It's no secret that the cost of groceries is hitting Canadians in the wallets, and with many looking for ways to reduce their food bills, some shoppers are turning to retailers like Dollarama to help get meals on the table.
During a recent trip to Dollarama in the West End of Toronto I discovered so many unexpected food items that I didn't think would be at the dollar store and upon doing some research, it turns out buying at the low-cost retailer can save you big bucks over shopping at traditional grocery stores.
If products like Tostitos, Starbucks and butter chicken are items you generally shop for, it's definitely worth hitting up Dollarama.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index, food in general was 5% more expensive in December of 2023 in comparison to December of 2022. In particular, meat went up by 5.5%, dairy products and eggs went up by 3.4%, fresh fruit went up by 3.3% and fresh vegetables went up by 0.5%.
While you won't be getting fresh fruit or meat at Dollarama, saving money with their products for items on your list can help ease the pain of the necessary perishable items you need to buy.
Here are some of the unexpected grocery products you can pick up at Dollarama that'll also save you money over buying them at grocery stores.
Country Harvest Everything Bagels
A bagel from Tim Hortons is always a great way to start the morning, but a much cheaper option would be to pick up a package of six Country Harvest Everything bagels at Dollarama.
"Made with whole grains and containing a source of fibre, plus the amazing taste of roasted garlic, savoury onion, topped with sesame and poppy seeds," says Country Harvest of their product. Yum!
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 450 grams
Price at Loblaws: $3.49 for 250 grams
Sharwood's Extra Creamy Butter Chicken
If you love ordering in Indian food but don't love the cost, why not have a go at making it yourself? At Dollarama, you can get Sharwood's Extra Creamy Butter Chicken for just $2.50. You'll still need to buy the chicken or plant protein to accompany it, but it'll cost you much less than that takeout will.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 395 mL
Price at Metro: $6.99 for 395 mL
Classic White and Whole Wheat Wonder Bread
Is there anything more classic than Wonder Bread? You can choose between either white or whole wheat, depending on taste or dietary preferences, all while saving yourself over a loonie.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 675 grams
Price at Metro: $4.39 for 675 grams
Organic Coconut Sugar
For those who like baking, you can pick up Organic Coconut Sugar for all of your culinary creations instead of using white or brown sugar.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 300 grams
Price at Bulk Barn: $1.67 for 100 grams
D'Italiano Crostini Sausage Buns
And if you have little ones at home who like mid-week hot dog dinners, a pack of these D'Italiano Sausage Buns can likely feed the whole family.
"These soft, indulgent sausage buns are perfect for hearty breakfasts, long lunches, decadent dinners, backyard barbecues, and pretty much any other occasion you can think of," says D'Italiano. "Buon appetito!''
Price at Dollarama: $3.25 for 456 grams
Price at Walmart: $3.97 for 456 grams
Tostitos Restaurant Style Chips
Tortilla chips are a must when having people over and is also a staple for the "girl dinner," so having a bag or two of these Tostitos chips in your pantry is always a good idea.
Price at Dollarama: $3.25 for 275 grams
Price at Walmart for similar item: $3.97 for 275 grams
Organic Chia Seeds
Chia seeds might be a product you'd assume would be at a fancy health store, but you can actually get the nutritious item at Dollarama.
Price at Dollarama: $1.75 for 160 grams
Price at Bulk Barn: $2.77 for 100 grams
Reese's Puffs
For snack time, grab a few boxes of Reese's Puffs to stash in your purse or at your desk, because peanut butter and chocolate are sure to help when a hunger craving hits.
Price at Dollarama for Reese's Puffs: $3.00 for 120 grams
Price at Metro for Reese's Puffs: $3.79 for 120 grams
Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
And lastly, if you need some extra caffeine to help you get going, you can grab a few different kinds of Starbucks energy drinks, like their Doubleshot Mocha.
Price at Dollarama: $2.75 for 444 mL
Price at Metro: $3.99 for 444 mL
In addition to these nine items, Dollarama stocks all kinds of other food products that might help you save.
According to Canadian TikToker and dietician Abbey Sharp (@abbeyskitchen), there are a few things you can do while shopping at Dollarama and Dollar Tree to make the most of their products.
"It's not easy on our wallets to feed a family these days, so I wanted to share my dietitian-approved tips for making your budget go further on grocery items at the dollar store," Sharp wrote.
The dietician recommends focusing on protein, fat and high-fibre carbs that will help keep you fuller for longer.
Smart!
It's always a good idea to keep your eye on grocery flyers, which tend to come out every week on Thursdays. That way, you can find all the best bargains and have everything ready for price-matching if you head to a store that allows the practice.
As well, there are a number of food apps that can help you sort out what's the best store to shop in based on your grocery list. Let the tech do the work for you!
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
These 9 Dollarama Food Finds Are Much Cheaper Than At Grocery Stores & So Unexpected (PHOTOS)
Source: News Article Viral
0 Comments