We value time depending on what we have to do with our day; however, not all stores allow price matching.
Some people have the time, and others are on a strict schedule, so what one thinks is a waste, another views it as a savings opportunity.
We may go to 3 shops, but they are all in the same area or parking lot, so we aren’t driving for miles to get from point A to point B.
Having a grocery price comparison list in your purse or coupon binder when shopping will instantly help you answer the question, “Is this the best price” on an item?
Over time, you will get to know the prices, and you can move on to new items, as most of us like to try new foods, which also get added to the “must-have” list if it’s a new family favorite.
Free Printable Grocery Price Comparison List
Last night, I created a printable document called the “Price Comparison Grocery Price Book” with a spot for the date, product name, store, size, sale price, and units.
It’s not expensive with fancy labels; it’s a simple way to document prices and assemble them, so you don’t have to do the work.
It may take some time to complete your sheets, but if you walk by a product you use in your home, it only takes a few seconds to mark down the price.
When you get home, you can input the data straight into the grocery price book or bring the book to a binder and do it along the way.
We like to do the work at home rather than holding anyone up in the store’s aisles.
Over time, you will have all the products and prices you need to make the best decisions when creating a frugal menu plan.
The grocery price book makes shopping and meal planning a breeze for the week, basing decisions against the best prices.
Compare Prices Of Everyday Grocery Products
We typed in all the products we wanted to investigate at home and compared prices as we shopped.
Keep in mind the various sales cycles at each grocery store as well as the season.
You’ll also find better prices on end-of-season products at which time there are more savings.
I hope you investigate the grocery price comparison list and work up to having all the prices you need at your fingertips.
Saving money is up to the consumer, and shopping at one store, unfortunately, is a thing of the past.
Thanks for reading,
P.S. – Download my Free Grocery Savings Budget Binder to get all the printables to help keep your shopping expenses under control.
-Mr.CBB
Grocery Game Challenge Results
For Inspiration, read about Canadian Budget Binder fan Donna R., who shares her secrets for lowering her family’s grocery budget from $1100 a month to $600.
Walmart
- Bag of Baby Bok Choy Reg Price $1.48
- 3lbs of Carrots Sale $1.00
- 2 x 3lbs of Yellow Onions Sale $1.00
- Red Grapes Sale $3.14
- 250g of Pot Barley Reg Price $1.36
- Good Value Parsley Flakes Reg Price $3.00
- 14 cans of Old Spice Deodorant Reg Price $2.67 Sale $2.00- buy two save $3.00 brand saver
- 2 x White Mushrooms 227 g Reg Price $1.97 PM No Frills $0.97
- 4 x Nescafe Instant Coffee Sale $3.77
- 450 g of Ground Lean Beef Reduced by 30% $3.29
Total Out Of Pocket-$45.40
Food Basics
- 2 x Pita Bread Reg Price $1.69 Sale $1.00
- Selection Spices Chives Reg $1.29 Sale $0.79
- Selection Spices Garlic Powder Reg Price $1.29 Sale $1.00
- Selection Spices Mustard Powder reg Price $1.29 Sale $1.00
- 3 x Danone Silhouette Yogurt 650g Reg Price $3.99 Sale $1.99-buy 3 save $5.00 coupon from new Dannone Booklet
- 2 x half black forest ham Reg $6.99 sale $3.00
- 1 x Seedless Cucumber Sale $0.97
- 2 x 5lb Cavendish Russet Potatoes Sale $1.00 each
Total Out Of Pocket $ 14.73
Grocery Budgeted For Yealry $2819.38
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 per week with one no-shop week or $58.75 for four weeks per month. (During the months of five weeks, we make it work)
- Total Coupons Used this Week: $26.00
- Total Discounts this Week: $0
- Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: .$0 Don’t Use this service
- TWeek Checkout 51 rebates this Month: .$0 Don’t Use this service
- Total Colleague Discounts (CD) thiWeekek: $0
- Total Colleague DiscounWeekCD) this Month:$0
- Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used: $0
- Total Spent This Week:$60.13
- Total Spent So Far for (April): $60.13
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: n/a
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $ under $18.20
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $174.87
- Total Coupons Used This Month:$26.00
- Total to Carry Over Next Month: $ n/a We don’t carry over
- Total Spent To Date This Year: $206.95 (Jan)+ $160.77 (Feb) + (March)$169.62= $537.34
- Rendezvous Account: $65.38 (this will be used for a date night or a summer holiday)
Weekly Overview
It’s not too shabby, especially with that fantastic yogurt coupon in the picture below.
You are paying $1.00 for all 3 of those yogurt tubs!
That coupon booklet was found at Metro in case you were wondering.
I was also happy to find my deodorant on sale for $2.00, making each can $0.50, which should take about a year.
Canadian Coupons Found This Week
Related articles
- The Grocery Game Challenge #13 March 25- 31,2013- How To Grocery Shop
- The Grocery Game Challenge #10-Mar 4-10,2013-Road Trip To Target Canada
- The Grocery Game Challenge #8 February 18-24, 2013~Buy Now or Buy Later
- The Grocery Game Challenge #9 Feb 25-Mar 3,2013-No-Shop Week, No Means No!
