Simply Frugal Weekend Deals

Simply Frugal Weekend Deals

Looking to save big this week?

Simply Frugal Weekend Deals is here to bring you the best discounts and deals across Canada!

Whether you’re hunting for home essentials, fashion finds, or something else, I’ve rounded up the best offers to help you stay on budget without sacrificing what you love.

From limited-time sales to secret coupon codes, I’ll make sure your shopping is both fun and affordable.

Want this post to hit your email inbox? Sign up for the Simply Frugal Deals Email. You can do so here. It normally goes out every Friday.

Or, if you prefer Instagram or Facebook, you can find deals in my Instagram stories and Facebook Group often.

Let’s get started shall we? Get ready to shop smart and save more!

Like all of my other deal posts, this post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

Well.ca

Well.ca is a Canadian company that I really enjoy ordering from that offers a lot of Canadian brands too. Here are some of the brands that are on sale this week: Attitude, Sun Bum, Jamieson, Owala, Mint Cleaning, Neutrogena, Baby Gourmet, Built Bar, Aveeno, Better Than Bouillon, Pepcid and more! (ends May 10, 2026)

Take a look online at Well.ca here.

Knix Canada

The Buy More, Save More Sale is on at Knix Canada! Get 15% off when you buy 3+ pairs, or 20% off when you buy 5+. Mix and match colors, absorbencies, and styles. Discount applied at checkout.

Shop online at Knix here.

Gap Canada

The Friends & Family event is on now at Gap Canada! Save 40% off everything and 50% off shorts! Save an extra 10% off with coupon code FAMILY. (ends May 14, 2026)

Shop online at Gap Canada here.

Shopper’s Voice Canada

Complete the Shopper’s Voice survey and receive: Free stuff tailored to you, including coupons, samples and special offers all year long, instant money-saving flash rewards and a chance to win a $1,500 prepaid card this month.

Take the Shopper’s Voice survey here.

Hello Fresh

New customers to Hello Fresh: Get up To 23 Free Meals + Free Sides for Life! Hello Fresh is the The most popular meal kit in the world!

Visit Hello Fresh here to get started.

Old Navy Canada

Two days only: Grab $24 Linen and $14 soft pant for women and girls from Old Navy! Also, grab $15 & $12 shirts for men and boys. (ends May 10, 2026) The Kids & Baby sale is also on now until May 9, 2026! Deals starting as low as $7!.

Shop online at Old Navy here.

Lululemon

Have you checked out the “We Made Too Much” section online at Lululemon? They’ve got so much on sale! Men’s, women’s, bags, accessories, shoes and even an under $50 category!

Shop online at Lululemon here.

Penningtons

Spend more, save more is on at Penningtons! Spend $100, get $25 off with coupon code PENN25. Spend $150, get $50 off with coupon code PENN50. (ends May 10, 2026)

Shop online at Penningtons here.

Reitmans

Ends tomorrow! Save 30% off (almost) everything online at Reitmans! (ends May 10, 2026) Also, check out the sale section. Save up to 70% off sale + an extra 20% off!

Shop online at Reitmans here.

American Eagle Canada

Save up to an extra 35% off with coupon code DREAMTEAM online at American Eagle Canada! (ends May 10, 2026 at 5am ET) 

Shop online at American Eagle here.

Aerie Canada

Save an extra 35% off when you shop both Aerie & AE with coupon code: DREAMTEAM or extra 30% off Aerie! (ends May 10, 2026 at 5am ET)

Shop online at Aerie here.

The Home Depot Free Kids Workshop

Build a Keepsake Box! If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, The Home Depot has a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own Keepsake Box! Free workshop is May 9, 2026 anytime between 9am – 12pm.

Register for the workshop here.

Rona Free Kids Workshop

On June 6, there will be a Butterfly Feeder Workshop for kids! Reservations open May 25, 2026.

Find more details here.

Athleta Canada

Soak up the sun! Save 40% off Summer Must-Haves from Athleta Canada! (ends May 10, 2026)

Shop online at Athleta Canada here.

