When we started our frugal living journey, we quickly realized something important: the right tools don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to work.
We’re not talking about buying more stuff for the sake of it. We’re talking about strategic purchases that actually reduce long-term costs. Products that pay for themselves within months by eliminating waste, preventing spoilage, or replacing expensive single-use items.
Every item on this list costs under $30 CAD and has earned its place in our everyday routines. These aren’t aspirational purchases we saw on Instagram. These are the practical tools helping us cut costs while we’re figuring out this whole frugal living thing together.
Here’s what’s actually working for us.
1. Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
What it is: Reusable, platinum silicone bags that replace disposable plastic bags for food storage, freezing, and even sous vide cooking.
Why we use it: We were spending about $15-20 monthly on disposable freezer bags and sandwich bags. These Stasher bags (or similar brands like Ziploc Endurables) have completely eliminated that expense. They’re dishwasher safe, leak-proof, and last for years.
How it saves money: A starter set of 2-3 bags costs around $20-$30 but replaces hundreds of disposable bags. Our team calculated we’d save approximately $180-240 annually after the initial investment.
- CONTAINS: 2 Stasher Reusable Silicone Pocket Bags in the colors Clear + Deep Ocean. The Pocket bag holds 4 Fl Oz with th…
- BETTER SILICONE BAGS & BOWLS: Made with platinum food-grade silicone and a leak-free Pinch-Loc seal, these reusable food…
- REUSABLE, REWASHABLE CONTAINERS: Stasher silicone reusable storage bags make it easy to ditch single-use plastic and mee…
2. Anchor Hocking 8 Piece Glass Food Storage Containers
What it is: Crystal-clear glass containers with airtight, leak-proof lids designed for meal prep and leftover storage.
Why we use it: Proper food storage was a game-changer for reducing our food waste. These containers keep produce fresh 3-5 days longer than cheap plastic containers, and we can see exactly what’s inside without opening everything.
How it saves money: Reducing food waste by even 20% saves the average Canadian family $400-600 yearly. These containers also eliminate the need to buy disposable containers or constantly replace warped plastic versions.
- INCLUDES: This Anchor Hocking glass storage set contains (4) 2-cup round food storage containers with (4) mint Snugfit l…
- USE: These bento-box style meal prep containers are the perfect way to plan your week. Glass stacks, reheats, and dishwa…
- STORE AND REHEAT: Fridge, freezer, oven, microwave – 4 needs, 1 dish. Save time moving foods, cleaning, and organizing. …
3. Crock-Pot 4-Quart Classic Slow Cooker
What it is: A basic slow cooker that lets you choose heat settings and switch to “warm” when done.
Why we use it: This single appliance has dramatically reduced our takeout spending. We prep ingredients in the morning, set it, and come home to ready meals. It makes cheap cuts of meat tender and turns budget ingredients into restaurant-quality meals.
How it saves money: Each home-cooked slow cooker meal costs $8-12 for a family of four versus $40-60 for takeout. Just 2-3 uses weekly saves $80-120 monthly.
- 3 Manual Heat Settings: Choose from high, low, and warm, for cooking flexibility no matter what you’re making
- 4-Quart/3.8-Litre Capacity: Feeds 4+ people and is perfectly sized for preparing chilis, soups, stews, and more
- Keep Warm Setting: The manual warm setting allows you to keep your food at serving temperature when it’s time to eat
4. Kichly 34-Ounce French Press Espresso and Tea Maker
What it is: A French press coffee maker that brews rich, flavorful coffee without requiring any filters, electricity, or expensive machines.
Why we use it: We were spending $40-50 yearly on paper filters, plus the cost of running an electric drip coffee maker. The French press eliminated both expenses completely. Plus, it makes better-tasting coffee and takes up less counter space.
How it saves money: No paper filters ($40-50/year), no electricity costs, no expensive K-cups or coffee pods. The initial $22 investment pays for itself in just 5-6 months. French press coffee also uses less coffee grounds per cup, stretching your coffee budget further.
- Brew 12 coffee cups. Also includes a plastic measuring spoon.
- Durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe mug sits in stylish insulated plastic frames which make pouring coffee…
- Easier to use than a drip coffee maker; Brews within minutes and without a muddy filter.
5. Abeego Beeswax Food Wraps (3-pack, various sizes)
What it is: Reusable beeswax-coated fabric wraps that replace plastic wrap and aluminum foil for covering bowls, wrapping produce, and storing sandwiches.
Why we use it: These wraps keep cut produce fresh, cover bowls, and wrap sandwiches without generating waste. They’re also significantly better at keeping food fresh compared to regular plastic wrap.