- The Grocery Game Challenge #12 March 18-24,2013- Pass The Salt Please!
Awesome shops Mr.CBB!!!!!
Thanks Juanita, I was pretty happy about my deodorant 🙂
What is this Rendezvous account? lol
Ask Mary.. she started it…. hahaha… I do know though but she can better explain.
Jen, when the CBB budget still has money in it at the end of the month, they are now transferring those surplus funds to the Rendezvous Account instead of just burying it in their general savings account. These funds are intended to help keep the romance in their relationship… with a weekend get-away, a special date night AND eventually they’ll have enough accumulated in the account for that European vacation they are dreaming of!
With all the CBB fans to cheer them on, encouraging them to trim their budget even more, making suggestions & helping them use even more coupons plus encouraging them to be even more diligent in only buying what they need instead of what they want… we’ll all get to watch the Rendezvous Account grow & have a dream or two realized without derailing any of their other goals. 🙂
What a great way to encourage the CBB household to dig a little deeper with their grocery shops, don’t you think? I understand Mrs CBB has a cell phone, maybe we can encourage her to take advantage of the Checkout51 app and keep that money in their budget? Maybe she’d like to play too? 😀
It’s also our chance to nudge Mr CBB, a little, to make sure that slowly but surely they achieve something that he has expressed a longing for. The big goal folks and I am sure we can help them achieve it is for he & Mrs CBB to take a romantic vacation for two!
BTW, any withdrawals from the Rendezvous account for treats for the couple will be acknowledged by telling us what lovely things this has provided for them i.e. a weekend in the country, a night in the city… no further descriptions required. Ha ha ha! 😀
Mr CBB is hoping to vacation in Ontario this summer.
If they can get $65-$75 in the Rendezvous Account for April/May/June/July… that’ll be somewhere between $325 and $365 that they will have for a wee vacation!
Now there’s a motivator!
That’s an awesome idea! Thanks for explaining! lol
glad you like it… try it out.. we are slowly going to add items to our list.
Your shops look pretty good!!!! There are some nice deals in there…. I’m so glad to win the grocery game for the month!!!! A little good news after a couple of rough days!!!!! I’m going to try to print off that new list and see how many places I can get regular prices for, especially with the New No Frills opening in Stratford!!, I can’t wait to see inside one of those as I have never had the chance to go in one before this………hopefully it will help me with the challenge!
You will be the pricing book insider … I think that’s great and it will be perfect for someone like you who has to drive in to get to the shops besides Food Land in your town. Send me your addy again and I’ll get your prize off to you!!! Way to go Christine!!!
Wow you picked up some great deals! I used to keep up a price book but after a while and kind of still I know where the best prices are! For example canned good generics are best at Walmart in our area best deli prices Walmart again, Harris Teeter has the best meat deals and Lowes has teh best frozen food deals in my opinion but we are down to just shopping at our local grocer and Trader Joes & sometimes Costco……but since I started eating healthy our menu has become a lot more limited until the wonderful garden season comes back in so its been pretty simple for us.
Trader Joes I buy my tomatoes, low fat cheese sticks, nuts, butter, british muffins, and any wine.
Costco my low fat cheese, peppers, tomatoes, apples and grapes
Walmart my natural peanutbutter, beans, lettuce, and yogurt if I am not making it
and our local grocery for meat sales, breads, and milk (more of the basics)
But I probably need to do better…….
That’s awesome …we don’t shop at Costco or we would be broke lol. We used to think we knew where the best prices were but we really didn’t. I’d like to think we have become MUCH better at learning prices but still we want to really know what they are. All those pennies add up to a giant bucket of savings overtime. Would you walk by money on the ground every time you saw it? Likely not and the same goes with getting the best deal by knowing the best prices… no sense leaving money on the ground if it’s right in front of our faces!! Cheers Karen.
I like the concept of keeping a price book. This is something that my household really needs to start, if only for toilet paper. With so many sizes/types it’s like reading a foreign language when trying to find out if you’re getting a good deal.
The price book I’m sure will help us in the long run and yes toilet paper can be a tough one with so many varieties out there.
Week 13
Publix
Milk $3.75
Hawaaiian Punch $2.34
White Bread $1.39
Hot Dog Buns $1.29
Dozen Eggs $1.99
Sliced Cheese $2.99
Beef Franks $5.19
Beef Franks $-
Total Out of Pocket $19.09
McDonalds
5 Cheeseburgers $5.78
Total Out of Pocket $5.78
Walmart
Toilet Tissure 6 pk $0.97
Toothpaste $1.97
15 oz. Frosted Flakes $2.98
Dental Floss $0.87
18ct Eggs $2.78
Tyson Chicken Nuggets $5.98
5 lbs Ore Ida Crinkle Cut Fries $5.98
Bread $2.18
3lb Parboiled Rice $1.98
Gallon Milk $3.68
25ct Trash Bags $3.97
Mini Bagels $2.98
Hawaiian Punch $2.08
Total Coupons $0.50
Total Out of Pocket $37.49
Walgreens
2 x Laundry Detergent 50oz $6.99
Royal Dansk Cookies $2.69
Aluminum Foil 25ft $1.79
Total Out of Pocket $12.00
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3,500
Total Grocery Budget for March: $318.75
Total Coupons Used this Week: $0.50
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $74.36
Total Spent for March: $359.00
Total Underspend this shop: -$10.61
Total Overspend for the month of March: -$40.25
Total Left to Spend for the Month: -$40.25
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0.50
Total to Carry Over Next Month: -$40.25
Total Spent To Date This Year: $ $1,109.44
Weekly Overview: Still trying.