Trivago Canada

Need to book a hotel stay? Book through Trivago to find a great hotel deal! They compare hotel prices from hundreds of sites.

Visit Trivago Canada here.

Book Outlet Canada

Don’t miss this sale from Book Outlet! Save an extra 15% off Sitewide: Save even more on discounted books already 50%+ off the list price! 

Ends May 11, 2026 at 6am PT. 

Shop online at Book Outlet Canada here.

Revive Superfoods

Want 50% off your first box of Canadian-Made, pre-portioned, chef crafted smoothies with real ingredients? Use the coupon code REVIVE50 to save 50% off your first box from Revive Superfoods!

Visit Revive Superfoods here.

Kids Bowl Free

The Kids Bowl Free program is back this year! This fun program allows your children to enjoy two free games of bowling at participating bowling centres every day, all summer long! Looks like some bowling alleys start offering free bowling as early as May!

Learn more and sign up here.

Indigo

20% off Our Most Anticipated Kids’ & Teen Books 25% off Ana Huang’s Books, Buy 2, Get 3rd Free on Kids’ Dr. Seuss, Mo Willems & Julia Donaldson Books, 2 for $20 Select Mass Market Paperbacks, Spend $30 or More, Get an Essential Tote for $19.99 (Reg. $39.99) and so much more!

Shop online at Indigo.ca here.

Etsy

In need of a gift? Check out Etsy’s Best Gift Guides! There are gift guides for everyone!

Shop online at Etsy here.

Spanx Canada

Take a look at the sale section online at Spanx Canada! I’m seeing discounts of up to 63% off and prices as low as $19.

Shop online at Spanx Canada here.

DSW Canada

Save up to 25% off Crocs with the coupon code CROCS25 online at DSW Canada! The mid-season clearance is also still going on. I’m actually seeing bigger than 40% off discounts!

Shop online at DSW Canada here.

Natura Market

Natura Market is proudly Canadian owned and operated! That means you can find a lot of Canadian brand foods! Check out their Spring Savings tab to see all of their featured sales!

Shop online at Natura Market here.

Amazon Canada Deals

I’m trying something new with Amazon Deals and you’ll have to let me know if you like it!

Amazon deals are incredibly time consuming to share the way I was previously with lists organized into categories. It always felt like by the time I finished, some deals would no longer be valid! That’s not fun for you, and maybe feels misleading if something goes off deal sooner than anticipated.

So, because I have the ability to create lists directly on Amazon, I thought, why not send you there! It’s a lot easier to keep updated. Perhaps more visually appealing too since you can see a picture of each item. Ultimately, I hope it’s less frustrating for both of us.

You can check out my Canadian Amazon Storefront here. This is my storefront main page. As the seasons change and different holidays/occasions approach, I add new lists to cover those things.

But because I know you appreciate some organization. I have created separate lists for each category I had before. Here they are:

Or, here they are all together: Weekend Deals storefront.

25 Brilliant Organizing Tips

organizing tips

25 Brilliant Organizing Tips

Isn’t it time to get a little more organized? You keep putting it off, but now is the time to buckle down and really get to it. These 25 organizing tips will help you get organized in no time, on a budget.

#1. Use old snack containers – If you’re strapped for cash, then using old containers is an excellent way to get a little more organized in your junk drawers or in your computer desk.

#2. Use a white board – Do you often forget to use your calendar? Try writing your important to-dos on a chalkboard or a white board instead. Place it somewhere you can see on a daily basis. I like this magnetic white board for the fridge!

#3. Keep like items in one spot – Instead of storing like items in various spots around the house, keep them all in one spot. Finding magazines everywhere? Store them all in a magazine file on a shelf.

#4. Create a charging station – Don’t play the “find your charger” game. Create your very own charging station within your home. I like this DIY Charging Station from Four Generations One Roof. If DIY isn’t your thing, or you want something with a smaller footprint, a charging station like this is genius.

