Simply Frugal Weekend Deals is here to bring you the best discounts and deals across Canada!
Whether you’re hunting for home essentials, fashion finds, or something else, I’ve rounded up the best offers to help you stay on budget without sacrificing what you love.
From limited-time sales to secret coupon codes, I’ll make sure your shopping is both fun and affordable.
Want this post to hit your email inbox? Sign up for the Simply Frugal Deals Email. You can do so here. It normally goes out every Friday.
Let’s get started shall we? Get ready to shop smart and save more!
Like all of my other deal posts, this post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.
Well.ca
Well.ca is a Canadian company that I really enjoy ordering from. This week, save 20% off on all beauty and skincare with the coupon code GLOWUP! As well, here are some of the brands that are on sale this week: Method, Green Beaver, Eucerin, Prairie Naturals, Kikkerland, Amy’s Kitchen, PUR, Twigz, Chosen Foods, Coppertone, Thursday Plantation and more! (ends May 3, 2026)
Save 50% off tees, sweats and pants from Gap Canada! Plus, save an extra 50% off sale items and 40% off Mother’s Day gifts! Finally, use the coupon code ADDON to save an extra 20% off. (ends May 6, 2026)
Complete the Shopper’s Voice survey and receive: Free stuff tailored to you, including coupons, samples and special offers all year long, instant money-saving flash rewards and a chance to win a $1,500 prepaid card this month.
Two days only: save 50-60% off dresses and skirts online at Old Navy Canada! (ends May 3, 2026) The Kids & Baby sale is also on now until May 9, 2026! Deals starting as low as $7!.
Have you checked out the “We Made Too Much” section online at Lululemon? They’ve got so much on sale! Men’s, women’s, bags, accessories, shoes and even an under $50 category!
Build a Keepsake Box! If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, The Home Depot has a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own Keepsake Box! Free workshop is May 9, 2026 anytime between 9am – 12pm.
Mix & match any 3 for $13 Legendary Author books from Book Outlet Canada! Also, they are offering Lower Shipping Rates for a limited time: Spend $25+, ship for $4.95 | FREE shipping at $50+.
Want 50% off your first box of Canadian-Made, pre-portioned, chef crafted smoothies with real ingredients? Use the coupon code REVIVE50 to save 50% off your first box from Revive Superfoods!
The Kids Bowl Free program is back this year! This fun program allows your children to enjoy two free games of bowling at participating bowling centres every day, all summer long! Looks like some bowling alleys start offering free bowling as early as May!
25% off Our Most Anticipated Horror Books, 25% off Ana Huang’s Books, Buy 2, Get 3rd Free on Kids’ Dr. Seuss, Mo Willems & Julia Donaldson Books, $30 off Kobo Libra Colour, Spend $30 or More, Get an Essential Tote for $19.99 (Reg. $39.99) and so much more!
3 days only: save 20% off women’s sandals from DSW Canada! The mid-season clearance is also still going on. I’m actually seeing bigger than 40% off discounts!
Natura Market is proudly Canadian owned and operated! That means you can find a lot of Canadian brand foods! Check out their Spring Savings tab to see all of their featured sales!
I’m trying something new with Amazon Deals and you’ll have to let me know if you like it!
Amazon deals are incredibly time consuming to share the way I was previously with lists organized into categories. It always felt like by the time I finished, some deals would no longer be valid! That’s not fun for you, and maybe feels misleading if something goes off deal sooner than anticipated.
So, because I have the ability to create lists directly on Amazon, I thought, why not send you there! It’s a lot easier to keep updated. Perhaps more visually appealing too since you can see a picture of each item. Ultimately, I hope it’s less frustrating for both of us.
You can check out my Canadian Amazon Storefront here. This is my storefront main page. As the seasons change and different holidays/occasions approach, I add new lists to cover those things.
But because I know you appreciate some organization. I have created separate lists for each category I had before. Here they are:
If your grocery bill feels like it’s climbing higher every single week… you’re not imagining it.
Groceries in Canada have gotten expensive. For most families, it can be one of the hardest areas to cut back on. You still need to eat, and you probably don’t want to spend hours couponing or driving all over town chasing deals.
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to save money.
A few simple grocery store swaps can make a noticeable difference on your grocery bill. All without sacrificing convenience or the foods your family actually enjoys.
Let’s get into it shall we?