Hi Dr.Sheba!
Welcome back.. well I see you use a coupon this week, good for you.50 is better than nothing at all. Is this your final March post? This post if the first post for April that’s why I was asking. You did well though, look , you only went over by $40.25 in March compared to what you used to spend… COngratulations!~ You should be happy and yes don’t stop trying. I posted a lovely mac and cheese with ham recipe today, give it a try, I”m betting the kids will love it and it will save you some money in your grocery budget. Keep at it!! Mr.CBB
Hi Mr. CBB,
I wasn’t sure if it was a March or April post, lol. I will fix my numbers and include it in April. I used a coupon via Ibotta, but I have to find more ways to get that done. I am very happy with myself for making improvements with my budget. I have been taking cash out every week to help me stay on track with it. I definitely get a clearer picture of what’s being spent and what’s left when use cash instead of swiping my debit card. I appreciate all of your kind words. Thank you. I saw your recipe for the Mac and Cheese with ham, but we don’t eat pork. What do you think is a good substitute?
@DrSheba
You can just eliminate the pork if you don’t eat it and have it as a creamy mac and cheese. Best of it is, you get some amazing cheeses in the USA so you can really jazz the flavours up with cheese. If cash works for you then use it. I would suggest writing all your expenses down. If you want my budget email me and I’ll send it to you. Cheers!
Your shopping looks great! I am always amazed by the great deals you find. I can’t wait for the end of the year to see if you actually make it under $3,000:)
Thanks! We’re just going to try our best to stick to the budget and see where it takes us this year. The Grocery Game has been inspiring to many including us! Cheers
I know my prices and just don’t buy when the price goes up, or buy a little more when it is low. Going to another supermarket is only when I need something specific they don’t have at the main one. I see I didn’t put my shop last week, need to track down the receipts, there was a spring cleaning and lots of things got lost… ugh…happy to get a new budget allowance for April though, I think March was smashed over. You are off to a great start under budget, well done!
I figured you were busy with your house guests and that’s why you forgot to post. I hope we can do well in April… like we did March but I’m not sure as it really depends on what we will need to stock up on.
Hey Mr CBB, here is my shop this “no shop week”
10 gallons drinking water $4
2 fried chicken breasts 1 leg $3.73
total $7.73
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $200 – $1.09 over budget this year, $198.91 or $39.78 times 5 weeks.
I will divide per 5 weeks since we usually shop on Monday or Tuesday and there are 5 of them.
Total Coupons Used this Week : none
Total Spent This Week:$ 7.73
Total Spent So Far for (April): $7.73
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $32.05 under
Total Over/Under spend for the month of (April): $32.05 under
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $191.18
Total Spent To Date This Year: $408.82
Week overview:
We still have a ton of food from last week since we had guests over, they brought food and we also stocked up more than usual, so we will eat that this week, there are lots of fruits I am afraid will go bad but don’t know what to do with to prolong their life. Mango, pineapple, watermelon, etc. maybe I will dice and freeze to make smoothies. Hey, I just gave myself an idea! Anyway, we needed water the delivery truck didn’t come for Easter last week, and I went to town for other purchases and bought BF some fried chicken. He even eats the bones and says it is delicious, I am afraid he will crack a filling. Cheers!
PS I don’t know why there was still $1.09 over budget since we were under budget for March and March was already taking into account the over budget for Feb, it may be due to the exchange rate and rounding up of prices, I’ll still play the game and remove them!
If it’s a no shop week, it sure looks like you shopped hahaha… you are pretty darn good right down to the penny with your budget, I like that. I’m like that as well and I carry over any overspends to balance out my year. WOw, eat them, and yes you can dice and freeze and make smoothies, I do that with our fruits… for sure. OMG.. the bones.. well that’s certainly nothing I would do, he’s a champ… tell him that! Keep at it…. share more recipes…. some authentic ones!!!
Week of April 1 to April 7, 2013
2013 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $142.50 x 12 = $1,710.00 for 2 adults
•Total Stockpile Budgeted For Year: $47.50 x 12 = $570.00 for 2 adults
•Total CANADIAN Grocery Budget for the Month of March: $ 142.50
•Total CANADIAN Stockpile Budget for the Month of March: $ 47.50
•Total Grocery Budget for the Week:
$ 142.50/4 = $35.62 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
•Total Stockpile Budget for the Week:
$ 47.50/4 = $11.87 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
OPENING FINDS FOR APRIL GROCERIES:
APRIL Grocery Budget (CDN): $142.50
APRIL Stockpile Budget (CDN): $47.50
APRIL Safeway Gift card (CDN): $20.00
APRIL Cash Hiding Spot (CDN): $5.00
APRIL US Grocery Reserve: $122.95 US
APRIL US Cash Hiding Spot $65.00 US
OVERVIEW:
Well, I did fine on our Canadian shopping this week but I went a wee bit over on the US shop. I felt like I made out like a bandit though…I got 12 free items from the Clearance Rack at the bakery for my sweetie! Our deep freeze is extremely well stocked now!
