Smart Shoppers

Smart shoppers stretch their dollars and seek the most "bang for their buck" by comparison shopping, researching the best prices and accessing money-saving coupons or rebates.

Here are some examples of smart shopping:

• At the grocery compare items based on their per unit price. For example, if there are four different brands of multi-grain bread buy the one that best suits your needs with the lowest unit price. If two stores sell the same brand of milk and the cost per litre at Store X is twenty-five cents lower than at Store Y; buy the milk at Store X.
• The cost per litre of gas at the station in the town where you work is 20 cents less than the town where you live; buy the gas in the town where you work.
• Your family has decided to purchase a camcorder and you know what features you want. Compare the prices of various camcorders at electronics stores, a local camera store, a discount store, a warehouse store, and online. Choose the vendor who is selling the camcorder you want for less than everyone else.
• Frequent websites such as Simply Frugal, Websaver.ca, or SmartCanucks.ca for coupons and deals.
• Always using a grocery list will help you resist the urge to impulse shop.
• For more information refer to Consolidated Credit’s booklet "Shop Smart and Save"

Tip: Typically, any items you purchase at a convenience store or a specialty store will cost more than if you purchase the same items at a grocery store, warehouse store, or at a discount store.