Jan 20 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
We’ve reached the middle of the week! Yay! We’re also moving out of the bathrooms and into the bedrooms. Yesterday I managed to rid my linen closet of a couple of things, but not much because it wasn’t that long ago that I went through it. I guess it was just maintenance for me!
Day 11 Declutter Task:
We don’t have enough room in our kitchen for a junk drawer so I’d have to say that my nightstand does the honours well. But it’s all useful junk! You know, chocolate (when I need to escape the kids), flashlight, chapstick, notebooks…
Honestly I’m not sure how good I can make the nightstand look, but I’m going to try! I’m sure I can find a proper home for some items. The bottom drawer was full of books, but I actually moved most of them to the bookshelf the other day.
I think as long as I have the top nicely cleared off, I’ll be happy. Now I hope my husband will get on board with his side!
How’s the state of your nightstand?
Day 11 No Spend Task:
Once again, we’re going to keep it simple. No spending on unnecessary things!
I would also love to hear about one thing that is really tempting for you? What are you missing the most? Or are you missing it anymore? I am missing our occasional stops at Tim Hortons after school! But my daughters have been enjoying homemade hot chocolate instead!
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 19 | Coupons
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Jan 19 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
Here we are. At the 10th task in the No Spend Declutter Challenge! How is your house feeling so far? Are you seeing some progress? For yesterday’s declutter challenge, I managed to throw away a shopping bag full of stuff from our three bathrooms! Yay!
Day 10 Declutter Task:
Today, we’re going to work on our linen closet/storage. Take some time to organize and declutter any extras or never used items. Turn any worn items into rags for cleaning or spills!
I’m happy to report that our linen closet is actually in pretty good shape! I think I may have a few extras that I could donate, but other than that I’ll just do some reorganizing. Oh and once Spring is closer, I have to purchase another set of sheets for our bed because I tossed our last set because they were getting really worn! (Currently we have flannel sheets, but those won’t do once the weather warms up!)
Day 10 No Spend Task:
Today, we’re going to keep it simple. No spending on unnecessary things! I would also love to hear how you are doing with the No Spend Challenge. Are you struggling? Is it starting to get easier? Tell me all about it in the comments!
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 18 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
I hope you all had a great weekend? Did you work on decluttering projects or did you find time for fun and relaxation? Also, I’d love to know what you did to reward yourself according to Friday’s task!
Day 9 Declutter Task:
It’s time today to see what kind of scary things are lurking in your bathroom cupboards! I’m sure I’ll find a few long forgotten items because bathroom stuff just sort of gets shoved in the cupboards! One thing I know for sure is that the cupboards and drawers in our bathrooms are in need of some organization. I’m also looking forward to tossing quite a few things!
Here are a few links to inspiring bathroom organization ideas:
What is your bathroom cupboard situation like? Will this be an all day task or a short one?
Day 9 No Spend Task:
While we have been spending a lot of time ridding our home of excess, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have actually found yourself wanting a few items. Perhaps it’s baskets that would make your organized spaces look more beautiful, or a small appliance that caught your eye while you were getting groceries. Or maybe you found yourself browsing Amazon and found a book you would like to read.
Whatever those ‘wants’ may be, I want you to start an ongoing list. Every time you see or think of something you would like to buy, write it down.
At the end of the No Spend Challenge, you’re going to revisit your list of ‘wants’.
I’m going to bet that there will be items on your list that you realize you no longer want or need. Why? Because on a day to day basis, outside of a No Spend Challenge, most of our wants are impulse purchases. We see something we like, we add it to the cart. We get a dose of dopamine that instantly makes us feel happier. But that dopamine can wear off quickly. So learning to walk away from something you want, can help you feel happier with the state of your (decluttered) home and with all the money you’re saving for the things you really want!
So far, what have you found yourself wanting?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 16 | Household Tips, Links Worth Sharing
Here are the interesting links I came across on my travels around the web this week! Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Here are some things you may have missed from Simply Frugal this week:
Jan 15 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
Woo hoo! we’re at the end of week two! I’m enjoying the extra space I have cleared up in the areas we have worked on! On Fridays, I like to end the week with an easier task. Something that won’t loom over you all weekend. 🙂
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 8 Declutter Task:
I am a one purse only kind of gal and a backpack every now and then when I have to tote my laptop along.
However, life with kids means my purse is currently a catch-all for snacks, toys, my wallet, appointment cards, shopping bags, receipts, garbage and so much more. Sometimes I have no idea I have so much in there!
Despite the mess that is in my purse, I think today’s task should be quite easy to get finished. I actually just purchased a new backpack from Mountain Equipment Co-op on clearance so I actually have to add a few things to it! (Pens, notebook, ear buds…etc.)
While I don’t have many tips for purse organization, I think a purse organizer from Amazon like this would be wonderful:
So, how messy is your purse or bag? How do you keep it organized?
Day 8 No Spend Task:
You know what? I think it’s time for a reward. But don’t worry, we’re still not going to spend money. 😉
Since we just cleaned out our purses/bags, you may have come across a forgotten gift card. Today, you’re going to use it on something to treat yourself! I recently came across a gift card for Blenz coffee shop, so I’m going to stop there today!
If you didn’t come across any gift cards, I have a post I wrote with 16 Ways you Can Treat Yourself for Free!
What are you doing to reward yourself?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 14 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
How is your kitchen coming along? Are you enjoying the slowish process we are going through in the kitchen? I know for me personally, once I’m in the decluttering mood, there is no stopping me. I just want to get it all done! However, that’s not always practical because there are still other things that need to be done! Like careers and taking care of our families!
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 7 Declutter Task:
Since the last few tasks have been somewhat intense. today, we’re just going to clean out our junk drawer, or junk spot.