Since I got his bread and treats mostly free, I bought a little more cheese at Costco than I was planning & consequently I am short $3.28 US. I’ll see how I make out with the rest of the month. I will resolve that small overage either by transferring funds from the Canadian Reserve or I will take it from the US Cash hiding spot. I am hoping to have at least a couple of NO SHOP weeks in APRIL so that we can set those funds aside for our May US shopping along with the grocery budget for while we are away. 🙂
Hubby and I will be in the US again on April 27th but that isn’t a shopping trip. The plan is to have a little day trip, a lunch and maybe spend some time in Fairhaven walking along the water. I expect we’ll grocery shop in the US again when we are vacationing in Bellevue in May.
SPENT IN THIS WEEK:
SAFEWAY (CANADA)
2 dozen eggs ($5.38- $2.72 Price Reduction) = $2.66
1 cream cheese with chive and onion ($5.76 – $2.77 Price Red.) = $2.99
1 pkg pork loin chops ($25.97- $15.78 Price Reduction) = $10.19
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $21.27
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 0 Points
•Total OOP: $15.84
• Grocery Budget OOP: $5.09
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $10.75
SAVE ON FOODS – (CANADA)
1 4 L Skim Milk $4.99
1 4 L Chocolate 1% milk $5.99
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $0.00
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 0 Points
•Total OOP: $10.98
• Grocery Budget OOP: $10.98
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
SAFEWAY US – Lynden, WA
6 Ancient Harvest Spaghettini ($17.94-Price Reduction $3.00) = $14.94
6 Ancient Harvest Elbows ($17.94-Price Reduction $3.00) = $14.94
1 Ancient Harvest Rotelle ($2.99-Price Reduction $0.50) = $2.49
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $6.50
• US Grocery OOP: $32.37
FRANZ Bakery – Bellingham, WA
4 Franz White GF Bread @ $4.99 ea = $19.96
6 Franz 7-Grain GF Bread @ $4.99 ea = $29.94
5 pkg Bagel – six pack @ $1.00 ea = $5.00
5 pkg Glazed Donuts – six pack @ $1.00 ea = $5.00
2 pkg Raisin Danish – six pack each = FREE
4 large loaves Cracked Wheat Bread = FREE
2 large loaves Sourdough Bread = FREE
2 large loaves French Bread = FREE
1 large loaf Ancient Grains Bread = FREE
1 pkg 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (8 pack) = FREE
• US Grocery OOP: $59.90
COSTCO US – Bellingham, WA
2 Tillamook 2.5 lb Sharp Cheddar ($8.99 ea) = $17.98
2 Tillamook 2.5 lb Pepper Jack Cheddar ($7.99 ea) = $15.98
• US Grocery OOP: $33.96
SPENT ON CANADIAN APRIL GROCERIES:
•Total Grocery Budget OOP: ($5.09+10.98) = $16.07
•Total Stockpile Budget OOP: $10.75
•Total CASH Spent: $26.82
•Total HIDING SPOT CASH Spent: $0.00
•Total GIFT CARDS Spent: $0.00
CLOSING ON USA APRIL GROCERIES:
•Spent from US Reserve Spent: ($32.37+$59.90+$33.96) = $126.23
•Spent from US HIDING SPOT CASH Spent: $0.00
• US Reserve Remaining: $122.95-126.23 = $3.28 SHORT
• US HIDING SPOT CASH Remaining: $65.00
EARNED ON CANADIAN APRIL GROCERIES:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: ($21.27+$6.50)=$27.77
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned = 0 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned = 0 Points
•Total OOP: $26.82
SAVED IN 2013:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
(Jan $40.04) + (Feb $44.48) + (March $98.35) +
(April $27.77)= $210.64
•Total Checkout51 Savings This Year:
(Jan – $0.00) + (Feb – $0.00)+(March $0.00)+
(April $0.00)= $0.00
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
(Jan – $60.46) + (Feb – $0.00)+ (March $11.79) +
(April $ 0.00)= $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
(Jan 265) + (Feb 248)+(March 151) +
(April 0)= 664 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
(Jan 57) + (Feb 10) + (March 30) +
(April 0)= 97 Air Miles
SPENT IN 2013:
•Total Grocery OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(Jan $217.50) + (Feb $198.39)+ (March $72.90) +
(April $16.87)= $505.66
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
(Jan $190.00)+(Feb$190.00)+ (March $108.79) +
(April $142.50)= $631.29
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $125.63 UNDER
•Total StockpileOOP Spent So Far This Year:
(March $81.21) + (April $10.75) = $91.96
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
(Jan $0.00)+(Feb$0.00)+(March $81.21) +
(April $47.50)= $128.71
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $36.75
REMAINING APRIL Grocery Budget (CDN):
$142.50 – (16.87) = $125.63 AVAILABLE
REMAINING APRIL Stockpile Budget (CDN):
$47.50 – ($10.75) = $36.75 AVAILABLE
REMAINING APRIL Safeway Gift card (CDN): $20.00
REMAINING APRIL Cash Hiding Spot (CDN): $5.00
APRIL US Grocery Reserve: $3.28 US OVER
APRIL US Cash Hiding Spot $65.00 US AVAILABLE
Hi Mary!
