Amazon has switched over to Cyber Monday Deals now! Black Friday/Cyber Monday is my favorite time to shop for Christmas presents. Not just because the deals are great, but because then there's more time for enjoying all the fun December activities that go along with the season. Below is a list of my favorite deals.
My daughters love decorating gingerbread houses every year before Christmas. Probably, most likely, because they get to consume candy. But I also like to think it's because of the creative process and making something cute.
We like to make a special evening or weekend day out of it by adding hot chocolate and having Christmas carols playing in the background.
This year, I thought it would be fun to create little gingerbread house kits. I even had fun creating a Build Your Own Gingerbread House tag to make them way more official. Lol.
To assemble them, add 8 square graham crackers or 4 of the large rectangle ones if they are the brand name ones by Christie (pictured below). I like the brand name ones best because you can cut the large rectangle on the top half on an angle so it has a point. This is so the roof crackers have a sturdier resting point.
After this, fill the bag with an assortment of candy. I bought all of ours from Bulk Barn. Seal the sandwich bag.
Once you've printed out the tag, cut it out, fold it in half, then staple it to the top of the sandwich bag. Ta da!
The icing I used didn't fit inside the bags, however, you could create a mini piping bag filled with icing that should fit nicely if you're giving it as a gift!
You can make your own icing or you can buy it like I do. The premade icing in a can by Betty Crocker and the likes, also works really well!
I think it would be so fun to have a Gingerbread House making party with a bunch of friends! Young or old!
What are your holiday traditions that you find yourself doing every year?
Like all of my other deal posts, this post most likely contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.
The Ninja Creami seems to be the hot kitchen product this year! For good reason too! It sound like it's incredible for making tasty ice cream, smoothie bowls, milkshakes and more. Perfect for those with dietary restrictions because you have total control over the ingredients.
Like most small kitchen appliances, the Ninja Creami can have a big price tag. Be sure to check this post for all the best sales on the Ninja Creami in Canada:
I think this Homemade Sore Muscle Soak would make a perfect gift for someone on your list! Or perhaps it would make a great addition to a spa basket you can make up?
I often find myself with sore muscles in the fall. I think it's because we're out hiking more and working outside more. 🙂 Because of this, I find it really nice to have a warm bath with some of my homemade sore muscle soak! This one smells delicious because it uses fresh mint and lavender (or essential oils). Here's how you can easily make up your own batch of homemade sore muscle soak:
¼ cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped OR 7-10 drops of peppermint oil
¼ cup of fresh lavender, chopped OR 7-10 drops of lavender oil
DIRECTIONS:
Begin by mixing your Epsom salt and baking soda in a bowl. Mix well.
Chop your herbs fine and add them to the mixture. Or, add your oils at this time. For the mixture you see here, I used fresh mint and used lavender oil in place of the fresh lavender.
Continue mixing well. The moisture from the herbs and oils may cause some clumping. This is not a big deal. Just use your spoon to break through the clumps.
Store the mixture in a glass jar with lid or air tight container. I like to let it sit for a few hours before using.
To use your homemade sore muscle soak, just pour it into a running bath. The lavender will help you relax and ease muscle tension, the mint will help revitalize, and the Epsom salt and baking soda will help with inflammation and pain.
When done, drain your tub as usual. You may wish to remove any larger herb clippings by hand to avoid drain issues.
Are you up to your ears in leaves? If your yard is home to numerous trees, you might find yourself overwhelmed with leaves this fall season. So what exactly can you do with all of those leaves, other than rake them? Well the good news is they do have a few fun uses! Take a peek at these 5 creative ways to use fallen leaves, in ways that are both fun and frugal!
1. Craft a scarecrow.
Fallen leaves are perfect for stuffing and filling scarecrows. Save leaves so when you are ready to craft your scarecrow, you have plenty to create the body, legs, arms, and of course, head. Leaves make perfect stuffing material and fill up the scarecrow nicely.
2. Make giant yard pumpkins.
Buy orange yard waste bags found at your local home improvement store or Amazon. Some are plain orange while others might have the pumpkin faces already on them. No worries if you can’t find any with faces, you can always add your own with a black marker. Simply fill the bags up with leaves, then tie the top for yard pumpkins that make the perfect outdoor fall décor.
3. Craft spooky ghosts.
Take white trash bags and fill the bottom with a handful of leaves. Twist the bag and tie it to create a round head shape. You can use a black marker to draw the face of a ghost directly onto the bag, and then add string for hanging. Place the ghost in a tree or porch for a spooky effect.
