Smart Savings in Canada: Practical Mom Tips for Groceries, Dining, and Online Shopping
Living with kids in Canada means expenses quickly add up—from skyrocketing grocery bills, eating out, and even small online purchases often feel more expensive than expected. But guess what? You don’t need to feel strapped. I’ve rounded up tools that have genuinely helped our household save, enjoy little treats without guilt, and make smarter spending decisions. These apps and strategies—including Too Good To Go, Rakuten, Honey, and more—are straightforward to use and totally doable for busy families. Embracing smart savings in Canada can truly transform your budgeting experience.
🍱Too Good To Go – Surprise Bags Near You, Priced for Families
Have you tried Too Good To Go (TGTG) yet? It’s perfect if you live near any major Canadian city, and especially active in Quebec. Restaurants, bakeries, and cafes list “surprise bags” of unsold food at steep discounts—often around one-third the normal price. It’s perfect if you’re curious to try snacks from new places without paying full price. Not only does it help your budget, but it also supports reducing food waste.
💡 Since launching in Canada in 2021, the app has helped rescue over 4.2 million meals, with users saving over $55 million. They partner with major brands like Whole Foods, Tim Hortons, and grocery chains like Metro and Super C, among others.
Use it as an inexpensive adventure with kids—“What’s inside the bag today?” becomes a fun question. However, be strategic. Pick up times are often late (after 7 PM), which can be tough with toddlers. I try to choose locations near my work or on my route home to maximize time efficiency. Also, be realistic about what you can freeze immediately if you get a bakery bag full of bread.
Quick Tip: Check user reviews in-app to avoid disappointing surprises, and prioritize places that offer items you can easily store, freeze, or use in a full meal.
💻 Online Shopping Hacks: Rakuten, Honey & Airmilesshop
With young kids, I often shop online more than I’d like to admit. That’s where cashback and coupon apps really shine.
1. Rakuten Canada – Cashback That Feels Like Tax Free
For me, Rakuten.ca is a game-changer. Every time you shop through Rakuten, you earn cashback. Here’s my Rakuten referral link if you’d like to give it a try.
- It’s Canada’s biggest cash-back portal, partnering with hundreds of retailers.
- Cashback rates range from 1% to 10%+, especially during special promotions.
- Cashbacks are paid out quarterly through PayPal, cheque, or direct deposit.
- Mom Hack: Combine Rakuten with why-not coupons (Honey) or credit card points for maximum impact.
2. Honey – Auto Coupons & Price Alerts to the Rescue
Installing Honey is like having a bargain-hunting best friend in your browser.
- Automatically applies discount codes at checkout across thousands of sites.
- The “Droplist” feature alerts you when prices drop on items you’re eyeing.
- Totally hands-free savings—which is lifesaving when juggling kids and screens.
- Here’s my Honey referral link if you’d like to give it a try.
3. AirMiles Shop – Reward Yourself While You Shop
Already collect Air Miles? Then start all your online shopping through the AirMiles Shop portal.
- Earn Air Miles on purchases you were making anyway.
- Look out for bonus events where points multiply.
- Pair with an Air Miles-earning credit card, and you’re stacking rewards automatically.
🛒 Flipp & Price Matching – Grocery Deals in Your Pocket
Groceries are one of the biggest budget challenges in Canada. Here’s how I manage them, beyond just using coupons:
1. Loyalty Programs are Essential
Every major chain has a loyalty program for a reason—it’s the easiest way to earn cashback on items you buy anyway. In Quebec, that means the PC Optimum program (for Loblaws, Superstore, Provigo, and Maxi) and the Moi program (for Metro, Jean Coutu, and Super C). Make sure you’re signed up for both and always load your offers.
2. The Meal Planning Integration Strategy
Next, combine them with tools like the Flipp App. It collects flyers from all major retailers so you can compare deals in one place. Instead of planning a meal (like spaghetti) and then shopping, smart moms flip the process: I plan my meals based on the deals I find in Flipp.
- Check Flipp: I look for proteins and vegetables with the biggest discounts across Maxi, Super C, and Metro flyers.
- Build the Week’s Menu: If chicken thighs are $3/lb this week, I plan for two chicken meals. If canned tomatoes are on sale, I plan for homemade pizza or chili.
- Price Matching (Where Available): Stores like Maxi still honour price matching against other flyers. (Note: Walmart stopped this practice in 2020, but it never hurts to ask politely at the Maxi register!)
This strategy ensures that my family is eating well, but always at the lowest possible cost, saving me 15-20% weekly.
Finally, if you’re up for a little adventure, consider a store like Les Escomptes St-Jean if you don’t mind the drive to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. You need to pay close attention to the expiry dates, but if you’re buying products that can be frozen, you can find some truly incredible deals. It’s a gold mine for smart shoppers!
📦Amazon Price Trackers – Wait for the Drop
You know how it goes—Prime Day or Black Friday rolls around, and you see a “deal” that seems too good to be true. But have you ever wondered if the price was secretly hiked up just to be lowered for the big sale? I’ve been there, feeling that exact skepticism! Instead, I use price tracker tools to make sure I’m getting the lowest possible price:
- Keepa, Trackly, or CamelCamelCamel show price history and can alert you when products hit your price point.
- I pass on impulse buys and wait—tracking can often save 20–30%, especially on electronics and family items.
💡Final Thoughts
Saving money in Canada isn’t about extreme couponing or giving up little joys. It’s about using smart tools—apps like Too Good To Go, Rakuten, Honey, and Flipp—to make sure you’re not overspending when you don’t have to. For families, especially, these small savings add up quickly. Whether it’s enjoying discounted pastries, earning cashback online, or catching an Amazon deal at the right moment, these budget tips in Canada can make life a little easier and your wallet a little happier. I’d love to hear and learn from you, too!
🔗 Recommended Resources & Links
Cashback & Coupons (Affiliate Links):
- Rakuten Canada: Here’s my Rakuten referral link if you’d like to give it a try.
- Honey: Here’s my Honey referral link if you’d like to give it a try.