#5. Use a Magnetic strip – Place magnetic strips throughout your home to hang items like: knives, spice jars, and even nail clippers.

#6. Use old suitcases for storage – Using old suitcases as home décor will give you a vintage feel, but you can still store items within the suitcase. Double purpose!

#7. Use ice cube trays to store small items – Whether you have smaller toys or office supplies, consider using ice cube trays to store these items in.

#8. Use wine boxes to store your shoes – Maybe this organizational idea isn’t so conventional, but it sure is brilliant.  Here’s a picture for your reference.

#9. Leave reminders on or in your fridge – One place you know you’re heading today is to the fridge, so leave your most important reminders there.

#10. Use an organizer for the shower – Instead of having items fall everywhere as you use the shower, buy a shower organizer. I recently picked one up for $3.50 from Dollarama!

#11. Start recycling – If you’re trying to clear out some of the trash, you can get a little more organized by recycling some of your items.

#12. Clear out the clutter daily – Some people only clear out clutter once a year, stay organized by getting rid of clutter on a daily basis.

#13. Only keep a couple of your kids papers – School papers can really add up. Keep just a few of your child’s papers and put them on display on a cork board or a mini clothesline.

#14. Utilize hidden storage – Put your items into a hidden storage bench in the mud room, living room, and even outside.

#15. Put a grocery bag in your car for garbage – If you are tired of having garbage in your vehicle, then keep a grocery bag in there to collect garbage as you finish with it. Or an empty disinfectant wipe container would also be great!

#16. Organize by color – Make your house a little more fun by organizing everything by color. You might take your family and guests by surprise!

#17. Use mesh bags around your home – Instead of trying to put socks and undergarments in the laundry basket, have your family put them in mesh bags. If they’re all together in a mesh bag, there’s less chance to losing some.

#18. Use a shoe organizer for multiple purposes in your home – A shoe organizer can be used for bathroom items, little kid’s clothing, or even crafting items. Let your imagination run wild with this one.

#19. Organize your priorities – Everyone says organize your time a little better, but organizing your priorities makes more time for the things that matter.

#20. Ban clutter in your house – If you are tired of seeing clutter all over the house, then make a rule that no one can bring clutter into the house. If you bring something in, you have to get rid of something else.

#21. Sell your unwanted items – As you declutter, put the items of value up for sale so you can earn a bit of cash for your savings account. Donate all the other items if they are in good condition.

#22. Utilize under the bed space – A lot of storage can be found underneath beds. You can buy bed risers to raise your bed if you need more room underneath it.

#23. Donate your magazines – You may have a lot of magazines lying around the house. Instead of throwing them away, keep the pages you want and donate the rest.

#24. Utilize hallway space – If you have a long hallway in your entryway; utilize the wall space as much as you can.  Try baskets for mail, slim shoe racks, storage shelf with hooks underneath.

#25. Use one basket per person for laundry – Mixing everyone’s laundry together can make more work for you. Make it easier on yourself using one basket per person.

I hope these brilliant organizing tips help you get a little more organized this year. What organizing tips would you add to this list?

Buy This, Not That: Grocery Store Swaps That Save You Money

grocery store swaps

Grocery Store Swaps That Save You Money

If your grocery bill feels like it’s climbing higher every single week… you’re not imagining it.

Groceries in Canada have gotten expensive. For most families, it can be one of the hardest areas to cut back on. You still need to eat, and you probably don’t want to spend hours couponing or driving all over town chasing deals.

The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to save money.

A few simple grocery store swaps can make a noticeable difference on your grocery bill. All without sacrificing convenience or the foods your family actually enjoys.

Let’s get into it shall we?

Buy Oatmeal Instead of Dry Cereal

Buy this: Oatmeal
Not that: Dry cereal

Do away with the expensive boxes of cereal full of sugar and buy oatmeal! You could purchase those convenient packs of pre-made oatmeal, but I’d encourage you to buy a bag of oats instead. I find it so easy to create my own instant oatmeal packs. Plus, I can control the sugar quantity by adding my own sweeteners and various toppings. Oatmeal will also help keep you feeling full longer so you may need less snacks 😉

Buy Ingredients, Not Pre-Packaged Foods

Buy this: Basic ingredients
Not that: Individually packaged foods

Pre-packaged foods like spice seasoning blends, baking mixes, granola bars, cookies and muffins add up quickly. Especially if you’re feeding kids!

