LILLEY: Inflation is up, here is how to save at the grocery store

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When a few chicken breasts cost almost as much as a case of beer or an entrée at an expensive restaurant, you know things have gone crazy.

Last week, social media was in full outrage mode over a package of six chicken breasts with a price tag of $37.03. The unit price of $26.87 per kilo or $12.21 per pound was outrageous by any standard. The photo was taken at a Toronto Loblaws location and the company defended itself by saying this was a package of premium chicken and was being charged at the going rate.

You don’t need to be shopping for premium chicken breast to see that prices have gone up. This past weekend I was in a discount grocery store and walked away from chicken drumsticks when I saw the store was charging almost $7 per pound.

We don’t have a choice to stop eating but we do have a choice to shop smart to save money or at least contain the ever-expanding grocery bill.

Here are my top tips learned from my mother and from feeding my four kids on a radio reporter’s salary when they were young:

Buy fresh over prepared – I was chatting with my oldest son recently and he told me he was buying prepared meals to save money because he thought it was cheaper. It’s not and never will be. Buy fresh and learn to cook from scratch if you don’t know how, it really is easy.

Shop the sales/flyers – Don’t buy on impulse, buy based on what is on sale whenever you can. This might mean buying two chickens for example and freezing one for the week it’s not on sale but shopping this way will save you money.

Join the loyalty program – Many stores not only offer their flyers through their loyalty program apps, but they will also offer members exclusive deals. Yes, they generically track your shopping habits but that’s how they know what to offer you deals on – things you’ve bought in the past. It’s worth it. You may even earn points to redeem for free products.

Make a list or plan out meals – Before you head out shopping, check the flyers, check the loyalty program app and make a list. If you can be organized enough, plan out meals for the next several days or for the full week. This will cut down on impulse purchases and trips to the store for things you forgot.

Know the best time to find deals – One of the things I’ve learned over the years is to know when to find the best deals. One of my local stores puts meat that is close to the best before date on sale at 50% off in the mornings. You will need to cook the meat that day or freeze it, but the deals can be fantastic. I find the best time is between 8:30 and 10 and especially so on the day after the store has been closed for a holiday.

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Buy items that can stretch to more than one meal – Buying a whole chicken? Plan on making soup with the bones and leftover meat. Buying a roast? Buy one a little bigger than you need and make a stew with the rest.

Learn to use lesser cuts of meat – You don’t always need chicken breast, especially when it is $37, and you don’t always need fresh salmon when you can get a deal on frozen fish. Leave the premium meals for treats when you are trying to save money.

Buy store brands – Not all store brands are created equal or are as good as brand names but in most cases you won’t notice a difference and you will save money.

Compare price per unit – When you see the price sticker on the shelf, look closely for the price per unit such as so many cents per 100 grams. You’ll sometimes have the choice of several different sizes, sometimes of the same brand, and this tells you which package is the best price.

Consider alternative stores – While often grocery stores have the best prices, sometimes discount retailers or pharmacies have great specials on staples especially bread, milk, butter and eggs.

There are more tricks of the trade, such as buying fruits and vegetables in season as much as possible, but these tips will help reduce your grocery bill, they might even help you eat healthier.

Post your tips for saving on the grocery bill in the comments section and I’ll share them in a future column.

blilley@postmedia.com