Canning for Beginners: How to Get Started Safely and Easily
There’s something incredibly satisfying about opening a jar of homemade jam, pickles, peaches, or tomato sauce in the middle of winter and remembering that you preserved it yourself.
If you’ve never tried it before, though, canning for beginners can feel a little intimidating. There are special equipment, different canning methods, specific processing times, and a lot of information to keep straight.
The good news? You don’t need to become an expert before you get started.
With the right equipment, a reliable tested recipe, and a little patience, home canning can be a surprisingly approachable way to preserve seasonal produce and make the most of your garden, a farmers’ market haul, or a great sale at the grocery store.
Here’s what you need to know to get started.
What Is Home Canning?
Home canning is a method of preserving food by placing it in jars and processing the jars using heat.
The heat destroys microorganisms and creates a sealed environment that helps keep the food safe for storage.
Canning has been around for centuries, but modern home canning became much more practical with the development of glass canning jars and reliable sealing methods.
Today, canning is popular with gardeners, homesteaders, farmers’ market shoppers, and anyone who enjoys preserving seasonal food.
And you don’t need a huge garden to give it a try. A few baskets of peaches, a big batch of tomatoes, or a bumper crop of cucumbers can be enough to get you started.
Canning for Beginners: What Supplies Do You Need?
One of the nice things about starting with water bath canning is that you don't need a kitchen full of specialized equipment.
For a basic water bath canning project, you'll typically need:
A water bath canner with a rack, or an appropriate large pot with a rack
Canning jars in the size recommended by your recipe
You may already have some of these items in your kitchen.
And before buying everything brand new, check thrift stores, garage sales, or your own cupboards for equipment. Just be careful with used jars and other equipment: jars with chips, cracks, or damage shouldn't be used for canning.
For pressure canning, you'll also need a proper pressure canner designed for home food preservation.
The Two Main Canning Methods
There are two primary methods you'll find when you're learning about canning: water bath canning and pressure canning.
Water Bath Canning
Water bath canning uses boiling water to process jars.
It's generally used for high-acid foods, including many fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, and properly acidified tomato recipes.
If you're brand new to canning, water bath canning is often the easiest place to start.
It's relatively straightforward, and there are a lot of beginner friendly recipes to choose from.
Pressure Canning
Pressure canning is used for low-acid foods, such as many vegetables, meats, poultry, and some combination foods.
These foods require a higher processing temperature than a boiling water bath can provide. A pressure canner allows that higher temperature to be reached. Pressure canning is an excellent preservation method, but it's important to learn the process carefully and follow a tested recipe exactly.
Never substitute water bath canning for pressure canning when a recipe specifically calls for pressure canning.
Choose a Tested Canning Recipe
This is probably the most important advice for anyone learning canning for beginners: Don't improvise when it comes to canning recipes.
Canning isn't like making soup, where you can casually add another ingredient or change the proportions. The acidity, density, jar size, processing time, and processing method can all affect whether a canned food is safe.
When choosing your first recipe, look for something relatively simple. Pickles, fruit, jams, and other water bath recipes can be good introductions. Be sure to choose something you actually want to eat! There’s no point spending an afternoon canning 12 jars of something your family won't touch.
Prepare Your Jars and Equipment
Before you start, inspect your jars carefully.
Don't use jars with cracks, chips, or other damage. Pay close attention to the rim. Wash your jars, lids, and bands according to the directions provided with your recipe and the manufacturer's recommendations.
Whether jars need to be sterilized before filling depends on the recipe and processing time. Follow the instructions in your tested recipe rather than automatically boiling every jar for 10 minutes.
If your recipe calls for the jars to be kept hot before filling, you can keep them in hot water until you're ready to use them.
Fill Your Jars Carefully
Once your food is ready, use a canning funnel to make filling the jars much easier.
Your recipe will tell you exactly how much headspace to leave at the top of each jar. Headspace is the space between the surface of the food and the rim of the jar, and it plays an important role in creating a proper seal.
Don't guess at the amount. Follow the recipe.
Before putting on the lid, check the rim of the jar and wipe away any food or liquid that may have spilled onto it. Then place the lid and screw band on according to the manufacturer's directions. Avoid overtightening the band.
Process the Jars According to the Recipe
Now comes the actual canning process.
Place the filled jars into your water bath canner or pressure canner, depending on the recipe you're following.
Processing times aren't interchangeable. They can vary based on the food, jar size, altitude, preparation method, and type of canning. That's why it's so important to use the processing time and method specified in your tested recipe.
If you're water bath canning, make sure the jars are covered with the required amount of water throughout processing.
If you're pressure canning, follow the pressure, processing time, and altitude adjustments specified in your recipe.
Don't shorten the processing time because the jars look sealed or because you're in a hurry.
What About Reusing Canning Lids?
This is an area where older canning advice can cause confusion.
Traditional flat canning lids are designed for single use. Don't reuse them for another batch of shelf-stable canned food.
Screw bands, on the other hand, can generally be reused as long as they're in good condition and aren't rusty or damaged.
Always follow the manufacturer's current recommendations for the particular lids and jars you're using.
What Should You Do After Canning?
When processing is complete, carefully remove the jars using a jar lifter and place them upright on a towel or other protected surface.
Leave them undisturbed while they cool. As the jars cool, you may hear the satisfying little pop of the lids sealing. Don't press the lids down to test them while they're cooling.
