In this new phase of life that my family and I are in, it’s become crucial to save every bit of money we can. Moving to a new house is both exciting and nerve-wracking. The word “mortgage” is terrifying, and suddenly, so much more money is being pulled from our bank accounts. In Canada, where we live, the economy is expensive—especially when it comes to food. I’m still learning and working through it, but what I’ve discovered so far has already made a huge difference to our wallets. Frugal living is becoming more than just a choice; it’s a necessity. Here’s how you can save money when it comes to food.
Bulk Buying
We love Costco, but using it wisely is key. Frugal living means being strategic, even in bulk shopping. Here’s what NOT to do:
- Avoid frozen meals – they seem convenient but don’t last long and aren’t cost-effective.
- Skip most fresh produce – unless you’re hosting a big event, large quantities often spoil before you can use them.
- Be cautious with fruit – Costco’s fruit often lacks flavor and ripens poorly (A pack of mangoes for so cheap sounds great, but they’re not ripe and go bad so fast).
- Limit packaged goods – snacks, cereals, and fruit cups seem plentiful but disappear fast.
Here’s how to shop smart at Costco:
- Buy bulk proteins (chicken, beef, fish) and portion them at home.
- Stock up on pantry staples (flour, spices, canned goods, seeds, dried fruit).
- Get bulk dairy and essentials (milk, eggs, butter, yogurt).
- Purchase household basics (Ziploc bags, detergent, vitamins).
We budget $350 at Costco for the month, using the rest for small weekly produce or pantry refill runs. I talk more about how I plan for this shop later on—another way frugal living helps us stay disciplined and intentional.
Cash Only
Am I the only one who doesn’t realize how much she’s tapped her card until the statement comes in? When things aren’t properly planned, I tend to keep spending on things we think we need—and it quickly adds up on the credit card.
Now, I take out all the cash my husband and I pre-planned for the month. What’s available is extremely visible, which forces me to make tough decisions—or dig into pantry meals with purpose. It also encourages me to plan well and stick to our frugal living goals.
If more money is needed, we make sure of a few things:
- Once the month ends, we evaluate how it went and adjust the budget if needed.
- Are we completely out of options in the freezer, fridge, or pantry?
- How much will we actually need to get through the rest of the month?
Homemade Everything
I completely understand the working mom just trying to get something on the table or packed into lunch bags before the morning rush. It’s so tempting to grab pre-made meals, frozen dinners, or packaged snacks when your day’s been long and your energy is gone. But let me tell you—those convenience foods add up fast. It might feel like a lifesaver in the moment, but it really drains the money over time.
Frugal living often starts in the kitchen. Homemade is truly the best bang for your buck. It does take more time, yes—but that’s where a little planning goes a long way. I make our bread loaves on Saturdays to last the whole week. I would spend an evening during the week doing pantry prep—refilling jars, pre-mixing dry ingredients, checking stock. And in the early mornings, before the house wakes up, I prep simple things: homemade oat milk, soaking oats, or tossing ingredients into the crockpot so dinner can cook itself while I’m busy with the day.
There are so many amazing “quick” meal ideas that still keep everything homemade. Crockpot breakfasts that cook overnight or throughout the morning are a game changer. I also plan ahead for my month. If I know there’s a busy week coming along, I take the week before to prep frozen meals. Or even prepping a soup, stew, or pasta bake the night before so it’s oven-ready when dinner rolls around.
Making food from scratch doesn’t have to mean making everything all at once. It’s about working it into your rhythm. A little here, a little there. Over time, it becomes second nature. And when I open my fridge and see homemade everything—bread, yogurt, broth, sauces—I feel like I’ve given my family something truly good. Something nourishing. Something that didn’t cost a fortune. It’s slower, yes. But it’s richer in so many ways. And that’s exactly the heart of frugal living.
Planning Through Flyer Deals
I used to think that pre-planning meals for the month was the ultimate money-saver. But recently, I’ve learned a smarter way. Don’t plan around your favorite meals or even your “cheapest” meals—plan around the deals.
If chicken thighs or beef roasts are on sale for a great price, then that’s what you base your meals on. The same goes for pantry items, fruits, veggies—whatever’s discounted. I use the Flipp app to scan for deals from all my favorite stores and build our meals around that.
Frugal living challenges you to be flexible and creative. Planning ahead is still crucial, but using flyers and deals lets you plan efficiently—and try new things.
Filled Pantry
One of the best ways to shift into a money-saving mindset is by making a big upfront pantry investment. Having a full pantry is essential. Not having the right staples leads to extra, unnecessary grocery runs—and those quick add-ons really pile up.
When stocked well, a pantry can last for months. It also gets you through tight weeks when your meal plan doesn’t go perfectly. If I miscalculate, canned goods or dried staples fill in the gap without wrecking the monthly budget. This is the backbone of frugal living in our home.
To stay organized, I keep a list of all my pantry items on the door. Things pushed to the back can be forgotten, so having a list reminds me what’s available. I update it every so often to keep it accurate, and it makes all the difference.
Long-Lasting Vegetables & Fruits
Honestly, skip the salads. Unless you’re hosting or absolutely committed to eating one every day, they’re just not worth it. Raw salad ingredients are expensive, spoil quickly, and don’t fill anyone up. Especially not kids.
Fruits are different—they can be transformed into sauces, jams, smoothies, and baked goods. But pricey berries sitting in the fridge and going bad? That’s a wallet killer.
Instead, invest in long-lasting produce. Think sturdy winter veggies like carrots, squash, and potatoes. Canned produce for pantry storage. Frozen fruits and veggies for smoothies, snacks, and soups. These options are nutritious, budget-friendly, and last—and they align perfectly with frugal living.
Canning & Preserving
When fruits and veggies go on sale for a great price, I stock up if needed. Then I can and preserve the bulk of it. I’ll turn apples into applesauce, apple butter, or cider. Berries get sealed and frozen for future desserts or made into jam. Veggies are pickled or canned for delicious side dishes.
But be wise: only stock up if you actually need to refill your pantry and it’s a good sale. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose. Done right, though, preserving gives you a real bang for your buck. It’s a timeless frugal living strategy passed down through generations.
Know Your Fridge
I’ve made this mistake too many times—thinking I knew what was in my fridge only to find spoiled leftovers or forgotten fruit at the back.
Before writing any grocery list, give your fridge a deep look. Move things around and check every shelf. You don’t want to waste what you already have.
If your fridge is messy or uninviting, give it a good clean. A fresh, organized fridge helps you stay on top of what you’ve got—and makes grocery planning easier and more accurate. Another powerful tool for frugal living.
How I Plan My Months
About a week before the new month, I begin prepping. I take inventory of everything—fridge, freezer, and chest freezer. Every meal I cook has some kind of protein, so I plan based on how many full meals we’ll need that month.
In February, for example, we usually need 28 breakfasts and 28 dinners. Since I cook enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day, I plan for 56 solid meals in total. That might sound overwhelming, but breaking it down helps. Bulk buying is the key.
Costco’s 3kg bag of ground beef gives me about 6–8 meals. Chicken thighs from Costco make about 4 meals. A 30-pack of eggs covers around 4–5 meals too. Once I know the numbers, I can better calculate exactly how much we need without overspending or underbuying.
During this bulk trip, I also restock pantry essentials—flour, spices, canned goods, etc.—but I skip produce completely. When I get home, I open all the meat, divide it into Ziploc bags, and toss them into the chest freezer for easy access throughout the month.
After the big Costco run, I plan the weeks one at a time. For our smaller weekly shops, I use cash only and shop based on flyer deals. I buy whatever fruits and veggies are on sale and use them creatively with the meat I already have stored. Having a tight weekly budget keeps me thoughtful and frugal.
I also try to make things like bread, tortillas, sauces, and snacks from scratch. It takes more effort, but it saves us so much money. Plus, when I’ve prepped well and filled the pantry, it gives us some cushion when the month gets tight or plans unexpectedly change.
Remember, none of this has to happen overnight. Shifting the way you shop, cook, and plan takes time—and grace. Every little change makes a big difference over time. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not “perfect” at it yet (whatever that means!). Celebrate the small wins: the homemade loaf, the week you stayed on budget, the pantry meal that saved dinner.
You’re doing something beautiful—caring for your family, stewarding your resources, and bringing intention into your home. That’s no small thing. Keep going, keep learning, and know that every wise choice you make today is sowing seeds for something lasting tomorrow.
Frugal living is not just about saving money—it’s about choosing wisely, living intentionally, and building a life of peace and provision.
You’ve got this, friend!
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