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How can I save money shopping?

You can save money shopping by thrifting, subscribing to grocery store flyers or couponing, buying in bulk, or joining loyalty programs.

Buy Second-Hand (Thrifting)

In Canada, it is acceptable to buy "second-hand" clothing, furniture and other household items in thrift stores. Thrift stores are operated by religious or charitable non-profit organizations and run on donations of gently used goods. You can find good deals and save money by "thrifting" previously owned items in stores such as:

There are also independently-owned private second-hand stores. Just search for “thrift stores near me,” and you will find different options in your area.

Garage and Yard Sales

Garage or yard sales are informal private sales held by individuals or organizations on their home or apartment building lawns. They are more difficult to find because people don’t often advertise them. You might need to walk or drive around neighbourhoods to discover a yard or garage sale. Look out for signs on street corners or in front of houses advertising when and where this will happen. Search online for “garage/yard sales” for platforms that advertise these sales. And remember: Negotiating is acceptable.

It’s within city bylaws to leave oversized items like sofas, electronics, and furniture by the curb or in garbage disposal areas (apartment buildings) on garbage-pickup day. If you spot an item that looks good by a garbage or recycling bin, you can take it. You don’t need to ask for permission.

Also, if you feel like taking a drive, look out for Curbside Giveaway Days, where neighbours are invited to place their unwanted free items on their front lawns for other residents to take.

See Curbside Giveaway events across Ontario for dates:

Online Marketplaces

Different marketplace apps allow individuals to sell goods privately online. A few of the most popular ones are:

Beware that some online platforms are less secure than others, with scammers and criminals looking to take your money before you even meet them. Always follow safety-first practices when using online marketplaces:

Check the site to make sure it's legitimate. Look for past activity, and check that the seller's profile looks real (see seller reviews from other buyers).
Trust your gut. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
Never give money or accept a request to pay a deposit before you meet.
Choose a public meeting spot that is neutral, such as a busy coffee shop, a bank, or even a police station parking lot, to ensure the transaction is safe. Scammers won’t want to meet in places that can compromise their criminal activity.
Ask for additional photos of the items if you need more information. If the seller refuses, it could be a sign of a scam or hiding a product in poor condition.

Couponing and Loyalty Programs

Subscribe to store flyers by email or text and get updates on sales, discounts, and coupons. Although traditional coupons are not as popular, you can still get discount codes, flyers with weekly savings on select products, and information about special discount days and events.

The Flipp App gives you the latest store flyers and savings deals for your favourite stores in your area, all in one central place.

These popular loyalty programs let you collect points every time you shop:

Scene+ (groceries, entertainment and movies)
Moi Rewards (groceries)
PC Optimum (groceries, drug store products, gasoline)
Triangle Rewards (multi-brand retail stores)
Petro Points (gasoline)

You can later redeem those points for free products and money towards your future purchases. Many stores offer rewards programs. Ask the sales staff about their rewards program and how to apply for a membership.

NOTE* All suggestions in this article are for your information only. Settlement.Org does not recommend or endorse any particular listing site, app or loyalty program.

Buy Bulk

Bulk-buying is purchasing a greater number or larger-sized items for a discounted price. This can be ideal for families where the savings can offset the bigger investment needed to store the items. But remember that wholesale clubs also require an annual membership fee, which you must pay to enjoy the discounts.

Get it for Free

Some community centres, public libraries and other non-profit agencies provide reduced-cost or free services, such as access to computers and the internet.

Many community agencies can help you find low-cost goods and free services. To find help, go to Services Near Me and search for "settlement services" in your area.

For More Information

Competition Bureau Consumer Information Page - This government website has information to help consumers make informed decisions and protect themselves from scams. There is also an online complaint form.
What is the Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) - find out how a store clerk making an error scanning a product can save you money on your purchase. From Settlement.Org
Consumer Reports - A database of consumer reports for a variety of products. Search by keyword.
Farmer's Markets in Ontario - The directory lists farmers' markets across Ontario.
Track your Budget with the Butterfly App - This article shows you how to use the Butterfly App from Credit Canada to track your monthly expenses, making it easy to track (record) your fixed and variable spending. Knowing how you spend your money is the first step in creating a realistic budget.