U.S. and Canadian price differential

Consumers often ask why there is a price difference between products in Canada and the United States.

Prices here can be higher because of higher wages, the higher cost of land, and higher taxes. Also, we're a smaller market so Canadian companies don't get as big a volume discount.

Prices can also be impacted by higher transportation costs, different production costs, more competition or less competition. On some products there can be different standards. There may be extra safety features mandated in Canada and not in the U.S.

For example, Canada brought in legislation mandating safer cribs for babies 15 years before the Americans did. But if you looked at cribs then, you would have said they are cheaper in the US (which they were --they just weren't as safe by Canadian standards).

So if this doesn't make you feel better -you can opt for the consumer's ultimate weapon: don't buy.

It's hard, but it's all about separating wants and needs.

Needs are things you must have to survive, basically food, water, clothing and shelter. Everything else is a want and while a want can be a powerful force, it's still not essential. Nobody can ever force you to buy anything. That's the power of being a consumer -- the power to just say no.

To get the best price anywhere, do your homework. The Internet makes that easy -- but go beyond the price and search features so you know you are comparing two identical products. If you know your prices -- you'll spot bargains.

And it may be something that doesn't even have a sale sign on it.

Coffee Beverages

Bottled and canned coffees promise cold refreshment to go. Sales of ready-to-drink coffees are up, especially on hot days, which raises the question as to which chilled coffee concoction might be a good way to get the shot of java you're craving.

More companies from well-known Starbucks to lesser-known Bolthouse Farms are offering canned and bottled coffee drinks. Consumer Reports' Leslie Ware says these drinks pack a lot more than caffeine.

"Coffee drinks can have lots of calories and sugar. The ones we tested per serving had 100 to 180 calories," she explained.

And they had 17 to 31 grams of sugar. Consumer Reports, which has been testing coffee for decades, had sensory panelists taste test ready-to-drink coffees. While all the coffees did very well, only Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream rated excellent.

"Starbucks Doubleshot had a nice balance of sweet coffee and rich dairy flavors. But it had the most fat of any of the products we tested," said Ware.

So you can enjoy these drinks but be careful not to enjoy them too often. And it's not just the canned coffees that are tempting.

Mcdonalds' Iced Coffee has 100 calories per small cup.

Tim Horton's Iced Capped Orginal has slightly more with 150 calories.

But look out when you add cream and chocolate the calories jump to 330 per small cup.

So remember these iced drinks can be like a dessert -- use sparingly

And if you really want to cut down on fat and calories, there's always the old-fashioned cup of coffee.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen