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CBB Monthly Cost of Living Report – May 2026 Edition
Welcome back to another monthly household budget update here on Canadian Budget Binder!
Every month, we open our family’s budget books and share exactly how we manage our money—from groceries and investing to rewards points and everyday expenses. I hope that by sharing our real numbers and experiences, you’ll pick up ideas to help you build a stronger financial future for your family.
Budgeting isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about making informed decisions, learning from each month, and celebrating progress, no matter how big or small.
May was an especially memorable month for our family because we welcomed my nephew and his girlfriend from the United Kingdom for three and a half weeks. Since they’re both only 20 years old and travelling on a limited budget, Mrs. CBB and I happily covered the cost of groceries, many meals, and our sightseeing adventures around Ontario.
Did our expenses increase?
Absolutely.
Would we do it again?
Without hesitation.
One of the greatest gifts budgeting has given us is the ability to say yes to moments like these without stressing about money afterward.
That’s exactly what financial planning should do.
It should help you enjoy life—not limit it.
May 2026 Budget Snapshot
| Grocery Budget | $1,250.00 |
| Grocery Spending | $1,198.17 |
| Under Budget | $51.83 |
| Grocery Savings | $126.53 |
| Year-to-Date Grocery Spending | $6,576.19 |
| Net Worth Increase | +$29,287.01 |
| Net Worth Growth | +1.27% |
| Debt | $0 |
Even while feeding two additional adults for most of the month, we managed to stay under our grocery budget.
That’s a result we’re extremely proud of.
CBB Tip
A budget should give you permission to enjoy life—not make you feel guilty about spending money you’ve already planned for.
Household Update
If I had to summarize May in one sentence, it would simply be this:
Family came first.
Having relatives visit from overseas meant our schedule looked very different than usual.
Instead of staying close to home, we spent much of the month exploring Ontario and showing them some of our favourite places.
Our biggest adventure was a two-day trip to Niagara Falls.
We stayed at the Hilton Fallsview Hotel, enjoyed spectacular views of the Falls, and visited Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara City Cruises, and the Skylon Tower observation deck.
One unexpected highlight for me was the hotel gym.
I was up before everyone else each morning, and having the entire fitness centre almost to myself was the perfect way to start the day before heading out sightseeing.
To help keep costs under control, we skipped the expensive hotel breakfast and walked across the street to Tim Hortons each morning for coffee and a light breakfast.
Sometimes the simplest choices save the most money.
Later in the month, we spent a day in downtown Toronto visiting Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower.
Watching our nephew experience these attractions for the first time reminded us just how special they really are.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada was visited during our May 2026 Toronto trip
Fitness centre at The Hilton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls
Hilton Hotel Fallsview Room View
CN Tower in Toronto during our family’s May 2026 visit
Another day was spent wandering through the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market.
Although we didn’t buy much, we came home with a large bag of fresh Mutsu apples and a few pastries for the drive home.
We had hoped to try the famous apple fritters, but the lineup was too long.
Maybe next visit.
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market in Ontario during our May 2026 visit
Family Meals
One of my favourite memories from May happened right in our own backyard.
I fired up the charcoal grill and cooked rib-eye steaks, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob, and chocolate cake for dessert.
During dinner, my nephew casually mentioned that he hadn’t enjoyed a steak in years.
That simple comment reminded me why budgeting matters.
Money isn’t just about paying bills.
It’s about creating moments you’ll remember long after the month is over.
Homemade rib-eye steak dinner prepared for visiting family in May 2026
La Rocca chocolate fudge cake purchased through Flashfood at a discount
Of course, May wouldn’t have been complete without a little family comedy.
One evening after ordering pizza, Mrs. CBB immediately grabbed one of the pickled peppers that came inside the box.
She loves pickled peppers.
Unfortunately…
This one was unbelievably hot.
Within seconds, she was desperately searching for something to cool her mouth while the rest of us couldn’t stop laughing.
Thankfully, she eventually laughed, too.
I have a feeling she’ll think twice before volunteering for the mystery pepper next time.
Grocery Budget & Savings
Groceries continue to be one of the most talked-about topics on Canadian Budget Binder, and for good reason. Food prices remain one of the biggest household expenses for many Canadian families.
For May 2026, we set our grocery budget at $1,250.
Our actual grocery spending came to $1,198.17, leaving us $51.83 under budget.
Considering we were feeding two additional adults for almost the entire month, we’re thrilled with the outcome.
