How to shop in a recession: 6 tips for saving money

Even if you're not a reader of the financial pages, you've heard it: a capital-R Recession is hitting the United States, and some predict an economic slowdown may make its way to Canada. The bottom line is: no economy is recession proof. Fortunately, your shopping bill can be, even if you're not the type of person who likes coupon clipping or discount-store shopping. Here are some easy ways to keep yourself comfy, while saving money and paring back on lifestyle costs (and saving natural resources) across the board now (while you're still comfortable) – in order to prepare for any slowdown in the future.

1. Learn to cook
Convenience foods that are either ready-to-cook or just-heat-and-serve cost more than groceries in their unrefined forms. You're paying a premium for that seasoned and ready-to-cook chicken breast from the deli foods counter at your supermarket. It its skinned, deboned, chicken-breast-supreme form you pay a bit less per kilogram, but still more than a bone-in, skin-on breast. Finally, when you buy a whole chicken, take it apart and skin it yourself, you are saving the most per unit. Learn to butcher chicken and you can afford to maintain your organic-meat habit.

Learn to cook vegetarian cuisine to save more on groceries (two veggie dinners a week will improve your health and the planet's, as well as your pocketbook). If you know how to cook, you can make an awesome meal from the most inexpensive of ingredients, from pantry-staple legumes to the budget cuts of organic meat. Bonus: besides saving cash, you'll probably also reduce the sodium and fat in your meals.

2. Discover the art of decanting toiletries and cleaning aids
Luxury hand soaps and prestige detergents can be the first to get the chop when grocery shopping on a budget. Switching to no-name? Decant econo-size cheaper products into eco-friendly and free or low-cost dispensers such as wine bottles (a half-bottle size is perfect for hand soap, mouthwash, or liquid dish soap), vintage-style milk bottles (many health food stores carry milk in them, and charge only a nominal deposit) or a cut-glass cruet. Laundry detergent can be scooped out of a flea market flour bucket. These options are so unique and pretty you won't even notice the switch!

Page 1 of 2