How did you get 12 FREE items from the reduced rack? Looks like we will be motivating you to stay away from the shops for 2 weeks this month… 🙂 I’m thrilled to hear how well you did in the USA.. you took home the prize and a well stocked freezer to go along with it. Larry must be so proud of the way you shop. I really want to try that pepper jack I bet it has some good bite to it. We don’t get all those fancy kinds here that I can see. Well, with your grocery budget, hiding spots and gift card you still have a good amount to spend this month. If you do stay out of the shops you will have even more which is exactly what you want. Good for you Mary!!! Keep up the great shopping, proud of you. You get ballot #1~ Mr.CBB
The gal told me to take 12 free items because of the size of my bill. I’ll certainly be doing that again! It helps with our bread costs that I didn’t have to pay for Larry’s! $60 isn’t too bad when we each have enough bread for a month, he has all kinds of treats and I have enough GF bread in the freezer to make a nice batch or two of stuffing to go with our turkeys. Schzamm! LOL
Well, I know the Mrs. would have fallen over if someone gave us all that for free. That’s great customer service if you ask me. I would certainly go back there again.
Total Grocery Budget for the Year: $ 4080.00
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340.00 or $85.00 week
I have $340.00 to spend in March.
•Total Coupons Used this Week :$0.00
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $- 0
•Total Spent This Week:$27.04
•Total Spent So Far for (March): $27.04
•Total Over/Under spend this shop:$57.96 under
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of (March): $312.96 under
•Total Left to Spend for the Month:$312.96
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $0
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : 0
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1056.68
•Weekly Overview: With my father passing away last week we have been given so much homemade food plus the meal plans for the week he died. I am only in need of basic items, and convience food for extended family . I am hoping to really make a go for this month. My garden has begun inside and next week seeds of sorts go into the ground outside. In the meanwhile clean out the freezer.
–>
Independent
milk 3.99
chips 2.50
Dog food 12.99 x 13% 15.00
cookies 3.99
asparagus 1.56
Total 27.04
farmgirl
Sorry to hear of your loss my friend. I’m sure it’s been and will be a tough time for your family. I hope that it gets warmer as I would like to get all my seeds out as well. Oh, you bought asparagus too… that’s it now I’m really on the hunt for it. Everyone seems to be cooking with asparagus and now I want it! Chat soon, and happy saving my friend. You get ballot #2. Mr.CBB
My heart goes out to you at this saddest of times! E-Hugz! 😀
Our sympathy for your loss….. try to remember the good times…..Hugs
OK Here goes with this weeks shop…. I went to Canadian Tire as well as Foodland as they had that one day sale on sugar…. too good to pass up!!I had 2 at Foodland in one day as the girl didn’t want to let me use two coupons for two cans of coffee and I didn’t feel like raising a fuss over it, I saved enough as it is so what-ever….
Canadian Tire, March 30
4 bags sugar @1.49- 5.96
Foodland March 30
4 Triscuits @1.47- 5.88
1 jar pickles-1.79
1 jar unsweetened applesauce-1.98
1 cranberry cocktail- 1.98
3 cards- 2.00, 2.10, 2.10
1 doz eggs- 2.58
1 hamburger buns- 2.79
1 raisin bread- 2.99
1 bag rice- 3.99
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 jug water- 5.49
1 Folgers coffee-5.97, 1.00 coupon
1 pack smokes- 9.69
1 utility knife- 29.99, minus 30 stickers… free
1 utility knife-29.99, minus 30 stickers.. free
1 cooks knife-39.99, minus 40 stickers… free
tax-2.07
Total- $57.12, $100.97 in coupons/stickers
Second sale
1 Folgers coffee- 5.97, 1.00 coupon
Total $4.97
Foodland April 3
3 pasta@ 1.25- 3.75
1 baking soda- 1.49
1 cole slaw- 1.79
1 bunch celery- 1.99
1 pack breakfast sausage- 2.04
1 pack raisins- 2.29
1 w/w bread- 2.69
1 pack bagels- 2.99
1 table syrup- 2.99
1 raisin bread- 2.99
1 cider mix- 3.99
1 green pepper- .99
1 lb butter- 4.69
2 4l milk@ 4.79- 9.58
1 jug water- 5.49
1 pack smokes- 9.69
1 pack lean ground beef- 13.97
tax- 1.78
Total- $75.19
Total budget for year- $7800.00
Total budget for the month- $600.00
Total coupons/ stickers this week- $101.97
Total spent this week- $143.31
Total spent this month- $143.31
Total over/under for the week- under 6.69
Total over/un der for the month- under 6.69
Left for month- $456.69
Total coupons for the month- $101.97
Total year to date- J$818.08+ F$598.07+ M$770.12+ A$143.31 = $2329.58
Total coupons year to date- J$58.70+ F$37.51+ M$50.78+ A$ 101.97= $248.96
I did it!!! After so many overages I did it… I’m happy now!! The next trick is to do it again and I am trying there. I didn’t need milk or water today when I went in so we shall see… The knives were such a sweet deal…. I’ve been saving the stickers(one for every $10.00) and they were our daughter’s birthday gift!! She was happy to get them and I’ll get her a steel to keep them sharp shortly, that needs another 30 stickers and I’m almost there. I was so happy to get her something she wanted for her birthday and at such a good price…lol!!! I cooked the turkey from last Dec for Easter and the currant meal count so far is 3 dinners and 2 lunches. I boiled the daylights out of the remains after I picked it over for the meat and got 2 bunches of meat, plus 4-4 cup containers, 1- 2.5 cup container and one that is partly full… maybe a cup to a cup and a half in it of broth for meals down the road… not bad for a bird that wasn’t quite 12 lbs….A very good week for the grocery budget!!!
