Secret Beans

All over the internet, in every money saving recipe blog, they talk about canned beans. "Canned beans are cheap," they all tell you. And they can be, but they aren't always. For example, these cans of Unico chick peas are $2.18 per can. Who is buying these? Tell me, are they life changing chick peas? Hands up if you want to come out for a blind taste test on canned chick peas... $2.18/can is nonsense. If you're buying these, stop it right now. There. Day 3 on the blog, and I've already saved you money.

for $2.18 these better be magic beans

But maybe you're brand loyal, and these chick peas really are superior. In that case, please DO NOT EVER pay more than $1/can for these. In fact, they're on sale right now at No Frills. You can price match No Frills at Superstore, Walmart, or Save On Foods. Literally show the cashier this picture on your phone from now until October 18, and you'll save $1.18 cents per can on these.

magic beans at over 50% off!

I, loyal Superstore shopper, have always gotten the no name canned beans. They used to be shelf priced at 88 cents a can, and would frequently go one sale for 77 cents. Whoop! I use them to make chilli and it's real freaking good. I'll post the recipe some day. And with cans of 77 cent beans, it's a pretty cheap meal. (And there are leftovers. Lots of leftovers).

Recently, though, the price of beans at Superstore went up from 88 cents to 98 cents. Not a huge jump, but as someone who price matches a 5 cent difference on milk, you can bet I noticed.

look! Someone realized their magic beans were almost three times the price and made the switch. I'm so proud.

I still buy them, but they frequently go back on sale for their old 88 cent price, so I try to wait it out. But also, did you know there are secret beans at Superstore? They're in the International Foods section (even though the can says they're processed in Canada) and when the regular no name beans aren't on sale, the secret beans usually are!

yes! Secret beans! Get your 10 cents back!

So, if I've got chilli on the meal plan, you can bet I'm checking both aisles to get the best price on my beans.

The thing to remember, here, is that these beans go on sale, like, all the dang time. I almost NEVER have to pay full price for beans. Which means, you don't have to blow half your grocery budget on canned beans and stock up on the deal. The deal will come back. Unless you're making a lifetime supply of hummus and chilli in the next 2 weeks, just buy what you need, and use the rest of your grocery budget on something else. Just because Superstore says "limit 403" on the shelf, doesn't mean you have to panic purchase 403 cans. Just buy what you're planning to use.

**Bonus for Superstore shoppers with the Optimum card: these things show up in my offers all the time. So even if they're not on sale, I usually get 200 points (that's 20 cents) back per can in points to use later, too.**

And yes, I know, the real savings is in buying the dried beans, and hydrating them yourself. However, the first rule of grocery shopping (write this down) is: only buy what you know you're going to use. I know I'm not going to rehydrate my own beans. You know how I know? I have a bag of dried chick peas in my pantry that is at least 6 years old that I swear I'm going to use one day. So for me? Not worth it. I'll take my beans in the cans, thanks. But if you know how, and want to do it, there are savings to be had, there.

And that's the thing! You don't have to buy the cheapest item on the shelf or sacrifice the things you want to buy in order to save on your groceries. If you still want to buy magic Unico beans, do it! But buy them for 2 cents more than the no name beans instead of $1.20 more. If you want to buy canned beans instead of dried beans, find them on sale, look for the secret beans, or wait till they show up on your PC offers! Buy what you were going to buy all along, but use less of your money to do it! Then save that extra money for something awesome.