After the recommended cooling period, check the seals according to your recipe or canning guide. Any jar that hasn't sealed properly should be handled according to current food-safety guidance rather than simply being stored on the shelf.
Once you've confirmed the jars have sealed, label them with the contents and date.
Start Small
If you've been intimidated by home canning, don't feel like you need to preserve an entire garden on your first attempt. Start with one recipe.
A small batch of pickles or fruit is a great way to become familiar with the equipment, filling jars, processing, and storing your finished product.
Once you're comfortable with the process, you can branch out into more recipes and eventually try pressure canning if you'd like!
A Few Important Canning for Beginners Safety Rules
Canning is a fantastic way to preserve food, but food safety should always come first.
Keep these basic rules in mind:
Use current, tested recipes from a reputable source.
Follow the recipe's ingredients, preparation method, jar size, headspace, and processing time.
Don't alter the proportions of ingredients in a canning recipe unless the source specifically says the substitution is safe.
Use the correct canning method for the food.
Never use jars with cracks, chips, or damaged rims.
Don't reuse single-use canning lids.
Make sure your pressure canner is in good working condition and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Make appropriate altitude adjustments when required.
If you're unsure whether a recipe or technique is safe, check with a reputable food-preservation resource before proceeding.
Canning for Beginners Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
The first time you see a kitchen counter covered with jars, equipment, towels, and fresh produce, canning can look like a lot of work. But once you understand the basic process, it becomes much less intimidating.
Start with a simple tested recipe, gather the right equipment, give yourself plenty of time, and don't be afraid to learn as you go.
Maybe the best part of canning is that you're not just preserving food, you're making the most of seasonal produce, reducing waste, and putting something homemade on your pantry shelf for later!
There's nothing quite like opening a jar of summer in the middle of winter. Ahhh, yum!
How to Live Below Your Means: 9 Simple Ways to Spend Less Than You Earn
Living on less than you make is one of the simplest ways to create more breathing room in your finances.
And despite what you might think, living below your means doesn't mean living a boring life or never buying anything you enjoy. It simply means creating a lifestyle that costs less than your income so you have money left over for saving, unexpected expenses, future goals and even some fun.
The goal isn't to spend as little as humanly possible. It's to stop spending everything you earn.
If your money seems to disappear every month, these simple strategies on how to live below your means will help you, without feeling like you're depriving yourself.
1. Know exactly what you bring home
Before you can spend less than you earn, you need to know what you're actually working with.
Look at your take-home income rather than your gross salary. If your income changes from week to week or month to month, calculate an average based on several months.
Then look at the bigger picture:
How much do you bring home each month?
What are your regular expenses?
How much are you currently saving?
Where does the rest of your money go?
Don't worry if you don't love what you see at first. This isn't about judging your spending. It's about getting an honest starting point.
Need a bit more help to feel more organized with your money? My simple printable Budget Planner will help take a lot of the guesswork out of managing your finances.
2. Build your budget around your priorities
A budget shouldn't be a plan for spending every dollar you earn. Instead, give your income a job before you start spending it.
Start with your necessities, then make room for savings and the things that matter most to you. Once those priorities are covered, you can decide what money is available for everything else.
And remember: there's no magic budget percentage that works perfectly for everyone. Your housing costs, family situation, income and goals are all different.
The important thing is that your spending stays below your income.
3. Track where your money is actually going
You can't change spending habits you don't notice.
For a month, keep track of everything you spend. You can use a budgeting app, spreadsheet, notebook or whatever method you'll actually stick with.
Pay special attention to the little purchases. A coffee here, takeout there, a few online purchases and several “it's only $20” purchases can add up quickly.
Tracking your spending isn't about making yourself feel guilty. It's about finding the places where your money could be working harder for you.
4. Learn the difference between needs and wants
One of the most useful habits you can develop is learning to pause before you spend.
Ask yourself: Do I need this, or do I simply want it right now?
There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying things you want. The problem comes when wants consistently take priority over necessities, savings and financial goals.
Try creating a little space between wanting something and buying it. Add it to a wish list, wait a few days and see if you still want it. You might discover that some purchases aren't nearly as important as they seemed in the moment.
5. Look for ways to lower your regular expenses
If you want to learn how to live below your means, don't only focus on cutting little purchases. Look at your recurring expenses, too.
Could you:
Reduce your grocery bill?
Cancel subscriptions you rarely use?
Find a less expensive phone or internet plan?
Shop around for insurance?
Reduce energy use at home?
Borrow books and movies from the library?
Buy certain things secondhand?
Make more meals at home?
Even small monthly savings can make a difference because they keep adding up month after month.
6. Stop trying to keep up
It's difficult to live below your means when you're constantly comparing your life to someone else's.
There will always be someone with a newer car, bigger house, more expensive vacation or seemingly endless shopping budget.
But you don't know what their finances look like behind the scenes.
Instead of asking, “Can I afford that?” try asking, “Does spending my money on this move me closer to the life I want?” That's a much more useful question.
7. Make saving part of your lifestyle
Don't wait to see what's left at the end of the month to decide whether you can save. If possible, make saving one of your regular expenses.
Even a small automatic transfer can help you build the habit. As your income increases or you find ways to reduce expenses, you can gradually increase the amount you're putting aside.
Having money set aside can give you something incredibly valuable: options.
An emergency fund, savings for a big purchase or money set aside for future goals can make unexpected expenses much less stressful.
8. Give yourself some room for fun
This one is important.