Buy Oatmeal Instead of Dry Cereal
Buy this: Oatmeal Not that: Dry cereal
Do away with the expensive boxes of cereal full of sugar and buy oatmeal! You could purchase those convenient packs of pre-made oatmeal, but I’d encourage you to buy a bag of oats instead. I find it so easy to create my own instant oatmeal packs. Plus, I can control the sugar quantity by adding my own sweeteners and various toppings. Oatmeal will also help keep you feeling full longer so you may need less snacks 😉
Buy Ingredients, Not Pre-Packaged Foods
Buy this: Basic ingredients Not that: Individually packaged foods
Pre-packaged foods like spice seasoning blends, baking mixes, granola bars, cookies and muffins add up quickly. Especially if you’re feeding kids!
Instead, try simple homemade options. I’ve got some basic recipes you could try:
Real-life tip: You don’t have to be “perfect”. Even one homemade swap a week can save money!
Buy Frozen fruit Instead of Fresh
Buy this: Frozen berries Not that: Fresh berries in the off-season
Fresh berries can be shockingly expensive, especially in the winter months.
Frozen fruit is:
Picked at peak ripeness
Often cheaper
Perfect for smoothies, yogurt bowls, and baking
Bonus: It lasts way longer, so you’ll waste less food (and money).
Buy Block Cheese, Not Pre-Shredded
Buy this: Block cheese Not that: Pre-shredded cheese
Pre-shredded cheese might feel convenient but you’re paying extra for it. It also contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect how it melts.
Frugal tip: Shred a whole block of cheese at once and store it in the fridge for the week. Same convenience, lower cost.
Buy Yogurt tubs Instead of Cups
Buy this: Yogurt Tubs Not that: Individual yogurt cups
Sure, yogurt cups are really convenient for packing in lunches, but you could spend a little extra time once a week filling up reusable containers with yogurt from a tub instead. Buying yogurt in larger quantities (tubs or those pour bags) will save you big time.
Bonus: You can control the sweetness, flavours and boost protein if you purchase plain Greek yogurt tubs.
Buy Store Brand, Not Name Brand
Buy this: Store brand (No Name, Great Value, Compliments) Not that: Big-name brands
This is one of the easiest wins. Most store brands are made in the same facilities as name brands, but without the higher price tag that comes with marketing and packaging.
You’ll especially notice savings on:
Pantry staples (flour, sugar, pasta)
Canned goods
Frozen fruits and veggies
Dairy products
Buy Whole Chicken, Not Pre-Cut Pieces
Buy this: Whole chicken Not that: Pre-cut chicken breasts or thighs
Whole chickens are almost always cheaper per pound.
Plus, you can:
Cut it up to use in multiple meals
Use leftovers for soups or wraps
Make homemade broth with the bones
Buy Ingredients for Dressing Instead of Bottled
Buy this: Ingredients for homemade dressings Not that: Pre-made bottled dressings
Making salad dressings from scratch has got to be one of the most simple kitchen tasks you could do. Believe me, because I don’t do complicated in the kitchen! If you usually reach for those pricey organic or natural salad dressings at the store, switching to homemade can save you a surprising amount on your grocery bill. With just a few simple, budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, you can whip up your own in minutes! Here are some of my recipes:
Not only is a head of lettuce much cheaper than the bags or containers of lettuce, they last longer too! I understand the convenience of buying a bag or container, but it really doesn’t take much effort to tear up some lettuce leaves for a salad. Especially when you have to sort through the slimy pieces in the bags or containers anyways.
Buy Dried beans and lentils instead of canned
Buy this: Dried beans or lentils Not that: Canned beans or lentils
I’ll be honest, we don’t eat a lot of beans in our house, so I usually reach for the canned version. But if beans are a staple in your meals, buying them dried is a much more budget-friendly option. You can save a significant amount over time, and cooking them is easier than you might think. Just toss them in your slow cooker or use your Instant Pot for a quick, hands-off batch.
As you can see, saving money on groceries doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you love or spending hours planning.
It’s really about being intentional.
Start with just 1-2 of these grocery store swaps this week, and you’ll likely notice a difference at checkout. And the best part? These changes are simple enough to stick with so the savings add up over time.
Which of these grocery store swaps are you already doing, and which one are you going to try next?
Check out The Meal Planner! I created the printable Meal planner to help make meal planning and saving money easy! The PDF includes:
If you’re wanting to save some big grocery bucks, it’s time to start thinking about things to stop buying and start making yourself. I’m talking about making your own pantry staples and household essentials!
Not only does creating your own stuff keep more money in your wallet, often times it’s better for your health! I mean how many times are you stuck reading a label in the store wondering what half of the ingredients are? By making your own essentials, you’re ensuring that you know each and every ingredient involved.
Also, an aspect of the frugal lifestyle for some, or many, is to be more self sufficient. Rather than running to the store every time you run out of something, you could try making it yourself! Once you know how to make everyday items, you’ll save yourself a lot of trips to the store, reduce your plastic waste, all while saving lots of money.