Instead, try simple homemade options. I’ve got some basic recipes you could try:

Real-life tip: You don’t have to be “perfect”. Even one homemade swap a week can save money!

Buy Frozen fruit Instead of Fresh

Buy this: Frozen berries
Not that: Fresh berries in the off-season

Fresh berries can be shockingly expensive, especially in the winter months.

Frozen fruit is:

  • Picked at peak ripeness
  • Often cheaper
  • Perfect for smoothies, yogurt bowls, and baking

Bonus: It lasts way longer, so you’ll waste less food (and money).

Buy Block Cheese, Not Pre-Shredded

Buy this: Block cheese
Not that: Pre-shredded cheese

Pre-shredded cheese might feel convenient but you’re paying extra for it. It also contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect how it melts.

Frugal tip: Shred a whole block of cheese at once and store it in the fridge for the week. Same convenience, lower cost.

Buy Yogurt tubs Instead of Cups

Buy this: Yogurt Tubs
Not that: Individual yogurt cups

Sure, yogurt cups are really convenient for packing in lunches, but you could spend a little extra time once a week filling up reusable containers with yogurt from a tub instead. Buying yogurt in larger quantities (tubs or those pour bags) will save you big time.

Bonus: You can control the sweetness, flavours and boost protein if you purchase plain Greek yogurt tubs.

Buy Store Brand, Not Name Brand

Buy this: Store brand (No Name, Great Value, Compliments)
Not that: Big-name brands

This is one of the easiest wins. Most store brands are made in the same facilities as name brands, but without the higher price tag that comes with marketing and packaging.

You’ll especially notice savings on:

  • Pantry staples (flour, sugar, pasta)
  • Canned goods
  • Frozen fruits and veggies
  • Dairy products

Buy Whole Chicken, Not Pre-Cut Pieces

Buy this: Whole chicken
Not that: Pre-cut chicken breasts or thighs

Whole chickens are almost always cheaper per pound.

Plus, you can:

  • Cut it up to use in multiple meals
  • Use leftovers for soups or wraps
  • Make homemade broth with the bones

Buy Ingredients for Dressing Instead of Bottled

Buy this: Ingredients for homemade dressings
Not that: Pre-made bottled dressings

Making salad dressings from scratch has got to be one of the most simple kitchen tasks you could do. Believe me, because I don’t do complicated in the kitchen! If you usually reach for those pricey organic or natural salad dressings at the store, switching to homemade can save you a surprising amount on your grocery bill. With just a few simple, budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, you can whip up your own in minutes! Here are some of my recipes:

Buy a Head of lettuce instead of bagged salad

Buy this: Head of lettuce
Not that: Bagged salad

Not only is a head of lettuce much cheaper than the bags or containers of lettuce, they last longer too! I understand the convenience of buying a bag or container, but it really doesn’t take much effort to tear up some lettuce leaves for a salad. Especially when you have to sort through the slimy pieces in the bags or containers anyways.

Buy Dried beans and lentils instead of canned

Buy this: Dried beans or lentils
Not that: Canned beans or lentils

I’ll be honest, we don’t eat a lot of beans in our house, so I usually reach for the canned version. But if beans are a staple in your meals, buying them dried is a much more budget-friendly option. You can save a significant amount over time, and cooking them is easier than you might think. Just toss them in your slow cooker or use your Instant Pot for a quick, hands-off batch.

As you can see, saving money on groceries doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you love or spending hours planning.

It’s really about being intentional.

Start with just 1-2 of these grocery store swaps this week, and you’ll likely notice a difference at checkout. And the best part? These changes are simple enough to stick with so the savings add up over time.