If your plan for living below your means is so restrictive that you can't enjoy anything, you're probably not going to stick with it for long. Build some fun into your budget!
Maybe that's dinner out once a month, a weekend activity, a hobby, books, coffee with a friend or saving for a vacation. The amount doesn't matter as much as making sure your spending reflects what you actually value.
Frugal living isn't about saying no to everything. It's about spending intentionally.
9. Increase your lifestyle slowly when your income increases
Got a raise? Started earning more from a side hustle? Paid off a debt?
One of the easiest ways to stay ahead financially is to resist immediately spending every extra dollar you earn. Instead of automatically upgrading your lifestyle, consider putting some of that extra money toward savings or another financial goal.
You can absolutely enjoy the benefits of earning more. Just don't let every increase in income turn into an increase in expenses.
That's how you create more financial breathing room over time.
Living below your means doesn't have to feel restrictive
Learning how to live below your means isn't about living like a miser or never spending money on things you enjoy.
It's about making sure your lifestyle fits your income and leaving yourself some room between what comes in and what goes out.
That extra breathing room can help you save for the things that matter, handle unexpected expenses and work toward bigger financial goals.
Start small. Track your spending. Look for a few expenses you can reduce. Be more intentional about the things you buy.
You don't have to completely overhaul your life overnight. Sometimes, spending just a little less than you earn, consistently, is what makes the biggest difference.
What’s your best tip for how to live below your means without feeling like you’re missing out? I’d love to hear what works for you!
How to Have a Healthy Money Mindset: 7 Simple Ways to Feel Better About Your Finances
When I first started paying closer attention to my spending, I didn't necessarily think I had a problem with money. I was simply curious about where all of it was going.
Back in 2008, I decided to try something that seemed almost impossible at the time: a no spend month.
The idea was simple. I would stop buying anything that wasn't an absolute necessity and see what happened.
What happened was…eye-opening, to say the least!
I started noticing all of the little purchases I had barely thought about before. The quick trips to the store. The things that were “on sale” so I couldn't pass them up. The random purchases that seemed insignificant on their own but really added up over time.
That month taught me something I hadn't fully understood before: saving money isn't just about finding cheaper things. It's also about becoming more aware of why you're spending money in the first place.
And that, for me, was the beginning of a much healthier relationship with money.
Over the years, I've learned that having a healthy money mindset isn't about being obsessed with saving, never spending money, or convincing yourself that you'll magically attract more money if you simply think positively.
It's about becoming more intentional.
It's about understanding what money means to you, being honest about your habits, making spending decisions that align with your priorities, and learning to look at your finances without immediately feeling stressed or guilty.
So, how do you feel when you think about money?
Do you feel confident and in control? Or does the subject immediately bring up stress, guilt, or anxiety?
Maybe you love finding a great deal but feel guilty when you actually spend money. Maybe you're constantly worried about whether you're saving enough. Maybe you avoid checking your bank account because you're afraid of what you'll see.
Or maybe you've spent years hearing things like, “Money doesn't grow on trees,” “We can't afford that,” or “We'll never have enough,” and those messages have stuck with you.
Whatever your relationship with money looks like right now, it isn't necessarily where you have to stay.
A healthy money mindset can be learned. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as paying attention.
Here are seven ways to start building a healthy money mindset:
1. Pay attention to the way you talk about money
One of the easiest places to start is by noticing the things you say about money.
Do you frequently say things like:
“I’m terrible with money.”
“We’ll never be able to afford that.”
“I always spend too much.”
“I’m just not good at saving.”
“Money always disappears.”
It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated about money sometimes. But repeatedly telling yourself that you’re bad with money can make it much harder to change your habits.
Try replacing those statements with something more realistic and constructive. Instead of “I’m terrible with money,” try, “I’m learning how to manage my money better.”
Instead of “I can never afford anything,” try, “I need to decide what is worth spending money on.”
The goal isn't to pretend everything is perfect. It's to change the conversation from “I can't” to “What can I do?”
2. Stop making money a measure of your worth
Your income, your bank balance, and the things you own don't determine your value as a person.
It can be so easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially when we're constantly seeing other people's homes, vacations, purchases, and lifestyles online.
But you have no idea what someone else's financial situation actually looks like.
Someone driving a newer vehicle may have a large car payment. Someone taking an expensive vacation may have saved for years to make it happen. Someone with a beautiful home may have very different financial priorities than you do.
Your financial life doesn't need to look like anyone else's.
Instead of asking, “Am I doing as well as everyone else?”, try asking: “Am I making choices that work for me and my priorities?” That's a much healthier comparison.
3. Learn to look at your money instead of avoiding it
If checking your bank account makes you nervous, you may be tempted to simply avoid it. Unfortunately, avoiding your finances rarely makes the situation feel better.
You don't need to spend hours obsessing over every transaction. But knowing what's coming in, what's going out, and what bills need to be paid can give you a much greater sense of control.
Try having a regular money check-in. Look at your:
Bank accounts
Upcoming bills
Subscriptions
Credit card balances
Savings
Upcoming expenses
Think of it as taking the temperature of your finances rather than judging yourself.
You aren't looking at your bank account to determine whether you've been “good” or “bad.” You're looking so you can make informed decisions.
Ready to feel more organized with your money?
A simple budget can take a lot of the guesswork out of managing your finances. If you need a little help getting started, check out my Budget Planner.
4. Stop feeling guilty about spending money on things that matter
Frugal living doesn't mean you should never spend money.