Hi Chrstine,
I didn’t make it in for the sugar but that was a great deal, good for you.Is that birthday cards? If so we just go to the dollar store once per year and pick out cards for everyone, cheaper, less time, less gas. OH>.. you got some knives.. and I’m sure she appreciated you getting them for her.Wow you got quite a few meals out of that turkey. They go a long way though so it’s worth it. A very good week indeed Christine! Look at your coupons and stickers amount 🙂 You are well on your way to a successful month I can feel it.
How long until No Frills? Shall we do a countdown lol
You get ballot #3~~ MR.CBB
April 12!!!!! And after not getting the Stratford flyers last week I called the paper about it and got an extra set of flyers, looks like I got the Stratford set because I got a Walmart, Zehrs, PetValu and a No Frills flyer!!! We don’t normally get those!!!
It must have been interesting to get the flyers you don’t normally get. I’m sure there will be loads of people anticipating the opening.
I will admit it was fun to look at flyers I don’t usually get…. I enjoyed myself there. I used to get the London ones if I was looking after the Little Man but haven’t done that at our daughter’s place lately….I will see what kind of opening day sales they have a No Frills but I might wait until the second day to avoid the worst of the crowds…… we shall see….
Yeah Christine!! I knew you could do it! 🙂
Thanks Mary…. now to do it again this week!!!!
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 year old toddler. Our budget is $90/week or $360 for this month and includes baby items, laundry, health/beauty, etc.
Walmart
Dads cookies (PM GT) 2 x $1.88
Easter chocolate on clearance 2 x $.44, 1 x $.49
OOP $5.31
Tops (USA)
Cadbury dark chocolate mini eggs $1.99 (large bag)
Tofu cheese slices 2 x $2.99
OOP $8.67
Target (USA)
Cadbury mini eggs $2.23 (large bag)
OOP $2.43
RCSS
Milk 2 x $3.97
Crème eggs 3 x $.44
Eggo’s $1.98 – $1.00 coupon
Solid bunny $1.44
Chocolate milk (PM SDM) $.99
NN mini cob corn (on blowout) 2 x $.74
NN frozen mixed veggies (large bag) $3.48
Oh Henry egg $.44
PC mac & cheese $1.00
Apples $1.24
Oranges (PM FB) $2.10
Coupons $1.00
CD $2.32
OOP $20.47
Food Basics
Sunlight laundry detergent 3 x $2.88 – 3 x $2.00 coupons
Coupons $6.00
OOP $3.76
RCSS
Heinz beans (PM Sobeys) 3 x $.88
NN tuna 3 x $1.00
PC mac & cheese $1.00
Goldfish (PM Walmart) 2 x $1.88
Dairy free yogurt $4.59
Special K cracker chips (PM Sobeys) 3 x $1.99 – FPC – 2 x $1.00 coupons
Skinny Spud Sticks 2 x $2.24 – 50% pink sticker $2.24
Apples (PM FB) $1.31
Bananas $1.29
Broccoli (PM FB) $.88
Granny Smith Apples (PM NF) $1.96
Mushrooms $.98
Tomatoes $1.12
Nailpolish (on clearance) $3.94
Sudocrem 2 x $8.97 (reg $13.99) – 2 x $1.00 coupon
Yeast $4.49
Coupons $6.99
CD $5.27
Tax free day $3.74
OOP $44.85
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,680 ($90/week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $360
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $13.99
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $0
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $0
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year:$48.50
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this week: $7.59
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this month:$7.59
• Total Colleague Discount (CD) this year: $158.11
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: 0
•Total Spent This Week: $85.49
•Total Spent So Far for April: $85.49
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: N/A
•Total Over/Under spent for the month of April: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $274.51
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $13.99
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I do not carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $1033.20
•Weekly overview: I spent way too much on chocolate this week! I just couldn’t stop myself from buying half price chocolate! Lol At least I still made it under my weekly budget and I bought 2 jars of diaper rash cream which can be costly. I had to get in on the $.88 Sunlight deal even though I don’t like using anything other than Tide I figured I can use Sunlight for my towels and sheets. I just wish they had some in stock at RCSS when I went so I could have PMed with the tax free deal but I guess everyone else had the same idea lol. I finally bought yeast (I had been waiting to see if it would go on sale but it wasn’t so I gave in today) so that I could try making bread and maybe that flatbread recipe you just posted. I also want to try your tortilla recipe one day for making quesadillas. I’m still under budget so I’m happy!