4. Make spooky yard spiders.
Take a black trash bag and fill it with fallen leaves. You can then use white paper to craft eyes and attach them with craft glue. Painted PVC piping can make legs as well as long cardboard tubes or even pool noodles. How spooky would these be to see in your yard around Halloween!
5. Create a leaf fort.
Find a large cardboard box that can be used as the fort’s main foundation. Cut a square to enter. Spray the box with spray adhesive and apply the leaves to the outside of the box. One or two layers is sufficient. When you are done you should not be able to see the box and it will look like the entire piece is made from leaves.
Did you ever think that leaves could provide so much fun? Start raking up those fall leaves and then give these fun ideas a try and see all the ways you can put those fallen leaves to use. You are sure to enjoy lots of family fun with very little cost to you.
Calling all teachers and educators! Enjoy 20% off must-haves for your classroom, in store only until Sept. 24. Simply present your teacher ID and save!
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Living frugally is really just about making small, smart choices throughout the day. From morning to night, those little habits can add up to big savings over time. Curious what that actually looks like? Let’s walk through a typical day in the life of a frugal person and the simple things they do to save money without overthinking it.
Our frugal person skips the $5 coffee shop run and makes their coffee at home instead, saving a ton over time. When they want something a little more fun, they’ll whip up their own homemade coffee creamer. Of course, they’ve also got a reusable mug they use again and again, whether they’re at home or heading out.
2. Looks at the Meal Plan.
This frugal person creates a meal plan every week with their Meal Planner Kit. So every morning they double check the plan to see what they might have to pull out of the freezer or pick up at the grocery store in order to stay on track. The meal plan saves them hundreds of dollars each month and keeps them sane at the dinner time hour.
3. Check the Gas Buddy app.
Before heading out to run errands, our frugal person does a quick check on the free GasBuddy app to see where gas is cheapest. When they spot a good price in their vicinity, that’s where they fill up. Simple as that!
4. Turn on the slow cooker.
There won’t be any take out traps for this frugal person tonight thanks to their meal plan. Instead, they toss some chicken, fresh vegetables, and broth into the slow cooker for dinner. She uses canned broth from the stockpile, veggies from the garden, and chicken she bought on sale.
5. Scour the sales.
Our frugal person checks the weekly grocery store flyers to see what's on sale that week. They then match the sale prices with the coupons they have on hand. This helps them to make their shopping list for the week while keeping the budget in check. They love the Budget Planner for keeping track of their budget categories and savings goals.
Afternoon:
6. Enjoys a homemade lunch.
Whether they’re at work or out and about, our frugal person brings a homemade lunch. Today it’s a taco salad made with leftover ground beef from last night’s burgers. They also stick to a refillable water bottle, skipping pricey sugary drinks and saving money without even thinking about it.
7. Swing into the local thrift store.
Frugal people love thrift stores to look for gently used items at a fraction of the price of new. Today, our frugal person finds some frames that can be spray painted to match their décor as well as a table lamp they can use on the night stand. For about $7 total they walk out the door so happy!
8. Give the house a quick clean.
Our frugal person keeps cleaning simple and budget-friendly. They use a few affordable staples like vinegar for windows and baking soda for sinks and drains. Rather than buying a bunch of specialty cleaners. A quick wipe keeps faucets looking shiny, and a little attention to the drain helps prevent odors before they start.
9. Snag some free reads.
Our frugal person loves looking on Amazon for free eBook downloads. They also love to swing into the library to borrow free movies, CD’s, magazines, books, and so much more.
Evening:
10. Dinner is served.
Our frugal person serves their thrifty dinner. They use cloth napkins instead of buying disposable paper. They serve lemon water or powdered drink mixes which cost less than pop or premade juices. When done, they will load the dishes into the dishwasher but wait until it's full before running it.
11. Inexpensive entertainment.
Our frugal person loves finding free things to do, so they always check local listings for ideas. They spot a free outdoor concert and a movie downtown that night. They also keep an eye out for discount days at the theatre. Of course, local parks are always a go-to for easy, no-cost fun.
12. Cheap dessert.
No day in the life of a frugal person is complete without a sweet treat. That's why our frugal person signs up for the email lists of all her favorite brands and local restaurants. This way, they get all sorts of coupons and special offers sent to them. Tonight they have a B1G1 FREE coupon to their favorite ice cream parlour. So tonight, they get to enjoy dessert for less!