In fact, one of the healthiest things you can do for your money mindset is learn the difference between spending intentionally and spending mindlessly.
There are things that are worth spending money on because they genuinely make your life better.
Maybe that's a family experience, a hobby, a quality pair of shoes, a meal out, or something that saves you time and frustration.
The goal isn't to spend as little as possible. The goal is to spend your money in ways that align with what matters to you.
A great deal isn't a great deal if you don't actually need or want the item.
One more thing, spending a little more on something you'll use constantly can sometimes be more frugal than repeatedly buying cheaper replacements.
5. Give yourself permission to enjoy the money you're saving
Saving money is important, but saving every possible dollar without ever enjoying any of it can make frugal living feel like punishment.
If you're working hard to save for something important, it's okay to celebrate your progress along the way.
That doesn't necessarily mean going on a shopping spree.
Maybe you set aside a small amount for a coffee date, a family outing, a hobby, or something you've been looking forward to. Having some room for enjoyment can actually make it easier to stick with your bigger financial goals.
Frugality should help you create a life you enjoy, not make you feel like you're constantly depriving yourself.
6. Focus on what you can control
There will always be financial things you can't control.
Grocery prices change. Unexpected expenses happen. Bills go up. Life throws curveballs at us. Constantly worrying about things outside your control can leave you feeling powerless.
Instead, focus on the things you can do. You can:
compare prices.
plan your meals.
look for better deals.
cancel subscriptions you don't use.
shop your pantry before going grocery shopping.
build savings when you're able.
learn more about your finances.
choose where your money goes.
You may not be able to control every financial circumstance, but you can often control the next decision you make. That could be enough to get you moving in a better direction.
7. Check in with your money mindset regularly
Your relationship with money isn't something you figure out once and then never think about again.
Your circumstances change. Your priorities change. Your income and expenses change.
So every once in a while, ask yourself: How am I feeling about money right now?
Are you feeling confident? Stressed? Avoiding something? Guilty about spending? Worried about saving enough? Excited about a financial goal?
There is no wrong answer.
The important thing is to notice what you're feeling so you can decide whether there's something you need to address.
Maybe you need to revisit your budget. Maybe you need to have a conversation about your financial goals. Maybe you simply need to stop comparing your finances to someone else's.
A Healthy Money Mindset Isn't About Being Perfect
Having a healthy money mindset doesn't mean you'll never overspend, worry about a bill, regret a purchase, or make a financial mistake.
You're human. It's going to happen. What matters is how you respond.
Instead of beating yourself up over a mistake, ask: What can I learn from this?
Instead of feeling guilty about spending, ask: Was this purchase important to me?
Instead of worrying that you'll never have enough, ask: What can I do today to make my financial situation a little better?
Money is a tool. It can help us pay for the things we need, enjoy the things we love, prepare for the future, and create a little more breathing room in our lives.
You don't need to be wealthy to have a healthy money mindset.
You simply need to start becoming more aware of where your money is going, why you're making the choices you make, and what you want your money to help you accomplish.
And that's something you can work on one small decision at a time.
Your Healthy Money Mindset Reset
Feeling overwhelmed by your finances? Grab a notebook and answer these five questions:
What is one thing about my finances that is going well?
What is one expense I'd like to reduce?
What am I currently saving for?
What is one financial task I've been avoiding?
What's one small thing I can do this week to feel more in control?
Ready to feel more organized with your money?
A simple budget can take a lot of the guesswork out of managing your finances. If you need a little help getting started, check out my printable Budget Planner.
A clutter-free home doesn't happen because you spend an entire weekend decluttering every few months. In my experience, it's much easier to keep clutter under control when you develop a few simple habits that prevent it from piling up in the first place.
The goal isn't to have a perfectly organized home where nothing is ever out of place. Life happens! Kids leave things around, mail piles up, and sometimes the kitchen counter becomes the dumping ground for everything you walked through the door carrying.
The trick is to have a few habits that make dealing with clutter almost automatic. Once these habits become part of your everyday routine, keeping your home tidy takes much less effort.
Here are 7 good habits for a clutter-free home that will help you keep clutter under control without constantly feeling like you're decluttering.
One of my favourite decluttering habits is keeping a donation box somewhere convenient. Ours is in our bedroom closet.
Why? Because you are constantly coming across things you no longer need. A shirt that doesn't fit quite right. A kitchen gadget you never use. A book you've finished and know you'll never read again.
Without somewhere to put those things, they often get put back where they came from with the thought, "I'll deal with that later."
Instead, keep a box, basket or reusable bag in an accessible spot. Whenever you find something you no longer want or need, put it in the box immediately.
Once the box is full, take it to your favourite donation centre and start a new one.
You don't have to set aside an entire afternoon to find things to donate because you're making small decisions as you go.
One important rule: Don't let your donation box become a permanent fixture that you keep moving from room to room. Once it's full, get it out of the house.
2. Create Decluttering Routines
A little regular maintenance can prevent a much bigger decluttering job later.
You don't need to spend hours every day tidying your home. Instead, create a few small routines that work with your lifestyle.
For example, you might:
Spend 10 minutes tidying before bed.
Do a quick fridge clean every week.
Go through the mail as soon as it comes into the house.
Do a quick bathroom reset once a week.
Declutter one small area whenever you have a few spare minutes.
Do a seasonal check of clothing, toys and other frequently used items.
The important thing is consistency rather than perfection.