How it saves money: Eliminates $30-40 annual spending on plastic wrap and foil. Each wrap lasts 12-18 months with proper care, and you can refresh them at home with more beeswax.
- Contains a set of 3 sheets – Dimensions: 7×7″(S), 10×10″(M), 13×13″(L). Handcrafted in Canada 🇨🇦.
- Helps keep food fresh for a longer time – Self-adhesive and air resistant. Only requires the warmth and pressure of your…
- Not all beeswax wraps are the same! As the original beeswax food wrap producer, Abeego’s time-tested secret recipe optim…
6. E-Cloth Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (4-pack)
What it is: High-quality microfiber cloths that clean effectively with just water, replacing paper towels and chemical cleaners.
Why we use it: We were spending $20-25 monthly on paper towels. These cloths eliminated that completely. They clean better than paper towels and can be washed and reused hundreds of times.
How it saves money: Eliminates $240-300 annual paper towel costs. The initial $20-25 investment lasts 2-3 years, saving roughly $500-700 over their lifespan.
- Includes four (4) General Purpose Cloths – 12.5inchx12.5inch
- True Chemical Free Cleaning – Removes thick dirt, grease, oil, grime and is proven to remove over 99% of bacteria from a…
- Due to its electrostatic properties, used dry, is also an effective dusting cloth
7. Brita Standard Water Filter Pitcher
What it is: A water filtration pitcher that removes chlorine taste, copper, mercury, and other contaminants from tap water.
Why we use it: Several team members were spending $30-50 monthly on bottled water before switching to filtered tap water. The taste is actually better, and we’re not creating plastic waste.
How it saves money: After the initial pitcher cost ($25-30) and filter replacements ($8-10 every 2 months), the annual cost is approximately $75-80 versus $360-600 for bottled water.
- Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can save money and replace 1,800 single-use plasti…
- This space efficient Brita pitcher fits perfectly on refrigerator shelves, features an easy-fill locking lid and is easy…
- Brita is the #1 water filter reducing chlorine (taste & odor), Mercury, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium; always get cleaner, fi…
8. Ozeri Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
What it is: A precise digital scale that measures in grams, ounces, and pounds for accurate cooking, baking, and portion control.
Why we use it: Accurate measurements reduce recipe failures and food waste. We also use it to portion bulk purchases into smaller quantities, ensuring we’re getting fair value and preventing spoilage.
How it saves money: Prevents over-serving (reducing grocery costs by 10-15%), improves baking success rates, and helps verify weights at bulk stores to ensure fair pricing.
- Precise graduations of 0.05 oz or 1 gram, with a capacity range from 0.05 oz to 12 lbs (1 gram to 5.4 kg).
- Automatic tare button subtracts weight of the container in which the ingredients are placed
- Large screen features a bright LCD with an improved viewing angle for the on-the-go cook
9. RüK Multi-Blade Vegetable Chopper
What it is: A manual vegetable chopper with multiple blade options for dicing, chopping, and slicing vegetables quickly.
Why we use it: Fast vegetable prep removes one of the biggest barriers to cooking from scratch. This tool cuts prep time by 50-60%, making weeknight cooking far more appealing than takeout.
How it saves money: Makes cooking from scratch faster and easier, reducing takeout temptation. Also encourages using fresh vegetables instead of pre-cut (expensive) options from the grocery store.
- Great Value & High Quality – The RüK Vegetable Chopper is a budget-friendly option for those looking for a reliable vegg…
- 6 Sharp Blades for Various Needs – perfect for those in need of a reliable potato slicer, tomato slicer, onion chopper, …
- Unique & Ergonomic Design – Our distinguished Veggie Chopper with container features a cool gray and green palette, desi…
10. PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
What it is: An insulated lunch bag with built-in freezable gel that keeps food cold for 10+ hours without ice packs.
Why we use it: Bringing lunch from home is one of the biggest money-savers in our frugal journey. This bag makes it practical by keeping food fresh and cold all day without the hassle of ice packs.
How it saves money: Bringing lunch 4 days weekly instead of buying ($10-15 daily) saves approximately $160-240 monthly or $1,920-2,880 annually.
- BUILT WITH ECOFREEZE TECHNOLOGY: The Freezable Lunch Bag is designed with PackIt’s Patented ECOFREEZE Technology, freeza…
- FOR THE JOURNEY: Our Freezable Lunch Bag is here to make your life easier and more organized. It has a food safe liner a…
- STYLE & FUNCTION: The Lunch Bag has a zip opening that locks in cool dry air. The top buckle handle allows for clipping …
11. FEPITO Reusable Shopping Bags (set of 6)
What it is: Durable, machine-washable nylon bags that fold into a small pouch and hold up to 50 lbs each.
