5 Small Habits That Build Financial Stability: Tips for Every Budget From the MTR Foundation Community
As champions for housing security in Metro Vancouver, our team at More Than a Roof Foundation understands that fiscal stability doesn’t happen all at once — it’s built through small, consistent actions.
Through helping thousands of families break cycles of poverty and homelessness, we’ve identified what really works when it comes to building financial security and household stability at any income level.
Here are five practical tips we’ve seen make a real difference in people’s lives.
1. Find Hidden Grocery Savings with Smart Apps
Groceries are one of the biggest monthly expenses. But with the right apps, you can cut your bill by $40–$80 a month without changing your diet.
Three Apps We Love:
- Flipp: Compare flyers from all your local stores and price match.
- Too Good to Go: Buy unsold food from restaurants and grocery stores at deep discounts.
- Checkout 51: Get cash back for buying everyday items like milk, cereal and produce.
At More Than a Roof Foundation, we help ease the pressure of rising grocery prices through community pantries and Soul Kitchen — our community dining room offering low-cost meals for residents.
💡 Quick Tip: Stack app savings with store loyalty programs for even bigger discounts.
2. Shop Secondhand & Join the Circular Economy
Secondhand isn’t second-best—it’s smart, sustainable and stylish. Whether you’re furnishing a home, dressing kids, or looking for seasonal gear, buying used can save you hundreds each year.
Where to Look (Our Local Favourites):
- Thrift stores
- Consignment shops
What’s your favourite secondhand spot? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list!
3. Batch Cook & Freeze: Your Secret Weapon Against Takeout
Grabbing takeout on busy nights can add up fast. One dinner out can cost $15–$20 per person, while a home-cooked meal can cost less than $3 per serving.
Your Action Plan:
- Designate a Time: Choose one evening a week to cook large meals like chili, curry, or pasta bake.
- Portion & Freeze: Freeze individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or no-cook dinners.
- Keep Track: Make a list of what’s in your freezer so you don’t forget.
Our team at Soul Kitchen — our community dining room — serves 300+ meals a week so they’re wizards at cooking big batches of hearty food on a tight budget. They turn donations from IGA and Earls Test Kitchen, into nutritious, filling meals.
💡 Inspired? Check out our low-cost One-Pot Lentil & Turkey Chili Recipe below! At just $2 per serving and a huge amount of protein, it’s a tried and tested winner!
4. Use Canada’s Savings Tools to Your Advantage
Are you leaving money on the table? Explore Canada’s financial savings accounts today, for opportunities to grow your wealth. You don’t need a lot to start — you just need to be consistent!
Your Financial Starter Toolkit
- TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account): Save for anything — emergency fund, vacation, new appliances — without paying tax on your money’s growth.
- FHSA (First Home Savings Account): Save for your first home with tax-deductible contributions and tax-free withdrawals.
- Automatic Deposits: Even $25 a week adds up and builds the habit of “paying yourself first.”
We know that safe and affordable long-term housing is the foundation for broader financial security. MTR residents know that can leverage stable housing to build financial security and work towards their future goals.
5. Give Back While Getting Back: Charitable Tax Credits
Charitable giving isn’t just about generosity—it can be part of a smart financial plan. You can get back up to 50% of your donations to registered Canadian charities in tax credits!
Leverage Your Charitable Gifts
- Keep All Your Donation Receipts: File them during tax season to claim your return
- Consider Monthly Giving: This spreads out the cost out and increases your impact.
When you donate to organizations like More Than a Roof Foundation, you’re not only supporting affordable housing solutions—you’re building stability for entire families while maximizing your tax benefits.
“For so long, we didn’t have security or a safe environment. When we found out [we had a place at Dockside], it felt like we’d found somewhere to rebuild our lives together. It was everything for us.”
– Camryn Rogers, Olympic Gold-Medalist and World Champion
Want More Practical Tips & Inspiring Stories Like These?
If you found these ideas helpful, we’ve got more. Subscribe to our newsletter for: Inspiring stories from across Metro Vancouver; tools to help you and your neighbours thriveTogether, we can build strong, stable futures—one step at a time.
One-Pot Lentil & Turkey Chili
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 35 min
Cost per serving: ~$2 or less
Protein: ~25g per serving
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) ground turkey (or ground chicken or beef)
1 cup dried lentils (or 1 can cooked lentils, drained)
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 can (796 mL / 28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (540 mL / 19 oz) kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups water or broth
1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
2.Add garlic and bell pepper, cook for 2 more minutes.
3.Add ground turkey. Break up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink.
4.Stir in spices, lentils, beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water/broth.
5.Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more water if needed.
6.Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot or portion into containers for freezing.
Batch Tips:
– Freeze in single servings for quick lunches or dinners.
– Swap ground turkey for lentils only to make it vegetarian and lower cost.
– Add frozen corn or spinach near the end for extra nutrients.