Through the miracle of Skype, you can catch me on the morning news on their special “Money Bank” show.

Here are the ideas I spouted there:

1- Use a list. Otherwise you will buy things that you do not need and waste money on things you already have as it’s hard to  remember what’s in your cupboard
2 – Stock up on the sale items you use.  80% of what is in your cart should be on sale
3 – Know the time of  the year for sales on particular foods, i.e.  meat for the BBQ season, sugar for jam season and load up
4 – Find a small fruit & veggie store in your neighborhood.  Prices are often better and there is no risk of buying things you didn’t plan on which would have happened if  you had run into a supermarket.  This way too, you can support a local family
5 – Only buy fruits and vegetables that are on sale. Change what you eat, and vary your diet and your nutrients. Seasonal choices are fresher and healthier. There is no reason you have to have a tomato in your salad every day.
6 – Shop the edges of the store  – you will find only fresh veggies, dairy, meat and not factory-made food
7 – Don’t buy cleaning supplies. Find classic recipes online. If you must –  just use one multi-purpose kind for everything, and buy a 4L size of it and then refill a spray bottle.
8 – Don’t buy resealable bags. Use the free plastic fruit & veggie bags with twist ties. Freeze in milk bags, they’re nice and thick. Take food in reusable containers. (If you must buy some bags, re-wash and re-use).
9 – Buy whole chickens on sale and cut them up yourself. You can find directions on line
10 – Buy inexpensive blade roast on sale and cut into cubes or strips for stir frying
11- Don’t buy individual sized items like juice boxes. Buy a big one and freeze in reusable cups or use a thermos.
12 – How hard is it to rip a lettuce? Stop buying bagged salad greens
13- Supermarkets clear out fresh items at the end of day or first thing in the morning: baked goods, prepared foods like BBQ chickens, fruits and veggies. Look in those sections and find out when and where the sale items are.
14 – Day old bread. There is nothing wrong with it (you eat it at home when it is a day old). Buy it and save.

Shop with cash. Keep track of your basket total as you go along. You won’t go over budget this way

Date: Fri Oct 2: 6-10am
Location: CTV News Ottawa
If you miss it you can watch it on YouTube