Think of it like brushing your teeth. You don't wait until your teeth are completely covered in plaque before dealing with them. You do a little maintenance regularly.
Your home can work the same way.
Small, frequent resets are much easier than waiting until the clutter has become overwhelming.
3. Create Systems for Problem Areas
Every home has a few places where clutter seems to magically appear.
Maybe it's the kitchen counter. Maybe it's the entryway. Perhaps the dining room table has somehow become the place where backpacks, paperwork, chargers and random household items go to live.
Instead of repeatedly telling yourself to "keep this area tidy," create a system that makes it easier to keep tidy.
If shoes are always scattered around the entrance, add a shoe basket or designated shoe storage.
If paperwork piles up on the counter, create one place for incoming papers.
If everyone's keys end up in different places, designate a spot for keys.
The best organizing systems are usually simple. You shouldn't need a complicated system to maintain a simple space.
Pay attention to where clutter naturally accumulates in your home. Those piles are giving you useful information about where your systems aren't working.
Instead of fighting the clutter, ask yourself: What system would make it easier to put these things away?
4. Stick to the One-In, One-Out Rule
One of the easiest ways to prevent clutter from multiplying is to make a habit of getting rid of something when you bring something new into your home.
Buy a new sweater? Consider whether there's an older one you no longer wear.
Buy a new kitchen gadget? Take a look at your kitchen drawers and see if something else can go.
Get a new pair of shoes? Check whether there's a pair you can donate.
This doesn't have to be a rigid rule for every single purchase, but it's a useful mindset.
Our homes have a limited amount of space. If we continually bring new things in without anything going out, eventually we're going to run out of room.
The one-in, one-out rule encourages you to think about the space you already have before adding something new.
And here's a little bonus: it can make you more thoughtful about shopping. When you know that bringing something new home means you'll need to find a place for it, and possibly part with something else, you may find yourself asking, "Do I really want/need this?"
Sometimes the answer will be yes. And that's perfectly fine.
5. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear
Flat surfaces have a magical ability to collect clutter.
A kitchen counter becomes a place for mail. A dining table becomes a place for homework. A dresser becomes a place for laundry, receipts and random objects that don't seem to have a home.
Keeping your flat surfaces relatively clear can make your entire home feel more peaceful.
You don't have to remove every decorative item. The goal is simply to avoid allowing surfaces to become storage areas.
Try giving yourself a simple evening reset. Before you go to bed, clear the kitchen counters, dining table and other major surfaces and return things to where they belong.
It might only take five or ten minutes, but you'll appreciate it the next morning.
There is something surprisingly satisfying about waking up to a clear kitchen counter instead of yesterday's clutter.
6. Give Everything a Home
One of the best habits you can develop for a clutter-free home is making sure everything has a designated place.
When something doesn't have a home, it usually becomes clutter.
Think about the things that regularly get lost or left lying around. Remote controls. Scissors. Batteries. Chargers. School supplies. Keys. Reusable shopping bags.
Instead of constantly searching for these things, give them a home. Make the home easy to remember and easy to use.
If something is difficult to put away, you're much less likely to put it away. A basket beside the stairs may work better than a perfectly organized cupboard if that's where everyone naturally drops things.
The goal isn't to create beautiful organizing systems for the sake of organizing. The goal is to make it easy for everyone in your home to know where things belong and where to put them back.
If you find yourself constantly asking, "Where should I put this?" that's probably a sign that the item doesn't have a home yet.
7. Don't Buy What You Really Don't Need
Of course, one of the best ways to deal with clutter is to stop bringing unnecessary things into your home in the first place.
This can be difficult! Especially when something is inexpensive or on sale.
As someone who loves a good deal, I've definitely had to learn that a bargain isn't actually a bargain if I don't need it.
Before buying something, especially an impulse purchase, ask yourself a few questions:
Do I actually need this?
Do I already own something that does the same job?
Where will I keep it?
How often will I realistically use it?
Would I still want it if it weren't on sale?
You don't have to stop buying things you enjoy. That's not what frugal living or a clutter-free home is about.
It's about being intentional with what earns a place in your home.
Sometimes the best deal is the thing you decide not to buy.
The Bottom Line
A clutter-free home isn't about constantly cleaning, organizing and getting rid of things. It's about creating habits that make clutter easier to prevent and easier to deal with when it does appear.
Keep a donation box handy. Create simple routines. Give problem areas a system. Be mindful about what comes into your home, and make sure the things you already own have somewhere to go.
You don't need to completely overhaul your home overnight.
Start with one habit. Once it becomes second nature, add another.
Little habits really do add up. Before you know it, keeping clutter under control will become just another part of everyday life.
8 Frugal Household Essentials That Help You Save Money
There are some things you’ll find in almost every frugal household. Not because they’re fancy or trendy, but because they help make everyday life a little less expensive.
After years of trying to spend less without feeling like I’m constantly sacrificing, I’ve learned that the best money saving habits are often surprisingly simple. Sometimes it’s using something you already own instead of buying a disposable version. Sometimes it’s cooking at home. And sometimes it’s finding a small way to cut an everyday expense.
So, what are some of the frugal household essentials worth having around?
Here are eight items that can help you save money, reduce waste, and get more use out of what you already have.
They make it easier to prepare meals at home, which can help limit the temptation to grab takeout when you’re short on time. And many of these appliances can cook everything from soups and stews to appetizers, side dishes, and even desserts.
