One simple way to save money is to take a break from grocery shopping for a week or two and challenge yourself to use what you already have stocked in your pantry and freezer. I like to think of it as “shopping” from my own kitchen! At least once a year, when I notice my pantry and freezer getting a little too full, I do a Pantry Challenge to use up what we already have on hand. It’s always surprising how many forgotten items I end up finding :P. Being intentional about using the food we’ve already purchased helps cut down on waste and saves our family a lot of money!
Here’s how we make it work for us:
Take Inventory
This is a major key to success in doing a pantry challenge for us. If I don't know what I have stuck in the nooks and crannies, then it's hard to make a plan of attack.
Meal Plan
Based on what I wrote on my inventory list, I'll come up with a meal plan that will carry us through until most/all of the food is eaten. I'm terrible at "inventing" meals so I'll usually add our tried and true recipes along with some really basic recipes that I've found via Pinterest or something. (I need a recipe to work with. Lol.)
Check out The Meal Planner! I created the printable Meal planner to help make meal planning and saving money easy! The PDF includes:
18 pages
Monthly, Weekly + Daily meal planning worksheets
Meal brainstorming worksheets
Food inventory worksheets
Grocery lists
Price matching worksheet
Party Planning worksheet
Set a Goal
Having a goal or two when you embark on a Pantry Challenge is important. Usually when I eat from the pantry, I do a month long challenge. So one of my goals is to avoid any major grocery shopping for one month. Another goal I set is to only spend $25 a week on essentials (fresh fruit/vegetables, dairy, eggs). I think it would be impossible to do a month long challenge without shopping for some essentials. However, setting a goal of spending only $25 a week, for example, will still help significantly in keeping more money in the bank account!
Here's how you could make it work for you:
Make it a Game
Along with taking inventory, making a meal plan and setting a goal or two, turning a pantry challenge into a game can really add fun to meal time. Rather than thinking of a pantry challenge as a hard thing, why not see how long you can survive without going to the store. Or see what kind of wacky (edible) meals you can create to give the whole family a laugh.
Focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have
Be thankful for the deals & steals that you have already taken advantage of to fill your pantry and freezer, instead of thinking of all the ones you're missing out on in the grocery stores. Or, are you really wishing you had more rice? Find some new ways to love all those potatoes that you do have.
Get Creative
It’s time to get creative again! Whether it’s breakfast for dinner to finish up some pancake mix, using stale bread to make bread crumbs, cooking is about enjoying the process and breaking out of the mundane. Creativity comes when you have 12 boxes of pasta and need a new recipe. Or, think of all the ways you can use up that leftover ham and go for it!
Here's a list of basic meals that you should be able to create with some of your inventory:
There you have it! That's how to eat from the pantry to save money! Eating from the pantry is a great way to ensure that you don’t spend money when you don't have to and that you don’t find good food that has expired.
Have you ever tried a pantry challenge? If so, how long have you gone without going to the store?
5 Free Money Saving Apps Every Canadian Should Download
Today I’m sharing five of my favourite free money saving apps that help me save money with barely any extra effort! These apps are perfect for busy people who want simple ways to spend less and keep more money in their pocket.
You can download the apps right to your phone or use the desktop versions. Whatever works best for your lifestyle.
Once you start using these apps, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. The savings add up fast, and scoring deals starts to feel almost effortless!
Rakuten Canada
Rakuten is an awesome site that pays you Cash Back when you shop online. With over 750 stores, including Best Buy, Book Outlet, Crocs, Old Navy, and Sephora, get paid to shop for things you’re already buying. Plus, get a $30 Cash Bonus when you join today!
Hopper
Hopper Do you have travel plans? Hopper is the #1 most downloaded travel app in North America! Hopper aspires to be the world’s best — and most fun — place to book travel. Hopper has helped over 75 million travelers save!
Honey
Honey finds and applies coupon codes at online checkouts for you so you can get back to the more important things in your life quickly. Basically, it's amazing because Honey finds the deals on the things you need without any effort on your part.
Flipp
Need butter? Use Flipp to find out where it's on sale! Flipp is your one-stop app for deals and savings. They collect the widest variety of digital flyers, ads, and deals from over 2000 retailers, giving you the flexibility to save when and where it’s most convenient.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a cash-back app that will give you cash back on items you purchase from the grocery store. All you have to do is pick the products you like, purchase them at any store, and upload a photo of your receipt. When your account reaches $20, you can cash out and we'll send you a check! Another cash-back app you will love: Caddle.