Which of these grocery store swaps are you already doing, and which one are you going to try next?

the meal planner

Check out The Meal Planner! I created the printable Meal planner to help make meal planning and saving money easy! The PDF includes:

  • 18 pages
  • Monthly, Weekly + Daily meal planning worksheets
  • Meal brainstorming worksheets
  • Food inventory worksheets
  • Grocery lists
  • Price matching worksheet
  • Party Planning worksheet

You might also enjoy:

grocery store swaps

30 Things to Stop Buying and Start Making

things to stop buying and start making

Things to stop buying and start making

If you’re wanting to save some big grocery bucks, it’s time to start thinking about things to stop buying and start making yourself. I’m talking about making your own pantry staples and household essentials!

Not only does creating your own stuff keep more money in your wallet, often times it’s better for your health! I mean how many times are you stuck reading a label in the store wondering what half of the ingredients are? By making your own essentials, you’re ensuring that you know each and every ingredient involved.

Also, an aspect of the frugal lifestyle for some, or many, is to be more self sufficient. Rather than running to the store every time you run out of something, you could try making it yourself! Once you know how to make everyday items, you’ll save yourself a lot of trips to the store, reduce your plastic waste, all while saving lots of money.

Creating your own products from scratch is simple. But to make it even easier for you, I’ve round ed up a list of 30 things to stop buying and start making:

  1. Homemade Peanut Butter | Fox and Briar
  2. Homemade Yogurt | Faithfully Gluten Free
  3. Homemade Mayonnaise (video) | Simple Bites
  4. Homemade Bisquick | SimplyFrugal.ca
  5. Homemade Ketchup | Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  6. Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packs | SimplyFrugal.ca
  7. Homemade Flavoured Coffee Cream | SimplyFrugal.ca
  8. Homemade Butter | Unsophisticook.com
  9. Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup | Buns in my Oven>
  10. Homemade BBQ Sauce | Simply Scratch
  11. Homemade Bread Crumbs | Make and Takes
  12. Homemade Ranch Dressing | SimplyFrugal.ca
  13. Homemade Taco Seasoning | SimplyFrugal.ca
  14. Homemade Cream Cheese | Alpha Foodie
  15. Homemade Bouillon Cubes | Simple Bites
  16. Homemade Alfredo Sauce | Genius Kitchen
  17. Homemade Pancake Mix | SimplyFrugal.ca
  18. Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk | Cooking with Books
  19. Homemade Brown Sugar | Nourishing Joy
  20. Homemade Sour Cream | Oh Lardy
  21. Homemade Powdered Sugar | Mom with a Prep
  22. Homemade Vanilla Extract | SimplyFrugal.ca
  23. Homemade Pizza Dough | SimplyFrugal.ca
  24. Homemade Baking Powder | Mommypotamus
  25. Homemade Refried Beans | Simply Scratch
  26. Homemade Tomato Sauce | Love and Lemons
  27. Homemade Apple Sauce | Pioneer Woman
  28. Homemade Pop Tarts | Smitten Kitchen
  29. Homemade Worcestershire Sauce | Little House Living
  30. Homemade Laundry Detergent | DIY Natural
  31. Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner | SimplyFrugal.ca
  32. Homemade Soy Sauce | Little House Living
  33. Homemade Dryer Sheets | SimplyFrugal.ca

How many of these have you tried? What are some things to stop buying and start making that you would recommend?

If you’re wanting more ideas for things to make from scratch, you might want to try this book, The Homemade Pantry.  It features 101 recipes that you can try!

things to stop buying and start making

Repel Mosquitos Naturally: DIY Mosquito Planter

DIY Mosquito Planter

How to Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Planter

How To Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Planter. If you’re tired of battling mosquitos, a DIY mosquito planter might be the solution you’ve been waiting for!

I mentioned in my first container garden update that I would do a separate post detailing the plants I have in the planter I deemed my ‘DIY Mosquito Planter’.  While we don’t get a ton of mosquitoes, we do live by a creek (damp) so we do see them around and they are not my favourite bug to live with.  In one of my Pinterest escapades, I discovered that I could create a container full of plants that mosquitoes don’t like. Namely, plants of the citrus scented variety.