13. Lights out!
Now that it is time for bed, our frugal person turns down the thermostat so it won’t work as hard at night while they are sleeping. They take a warm shower before bed, using a shower timer and a low flow shower head so they don't waste as much water.
Our frugal person is off to sleep, probably pretty happy thinking about all the money saved that day. Could this lifestyle be for you? Try a day in the life of a frugal person and see how it feels for yourself.
I'd love to know what a day in your life as a frugal person looks like. Let me know in the comments below!
What to do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house
At this moment, my house is not in tip top shape. In fact it feels quite chaotic to me. In some sense, I've come to terms with the state of my home because of the season I'm in with young kids at home. However, there are days when I find my home quite overwhelming and something needs to be done before my sanity is jeopardized. 🙂 A clean and tidy space makes for a happier mom.
So today I give you four QUICK things that you can do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house:
Make the beds
Fluff the pillows, throw the covers back on. Doesn't have to be perfect, but having the beds made makes me breathe easier. Even when there are piles of laundry on the floor! The bed is the biggest visual surface in a bedroom, so having the bed made creates calm for your eyes.
Clear off the outside of the fridge
Art work, shopping lists and magnets galore. I love displaying my daughters' art work from school and the fridge is just so convenient for having my grocery list. But once in a while, a good wipe down is necessary and I don't bother to put anything back up for a while afterwards.
Sweep the floors
One word. Crumbs. Everywhere! Nothing irritates me quite as much as stepping on some crumbs and having them stick to my bare feet. Ewww! Because of this, I try to sweep the floor every day and vacuum at least once a week. I'm amazed at how much better I feel after the floors have been swept.
Clear the kitchen counters
This is a constant battle of mine. Our kitchen doesn't have a lot of counter space so anything extra on it makes it more difficult to do every day tasks. Needless to say, our kitchen counters are a drop zone for school papers, mail and dirty dishes. While it's a never ending battle, I try to clear off as much "extras" as I can on a daily basis. Getting the dishes done (with my favourite dish soap) is also key!
Another thing that really helps me when I'm overwhelmed or paralyzed by my messy house? I create a plan to stay focused! Check out this fun HOME CLEANING PLANNER – with room by room checklists, daily + weekly task lists, and seasonal cleaning checklists to make sure it all gets DONE in a systematic way!
What sort of things do you like to do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house?
How to Save Money on a Tight Budget: 10 Practical Ways to Find Extra Savings
When money is tight, the idea of saving money can feel almost impossible. If you've already cut back on the things you don't really need, where is there anything left to save?
The good news is that saving money on a tight budget isn't necessarily about making huge changes. Sometimes it's about finding the small leaks in your budget, making a few strategic swaps, and being more intentional about where your money goes.
And if you're wondering how to save money on a tight budget, start by remembering this: you don't have to change everything at once. Even a few small changes can make a difference over time.
Here are some practical ways to find extra savings when your budget is already stretched.
1. Track where your money is actually going
Before you try to cut your spending, figure out what you're already spending.
For a month, keep track of your purchases, even the small ones. Coffee, convenience store stops, takeout, subscriptions, online purchases and those little “it's only $10” purchases can add up quickly.
Don't use this exercise to beat yourself up over your spending. Use it as information. Once you know where your money is going, you can decide where you'd like it to go instead.
2. Look at your recurring expenses
Recurring expenses deserve special attention because they're easy to overlook.
Go through your bank and credit card statements and make a list of everything that comes out automatically each month. Look at things like:
Streaming services
Apps and memberships
Phone and internet plans
Insurance
Banking fees
Gym memberships
Subscription boxes
Cloud storage
Other services you pay for automatically
Ask yourself: Would I sign up for this again today? If the answer is no, cancel it.
For bills you need to keep, see if there's an opportunity to negotiate, switch plans or shop around. Even a small monthly reduction can add up over a year.
3. Prioritize what matters most
When your budget is tight, you can't always afford everything you'd like to have. That's not a failure, it's simply a reason to prioritize.
Instead of trying to eliminate every enjoyable expense, decide what matters most to you and spend your money there.
Maybe your family values swimming lessons, but doesn't care about every other extracurricular activity. Maybe you'd rather keep your weekly coffee date and cut back somewhere else.
The goal isn't to create a life where you spend nothing. It's to make sure the money you do spend is going toward the things that are actually important to you.