A slow cooker is especially handy for inexpensive cuts of meat, dried beans, soups, and other budget-friendly meals that benefit from a long, slow cook.
The best part? You can often throw everything together, turn it on, and let it do the work while you get on with your day.
Why keep buying something you’re going to use once and throw away?
Reusable cloth towels and napkins can replace many disposable paper products around the house. Reusable grocery bags can also help cut down on the need for single-use bags.
Of course, reusable products aren't automatically cheaper. The key is to actually use them repeatedly, which lowers the cost per use!
That’s one of my favourite frugal living principles: the cheapest option isn't always the one with the lowest price tag. It’s the one you can use again and again instead of continually replacing.
3. A Basic Repair Kit
One of the most useful frugal household essentials you can have isn't something that saves you money every time you use it. It's something that can help you avoid spending money when something breaks.
That's where a basic repair kit comes in.
You don't need a workshop full of tools or a drawer overflowing with supplies. A small box containing a few basics can handle a surprising number of little household problems.
Think:
A small sewing kit with needles and thread
Fabric patches
Safety pins
A measuring tape
A few basic screwdrivers
Pliers
Scissors
Strong tape
Super glue or household adhesive
A hammer
Spare buttons
Picture-hanging supplies
A few commonly used screws and nails
The goal isn't to become a professional repair person. It's simply to have enough on hand to deal with the little things that inevitably happen around the house.
And here's the bigger lesson I've learned from years of frugal living: not everything that is broken needs to be replaced.
4. A Clothesline or Drying Rack
A clothesline is an old fashioned money saving idea that still makes sense today.
Air drying your clothes can reduce your reliance on the dryer, and you don't need a huge backyard to do it. A compact drying rack can work well in a laundry room, bathroom, balcony, or other small space.
And yes, there’s also something pretty wonderful about the smell of laundry that has been dried outside on a sunny day.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of those inexpensive household staples that can come in handy for all sorts of jobs.
White vinegar can be useful for cleaning tasks such as removing certain mineral deposits and helping to clean glass and other surfaces. It’s inexpensive, easy to get, and a good example of why you don't necessarily need a cupboard full of specialized products for every cleaning job.
Just remember that vinegar isn't appropriate for every surface, especially some natural stone surfaces, so check before using it.
6. A Bicycle
A bicycle can be more than a way to get some exercise. For short trips, it can also be an inexpensive alternative to jumping in the car.
If you have errands nearby, riding a bike can help reduce fuel use and put fewer kilometres on your vehicle.
Of course, this isn't practical for every household or every errand. But if you live somewhere that makes cycling convenient, it can be a fun way to save a little money while getting outside. And unlike driving to the gym, your transportation can double as your workout!
7. A Ceiling Fan
If you already have ceiling fans in your home, don't underestimate how useful they can be.
During warmer months, a ceiling fan can help circulate air and make a room feel more comfortable. Many ceiling fans can also be reversed in cooler weather to help circulate warm air.
Fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room the way air conditioning does, but they can help you feel more comfortable while using less energy than running your AC.
8. Reusable Straws
If you regularly use straws, reusable straws are a simple replacement for disposable ones.
They're washable and can be used over and over again, which means you aren't continually buying or throwing away single-use straws.
I also like the fact that many reusable straw sets come with a little cleaning brush, which are a must to keep them clean!
And while a reusable straw isn't going to transform your budget on its own, that's really the point of frugal living. It's often the accumulation of lots of small choices that makes the biggest difference over time.
Frugal Living Isn't About Buying More
One thing I would add to this list after years of living frugally is this: you don't need to own every “frugal” product to be good at saving money.
In fact, sometimes the most frugal thing you can do is use what you already have.
You don't need a fancy appliance, a collection of reusable products, or a house full of money saving gadgets. The goal is to find simple habits and tools that genuinely make it easier for you to spend less.
And if something you already own helps you cook at home, reuse what you have, reduce waste, or avoid an unnecessary purchase, even better!
How many of these frugal household essentials do you have? What would you add to this list?
After years of frugal living, I know there are plenty of simple household items that can help us save money without making life feel harder. I’d love to hear your favourite!
Want to give your home a fresh new look without spending a fortune? Before you head to the store, try shopping your own home!
I find that once February rolls around, or honestly, once I've had enough of the dreary winter weather, I start craving a little change. I want things to feel brighter, fresher, and a bit more cheerful.
The good news is that you probably already have plenty of things around your home that can help you create that fresh feeling. Sometimes you don't need new stuff, you just need to look at the stuff you already own a little differently.
Here are some easy ways to decorate with things you already have and give your space a refresh without spending much (or anything at all).
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1. Get Creative with Spray Paint
Never underestimate what a can of spray paint can do!
An old vase, picture frame, lamp base, planter, basket, or small decorative item can look completely different with a fresh coat of paint.
Choose a colour that works with your current decor, or go with a classic neutral like white, black, or a soft beige. You may be surprised by how different an old item can look after a simple makeover.
Just make sure the item and paint are compatible and use spray paint safely according to the product directions.
2. Bring the Outdoors In
Nature is one of the best, and cheapest, ways to decorate your home.
Look around your yard for interesting branches that can be arranged in a large vase. Add fresh greenery to small vases or jars, or use seasonal flowers to add a little colour to a room.
You can also use things like pinecones, interesting stones, or other natural objects as decorative accents.
A simple branch in a pretty vase can make much more of a statement than you might expect!
