Question

Topic: Canadian Grocery Budget Are there any Canadians in this group following a strict grocery budget?! I was going off of Jordan Page and doing $75/wk ($300/month) for the two of us. We were finding it impossible and then I realized that Jordan is American and can likely get a lot more for her money. Is this correct or am I just looking for a reason to increase the budget?  

Answer 1

We are gluten free, peanut free, half of us are dairy free and soy free and we strictly limit sugar. We live in rural Canada with Walmart more than an hour and a half away. I spend $900 a month on groceries for the 5 of us. And it is stretching but it is good!  

Comments

@syd5 Thiessen that's actually pretty good considering dietary restrictions.  

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@lodestar thanks for that encouragement! It takes a load of work!  

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@syd5 Thiessen it does. I am a diehard flyer shopper, and even then it's hard for two people.  

Answer 2

My boyfriend and I live in Montreal, I’m vegetarian and we eat mostly plant based, we are at $60-80/week for groceries depending on our meal plan (not including household supplies, just food).  

Answer 3

Canadian in AB, we budget 250$ biweekly for 3 of us! But that's for all groceries.  

Answer 4

I find it very difficult to stay ok my grocery budget. The price of food has increased so much in northern ontario. Even going to no frills has gotten expensive  The only things that I have found to help are sticking to a strict meal plan I use the apps Flipp and Reebee to price match as much as I can. I done online groceries but there isn’t an option to price match.  

Answer 5

I’m on Canada as well family of 4 and my husband hunts so that cuts some meat costs but I still can’t go under 600. 00 a month.  

Answer 6

I’m in BC and trying to stick to a budget of $800 per month for 4 including toiletries. But when butter is $7. 09 and a tub of blueberries is $6. 99 it makes it really hard! Groceries are just so expensive here  

Comments

@protozoan I’m in BC too. Prices are brutal.  

Answer 7

I'm American and I can't do it for that. Lol. I did read if the budget is hard to achieve go up $25 and try that for 3 months. Keep in mind food prices can vary based on location and stores.  

Answer 8

I'm in Ontario and spend 300cad - ish for myself and two kiddos half time (3 and 10 yo). I shop at No Frills and Superstore and use their MC. Try to stick to their point promotions as much as it fit my meal plan. From the last grocery raid last week I spent 125cad and got back in points about 25cad. This will go towards my next shopping nex weekend.  

Answer 9

No way. I spend 1200 a month on groceries in Canada . That’s 300-350 a week. But that is for everything for the home. Cleaners, groceries, diapers, formula etc. it’s expensive here. We go to the States twice a year to shop for clothes and other things and stock up when and if we can  

Answer 10

I’m so glad someone brought this up! We live in BC and my grocery budget is $300 a week with food, household items, cleaners and diapers plus wipes. We’re a family of 4. I’m vegetarian/pescatarian, Husband and kids eat meat. My husband’s also gluten sensitive and lactose intolerant so I have quite a number of allergy foods we HAVE TO buy. I’m on week 2 of cutting down on costs. Aiming to cut our weekly groceries to $250 and that’s being optimistic  Things that have been helping: 1. Making my own organic yogurt in the instant pot. Everyone loves it and says it’s better than store bought! 2. Homemade granola bars. I love that I can control the sugar plus so many bars sneak in extra milk or wheat. 3. Making big batches of beans in the instant vs canned beans. So cheap and so much better than canned variety. I’d love to hear how other Canadians, specifically those living in BC, are able to cut down on groceries! I need ideas!  

Answer 11

For the two of us, plus weekend family meals, we spend +/- 250 CDN every two weeks.  

Answer 12

Northern Ontario fam of 3 adults no kids but we spend 150-200 a week on groceries. So you're not wrong! Its expensive for us northerners to the US.  

Answer 13

It depends where you live honestly. I'm in New Brunswick and our grocery budget (1 adult, 1 kid) is $225 biweekly. That includes groceries, eating out, and houdehold supplies. We rarely have much left, but stick within it quite easily with proper planning. And still enjoy our favorites and eating out within reason.  

Answer 14

Five adults and my budget is $325/wk. We live in a small community so our prices are higher than average.  

Answer 15

Victoria BC- $480/ month for groceries (toiletries/household things included) 2 adults, mainly vegetarian. Then $120 for budgeted for dine outs

Answer 16

BC and it's just me for 2 weeks and then I have my kids for two week out of the month. Im about 400-500 but that also counts the McDonald's trips when we are on the fly for activities.  

Answer 17

I think her plan for groceries is a joke. If you want to eat healthy it takes more than $100 per person. She feeds her family junky stuff.  

Answer 18

We are a Canadian family (living in Ottawa) of 4, kids are now adults plus I have 5 daycare kids and my monthly food budget is $700 this also includes toiletries and household items. Within the past few weeks I still have money left over. I price match almost everything, stock up when it is a really good deal and plan my meals ahead as best I can. I also find it really depends on what store you shop at.  