Not only does the scent of the plants keep mosquitoes at bay, I can even tear off a leaf and rub it on my skin if I’m finding they’re getting too close.  I may even bring a leaf or two along on any hikes we might be doing!

Here’s what I put in my DIY Mosquito Planter:

  • Citronella Geranium (I would use these leaves on my skin)
  • Marigold ‘Lemon Gem’
  • Catnip
  • Lemon Thyme (can be used in cooking too!)
  • Gazanias (only because I had extra from another flower pot)

I was looking for lemon grass but I couldn’t find any before I got tired of driving to all our local nurseries.

You could also try:

  • Citronella Grass
  • Lavender
  • Lemon Balm
  • Basil: Especially the lemon and cinnamon varieties.

I’m excited to see how this works as the summer goes on. I hope it fills out nicely and that pretty flowers appear!

Have you ever made a DIY Mosquito Planter?  Did it help ward off the mosquitoes?

You might also enjoy:

15 Affordable Spring Sandals

affordable spring sandals

Now that Spring is officially here and summer is on the horizon, it’s sandal season! After seemingly endless months of wearing clunky boots and closed-toe shoes with socks, it feels pretty darn good to welcome back strappy, open-toed sandals of all sorts.

Sandal season is my favorite season. I live in flip flops, but I enjoy having one dressy pair of sandals for those occasions that call for something nicer. True to my frugal nature, I look for a deal and get excited with prices that are under $50.

Since you are visiting Simply Frugal, I have a feeling you are just like me and enjoy a bargain. That’s why I have rounded up 15 pairs of affordable spring sandals that are $50 or less in Canada.

affordable spring sandals

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

15 Affordable Spring Sandals

  1. Jelly Thong Sandals $38
  2. Faux-Leather Slide Sandals $27.99
  3. Platform Espadrille Sandals $49.99
  4. Strappy Faux-Leather Sandals $32.99
  5. Tortoise Flip Flop $24.99
  6. Orthotic Flip Flops $37.99
  7. Cork Footbed Slide Sandal $45.99
  8. Square Toe Flat Sandals $49.99
  9. Slip On Slides $27.35
  10. Dream Pairs Espadrilles $51.99
  11. Faux Leather Two Buckle Sandals $22.90
  12. Flat Sandals with Gold Ornament $22.90
  13. Slip On Strappy Style Flat Sandal $19
  14. Woven H-Band Sandals $29
  15. AE Rope Lace-Up Sandal $44.95

Which ones are your favourite? Where will you be shopping for sandals?

Kids Bowl Free all Summer Long!

Kids Bowl Free

Kids Bowl Free

The Kids Bowl Free program is back this year!  This fun program allows your children to enjoy two free games of bowling at participating bowling centres every day, all summer long! Looks like some bowling alleys start offering free bowling as early as May!

Up to six children can be registered per account/email address.

How the Kids Bowl Free program works:

  • Select a bowling centre near you.
  • Register directly on your local bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register and cannot be used at any other bowling center unless otherwise noted.)
  • Once you register, you will have the opportunity to purchase the family pass from $34.95. You are not required to purchase this pass.
  • When the program at your local bowling centre begins, you will be sent an email or a text every Sunday morning with a link to your coupons and family passes for that week.

Click here for all the details and to register!

kids bowl free

Here are more fun Summer Activities for Kids:

The Best Canadian Birthday Freebies

Canadian birthday freebies

The Best Canadian Birthday Freebies

Did you know, there are a lot of birthday freebies in Canada? It’s true! So why not spoil yourself on a day that only comes around once a year!

In honour of all the birthday’s we celebrate, I thought this roundup of Canadian birthday freebies would be great so you can sign up in time for your birthday! Make this your best birthday yet!