Jen, Jen, Jen,
Now you know already what I’m going to say hahahahah… I couldn’t stop, honestly I had a good idea I would read a GGC post like this from you littered with reduced chocolate. You must really love the stuff….I can’t believe the price of some of the eggs now…even cream eggs are a bit ridiculous at almost $2 an egg.. really??? I’m going to pick up some of the sunlight as well, what a great deal you got. I can’t wait to see what you do with your yeast. If you are not familiar with it do some research on line before you start because if you muck it up you risk ruining your recipe and wasting money on ingredients. Good for you under budget, chocolate and all!!! This month is going to be just as good as the last Jen.. believe it, and it WILL! You get ballot #4! Mr.CBB P.S how was your budget for March?
Our weekly budget is $100 making the month budget $400.
Some of these are multiple transactions.
Superstore
$2.10×2-$1.75C coffee creamer
$3.479$1C mouthwash
$5.36 total oop
$2.50 total coupons
Safeway
$1.99×2-bogoC gillete shave gel
$3.47 2 2L ginger ale
$1.69×10-$10.50C colgate toothpaste – donation
$12.91 total oop
$12.49 total coupons
H&W Produce
$1.02 tomatoes
$1.95 red pepper
$1.36 green pepper
$2.36 yellow/orange pepper
$1.61 jalapenos
$1.29 romaine lettuce
.48 pasilla pepper
.79 cucumber
.33×3 lemon
$1.49 blackberries
$1.59 strawberries
.16 thai chillies
$15.09 total oop
Shoppers
$2.99×3-$8.97C clear mens shampoo – donation
$2.99×2-fpcs wub clear degree deodarent – donation
$9.99-fpc wub clear vaseline lotion
$2.50×2-$3C old spice deo
$4.81 4L milk
$3.49 cocoa
$11 total oop
$27.94 total coupons
Canadian Tire
$1.80 2kg sugar
Saveonfoods
$2.69×2-bogoC(store coupon)+$2C (shouldv’e been$1C) campbells open stock
.39 total oop
$4.69 total coupons
Walmart
$2×2 old spice body spray
$1×7-$7C colgate – donation
$2×3-$3C flavoured tuna
.77 peppercorn gravy
$2-$2C shampoo – doantion
$2.22×3-$9C zantac
$2-$2C finish powerball
$6.51 total oop
$23 total coupons
Sobeys
$1×2 bologna clearance
.50×4 stove top
$1.99×2 cream cheese clearance
$2.29 bagette
.50×2 lindor chocolate
.99×2 assorted tea clearance
$6.79 comp hot lemon drink(neo citron)
$1.99×2 crackers
99×4 assorted stovetop
$1×2 canned pineapple
$9 lotto ticket normally don’t take it outta the grocery budget but did this week
$3.99×2-$3.99C&$3.99 instore free item wub3quaker items tropicana orange juice
$2×3 chewy bars
$2×4-$6C old spice deodorant
$53.80 total oop
$13.98 total coupons
$106.86 total weekly oop
$84.60 total weekly coupons
Guess if I didn’t buy our lotto with the grocery money we would be under, but I’m not worried about it and didn’t wanna shuffle around money or another tranaction to buy it.
Happy with all the donations we were able to get this week. Looking forward to another good week of donations 🙂
Hi Juanita,
One thing I like about your weekly budget is that it is’s a cool $100 bucks! Where did you get the coffee creamer coupons? Good for you making all those donations with your coupons that’s lovely mate. Is that something you do on a monthly basis? I would really love to share a story on CBB about Couponing and Donating.. if that’s something you want to help me with send me an email and we’ll get working on it. Oh! you bought a lotto ticket… hopefully you win!!! So you went overa bit this week which likely was your lotto ticket.. good for you mate.. keep up the amazing work!! You get ballot #5
Hey Mr.CBB
My creamer tear pad coupons are the .75 any 500ml or 1L lactania creams. I love to use them at superstore since it ends up being the best bang for my buck buying 2 1L, and making it only .40 more than buying the 500ml ones. I also got a couple $1 coffeemate coffee creamers from a fellow couponer that I trade very regularly with, that had gotten them from a trade with someone back east. LOL my coupons get around!!!
I am able to do such awesome donations thanks to a lovely lady that usually raock my house with inserts that she finds in the recycle bins and the luck of finding some really good tear pads!! I also do trades with a few of the same ladies that find or get extras. Match it up with amazing weekly sales a little bit can go a long way!!! 🙂
I am also lucky to have known a few coworkers for a long time and can sometimes get deals/markdowns on products that are discontinued because I am donating them to a group or the food bank.