Our year-to-date grocery spending now sits at $6,576.19.
Staying under budget wasn’t an accident. It came down to meal planning, shopping sales, using rewards programs, and checking Flashfood regularly for markdowns on products we were already planning to buy.
Where Every Dollar Went
One of my favourite ways to review our household budget is to look at percentages rather than dollar amounts.
Percentages make it much easier to compare one month with another because they show how every dollar of income was allocated, regardless of how much we earned.
During May, our savings rate remained an impressive 41.80%, while our housing costs stayed comfortably below the commonly recommended 35% of household income.
We’ve worked hard over many years to reach this point, and remaining debt-free continues to give us the flexibility to save, invest, and enjoy life’s experiences without relying on credit.
May 2026 household budget percentages showing spending categories
Budget vs. Actual Spending
Every month begins with a plan.
At the beginning of May, we estimated how much we’d spend in each category. Once the month ended, we compared our planned spending with what actually happened.
This comparison is one of the most valuable budgeting exercises we do because it helps us identify where we stayed on track and where life naturally changed our plans.
Rather than viewing those differences as mistakes, we see them as learning opportunities that help us build a better budget for the following month.
Budgeted household expenses for May 2026
Actual household spending for May 2026
Comparing April and May
Looking at a single month is helpful.
Comparing one month to another is even more valuable.
This chart shows how our household finances changed between April and May.
Although hosting a family increased some expenses, careful planning allowed us to stay on track while continuing to grow our savings and investments.
Every month teaches us something new, and tracking those trends over time helps us make smarter financial decisions.
Comparison of the April and May 2026 household budgets
Grocery Budget Through the Years
One of my favourite charts is our Grocery Budget Timeline because it tells the story of our family’s journey better than almost anything else.
Back in 2012, our monthly grocery budget was only $190.
Today, in 2026, that budget has grown to $1,250.
Part of that increase reflects inflation, while part reflects changes in our family and our commitment to buying more fresh produce and healthier foods.
Seeing this progression reminds us how much grocery prices have changed over the years and why budgeting remains so important.
Canadian Budget Binder Grocery Budget 2012-2026
Grocery Savings Jar
Saving money is every bit as important as earning it.
Throughout the year, we track every dollar saved through Flashfood, grocery markdowns, coupons, and other discounts.
By the end of May, our Grocery Savings Jar had grown to $962.99.
That’s nearly $1,000 that stayed in our household budget rather than being spent at checkout.
Small savings really do add up.
2026 Grocery Savings Jar showing cumulative grocery savings
Mr. CBB’s Best Buy of the Month
Every month, I’ll highlight one purchase that delivered exceptional value.
Winner: Mike’s Stuffed Crust Sausage Pizza
Honourable mentions go to:
30 eggs for $3.00
One dozen eggs for $1.00
La Rocca Chocolate Fudge Cake for $12 (regularly about $30)
These incredible bargains all came through the Flashfood app and perfectly demonstrate why we continue checking it almost every day.
Buying quality food at heavily reduced prices has become one of the easiest ways we stretch our grocery budget.
Discounted eggs purchased through the Flashfood app in May 2026
Flashfood Receipt: Mike’s Stuffed Crust Sausage Pizza
Mike’s Stuffed Crust Italian Sausage Pizza
La Rocca chocolate fudge cake purchased through Flashfood at a discount
Rewards Update
One of the simplest ways we continue stretching our household budget is by making the most of rewards programs we already use.
Rather than signing up for every loyalty program available, we focus on the ones that naturally fit the way we shop.
Here’s where our rewards balances stood at the end of May 2026:
Rewards Points May 2026 Update Canadian Budget Binder
| PC Optimum | 9,140,658 points (approximately $9,140) |
| Triangle Rewards | $265.59 |
| Moi Rewards | $55.00 |
| TD Rewards | $223.08 |
Although we didn’t redeem any rewards during May, our balances continued to grow.
One highlight was earning an 8,000-point PC Optimum Continuity Bonus after spending $550 on fresh produce at Zehrs.
This is exactly how we like to earn points—by purchasing groceries we were already planning to buy rather than spending extra to chase rewards.
Over time, those points help reduce future grocery costs and free up money for other financial goals.
Building Wealth One Month at a Time
While grocery savings receive plenty of attention, our long-term financial health remains one of our biggest priorities.
May was another positive month.
Our family’s net worth increased by $29,287.01, representing a 1.27% increase over April.