Answer 19

First month trying to actually budget and I’m attempting $700 a month for family of 5 (7, 5 and 9m) that’s including diapers and dog food. We’re in the Calgary Alberta area. Meal planning and I buying fruit and veg weekly has helped me have less waste and save $. I have a $100 restaurant budget and $50 fast food budget per month also. Edited to add I also only use superstore or Walmart grocery pick up 99% of the time to save on impulse buys. Also collecting pc points since nov and have $250 in points already.  

Comments

@sellingplater I just recently came across it actually! But haven’t found anything yet I want lol

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@sellingplater i just discovered this last week! I feel like it is still new in saskatoon and I just buy for the deal and want vs need. not much listed now, I feel like over time there may be more

Answer 20

I’m Canadian. I am still tweaking our food budget. I was doing 150 every 2 weeks. This paycheque I’m trying 225. My boyfriend’s and my cereal costs around $5-$6 for a small box. It keeps me full longer but I’m finding that we spend about 60-70 on cereal a month

Answer 21

My fiance and I live in Nova Scotia and stick to $100/wk. We only buy meat when on sale and when it is, we try to stock up as much as possible. Rolling over whatever is left from a lower cost week helps a lot with this! We also buy our produce from a fruit and veggie specific store which saves us A LOT. Just checked out No Frills for the first time and may incorporate this more often as it does save on some staple food items! (I noticed condiment savings the most). Definitely takes some effort but is do-able! This includes household items (tissue, paper towel), but not our dog food.  

Comments

@lambdoid6735 you can collect PC points there too

Answer 22

Even for Americans, Jordan page isn't very realistic. When you actually pay attention to her, it doesn't add up.  

Answer 23

Family of 8 . northern alberta. i I budget about 1300 a month for groceries and usually go over. i meal plan and write lists !  

Answer 24

I’ve noticed that my grocery budget is *Significantly* higher than any of the American budget amounts- I’m here in Canada too (Alberta). We are a family of four and we spend about $1100 per month. We do not eat out and I follow a strict meal plan. That does include household items as well, like toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.  

Answer 25

We live in Langley BC Canada and our budget is $150 a week for a family of 3. Sometimes I can roll some over however we are gluten free and lactose free so it’s expensive.  

Answer 26

Family of 2 and a Daycare in Southern Ontario. We spend $100/week including toiletries and household items. Lactose free and on a diet. Lots of lean protein and vegetables

Answer 27

We try and stick to $100/week (2 adults 1 baby) in Ontario! Its HARD. PC points and smart menu planning.  

Answer 28

Ontario Family (2 adults, 4yo and 3yo twins). Ive just started my budget journey and have been trying for $100-125/week (food only).  

Answer 29

Family of 3 in BC. no way could we do that, bc costs are crazy!  

Answer 30

Family of 4 in BC! We were at 800-900/month. trying to get down to 700. It’s tough but meal planning has helped.  

Answer 31

Ontario. Family of 4 and two cats. 1k average

Answer 32

Family of 8 in the Yukon. I wanted to try Jordan Pages suggested food budget too, adapting it to Canadian living and then adding more for northern pricing. I aim for $850/month but because we live 2 hours from the grocery stores we have to stock up at our local store (more expensive) and I’m trying to cut that out this month and see where we end up budget wise.  

Answer 33

Holy crap, these grocery budgets. I’m having an anxiety attach for you guys!  

Answer 34

Family of 5 in Ontario and our budget is 150/week and we have been able to maintain it this month so far  

Answer 35

Family of 5 (with 2 more regularly here during the week/for meals). Just starting but really trying to stick to 5-600 a month. We are in NL.  

Answer 36

We are a family of 4 (kids are 5 and 12) we live in Ontario. and I budget for $600/month. $150/week. I shop mainly at No Frills & Costco. We do a big meat shopping trip at the beginning of the month. We meal plan and try to stick to it.  

Answer 37

Family of 5 in Ottawa. 2 adults with 3 teens. We spend between 250-300 per week! That us $1200 per month! We could do better judging by others from ON.  

Answer 38

I live in Toronto. Luckily my DH is a retired chef, so we make everything from scratch. Unfortunately, that means that we "need" to buy things that wouldn't normally go on my shopping list. Working on curtailing that as much as I can. It also helps to leave him at home when I'm shopping because things sneak their way into the cart. I'm lucky if I can get through 2 weeks under $400.  

Answer 39

We're on Vancouver Island, I'm vegan & my husband isn't. My budget is $300 every 2 weeks. I shop at Superstore, Walmart & Costco. Also a farm market or veggies/fruit. This includes everything but dogfood. I struggle as we used to spend $1200/Mo just because I never paid attention. I now meal plan & freeze extra. Also - just found out how expensive our dog is what with shots, food, treats, and daycare 1x week! More than me!  

Answer 40

1 adult 1 4yo and I do 240/month (120/paycheck). I live in Vancouver

Answer 41

Toronto girl here. I am an empty nester, diabetic (low carb) and I find it difficult to live on $600 a month for groceries, and I don’t eat out much. ‍♀️

Answer 42

My partner and I spend about 600-800 a month. He has a very physical job. We are gluten free, low carb. That cost includes large bulk purchases from Costco, any household items, or household necessities. This does not include any eating out.