BUYING FOOD  & GROCERIES

In the GTA (Great Toronto Area) there is a broad offer of vegetables and other types of foods, coming from diverse locations in the world. You can find traditional food from China, India, Greece, Italy, Africa, etc. in some ethnic city areas.

The most common way of stocking your house with foods is buying in big supermarkets and in an only place, luckily close to your home. In large supermarkets, you can also enjoy a nice atmosphere, with pleasant temperatures, both in Summer and Winter. However, not all supermarkets sell their products at the same prices. Every chain or store will set the price for the products they sell, according to their own criteria.

The Canadian market is open to offer and demand principles. Every store or company sets the price for their products, which includes food. The price of Petrol, for example, may vary several times a day, according to demand or the decision of runners. It has a maximum price in the morning, and it may be between 5 and 10% less costly in the evening., after 7 PM. There are no institutions devoted to help consumers – especially newcomers - save. <in general terms, the commercial system is aimed to make the best profits possible.

HOW TO SAVE IN FOODS

Knowing the importance that starting a new life has for a Skilled Worker – a life with no restrictions but taking care of savings as much as possible - we have conducted a study to know which the supermarkets with lowest / highest prices are in Ontario and Toronto. To get a real vision on prices we have made a comparative chart containing 20 products at the 8 main supermarkets chains in Ontario. This study also has the aim of making consumers aware of the variations of prices among the different supermarket chains in the city, so that they are able to take good decisions that will eventually help them to save monthly or purchase more foods for the same amount of money.

We took into account these key points:

- We chose products of the same brand, quality and grade and in the same amount, weight and size.

- Prices were registered during august, 2006.

- Special offer products were not included

TABLE #1

PRICES COMPARATION – SUPERMARKETS IN TORONTO

TABLE #2

PRICES COMPARATION – SUPERMARKETS IN TORONTO

 (s) Means that the product was temporarily in special

NOTE: These charts were made by the author getting those prices directly at the stores mentioned. They are just shown as a reference.

- FURNITURE

To start a new life in your apartment you need to purchase furniture and other gear. Most people buy first the basic pieces, light and economical. It is also a good idea to buy pieces of furniture for  different  purposes, such as sofa-beds and beds that can be used as chairs. Many decide to start by using hollow filled mattresses, as they are easy to install and move. Remember that the possibility to move your furniture easily should be a strong point to be borne in mind, as it may be more costly to move heavy furniture than their price itself.

Many newcomers buy “second hand” furniture in good conditions at really low prices. In Spring and Summer, garage sales are quite frequent. The Canadian sell their furniture, appliances, toys, bicycles, clothing, etc. that they don’t’ need any more or just because they are moving and prefer selling them at any price.

Remember that you may bring your furniture through international moving companies, but you should think it over, as their quality may justify or not the cost of moving them. If they are quality furniture bringing them may be advisable as Canadian quality furniture is rather costly

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