Even with the rising cost of living, there are still ways to save cash when traveling, eating out, and, of course, buying essentials like groceries.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca shares some lessons learned from CTV Morning Live’s Super Savings Week.
how to save money on groceries
Food prices continue to rise, but there are ways to bulk up your cupboard without breaking the bank.
Dee DeBarros, one half of TikTok’s Coupon Couple, appeared on CTV Morning Live to discuss how to save like a pro.
“We spend about $120 to $150 a month, which equates to about $600 in groceries,” she said.
DeBarros says many coupons these days are digital, and there are several apps that can help you save money.
“There are cashback apps, receipt apps, loyalty programs like PC Optimum, Scene Points, and Air Miles, all of which reduce out-of-pocket costs for groceries,” she said. “If you’re well organized, it’s a lot easier for cashiers. When it comes to matching prices or using coupons, knowing the rules will speed up the process a lot, and using self-checkout You will be able to use
Here are three things you can do to get started.
1. Download the Flipp or Reebee flyer app.
“This will start the exercise of looking at flyers and planning every Thursday,” DeBarros said.
2. Download the Checkout 51 Cashback app.
“Canada’s most popular cashback app is Checkout 51, which lets you start saving money right away, right on your phone,” DeBarros said.
3. Choose a grocery store that fits your needs
“Loyalty points, price match, the ability to redeem coupons, those three things don’t even require you to stand up,” she said.
how to save on travel
Even if the costs go up, you can still manage to stay within your budget.
Sissy de Flavis is a local content creator and avid traveler.
“When it comes to travel, you have to budget for yourself. Travel is a priority for me, so I budget for everyday life, because obviously living in Canada has become very expensive. And… “Once you decide to travel, it’s definitely a carry-on, definitely a backpack,” she said.
De Flavis said the first step to finding a good deal is to put your browser into private mode.
“The reason is because you always have a cookie, so you don’t want to be tracked when you’re traveling, so the price of your ticket always stays consistent,” she explained.
The next step is to be flexible with your travel itinerary.
“We have a destination called Colombia, so if you go to Google Flights, it will tell you which days are cheaper, so in some cases it might be cheaper to travel on a Thursday than on a Wednesday. For example, from $30 to $100. The dollar can go down,” she said. she said. “Then I move on to Skyscanner and always find the cheapest flights there.”
De Flavis said it could be cheaper to fly from Montreal than from Ottawa.
“You can save about $300 by flying from Ottawa. It’s less convenient, but you can do rideshare, and the bus is about $50, so it’s definitely cheaper to fly from Montreal.”
For accommodation, you have several options. Staying with friends can save you money, but if you’re heading somewhere new, there are still ways to save money.
“Google Hotels allows you to compare and contrast different locations, and Booking.com always offers different offers,” de Flavis said. “There’s a debate between hotels and hostels. Hostels are cheaper, but sometimes I want to spend a little more on comfort and having my own space. Also, with Airbnb popping up all over the place… Because of this, hostel and hotel prices are contrasting.
Another thing to keep in mind is the location of where you will be staying.
“Being close to the restaurants you want to go to and the activities you want to do, and having access to public transportation means you don’t have to pay for a taxi or walk, which saves you money on your trip,” she said. That’s why finding a location is so important.
De Flavis adds that choosing a hotel that offers breakfast can help you save money on food and get your day off to a good start.
“That way, you can have a delicious breakfast and feel full, and you can always buy fruit on the go to snack on throughout the day,” she explained. “If I stay in an Airbnb, I try to buy a little bit of groceries so I can cook at home. If it’s a restaurant, I ask the locals. That’s the most important thing, but I don’t have enough of it.” I think if they know the best spots, they won’t fall into the tourist trap.
How to save money on eating out
You can enjoy a fun night out without spending a fortune.
Local foodie and content creator Christiana Osei shared some tips for saving money when eating out on CTV Morning Live.
The first tip is to check the menu in advance.
“Checking the menu and planning your meals in advance is essential to save money,” Osei says. “You basically know the size of your plate. You know you’re not ordering too much in advance and you save money.”
Staying up to date with local information can lead to finding great deals.
“Follow not only your favorite restaurants, but also your favorite food bloggers,” Osei says. “Local food bloggers are essential because they help you find out about things like Chicken Tuesday and Wing Tuesday. When you follow those types of deals, you know where you can save money that day, so you can save a lot of money. It saves you money.”
Another tip is to eat a little something before you leave.
“You don’t want to go into a restaurant when you’re hungry because you’ll end up ordering more food.”
Sharing plates can also reduce costs.
“You can order a lot of things and try different things without spending a lot of money. That way, everyone going out together can split the cost.”
Loyalty programs that offer free meals are another way to save money.
“There are programs that offer loyalty programs, like programs with certain banks or shopping at certain locations. It’s really good to take advantage of those benefits and save money in this economy. ” she says.