Also when you see people redoing the planograms instores that usually means there will be markdowns soon to get rid of all the discontinued or older lines of products to make way for new ones. So make sure you keep your eyes open for even better deals!
We don’t have a stockpile or donation budget and I just take it out of regular weekly amount so I don’t get confused. Sometimes we can afford to buy extras and donate and sometimes we just can’t. I’m also not quite sure how to make it all work with adding it to our predone budget so for now we will just stick with this. I just worry that adding another budgeted thing will make us end up spending more money than we plan to. So as usual I can’t make my mind about it and can’t commit to it! My hubby wonders sometimes how he even got me down the aisle with all my commitment issues. But is sure glad he did! 😉
Haha your last line almost made me spit my tea hahah.. you’re hilarous! I think it’s great what you do with the donations Juanita and many people out there are benfiting form your time and generosity.
Week #1 1 – 7 Apr 2013
No Frills
1 x Honey Nut Cheerios $2.97
2 x Eggs @$1.99 = $3.98
1 x Neilson Milk $3.97
2 x Wonder Bread Invisibles @$2.98 = $5.78 – $2 Coupon = $3.78
1 x Bacon Pack $3.49 – $2 Coupn = $1.49
1 x Pork Roast $7.94
1 x Bunch Asparagus $2.33
1 x Bunch Organic Bananas $1.70
2 x Pack Mushrooms @$0.97 = $1.94
1 x Pack Onions $1.67
1 x Box Mandarin Oranges $3.99
1 x Pack Organic Red Delicious Apples $3.99
1 x Pack Organic Carrots $2.47
1 x Pack of 3 Garlic $0.59
3 x Plastic Bags $0.15
Beef & Chicken from Farm $11.05
Total Out of Pocket $46.56
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $240.00 or $60/week inclusive of stockplie budget
Total Coupons Used this Week : $4 + $7.45 Gas Coupons = $11.45
Total Discounts this Week: $
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
Total Rewards Points Used: $0
Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used $0
Total Spent This Week:$46.56
Total Spent So Far for (April): $46.56
Total Under spend this shop: $13.44
Total Under spend for the month of (April): $13.44
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $193.44
Total Coupons Used This Month :$11.45
Total to Carry Over Next Month : $
Alrighty, so 3rd April was my first day back from my awesome vacation in Singapore! So right out of the airport to No Frills since we didn’t have the basics at home like milk, eggs. I’m going to include Beef & Chicken from the farm as a weekly cost.
Hi Adeline!!!
Do you normally buy bags when you shop? We carry our own but sometimes forget. We try to keep a stash in the vehicle, our coupon binder bag or the wife’s purse. Sure, rub in your awesome vacation hahah… I’m glad you had a good time. Sounds like your shops from here on out will be catch up shops to stock up again. What did you eat in Singapore that was new? You get ballot #19
Nah, I don’t normally buy bags. Cos we were from the airport, only had our luggage with us haha. There are quite a number of places that still give free bags, like Shoppers Drug Mart today in Orillia, she gave 3 free bags for my stuff. And I’ve come across WalMart as well. Yes, I need to stock up! Not too much new food in Singapore, mainly ate most of everything that I missed. Perhaps 2 new things, stir fry potato leaves and shrimp with tofu or something like that.
ya, I suppose you didn’t want to empty your suitcase and roll them in instead haha. What are stir fry potato leaves?
Walmart
Stages toothpaste – sale 2x$1.97
Kid’s battery toothbrush – $5.00
Kraft BBQ sauce – sale 2x$1.00
Fruite drink – 2x$1.97
Fruit by the foot – $2.47
GV snack bars – $1.57
Fish crackers – sale $1.88
Bear paws – sale $1.88
Handisnacks – sale 3x$1.00
Pringle chips – 3 for $5.00
Clover Leaf tuna – $2.00
Tomatoes – $1.06
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $35.71
Walmart
Stouffers Chicken Alfredo sale $4.97
Avocadoes – 2x$.77
Apples – $1.93
Minigo yogurt – sale 3x$2 – $.50c
•Total Coupons Used: $0.50
•Total Out Of Pocket: $13.94
•Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3975 (I decreased my budget starting this month by $25 so my new weekly budget is $75.00)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $325
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $.50
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
•Checkout 51 rebate cheque used this week: $0
•Checkout 51 rebate cheque used this month: $0
•Total Spent This Week:$49.65
•Total Spent So Far for April: $49.65
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: under $25.35
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of April: under $25.35
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $299.65
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $.50
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I don’t carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $873.26
•Weekly Overview: So I got way behind in my grocery posts this month (I am actually posting this in May now) but I had a good beginning to my month. Did not need to do much shopping. I was however able to stock up on some snacks for my daughter’s lunches. This was the first week with the new grocery budget.
Hey Joanna,
I get the distinct feeling either you were hungry for snacks when you went to WM or that is where you buy all the snacky items for the kids.. Off to a good start for April.. now lets see what the rest of the month brings you. You get ballot #28 AH.. there’s my answer in the last sentence of your post lol… you have one heck of a budget $325… I’ll be watching you closely… you can do this!!!!