Why we use it: Beyond avoiding the $0.05-0.25 per bag fees at stores, these bags prevent impulse purchases by limiting cart space. They’re also strong enough to prevent the “bag broke, food spilled” waste we experienced with cheap alternatives.
How it saves money: Eliminates bag fees ($5-10 monthly for frequent shoppers), reduces broken bag incidents, and the space limitation naturally curbs impulse buying.
12. ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
What it is: A fast, accurate digital thermometer that takes temperature readings in 3-4 seconds.
Why we use it: Overcooking or undercooking meat is expensive. Overcooked meat is dry and unappetizing (leading to waste), while undercooked meat can cause illness. This thermometer ensures perfect results every time.
How it saves money: Prevents ruined meals and food waste. A single overcooked roast can waste $15-25. This tool pays for itself after preventing just one cooking mishap.
- 【Completely Waterproof】Digital food thermometer has a IPX6 waterproof rating that means you can wash the unit under runn…
- 【Calibration】Calibration function adjusts your digital thermometer cooking back to the correct accuracy, making it a kit…
- 【Lock Function】 BBQ thermometer can lock the current temp when the probe is removed from food and keep the temp displaye…
13. Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mats (2-pack)
What it is: Non-stick silicone mats that replace parchment paper and aluminum foil for baking.
Why we use it: These mats are dishwasher safe, reusable for years, and nothing sticks to them. They work for cookies, roasted vegetables, fish, and more.
How it saves money: A $15-18 investment replaces $30-40 in annual parchment paper purchases. Each mat can be used 2,000+ times.
- 2 non-stick silicone baking mats for easy and convenient baking, roasting and food prep
- Non-stick silicone releases food without the need for grease, cooking sprays, or parchment paper
- Oven-safe up to 249°C
14. Reemix Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder
What it is: A small electric grinder for coffee beans, spices, nuts, and grains.
Why we use it: Pre-ground spices lose flavor quickly and cost significantly more than whole spices. This grinder lets us buy whole spices in bulk and grind them fresh as needed.
How it saves money: Whole spices cost 30-50% less than pre-ground versions and maintain flavor much longer, reducing replacement frequency. Bulk coffee beans are also cheaper than pre-ground coffee.
- Large Capacity: With room for up to 3.5 oz./100g of whole coffee beans, you can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, or grind 3…
- One-Touch Operation: After assembling and placing the coffee beans, simply press the button at the top and the sturdy st…
- Stylish & Practical: Its stylish, ergonomic Easy Grip body and pulse button were designed for your comfort. Its transpar…
15. Budget Planner Notebook by Clever Fox
What it is: A structured budget planner with monthly expense trackers, savings goals, debt payoff trackers, and financial reflection pages.
Why we use it: Digital tools are great, but several of us found that physically writing down expenses creates better awareness and accountability. This planner has dedicated sections for tracking every financial category.
How it saves money: Studies show people who track spending manually reduce expenses by 15-20% within the first three months. That’s $300-500 savings for many households, all from a $15 notebook.
- TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY & ACHIEVE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS – Are you looking for the best monthly budget planner to keep …
- FIND THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS – This budget organizer is not just a tool; it’s a framework for achie…
- EASILY CONTROL YOUR SPENDING, DEBTS & SAVINGS – This money planner is undated and covers 12 months. Every month features…
The Bottom Line
These 15 products total approximately $300-400 if purchased all at once, but you don’t need to buy everything immediately. We’ve been building this collection gradually over months.
Start with the items that address your biggest money leaks:
- Eating out too much? → Slow cooker + lunch bag
- Throwing away spoiled food? → Glass containers + beeswax wraps
- High grocery bills? → Kitchen scale + reusable bags + meal prep tools
- Buying bottled water? → Water filter pitcher
- Not tracking spending? → Budget planner
Each of these products has genuinely helped us save money, not by being cheap, but by being effective at reducing waste, encouraging better habits, and lasting long enough to justify the upfront cost.
That’s the real secret of frugal living: sometimes you need to spend a little now to save a lot later.
Shopping Note: While we’ve linked to Amazon.ca for convenience, many of these products are also available at Canadian retailers like Winners, HomeSense, Canadian Tire, Walmart, and Costco. Shop wherever you find the best price!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we actually use and believe in.