Creating your own products from scratch is simple. But to make it even easier for you, I’ve round ed up a list of 30 things to stop buying and start making:
How many of these have you tried? What are some things to stop buying and start making that you would recommend?
If you’re wanting more ideas for things to make from scratch, you might want to try this book, The Homemade Pantry. It features 101 recipes that you can try!
How To Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Planter. If you’re tired of battling mosquitos, a DIY mosquito planter might be the solution you’ve been waiting for!
I mentioned in my first container garden update that I would do a separate post detailing the plants I have in the planter I deemed my ‘DIY Mosquito Planter’. While we don’t get a ton of mosquitoes, we do live by a creek (damp) so we do see them around and they are not my favourite bug to live with. In one of my Pinterest escapades, I discovered that I could create a container full of plants that mosquitoes don’t like. Namely, plants of the citrus scented variety.
Not only does the scent of the plants keep mosquitoes at bay, I can even tear off a leaf and rub it on my skin if I’m finding they’re getting too close. I may even bring a leaf or two along on any hikes we might be doing!
Here’s what I put in my DIY Mosquito Planter:
Citronella Geranium (I would use these leaves on my skin)
Marigold ‘Lemon Gem’
Catnip
Lemon Thyme (can be used in cooking too!)
Gazanias (only because I had extra from another flower pot)
I was looking for lemon grass but I couldn’t find any before I got tired of driving to all our local nurseries.
You could also try:
Citronella Grass
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Basil: Especially the lemon and cinnamon varieties.
I’m excited to see how this works as the summer goes on. I hope it fills out nicely and that pretty flowers appear!
Have you ever made a DIY Mosquito Planter? Did it help ward off the mosquitoes?
Now that Spring is officially here and summer is on the horizon, it’s sandal season! After seemingly endless months of wearing clunky boots and closed-toe shoes with socks, it feels pretty darn good to welcome back strappy, open-toed sandals of all sorts.
Sandal season is my favorite season. I live in flip flops, but I enjoy having one dressy pair of sandals for those occasions that call for something nicer. True to my frugal nature, I look for a deal and get excited with prices that are under $50.
Since you are visiting Simply Frugal, I have a feeling you are just like me and enjoy a bargain. That’s why I have rounded up 15 pairs of affordable spring sandals that are $50 or less in Canada.
The Kids Bowl Free program is back this year! This fun program allows your children to enjoy two free games of bowling at participating bowling centres every day, all summer long! Looks like some bowling alleys start offering free bowling as early as May!
Up to six children can be registered per account/email address.
Register directly on your local bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register and cannot be used at any other bowling center unless otherwise noted.)
Once you register, you will have the opportunity to purchase the family pass from $34.95. You are not required to purchase this pass.
When the program at your local bowling centre begins, you will be sent an email or a text every Sunday morning with a link to your coupons and family passes for that week.
Did you know, there are a lot of birthday freebies in Canada? It’s true! So why not spoil yourself on a day that only comes around once a year!
In honour of all the birthday’s we celebrate, I thought this roundup of Canadian birthday freebies would be great so you can sign up in time for your birthday! Make this your best birthday yet!
Read on to learn about all the free things you can get on your birthday in Canada:
Sephora– You get to choose a FREE product set in store or online during your birthday month.
Dairy Queen – Sign up for the Blizzard Fan Club and receive a buy 1 blizzard get 1 free coupon.
Freshii – Sign up to be a ViiP and receive a free bowl anytime during your birthday month.
Cobs Bread – Sign up for the COBS Club and get a free treat on your birthday.
Red Lobster – Sign up for My Red Lobster Rewards and receive a birthday reward.
Boston Pizza – Free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for MyBP Loyalty program.
Baskin Robbins – Join Club 31 and get a free scoop on your birthday.
Harvey’s – Join the Burger Boss club to get Free Frings, a special gift on your birthday, delicious digital deals and more!
Starbucks– Sign up for Starbucks Rewards and get a free drink of your choice on your birthday.
Red Robin – Sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program and get a free gourmet burger. You can claim this freebie any day during the month of your birthday.
Quizno’s– Sign up for Toasty Points and buy one get one regular sub free!
Denny’s– Free Grand Slam with pancakes, sausage, bacon and eggs on your birthday. Valid ID must be shown.
Applebee’s– Join Club Applebee’s and get a birthday special (usually a free dessert) on your birthday.
Jack Astor’s – Free dessert when you sign up for their newsletter. (scroll to the bottom of their website to sign up.)
Kelsey’s– Free dessert when you sign up for their email newsletters.
