Grocery Store Swaps That Save You Money
If your grocery bill feels like it’s climbing higher every single week… you’re not imagining it.
Groceries in Canada have gotten expensive. For most families, it can be one of the hardest areas to cut back on. You still need to eat, and you probably don’t want to spend hours couponing or driving all over town chasing deals.
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to save money.
A few simple grocery store swaps can make a noticeable difference on your grocery bill. All without sacrificing convenience or the foods your family actually enjoys.
Let’s get into it shall we?
Buy Oatmeal Instead of Dry Cereal
Buy this: Oatmeal
Not that: Dry cereal
Do away with the expensive boxes of cereal full of sugar and buy oatmeal! You could purchase those convenient packs of pre-made oatmeal, but I’d encourage you to buy a bag of oats instead. I find it so easy to create my own instant oatmeal packs. Plus, I can control the sugar quantity by adding my own sweeteners and various toppings. Oatmeal will also help keep you feeling full longer so you may need less snacks 😉
Buy Ingredients, Not Pre-Packaged Foods
Buy this: Basic ingredients
Not that: Individually packaged foods
Pre-packaged foods like spice seasoning blends, baking mixes, granola bars, cookies and muffins add up quickly. Especially if you’re feeding kids!
Instead, try simple homemade options. I’ve got some basic recipes you could try:
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Strawberry Banana Ice Cream (Dairy Free)
- Banana Bread
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Taco Seasoning
- No Bake Energy Bites
- Tasty Hummus Recipe
- Thin Crust Pizza Dough Recipe
- Homemade Granola
- Homemade Bisquick
- Pancake Mix
Real-life tip: You don’t have to be “perfect”. Even one homemade swap a week can save money!
Buy Frozen fruit Instead of Fresh
Buy this: Frozen berries
Not that: Fresh berries in the off-season
Fresh berries can be shockingly expensive, especially in the winter months.
Frozen fruit is:
- Picked at peak ripeness
- Often cheaper
- Perfect for smoothies, yogurt bowls, and baking
Bonus: It lasts way longer, so you’ll waste less food (and money).
Buy Store Brand, Not Name Brand
Buy this: Store brand (No Name, Great Value, Compliments)
Not that: Big-name brands
This is one of the easiest wins.
Most store brands are made in the same facilities as name brands, but without the higher price tag that comes with marketing and packaging.
You’ll especially notice savings on:
- Pantry staples (flour, sugar, pasta)
- Canned goods
- Frozen fruits and veggies
- Dairy products
Buy Block Cheese, Not Pre-Shredded
Buy this: Block cheese
Not that: Pre-shredded cheese
Pre-shredded cheese might feel convenient but you’re paying extra for it. It also contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect how it melts.
Frugal tip: Shred a whole block of cheese at once and store it in the fridge for the week. Same convenience, lower cost.
Buy Yogurt tubs Instead of Cups
Buy this: Yogurt Tubs
Not that: Individual yogurt cups
Sure, yogurt cups are really convenient for packing in lunches, but you could spend a little extra time once a week filling up reusable containers with yogurt from a tub instead. Buying yogurt in larger quantities (tubs or those pour bags) will save you big time.
Bonus: You can control the sweetness, flavours and boost protein if you purchase plain Greek yogurt tubs.
Buy Store Brand, Not Name Brand
Buy this: Store brand (No Name, Great Value, Compliments)
Not that: Big-name brands
This is one of the easiest wins. Most store brands are made in the same facilities as name brands, but without the higher price tag that comes with marketing and packaging.
You’ll especially notice savings on:
- Pantry staples (flour, sugar, pasta)
- Canned goods
- Frozen fruits and veggies
- Dairy products
Buy Whole Chicken, Not Pre-Cut Pieces
Buy this: Whole chicken
Not that: Pre-cut chicken breasts or thighs
Whole chickens are almost always cheaper per pound.
Plus, you can:
- Cut it up to use in multiple meals
- Use leftovers for soups or wraps
- Make homemade broth with the bones
Buy Ingredients for Dressing Instead of Bottled
Buy this: Ingredients for homemade dressings
Not that: Pre-made bottled dressings
Making salad dressings from scratch has got to be one of the most simple kitchen tasks you could do. Believe me, because I don’t do complicated in the kitchen! If you usually reach for those pricey organic or natural salad dressings at the store, switching to homemade can save you a surprising amount on your grocery bill. With just a few simple, budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, you can whip up your own in minutes! Here are some of my recipes:
Buy a Head of lettuce instead of bagged salad
Buy this: Head of lettuce
Not that: Bagged salad
Not only is a head of lettuce much cheaper than the bags or containers of lettuce, they last longer too! I understand the convenience of buying a bag or container, but it really doesn’t take much effort to tear up some lettuce leaves for a salad. Especially when you have to sort through the slimy pieces in the bags or containers anyways.
Buy Dried beans and lentils instead of canned
Buy this: Dried beans or lentils
Not that: Canned beans or lentils
I’ll be honest, we don’t eat a lot of beans in our house, so I usually reach for the canned version. But if beans are a staple in your meals, buying them dried is a much more budget-friendly option. You can save a significant amount over time, and cooking them is easier than you might think. Just toss them in your slow cooker or use your Instant Pot for a quick, hands-off batch.
As you can see, saving money on groceries doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you love or spending hours planning.
It’s really about being intentional.
Start with just 1-2 of these grocery store swaps this week, and you’ll likely notice a difference at checkout. And the best part? These changes are simple enough to stick with so the savings add up over time.
Which of these grocery store swaps are you already doing, and which one are you going to try next?
A lot of the so-called ‘Natural’ and ‘healthy’ cereals are filled to the brim with sugars. Kashi cereals use lots different sugars under names like Cane Sugar, Cane Syrup, Honey, Rice Brown Syrup and Cane juice crystals. Some other ways you find sugar are molasses, fruit juice concentrate, brown sugar, corn sweetener, sucrose, lactose, glucose, high- fructose corn syrup and malt syrup (USDA 2006a). I look for the cereals that don’t have these, and add my own sweetness with fresh or frozen fruit.
I really loved these, thank you for sharing. I especially like buying the big tubs of yogurt (when I don’t have a chance to make it myself). I just pack small Tupperware containers with yogurt and fruit for me during the week. The kids get re-usable go-gurt pouches that I got on Amazon and I can wash and refill them every week. It’s a great way to save and I love that I can add all sorts of additions to it.