10 ways to save on groceries

10 tips for saving at the grocery store

Buy local. You can save money on fruits and vegetables by buying local as much as possible. Planning your menus around food that is in season means fresher ingredients and that you won't be incurring expensive food transportation costs.

Comparison shop. Look around for the best bargains, and not only in grocery stores. Pharmacies and hardware stores often offer good deals on staple items. If you find a good price, consider stocking up.

Shop smart. Make a grocery list and a weekly spend limit – and stick to it. Even small impulse items can add up – as much as 10 per cent of your yearly grocery bill, according to some experts. Utilize store circulars and coupons. And be sure to check your receipts for accuracy. Accidental overcharges can add up to a hundreds of dollars over the course of a year. Note: In Canada, if you're overcharged because of a scanning error, you could be eligible to receive the item for free (or $10 off if the item is more than $10).

Go green. Concerned about the high prices of organic foods? Target your spending and go organic for foods where conventional pesticide use is high. These foods include apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.

Get out the slow cooker. Buying inexpensive (and tougher) cuts of meats won't be a sacrifice if you slow cook them to mouth-watering tenderness. Slow cookers also make great use of leftover vegetables.

Make your own cleaning products. A trip down the cleaning supplies aisle can add big bucks to your grocery bill. Instead consider making natural and less expensive cleaning solutions from items in your pantry. (Read more).