Read on to learn about all the free things you can get on your birthday in Canada:

Canadian birthday freebies
  • Sephora – You get to choose a FREE product set in store or online during your birthday month.
  • Marble Slab Creamery – Sign up for Marble Mail and receive a free ice cream cone.
  • Dairy Queen – Sign up for the Blizzard Fan Club and receive a buy 1 blizzard get 1 free coupon.
  • Freshii – Sign up to be a ViiP and receive a free bowl anytime during your birthday month.
  • Cobs Bread – Sign up for the COBS Club and get a free treat on your birthday.
  • Red Lobster – Sign up for My Red Lobster Rewards and receive a birthday reward.
  • Boston Pizza – Free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for MyBP Loyalty program.
  • Baskin Robbins – Join Club 31 and get a free scoop on your birthday.
  • Harvey’s – Join the Burger Boss club to get Free Frings, a special gift on your birthday, delicious digital deals and more!
  • Starbucks – Sign up for Starbucks Rewards and get a free drink of your choice on your birthday.
  • Red Robin – Sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program and get a free gourmet burger. You can claim this freebie any day during the month of your birthday.
  • Quizno’s – Sign up for Toasty Points and buy one get one regular sub free!
  • Denny’s – Free Grand Slam with pancakes, sausage, bacon and eggs on your birthday. Valid ID must be shown.
  • Applebee’s – Join Club Applebee’s and get a birthday special (usually a free dessert) on your birthday.
  • Jack Astor’s – Free dessert when you sign up for their newsletter. (scroll to the bottom of their website to sign up.)
  • Kelsey’s – Free dessert when you sign up for their email newsletters.
  • Swiss Chalet – Sign up for Rotisserie Mail and get a free dessert on your birthday.
  • Joey’s – Birthday offers get sent to you 7 days before your birthday
  • Pizza Pizza – Free slice of pizza and a can of pop for kids only.
  • What a Bagel (greater Toronto) – Buy 6 bagels and get 6 free on your birthday. A valid ID is required.
  • American Eagle – Sign up for Real Rewards and get a coupon for $5 birthday reward during your birthday month.
  • RW&Co – Save $15 off your purchase when you sign up for RWInsider.
  • Swagbucks– 50 Free Swag Bucks on your birthday
  • Menchie’s – Free $5 Froyo when you sign up for mySmileage
  • Thrifty Foods – Free 8″ x 12″ birthday cake on your child’s first birthday, one cake per child.
  • Kelly O’Bryan’s – Free birthday meal when you come in on the day of your birthday
  • Kiehl’s – Join Kiehl’s Rewards Loyalty Program to start earning points when you shop online or in the store. You also receive a free birthday gift every year.
  • Old Navy Canada – Sign up for their rewards program to receive free bonus points.
  • Gap Canada – Sign up for their rewards program to receive free bonus points.

There you go with the best Canadian birthday freebies! Which ones will you be taking advantage of?

Are any of your favourite Canadian birthday freebies not listed? Mention them in the comments below and I’ll get them added.

Related posts:

How to Start Seeds Indoors for Beginners

how to start seeds indoors

How to Start Seeds Indoors

You might be itching to get your garden going, but chances are the outdoor sowing season is still a ways away. Well no worries, here’s how to start seeds indoors several weeks before the final frost of the season!

By starting your seeds indoors, you can get a jump on the growing season while saving some money in the process. Here is what you need to know on how to start seeds indoors.

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

First, let’s take a look at what you will need:

how to start seeds indoors

I’ve linked to some items on Amazon for convenience, but you can gather supplies from anywhere to fit your budget.

A good rule of thumb for when to start your seeds is 4 weeks before the last frost of the season. This will vary depending where you live, so consult The Farmer’s Almanac to find out when the perfect planting time is for you.