Swiss Chalet – Sign up for Rotisserie Mail and get a free dessert on your birthday.
Joey’s– Birthday offers get sent to you 7 days before your birthday
Pizza Pizza – Free slice of pizza and a can of pop for kids only.
What a Bagel (greater Toronto) – Buy 6 bagels and get 6 free on your birthday. A valid ID is required.
American Eagle – Sign up for Real Rewards and get a coupon for $5 birthday reward during your birthday month.
RW&Co – Save $15 off your purchase when you sign up for RWInsider.
Menchie’s– Free $5 Froyo when you sign up for mySmileage
Thrifty Foods – Free 8″ x 12″ birthday cake on your child’s first birthday, one cake per child.
Kelly O’Bryan’s – Free birthday meal when you come in on the day of your birthday
Kiehl’s– Join Kiehl’s Rewards Loyalty Program to start earning points when you shop online or in the store. You also receive a free birthday gift every year.
Old Navy Canada– Sign up for their rewards program to receive free bonus points.
Gap Canada – Sign up for their rewards program to receive free bonus points.
There you go with the best Canadian birthday freebies! Which ones will you be taking advantage of?
Are any of your favourite Canadian birthday freebies not listed? Mention them in the comments below and I’ll get them added.
You might be itching to get your garden going, but chances are the outdoor sowing season is still a ways away. Well no worries, here’s how to start seeds indoors several weeks before the final frost of the season!
By starting your seeds indoors, you can get a jump on the growing season while saving some money in the process. Here is what you need to know on how to start seeds indoors.
I’ve linked to some items on Amazon for convenience, but you can gather supplies from anywhere to fit your budget.
A good rule of thumb for when to start your seeds is 4 weeks before the last frost of the season. This will vary depending where you live, so consult The Farmer’s Almanac to find out when the perfect planting time is for you.
DIRECTIONS:
Begin by placing the seed starter cups on the cookie sheet or tray. This way, the surface under the cups is protected and you can easily move them if you need to. Also, make sure the containers you choose have drainage holes.
Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full with nutrient rich potting soil. Seedlings need a light, airy soil mix that drains well. You can buy a seed starting mix at a garden center or make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
Plant the seeds: Follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting depth and spacing. In general, plant the seeds twice as deep as their diameter.
Cover the seeds with soil and mist the area with your spray bottle. Misting is easier and cleaner than a watering can, plus it will keep you from over watering.
Use the wood craft sticks and marker to make plant markers for the seedlings so you know what they are once they start growing.
Pull a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the seed starters. This will allow light in but will help the plants retain heat. NOTE: You will need to remove the plastic wrap every few days to mist the soil to keep it moist. Just be sure to return the plastic when you are done.
Place your seed starters in a window where they will get at least 6 hours of sun per day. If you don’t have an area where this is possible, a sun lamp will work.
As soon as you see sprouting, remove the plastic wrap. Continue to water every few days and keep the soil moist at all times.
In just a few weeks, your seeds will be seedlings and soon they will be ready to get transplanted outside. Be sure the threat of frost has passed and you follow package directions when transplanting.
See how simple starting seeds indoors can be? Give these tips a try and get a jump on the growing season now!
I love giving my kids gifts. It brings me so much joy to see their excitement! But you know what I don’t love? Filling our house with more random stuff that gets forgotten not long after.
Do you feel the same?
That’s why I have started asking myself:
“What are my kids going to need later that I can buy now?”
It’s my way of still treating them (and scratching that deal-hunting itch!) without filling our home with unnecessary stuff.
Easter is right on the horizon, so Easter baskets are currently on my mind.
When I think of the question above, I know the weather is changing and getting warmer. So instantly, bathing suits and more seasonally appropriate pajamas come to mind. It’s pretty much guaranteed that they have outgrown their things from last year.
So think through your current family situation. Will you be going to the pool or beach? What about a family vacation? What do they like to do outside? What are their favourite snacks? What about something to do inside on rainy days?
To help get your creative/practical thinking rolling, here are some of my favourite Easter Basket ideas.
My kids always need new bathing suits. Currently my favourite places to get their bathing suits are Old Navy and Gap because of how they fit, but also because they have great sales often. (You know I love a deal.) I really like these one piece rash guard suits because of the built-in UPF sun protection.
Swim goggles are also really useful. My oldest will be getting a new pair of these this year.
Pool toys and bath toys are also a solid choice if your kids will enjoy them. My youngest has been asking for some diving toys, so she’ll be getting this set.
There’s nothing better than sending the kids outside to enjoy some fresh air! It’s even better when they have something fun to fuel their imaginations.