4. Find one expense you can eliminate
Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to cut your entire budget overnight. Pick one expense.
Maybe you could:
Make coffee at home a few more days a week
Pack lunch instead of buying it
Reduce takeout
Borrow books instead of buying them
Skip one shopping trip
Use what you already have before buying more
Replace one convenience purchase with a homemade option
Once that becomes your new normal, look for another small change.
Saving money becomes much easier when you treat it as a series of small decisions rather than one giant financial overhaul.
5. Shop your home before shopping the store
One of my favourite ways to save money is so simple: use what you already own!
Before buying something, take a look around your home. Do you already have something that will work?
Check your pantry before grocery shopping. Look through your freezer. Shop your cleaning supplies before buying another bottle. Look through your closet before buying another outfit. Check your craft supplies, toiletries and household storage before adding something else to the collection.
Sometimes the best deal is the thing you don't have to buy at all.
6. Get creative about earning extra money
Cutting expenses isn't the only way to create more breathing room in your budget.
If you have the time and energy, consider whether there's a way to bring in a little extra income.
You could sell things you no longer need, pick up occasional work, offer a service, or turn an existing skill or hobby into a small side income.
And if you do earn extra money, consider giving it a specific job before you receive it. For example, you might decide that extra money will go toward your emergency fund, a specific bill, debt repayment or another financial goal.
7. Sell things you no longer need
Most of us have money sitting around our homes in the form of things we no longer use.
Look around your home with fresh eyes. What could someone else use? Clothing, furniture, electronics, toys, kitchen appliances, sporting equipment and other household items may be worth selling.
You could sell your things with local buy-and-sell groups, online marketplaces or other resale platforms.
And here's an important part: don't let the money disappear into your regular spending. If you're trying to build savings, transfer your earnings somewhere specifically designated for that goal.
8. Make your grocery budget work harder
Food is one area where small changes can make a noticeable difference.
Before you shop:
Check what you already have.
Plan meals around food that needs to be used.
Compare prices.
Buy store brands when they make sense.
Watch for sales on things you regularly use.
Use your freezer to reduce food waste.
Plan a few inexpensive meals each week.
Don't shop hungry if it leads to impulse purchases.
You don't need to become an extreme couponer or spend hours chasing every deal. Instead, focus on consistently paying less for the groceries you were already planning to buy.
9. Start a change jar or a small savings habit
Saving loose change may not make you rich, but it's an easy way to turn money you might otherwise ignore into savings.
Keep a jar for coins and empty your wallet or pockets into it regularly.
You can take it a step further by creating a small automatic savings habit. Even $5 or $10 at a time can help you build the habit of paying yourself first.
If your budget is extremely tight, don't worry about the size of the amount. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
10. Shop strategically instead of automatically
When you're on a tight budget, timing your purchases can make a big difference.
If you know you'll need birthday or Christmas gifts, watch for sales throughout the year rather than waiting until you need everything at once. The same applies to clothing, household goods, seasonal items and other predictable purchases.
Make a list of things you know you'll need eventually and keep an eye out for good prices.
But there's an important distinction here: a sale isn't a savings if you didn't need the item in the first place. The best deals are the ones that help you spend less on something you were already going to buy.
Give every dollar a job
When money is tight, it's easy to feel like you're constantly reacting to whatever bill or expense comes next.
Creating a simple plan can help you feel more in control. You don't need a complicated budgeting system. Start by knowing:
What money is coming in
What bills have to be paid
What you need for groceries and other essentials
What expenses can be reduced
What you're trying to save for
Even a simple budget can give you a clearer picture of where your money needs to go.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of budgeting, my printable budget planner can help you organize your bills, spending and financial goals all in one place.
Saving money on a tight budget is about progress, not perfection
When money is tight, you may not be able to save hundreds of dollars every month. That's okay.
Maybe you start with $5. Maybe you find $25 in savings by cancelling a subscription. Maybe you sell a few things you no longer need. Maybe you reduce your grocery bill by $10 a week.
Those small amounts matter.
The goal isn't to live an unnecessarily restrictive life. It's to find realistic ways to spend less, waste less and make your money work harder for you.
So if you're wondering how to save money on a tight budget, don't start by asking, “What else can I give up?”
Instead, ask: “Where is my money going, and what small change would make the biggest difference?” Start there. Then build from it.
What is one thing you've done to save money on a tight budget?