Do you use any of these already? If so, which one is your favorite? Do you have any favorite free money saving apps that I didn't list? Hit reply and let me know!
Summer is almost here! Can you feel the sunshine, the excitement, and the busy days ahead?
Summer is the season for beach days, backyard BBQs, road trips, swimming, and making memories with the people you love most. It’s the perfect time to slow down a little, soak up the longer days, and enjoy more quality time with family and friends.
And let’s be honest. Every great summer moment usually revolves around good food!
The good news? Feeding your family healthy, homemade meals during the summer doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. (Because who wants to do that when the weather is beautiful?) The secret is simple: meal prepping. With a little planning ahead, you can put together quick, delicious meals for any time of day while saving both time and money on takeout.
If you’re looking to simplify meals this summer, here are 10 quick and easy meal prep ideas the whole family will love.
Start by deciding what meals and snacks you want to prepare for the week ahead. Write down the recipes you plan to make, then create a shopping list with all the ingredients you’ll need. Having a plan in place makes grocery shopping easier and helps you avoid those last-minute takeout runs.
Start Multitasking
Save yourself time by cooking multiple things at once. Roast a tray of summer vegetables while baking chicken, or prep fresh ingredients while something cooks on the stove. A little multitasking can make meal prep feel much quicker and more manageable.
Don’t Overdo the Meal Prep
Try not to prep more than three or four days’ worth of meals at a time. Fresh summer produce doesn’t always last long in the fridge, and over-prepping can lead to spoiled food and unnecessary waste. Smaller batches help keep meals tasting fresh and delicious.
Use Your Grill
One of the best parts of summer is grilling season! Instead of heating up the kitchen with the oven, cook outdoors whenever possible. Grill chicken, burgers, fresh vegetables, or even fruit for easy summer meals the whole family will love.
Bonus tip: make extra meat while the grill is hot so you’ll have leftovers ready for lunches, salads, wraps, or quick dinners later in the week.
Prepare Raw Food
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy lighter, refreshing meals. Fresh vegetables like cucumber and zucchini pair well with so many dishes and are especially refreshing during hot weather.
Buy yourself this vegetable chopper and spiralizer to make quick work of produce prep. The spiralizer attachment is great for zucchini or cucumber to be tossed with pesto for a quick veggie noodle dish.
No-cook meal ideas like salads, canned beans, corn, fresh fruit, and snack plates are also great additions to your weekly meal plan.
Utilize Your Slow Cooker
Slow cookers aren’t just for chilly winter meals. They’re incredibly useful during the summer too! They allow you to cook without heating up the whole house.
Use your slow cooker to prepare shredded chicken, taco meat, beans, potatoes, carrots, or corn in large batches. Freeze leftovers in smaller portions for easy meals later on. And of course, the Instant Pot or an air fryer are other great options for quick summer cooking!
Choose Glass Containers Over Plastic
While plastic containers may be cheaper, glass containers are often the better long-term option for meal prep. Here are a few reasons why:
It’s easier to see what’s inside
Glass containers can safely go in the microwave
Food tastes fresher and doesn’t absorb odors
Glass won’t release chemicals when heated
They’re durable and reusable for years
Use Your Leftovers
Cook extra portions at dinner and use the leftovers for lunches or quick breakfasts the next day. Leftovers are a huge time-saver and help reduce food waste. Plus, having ready-made meals in the fridge makes busy days so much easier.
My husband loves taking leftovers to work because it saves both time and money!
Buy Better Bread
All those summer activities can definitely work up an appetite! If sandwiches are part of your meal plan, try choosing hearty whole grain breads that are filling and nutritious.
Look for bread made with 100% whole grains and plenty of texture. A good quality bread can make even a simple sandwich feel much more satisfying.
Cook Once, Eat all Day
Set aside one block of time each day to prep meals, chop produce, or cook proteins for later. Having meals ready to go makes busy summer days so much easier and helps you avoid spending tons of time in the kitchen.
With just a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy healthy, delicious meals all summer long without spending a fortune or cooking nonstop.
What are your favourite summer meal prep ideas and tips? Share them in the comments below!
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!
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.