Our investment portfolio increased by 1.55%, while our cash savings grew by 1.22%.
We also contributed $500 toward our retirement savings during the month.
Net Worth Update May 2026
Nothing extraordinary happened during May, and that’s perfectly okay.
Building wealth rarely comes from one spectacular month.
Instead, it’s the result of consistently making smart financial decisions, month after month, year after year.
That’s exactly what we’ve focused on throughout our financial journey.
Around the CBB Household
Life isn’t all about numbers.
Mrs. CBB continued attending weekly physiotherapy appointments for her hip, while our son’s soccer season got underway.
The community garden continued to thrive, and our 300 garlic bulbs are looking healthy, with an expected harvest in August.
I also added a few new pieces to our basement gym after finding some excellent Amazon sale and resale deals on fitness equipment.
Little by little, we’re continuing to improve our home, our health and our finances at the same time.
Garlic growing in our community garden during May 2026
Month at a Glance
Biggest Win
Staying under our grocery budget while hosting family for almost a month.
Biggest Challenge
Meal planning for four adults with different eating schedules while travelling.
Best Grocery Deal
Mike’s Stuffed Crust Sausage Pizza for $3.44 (regularly $12).
Biggest Price Shock
A 30-pack of Diet Pepsi for $16.99 at Costco.
Grocery Savings
Saved $126.53 this month.
Grocery Savings Jar
Total savings reached $962.99 for 2026.
Rewards
Continued growing all major rewards balances without redeeming points.
Net Worth
Increased by $29,287.01.
Family Memory
Sharing Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Ontario with our nephew and his girlfriend from the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a family budget for groceries in Ontario?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer because every family has different needs, dietary preferences, and shopping habits. Our family budgeted $1,250 for groceries in May 2026 and spent $1,198.17, staying under budget even while hosting two additional adults for most of the month. The key is to choose a realistic amount and track your spending consistently.
Why do you publicly share your household budget?
Canadian Budget Binder has shared our real monthly budgets for years because we believe readers learn best from real-life examples. We openly share both our successes and challenges to show that budgeting is about making informed decisions, not striving for perfection.
How do you stay under your grocery budget?
Our grocery savings come from combining several simple strategies:
Meal planning before shopping Buying sale items whenever possible Using the Flashfood app Collecting rewards through programs like PC Optimum, Triangle Rewards, TD Cash Back and Moi Rewards Cooking more meals at home Avoiding impulse purchasesSmall savings throughout the month add up quickly.
Why do you track your net worth every month?
Tracking our net worth allows us to measure our long-term financial progress rather than focusing only on monthly spending. Watching our assets grow over time keeps us motivated and helps us stay focused on our financial goals.
Why do you include grocery savings and rewards points?
Saving money isn’t just about earning more income. We track grocery discounts, rewards points, cashback, and coupons because they all reduce our household expenses. These savings help free up money to invest, save, or use for family experiences.
Looking Ahead to June
With our visitors safely back home, June should return to a more typical routine.
We’ll continue working in the community garden, cheering on our son’s soccer team, searching for grocery deals, and sharing our monthly financial progress with you.
As always, we’ll keep tracking every dollar so readers can follow along and hopefully discover new ideas for managing their own household budgets.
Join the Conversation
I always enjoy hearing from readers because your comments often inspire future articles and new ideas.
I’d love to hear from you.
What was your biggest financial win this month?
It could be:
Paying off debt Finding an incredible grocery deal Growing your savings Sticking to your budget Earning rewards points Or simply resisting an unnecessary purchaseAnd one more question…
What would you like us to start tracking in future monthly budget reports?
If I use your suggestion in an upcoming report, I’ll happily give you a shout-out.
One Thought Before I Go
Every month reminds me that budgeting isn’t about restricting your life.
It’s about creating opportunities.
Because we planned, we were able to welcome family from overseas, travel together, enjoy memorable meals, and continue making progress toward our financial goals—all without taking on debt.
That’s what budgeting has given our family.
Not perfection.
Freedom.
Thank you for following along with another month of our family’s financial journey.
Until next month…Happy Savings!
— Mr. CBB
More Monthly Budget Updates
If you enjoy following our family’s financial journey, don’t miss our previous monthly budget reports, where we share our real income, expenses, grocery spending, savings, rewards, and net worth updates.
The post May 2026 Household Budget Update: How Our Ontario Family Managed Money, Groceries, and Savings appeared first on Canadian Budget Binder Your Way To Debt-Freedom.
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