There’s always the classics that need to be replaced such as chalk or bubbles or water guns. But here are some other ideas that are sure to be a hit:
Books (the newest book in their favourite series, a touch & feel book…etc.)
Pajamas
CANDY & SNACKS
No Easter basket is complete without a chocolate bunny or some sort of treat! There are Easter themed candies all over the stores. Grab one or two things you know your kids would like and call it a day.
You could also think outside the box a bit and grab their favourite snacks. Could be things you don’t buy very often that they’ll be excited to receive. Or just things you know they’ll enjoy no matter what. Pringles. Mini bags of chips. Cereal. Ritz crackers and cheese dip. Bear Paws. Goldfish crackers. Apple sauce pouches. Fruit snacks. Bunny Grahams. The ideas are endless.
I hope these Easter basket ideas help you build Easter baskets for your kids that are practical and enjoyable for everyone! Remember though, Easter baskets aren’t mandatory!
Need more Easter Basket ideas? I’ve got more here:
How to Get Started Organizing When You’re Overwhelmed
Sometimes, to get started organizing is the hardest part. You want to start, but you feel overwhelmed because you’re just not sure where to start!
Today, I want to share some suggestions that may help you to get started organizing!
Make a list
Sit down and make a list of all the areas in your home that you would like to see organized. Seeing everything written down could help you to pick something, whether it be a small task or an area that annoys you! Simply pick one thing, do it, then cross it off!
Start small
For the overwhelmed person, starting with a small project, such as a single drawer, could be just the thing to trigger your resolve to keep going onto the next small project. You’ll find yourself moving from one small project to the next, until you’ve finished each area of your home! Here are some small project ideas to get you started:
A drawer
A shelf
A closet
One surface space
Your spices
One cupboard
Medicine cabinet
Start in the room that requires the least amount of work
It’s a possibility, that by starting in an area of your home that requires a lot of organizing hours to complete, could turn you off before you start to see any results. I personally, love to see almost instant results. So, in a continuation of the tip above, when it comes to organizing, starting somewhere that doesn’t require a lot of effort will motivate you to carry on.
Start on the area that annoys you the most
Is there an area in your home that annoys you to no end because you can never find what you’re looking for? Start there. If tackling an area means it’ll make your life more manageable while you’re working on organizing other areas, that annoying spot could be a great place to start!
Just start
If you’re naturally a planner and you’re trying to get things just right in your head before you start, the planning process could actually scare you into doing nothing. Instead, clear your mind and tackle a drawer. Once you see how easy that was then you can move on to another, then another. Take baby steps and don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at the whole room.
Set goals
Set goals that will allow you to look at the big picture. Let’s say to want to organize your kitchen. You could leave it at that, but how overwhelming does ‘organize kitchen’ feel on your to-do list? By imagining how you want your space to feel, setting a timeline and breaking down the areas in your kitchen, you will be way more prepared to succeed! Let’s write the kitchen example out:
“I want my kitchen to feel clutter-free with each task area easily accessible so I can get my cooking/baking/cleaning done efficiently.
I will give myself one month to complete my kitchen, by spending 15 minutes a day on one of these areas:
Pantry items
Pots & pans
Cooking utensils
Eating utensils
Cups/mugs
Tupperware
Plates/bowls
Serving ware
Baking ware
Small appliances
Dish towels/cloths
Under sink cabinet
Etc.
I will make time every day between 3pm and 5pm. I will also take before and after photos of each area so I can continue to be inspired.”
I hope that example helps you to see how setting goals for each room in your home will help you feel less overwhelmed!
Get motivated
Find yourself some motivation! Here are some ideas:
Read organizing blogs – These blogs are full of useful tips for everyone!
Read décor blogs – Maybe envisioning what your space could look like will motivate you?
Watch an organizing show -Something like The Home Edit could really help light the organizing fire.
Have guests over – Nothing gets your act in gear when you’re anticipating company! (or maybe this will only force you to shove things in the closets…)
Lose something – hehe, but seriously, I’ve gone on organizing rampages when I can’t find something of importance!
Set the timer
If you know a project will take you 3 – 4 hours or more, you’re likely to put it off. But, if you work at it and organize in small bursts, by setting a timer for 15 – 30 minutes, you’re more likely to get your project done! Or how about doing a quick project (sorting the mail) while you’re waiting for water to boil or the microwave to finish?
Hopefully these are some ideas to help you get started with organizing your home to make it a place that you love being in!
What I really want to know though, is that I’m not the only person that tries to get as much done as I can while I’m waiting for the microwave to beep? 😉
Where do you start first when you organize? Did these tips help? Share your ideas in the comments below!
