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As the semester comes to a close, that means the holiday break draws near. Whether you’re looking to save some money or find cost effective activities over the break – this post is for you!

The holiday break is a great time to relax and regroup after a busy semester. It is also a time where everything around us is encouraging us to spend money, which is hard enough as it is, never mind the reality of being on a student budget. Luckily, being a student means that our T-Cards also get us some helpful discounts. For this post I am going to focus on one thing all of us students spend money on: food! As we head into a busy and potentially financially burdensome time of year, here are ways you can get discounts on food around Toronto.

• Metro – 15% on Thursdays and Wednesdays

The Metro that is close to campus is on the corner of Bloor and Spadina and with a student ID you can get 15% of groceries on specific days. Also check out their weekly flyer for deals to help make your grocery list before heading to the store. 

• Bulkbarn – 10% on Wednesdays 

On Wednesdays with a valid student ID, bulkbarn offers 10% off your purchase. Not only can you get candies, but it is a great place to get baking supplies, rice and pasta! On other days of the week, keep an eye out for coupons to save on purchases. 

• No Frills 

No Frills often has more affordable prices and great sales. There are various locations around the city – check out their flyers to find great deals! 

• Fresh – 15% Off

This restaurant has multiple locations around the city and offers great vegetarian/vegan/gluten free plant-based foods. If you have allergy or food restrictions or just want to go for a healthy food option, this is a great place to try!

• FreschCo Groceries 

This grocery store has some of the best deals next to No Frills. Prices are extremely student-friendly. Find out if there is a location near you!

Quick Tips!

• Make a grocery list before heading to the store, make a list of what you need – this can make it easier to stick to a budget rather than shopping on impulse.
• Don’t shop hungry – I always find I buy more than I need at the grocery store when I grocery shop hungry. Try and bring a snack or eat something beforehand to make it easier to stick to what you need.
• Buy frozen or canned. When fresh is out of season or too expensive buy frozen or canned vegetables and fruit. They are just as nutritious!  If using canned vegetables, rinse them under cold water first to wash away some of the sodium.
• Don’t underestimate the power of your student card! Whenever you go to a grocery store or a restaurant near campus, ask if they have a student discount. You never know! And of course, keep that T-card on you just in case.

Apps for Saving 

• Flipp

The Flipp app delivers digital flyers from more than 1000 retailers so you can find the best deals in your area every week. You can find offers by browsing through the weekly flyers from retailers you shop at or by searching for items that you need to find deals around the city. This can help remove time looking through flyers individually. This app puts all the deals in one place. 

• Checkout 51

This app helps you to make money back on your grocery purchases! By signing up you can browse offers and buy products in store or online. You can then upload your receipt to the app to show that you satisfied certain offers and receive money back!

And of course, it can help to have a few reusable bags to save those few cents and also the environment! Every bit counts. 

I hope that this post helps you to save a bit more this month while also getting everything you need on your grocery list. Until next time, happy shopping!

Talk soon,

Alex