We have a couple of small spots in our house. A drawer in the kitchen and a tiny drawer/shelf by our front entrance. I’m going to clean both of those spots today. Should take no time at all!
I’m going to put like items with like items, test some pens and use containers I already have to bring some organization.
After cleaning out your junk drawer, what’s the weirdest thing you found?
Day 7 No Spend Task:
We’re going to keep it super simple today. Today’s task is simply to not make any unnecessary purchases!
This far into the No Spend challenge, what has been your biggest obstacle?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 13 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
Day 6 of the No Spend Declutter Challenge! I’m sure you are seeing some progress in your home and bank account! When I did my very first No Spend Challenge, it was at about the one week mark that my mindset started to shift. I was starting to find other activities to occupy my time and didn’t feel the draw of sales as much.
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 6 Declutter Task:
Today, we’re still in the kitchen! Since we started in the kitchen on Monday, you may have felt the need to just keep going. And that is awesome! But in case you haven’t, or only have little increments of time to work, we’re going to tackle two drawers or cupboards in the kitchen today. Perhaps you’ll do more than two because sometimes it just takes starting a task to get on a roll!
To start, pick either the cupboards or drawers that are least messy, if you’re feeling drained. Or if you feel like you have lots of energy, then start on the two most messy!
Here are some suggestions on things that you can toss:
- Broken appliances
- Tupperware with missing pieces
- Ratty dish cloths or towels
- Unused cookbooks
- Unused/old kitchen utensils or tools
- Chipped plates, bowls or cups
- Extra oven mitts
- Old bakeware (scratched cookie sheets, etc.)
- Extra mixing bowls
- Cleaning supplies
- Unused small kitchen appliances
- Old spices
- Vitamins/medicine
- Fridge magnets
- Flyers and take-out menus
As you’re going through your cupboards and drawers, be sure to put like items with like items. Also, be thoughtful with where you put items. Don’t put your most used items way back in the dark corner cupboard. Make your kitchen work for you by having the things you need most, the most accessible.
Day 6 No Spend Task:
Today’s main task, once again, is to simply, not spend any money on unnecessary things. However, since we’re in the kitchen, I want to talk about grocery shopping.
When it’s time to get groceries, I want to encourage you to try out online ordering if you haven’t already.
I am a big fan of ordering my groceries online. The main reason is that it is so convenient, I can bring my kids without bringing them in the store. The secondary reason is that it saves me so much money on impulse purchases! 😀 I create my shopping list before I sit down at my computer to order. Because I have a list, I only order what is on my list! I’m so guilty of being in the grocery store and finding things that I think would be good to buy, when I never intended on purchasing that item in the first place! Sure, it probably is great, but I didn’t need it to complete the meals I had planned. (It’s probably a treat of some kind…haha.)
Have you tried ordering your groceries online? What do you think of the service?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 12 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
Here we are, at Day 5 of the No Spend Declutter Challenge! How are things going for you so far?
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 5 Declutter Task:
Today we tackle the fridge and freezer! Good thing because I’m sure I have some old things that need to be tossed. Plus, I’m sure I’ll probably find a few meal ideas!
Normally I would try to defrost our deep freezer, but it’s actually not too bad at the moment so I’m going to leave it today. As for the organization of the freezer, I’m still pretty clueless on how to make it work well. But I can find things so I guess that’s a good thing!
For the rest of my day, I’ll be tackling the fridge and fridge freezer. (Won’t take too long, but the drawers really need a wipe!)
I have a couple of things that may help you today:
How often do you clean out your fridge? How often do you defrost your deep freezer if you have one?
Day 5 No Spend Task:
To go along with our kitchen endeavors, yesterday in the pantry and today in the fridge/freezers, we’re going to brainstorm meal ideas! I’m sure you have discovered a bunch of things that you have forgotten about! This is also a useful task to do several times a year since food is a huge area of the budget. Using what you already have will save you a bundle.
Here’s how to brainstorm meal ideas:
First of all, take a quick inventory of what you have on hand already by taking a look at your pantry inventory sheet from yesterday and your fridge/freezer sheet from today.
Next, with your inventory sheets in hand, think of one meal that corresponds with each ingredient. For example, if tomato sauce is on your list, you could write spaghetti, sloppy joes or lasagna. Or if you have an abundance of oats, you could make baked oatmeal, granola bars or oatmeal pancakes.
Finally, find more inspiring ideas by taking a look though cookbooks, magazines or browsing the web! Pinterest is a great way to find recipes as well.
Here is a free meal ideas printable to help you brainstorm:
I’d love it if you left a comment listing at least one meal idea from the list you just made!
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
Jan 11 | Frugal Living, Household Tips, Money Saving Tips, Organization
How was your weekend? Did you work on decluttering? I took my big box of donations in, but that’s it! What sort of No spend activities did you do? We had a quiet weekend. But did make a quick trip to the city over to go to Costco and make some Christmas returns.
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 4 Declutter Task:
In our home, I have a few cupboards and shelves devoted to pantry stuff. No official pantry, but it works for me! However, after a while, things start to get messy in those places because I tend to get a bit careless when I’m putting things away. (Mainly because I’m trying to hurry, since putting things away is not one of my favourite things to do.)
I think I can do so much better with getting like items with like items. So that’s what today’s decluttering task is going to be. Decluttering and organizing our pantry areas.
In case you’re looking for some inspiration on how to organize your pantry, here’s a post I did that has a bunch of links to pantry organization ideas.
Day 4 No Spend Task:
Once again, we’re going to try our hardest to not spend money! But also today, since we’re organizing our pantries, we’re going to take inventory of what we have found. This is going to help us with our No Spend task tomorrow.
For your convenience, I have a printable pantry inventory list here.
What is the weirdest thing you found in your pantry?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!
