This Opinion article is part of a Narcity content series. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
It’s no secret that Vancouver has an eye-watering, almost punishingly high cost of living. In fact, if you’re a renter here, be prepared to face the highest rental rates in the entire country. Everything in this city comes with a major price tag, and it can be a real challenge to make ends meet while not completely depriving yourself of the basics.
There are some things, however, that you can do in order to make your life here a lot more reasonable, most of which I have been doing for years. All it takes is a bit of common sense, some ingenuity, and some compromise, all of which can still preserve a good standard of living. Let’s face it, unless you’ve got a six-figure salary, you’re going to be struggling in Vancouver alongside the rest of us. That’s why I’d like to present some ideas and tips for easing your pain and show you that you don’t need to be wealthy to have a decent life here.
As someone who has made up her mind to stay here permanently, I like to think I’m somewhat of an authority on the matter!
Avoid supermarkets unless entirely necessary.
This is a trap that many people fall into, and is not exclusive to Vancouver. If you live close to a Safeway, a Save-On-Foods, an IGA, or any of the Loblaws chains, it can be easy to just do a one-stop shop and pick everything up at the same place. This would be fine if you didn’t have to worry about money, but since you live here, it’s almost guaranteed that’s all you’re worrying about.
That’s why I encourage you to make a point of giving your business to local shops that specialize in fruits and vegetables, bakeries that offer preservative-free goods, and butchers or fishmongers that can provide fresh animal protein. If you know your neighbourhood well, it shouldn’t be difficult to find independent shops that specialize in exactly what you’re looking for at a fraction of the cost, and at the same (if not better) quality.
Supermarkets are convenient for canned and frozen goods, condiments, and quick deli fare, but I strongly urge you to shop around and save yourself a pile of money while supporting local establishments.
Take advantage of free or low-cost activities.
Millions of people around the world travel far and wide for access to the mountains and ocean. Here in Vancouver, they’re pretty much in your backyard.
You don’t have to be an outdoorsy person in order to enjoy the splendour of our natural surroundings, you just need to get out of the house. Head downtown and take an adorable Aquabus or False Creek Ferry to Kitsilano, Sunset Beach, False Creek, or Granville Island. From there, grab a quick coffee and go for a nice stroll. You could also walk around the Seawall, hit up one of our many beautiful beaches, check out some of our stunning parks, or even just be a tourist in your own hometown.
Don’t use food-delivery apps.
This is also an issue of convenience that will end up draining your wallet at a startling pace. As someone who has never, not once, considered getting takeout food and paying a middleman for delivery services, I can’t understand how Doordash and Uber Eats could even factor into a tight budget.
If you can somehow afford, say, Thai food from a local restaurant but don’t have the means to pick it up yourself, check and see if they have their own delivery service. Pizzerias like Pizza Garden and Panago specialize in this, and you would, once again, be supporting a local business.
These third-party delivery app services can cost you up to 20% of what you’re already paying for your food! However, there’s an even better way of saving a ton of cash on your meals.
Cook for yourself, or learn to.
I’ve been cooking my own food for my entire adult life, and I have saved well into the tens of thousands by doing this. You don’t have to be an amateur chef or foodie or enthusiastic home cook, you just have to be able to prepare your own meals as often as possible. Who would go out for pasta when all it takes is boiling some noodles and heating up some sauce?
Think about something you want to eat, and look up the recipe online. It’s that simple. Or watch a YouTube instructional video, shop for some ingredients, and develop a new and enjoyable hobby. It has never been easier to learn how to cook for yourself. Not only will you save countless dollars, but you will have the very added bonus of controlling your diet and nutritional intake. You know exactly what you’re making and putting into your body, and can therefore monitor the sodium, saturated fat, and sugar content of your own food.
On top of that, you can pack your leftovers for lunch and save yourself even more money. Just don’t microwave fish in the staff lunchroom, becuase that’s a universal no-no.
Take public transit if you have the option.
I am a massive fan of public transportation, and Vancouver has one of the best systems in the country. It’s inexpensive, efficient, and largely reliable. Buses run through the city frequently and into the wee hours, and if you live close to a Skytrain station and need to get around, there is no reason why you shouldn’t use Translink.
I understand that it’s much more pleasant sitting in your own car, listening to tunes and not having to share space with strangers, but also think about how much money you’re putting into your vehicle — given insurance, gas, and maintenance-— and how often you’re actually using it. Your car is parked and unused over 90% of the time probably, so why spend thousands of dollars per year on this money pit?
Plan out your route and spend just a few dollars getting around Vancouver. In addition, when winter hits and we’re pummeled with a few inches of snow (which we are never prepared for), watch as traffic backs up for hours and hours while you zip around on our light-rail system in mere minutes.
Some easy steps can add up to saving big in this city, and trust me when I say it’s worth pinching those pennies to be here!
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