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Begin by placing the seed starter cups on the cookie sheet or tray. This way, the surface under the cups is protected and you can easily move them if you need to. Also, make sure the containers you choose have drainage holes.
  2. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full with nutrient rich potting soil. Seedlings need a light, airy soil mix that drains well. You can buy a seed starting mix at a garden center or make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
  3. Plant the seeds: Follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting depth and spacing. In general, plant the seeds twice as deep as their diameter.
  4. Cover the seeds with soil and mist the area with your spray bottle. Misting is easier and cleaner than a watering can, plus it will keep you from over watering.
  5. Use the wood craft sticks and marker to make plant markers for the seedlings so you know what they are once they start growing.
  6. Pull a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the seed starters. This will allow light in but will help the plants retain heat. NOTE: You will need to remove the plastic wrap every few days to mist the soil to keep it moist. Just be sure to return the plastic when you are done.
  7. Place your seed starters in a window where they will get at least 6 hours of sun per day. If you don’t have an area where this is possible, a sun lamp will work.
  8. As soon as you see sprouting, remove the plastic wrap. Continue to water every few days and keep the soil moist at all times.

In just a few weeks, your seeds will be seedlings and soon they will be ready to get transplanted outside. Be sure the threat of frost has passed and you follow package directions when transplanting.

See how simple starting seeds indoors can be? Give these tips a try and get a jump on the growing season now!

Easter Basket Ideas You Won’t Hate

easter basket ideas

Easter Basket Ideas You Won’t Hate:

I love giving my kids gifts. It brings me so much joy to see their excitement! But you know what I don’t love? Filling our house with more random stuff that gets forgotten not long after.

Do you feel the same?

That’s why I have started asking myself:

“What are my kids going to need later that I can buy now?”

It’s my way of still treating them (and scratching that deal-hunting itch!) without filling our home with unnecessary stuff.

Easter is right on the horizon, so Easter baskets are currently on my mind.

When I think of the question above, I know the weather is changing and getting warmer. So instantly, bathing suits and more seasonally appropriate pajamas come to mind. It’s pretty much guaranteed that they have outgrown their things from last year.

So think through your current family situation. Will you be going to the pool or beach? What about a family vacation? What do they like to do outside? What are their favourite snacks? What about something to do inside on rainy days?

To help get your creative/practical thinking rolling, here are some of my favourite Easter Basket ideas.

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WATER & SUN GEAR

My kids always need new bathing suits. Currently my favourite places to get their bathing suits are Old Navy and Gap because of how they fit, but also because they have great sales often. (You know I love a deal.) I really like these one piece rash guard suits because of the built-in UPF sun protection.

Swim goggles are also really useful. My oldest will be getting a new pair of these this year.

Pool toys and bath toys are also a solid choice if your kids will enjoy them. My youngest has been asking for some diving toys, so she’ll be getting this set.

Here are a few other items to give you ideas:

OUTDOOR TOYS

There’s nothing better than sending the kids outside to enjoy some fresh air! It’s even better when they have something fun to fuel their imaginations.

There’s always the classics that need to be replaced such as chalk or bubbles or water guns. But here are some other ideas that are sure to be a hit:

CRAFTY GIFTS

If you’ve got kids that love to be crafty then you can’t go wrong with some new craft items!

I like to pick up some new craft supplies or kits from Dollarama or Dollar Tree. But here are some other ideas:

PRACTICAL GIFTS

Let’s just call this category the “things your kids need anyways” but we can disguise them as thoughtful and fun gifts. Okay?

CANDY & SNACKS

No Easter basket is complete without a chocolate bunny or some sort of treat! There are Easter themed candies all over the stores. Grab one or two things you know your kids would like and call it a day.

You could also think outside the box a bit and grab their favourite snacks. Could be things you don’t buy very often that they’ll be excited to receive. Or just things you know they’ll enjoy no matter what. Pringles. Mini bags of chips. Cereal. Ritz crackers and cheese dip. Bear Paws. Goldfish crackers. Apple sauce pouches. Fruit snacks. Bunny Grahams. The ideas are endless.

I hope these Easter basket ideas help you build Easter baskets for your kids that are practical and enjoyable for everyone! Remember though, Easter baskets aren’t mandatory!

Need more Easter Basket ideas? I’ve got more here: