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I Page 14 The Claringlon/Courtice Independent, Bmvmanville, Saturday, December 26, 1998 Buying Groceries Tops the List of Impulse Purchases and Faulty Planning Which complex buying decisions are among the most important made by consumers, consumers, but often given the least thought? Smart-shopping Smart-shopping experts at Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations say the purchase of groceries is at the top of the list when it comes to impulse buying and faulty planning. Bombarded by advertising, advertising, constant news reports about healthy eating that are often contradictory and the demands of family members, many main household shoppers shoppers say they give up and give in to the purchase of goods they don't really need or want. "Convenience" is the current current password in the development development of new products, because busy people need quick solutions to the nagging question, "What's for din ner?" Some consumers, especially especially seniors who prefer the convenience of home shopping, shopping, opt for meal plans offered by freezer food plan companies. Typically these plans offer to stretch buying power and offer pre-packaged serving- size portions. While they may be a good deal for some, consumers consumers are asked to keep a r ■> h n v » Spring into the holiday season with health, happiness and plenty of cheer. Our best wishes for a merry and magical Christmas. Wallace Auto Supply Main St. Orono 983-5614 Arnie, Ann, Pete and Doris 141 King St. E., Bowmanville 623-5402 Cindy, Janice and Fraser 0JP In the spirit of this special time of year, we wish everyone the blessings of His light and love. An abundance of thanks for giving us the opportunity to serve you. Fred Devries & Staff AutamM PLACE COLLISION 1EMII mrisnoim FRED'S AUTOBODY LTD. 163 Baseline Road, Unit 1, Bowmanville Tel: (905) 623-6353 May You Find Your Christmas Bright We wish our customers and fHends health, happiness and peace for the coming year George Moore, Kay Moore, Garry Popadyn, Ben Dupuis, and B.J. Mc I lines Moore Electric 9 Church Street, Bowmanville 623-5901 Hi Santa Alysha Sheehan, two-and-a-half, has a little visit with Santa beside one of the many decorations created created by Randy Hilts of Mann Street in Bowmanville. Hilts hosted a special event Saturday, featuring a visit from Angus, the Bowmanville Zoo elephant; elephant; Santa; a barbecue; barbecue; and pony rides. number of factors in mind. • Ask for samples before you commit to a large order. Make sure you find the taste and quality of the products suitable. • Don't sign a contract on- the-spot. Any reputable company company will give you the time to shop around. Call competitors and obtain several quotes before you sign up with a particular particular firm. • Make sure you understand understand all the details of the deal. If the contract isn't clear, don't sign it. Have a trusted friend, relative or your lawyer review it before you sign. • Never pay the entire fee up front. If you have signed a contract worth more than $50 in your home and decide you wish to cancel it, you can do so under the Consumer Protection Act, provided you haven't paid in full in advance. Call the ministry at once, at the number listed below, for details. If you want to reduce your time and effort at the grocery store without letting a single company supply your needs, wmm keeping a few basic points in mind can help make purchasing purchasing less time-consuming and costly. • Never go shopping without without a grocery list or on an empty stomach. • Make a list, by aisle, of the main products you buy often in your local grocery store. Use this as the basis for a full shopping list with a space beside each item so you can tick off the articles you need. • Write brands and sizes that arc usually good buys on the list under the appropriate categories. Put a star beside the items that will keep for a limited lime, so you'll be sure to look for perishable dates. Photocopy the list and use it every week, adding the items you specifically need for your weekly menu. • Your menu should be planned a little at a time, not all at once, and should include items you enjoy from the grocery store's flyer of weekly specials. • Don't go to the grocery store unless you need at least 10 items. The extra money spent on goods from specialty shops will be less than the price of items you'll buy on impulse. • Plan a route through the grocery store when you enter. Always look for bargains at the top and bottom of the shelves rather than at eye level and don't expect items at the end of aisles to be bargains. bargains. The merchandise stocked at the end of the aisle often includes commonly used items, but these arc rarely the brands at the lowest price. Anyone planning to sign a contract with a freezer order food company may wish to consult the ministry's General Inquiry Unit, at (416) 326- 8555 in the Toronto area or toll free 1-800-268-1142 from other parts of the province. Special electronic equipment for people who have speech or hearing problems is available available at (416) 326-8566. from the Staff and Board of Directors of the Iv Durham Farmers Co-op Orouo j We appreciate your patronage and lookij . forward to serving you in // the New Year V'tWSWS Wî»a> ...» «•••••' --•r WlV . --aSaeOtoChcrc*. OLIDAY GREETINGS Al this festive time of year, it is our tradition to express the gratitude we feel for the privilege of serving our fine customers and friends. q5 the co-opeïâtoïs A Better Place For You " Laura Sciore, Owner/Agent, aiic, clu, cfp 102 King St., Bowmanville (905) 697-2262 HOME • AUTO • LIFE • FARM • BUSINESS • RRSPs • GROUP • TRAVEL ©J.P. il iflsi ^5 ' JL W Mk. w If IllBi -> Gary Conway Alan Lobb Harry Cooke Doug Rutherford Paul Lane Ross Metcalf Paul & Susan Morris Debra Kelleher Thomas Payton Dorothy Morris Morris Funeral Chapel 4 Division Street, Bowmanville Serving the community since 1841'