THUNDER BAY – Are you using coupons? According to a new survey conducted in the United States, by Harris Interactive, and commissioned by Coupons.com, rising costs of food are giving Americans sticker shock at the grocery store, and 95% of U.S. adults plan to employ at least one savings strategy at the grocery as a result. And, says the report, consumers, particularly those in higher income brackets, are responding with additional saving strategies.
The survey found that incorporating coupons was the most popular planned activity to off-set rising food prices, followed by other budget-stretching actions:
- Using coupons (72%)
- Comparing unit prices of package sizes (71%)
- Shopping at discount grocery stores (66%)
- Stocking up when items reach rock-bottom prices (64%)
- Buying in bulk (57%)
Steven Boal, CEO of Coupons.com Incorporated, opines that “… (since) food prices are expected to continue to rise this year to potentially all-time highs… consumers are… stretching budgets, and… will take matters into their own hands when it comes to mitigating the effects of higher food costs.”
In Canada prices on many items in the grocery stores have already started to witness price increases. In Northern communities in Northwestern Ontario, prices which are often already high will likely see increases.
Coupons and other deals and discounts by manufacturers can help you save money on your grocery bill.
How?
First you have to visit sites online like save.ca and smartcanucks.ca. Both sites offer links to deals and “freebies” offered by manufacturers.
On save.ca there is a regularily updated list of coupons from manufacturers. One of the most constant coupons offered are for products for babies. Diapers, wipes and formula are frequently discounted.
Getting into using coupons can be fun, if you visit the discussion forum on www.smartcanucks.ca you will find lots of people who are sharing the coupons and deals that they find.
You can stretch your own budget and save money too.