3. Rearrange Your Furniture
Before buying anything new, try moving your furniture around.
Move a chair from one room into another. Try your side table beside the sofa instead of the bed. Switch the direction of your furniture or create a new conversation area.
You might find that your existing furniture works perfectly in a different arrangement. And the best part? It costs absolutely nothing!
4. Shop Your House
This is one of my favourite ways to decorate on a budget.
Walk through your home and look at your belongings with fresh eyes. Could the vase in your bedroom work in the living room? Could the basket in the bathroom hold blankets? Could a piece of artwork from one room look better somewhere else?
Move decorative items between rooms and see what happens.
Sometimes something feels "old" simply because we've been looking at it in the same spot for years.
5. Get Crafty with Fabric
Have fabric scraps, old curtains, scarves, tablecloths, or clothing that you're no longer using? You might be able to turn them into simple decorative pieces.
Use fabric to make a table runner, pillow cover, placemats, bunting, or even a small piece of wall art.
You don't need to be an expert sewer, either. There are plenty of simple projects that require very little fabric or sewing. Fabric glue might even work!
6. Give Your Picture Frames a New Job
Have a collection of picture frames sitting around that aren't being used? Put them to work!
Frame family photos, children's artwork, scrapbook paper, pretty fabric scraps, postcards, calendars, or even pages from an old book.
You can also group several frames together to create an inexpensive gallery wall.
Don't worry if the frames don't match perfectly. A collection of different frames can actually make a display feel more interesting.
7. Use Old Things in New Ways
One of the easiest ways to decorate without spending money is to stop thinking about things only for their original purpose.
An old mason jar can become a vase, bathroom storage container, or pencil holder. A wooden crate can hold magazines, blankets, or toys. A pretty bowl can become a catch-all for keys and other little items. An old tray can organize perfumes, candles, or coffee supplies.
Look at what you already own and ask yourself: "What else could I use this for?"
8. Decorate with Books
Books can be beautiful decor all on their own.
Stack a few books on a coffee table or side table and place a vase, candle, or small decorative object on top. You can also use books to add height to displays or create little groupings on shelves.
If you have old books that are no longer useful to you, there are plenty of creative craft projects you can make with them, too.
9. Display Your Kids' Artwork
Kids create an endless supply of free artwork!
Instead of putting everything on the fridge, choose a few favourite pieces and display them around your home. Frame artwork, create a rotating gallery wall, hang drawings from clips, or turn colourful pieces into homemade banners. You could even laminate particularly sturdy artwork and use it as placemats.
It's inexpensive decor, and much more meaningful than something you picked up at a store.
10. Rearrange Your Shelves
Sometimes your shelves don't need new decor. They just need a new arrangement.
Take everything off a bookshelf, hutch, or display shelf and start from scratch. Group similar items together, mix different heights, add books for dimension, and leave some empty space.
You'll be amazed at how different the same collection of objects can look when rearranged.
11. Make a New Gallery Wall
Take a look through the artwork, prints, calendars, postcards, children's artwork, and photographs you already have.
Choose a collection that works together and create a new gallery wall. You don't necessarily need matching frames. In fact, mixing frames can give the display more personality.
And if you already have a gallery wall, try rearranging the pieces into a completely different configuration.
12. Switch Out Your Textiles
You don't need to buy an entirely new set of decor to make a room feel different.
Move throw blankets and pillows between rooms. Bring out a tablecloth you haven't used in a while. Fold a colourful blanket over the arm of a chair.
Even small changes to textiles can make a room feel refreshed.
13. Create a Decorative Tray
Do you have an unused serving tray hiding in a cupboard? Pull it out and turn it into a little decorative display.
Add a candle, vase, small plant, favourite book, or another decorative item you already own.
Trays are especially useful because they make a collection of random objects look intentional and organized.
14. Make a Simple Centrepiece
You don't need an expensive floral arrangement to create a pretty table centrepiece.
Try filling a bowl with pinecones, fruit, ornaments, or other seasonal items you already have. A vase filled with branches can also make a beautiful centrepiece. Even a few candles grouped together on a tray can create a simple focal point.
15. Move Your Decor Around Seasonally
One of my favourite ways to make my home feel different without buying anything is to rotate what I already own.
Pack away some of your decor for a few months and bring out things you've forgotten about.
When you see those pieces again, they can feel almost new!
You don't need a huge collection of seasonal decor, either. Simply rotating pillows, blankets, artwork, vases, and small decorative pieces can make a big difference.
Before You Buy Anything, Shop Your Home
The next time you feel like your home needs a refresh, resist the urge to immediately start shopping.
Instead, take a walk through your house.
Open the cupboards. Look in storage bins. Check the basement. Look at your bookshelves and closets. You might already have everything you need to create the change you're craving.
Decorating doesn't always mean buying something new. Sometimes the best way to refresh your home is simply to use what you already have in a new way.
And if you're trying to save money, that's a pretty great decorating strategy!
How do you decorate your home on a budget? Do you have a favourite way to refresh a room without buying anything new?
If you've ever planted lemon balm, you already know that it doesn't exactly need much encouragement to grow. This fragrant perennial herb can quickly become thick, bushy, and very abundant.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to put all those fresh leaves to use.
Lemon balm has a lovely lemony scent and a mild citrus flavor that works really well in drinks, desserts, fruit, homemade infusions, and even your summer bath. It's also an easy herb to grow, making it a great addition to a backyard herb garden.
If you're wondering what to do with lemon balm, here are 10 simple and clever uses for lemon balm:
1. Add It to Your Outdoor Space
Lemon balm is often grown for its lemony fragrance, and having it near your patio or outdoor seating area can be a lovely way to enjoy the scent while you're outside. It may also be useful for warding off mosquitos!
I like growing lemon balm in a planter near our patio table where I can easily snip a few leaves whenever I want to use them.
Tip: Lemon balm can spread quickly in the garden, so growing it in a container can make it much easier to keep under control.
2. Make Lemon Balm Simple Syrup
One of my favorite summer uses for lemon balm is making a batch of homemade simple syrup.
You'll need:
1 cup packed fresh lemon balm leaves
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
How to make it:
Combine the lemon balm, water, and sugar in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for about 1 minute, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from the heat and cover.
Let it steep for about 30 minutes.
Strain out the lemon balm leaves.
Store the syrup in the refrigerator.
Use your lemon balm simple syrup to sweeten lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water, or homemade summer drinks. You could even use it to add a little extra flavor to cocktails or mocktails.
3. Make Lemon Balm Tea
Fresh or dried lemon balm leaves can be used to make a simple herbal tea.
Just add a handful of fresh leaves or a small amount of dried lemon balm to a mug or teapot, cover with hot water, and let it steep for several minutes. Strain and enjoy warm.
Lemon balm has a naturally mild, lemony flavor, so you can enjoy it on its own or combine it with other herbs such as mint.
4. Make Lemon Balm Infused Honey
Lemon balm and honey make a delicious combination.
To make infused honey, loosely fill a clean jar about halfway with fresh lemon balm leaves. Pour honey over the leaves until they're completely covered.
Let the mixture infuse for several weeks, then strain out the leaves.
Use the finished honey to sweeten tea, drizzle over yogurt, or add to desserts.
Important: Never give honey to babies under one year old.
5. Add It to Desserts and Fruit Salads
Lemon balm's subtle citrus flavor makes it a fun addition to summer desserts.
Finely chop a few fresh leaves and add them to:
Fruit salads
Yogurt
Parfaits
Fruit crisps
Pies
Homemade popsicles
You don't need much. A few chopped leaves can add a surprisingly nice lemony flavor.
6. Add It to Iced Tea
Summer and iced tea go together perfectly, and lemon balm is an easy way to switch things up.
Add a handful of fresh lemon balm leaves to your favorite iced tea while it steeps. You can also combine it with fresh mint for an extra refreshing flavor.
If plain water gets a little boring, try adding fresh lemon balm.
Add a few washed lemon balm leaves to a pitcher of water along with your favorite fruit. Lemon, lime, strawberries, cucumber, peaches, and berries are all great options.
Let everything chill in the refrigerator for a few hours so the flavors have time to mingle.
It's a simple way to make everyday water feel a little more special.
8. Use It in a Homemade Bath
Want to make your next bath feel a little more relaxing and spa-like?
Add fresh lemon balm leaves to the water for a lovely herbal scent.
You can sprinkle the leaves directly into the tub, or place them in a small cloth bag or reusable tea infuser and hang it near the faucet so the warm water runs through the leaves as the tub fills.
9. Freeze Lemon Balm for Later
If your lemon balm plant is producing more leaves than you can use, don't let them go to waste!
Wash and dry the leaves, then chop them and freeze them in small portions. You can freeze them in ice cube trays with a little water and then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag.
Drop a cube into iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, or other summer drinks whenever you need a little lemony flavor.
Freezing is a great way to preserve some of that summer herb garden abundance.
10. Make a Lemon Balm Sugar
Here's another easy way to preserve the flavor of fresh lemon balm.
Place fresh lemon balm leaves and granulated sugar in a food processor and pulse until the leaves are finely chopped and incorporated into the sugar.
Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and allow it to dry completely. Once dry, store it in an airtight container.
Use your lemon balm sugar to sweeten tea, sprinkle over fruit, or add a little citrusy sweetness to baking.
What to Do With All That Lemon Balm
One of the best things about growing your own herbs is that you don't need to use them all at once. When your lemon balm starts taking over the garden, harvest some for tea, freeze some for later, and use the rest to experiment with homemade drinks and desserts.
It's inexpensive, easy to grow, and surprisingly versatile. Which is exactly the kind of plant I love having in my garden!
If you grow lemon balm, what is your favourite way to use it? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!
If you love growing fresh herbs during the summer, you may already have spearmint, peppermint, or chocolate mint growing in your garden. Mint is incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from refreshing drinks and desserts to simple crafts and homemade household items.
But there’s another variety of mint that deserves a little more attention: apple mint.
Apple mint has a fresh, fruity scent and a mild minty flavour with a hint of apple. It looks similar to other varieties of mint, but its soft, slightly fuzzy leaves make it easy to distinguish. In late summer, it can also produce pretty reddish or pinkish flowers that add a little extra interest to the garden.
And just like other types of mint, apple mint is surprisingly useful around the house.
If you've recently picked up an apple mint plant and aren't sure what to do with it, don't worry. There are plenty of ways to use apple mint, from making refreshing summer drinks to adding it to desserts, salads, and homemade household items.
Growing Apple Mint
Apple mint is a perennial herb that can grow in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather.
Like other mint varieties, apple mint can spread quickly, so you may want to grow it in a container if you don't want it taking over your garden. If you plant it directly in the garden, give each plant plenty of room to grow.
Because apple mint is a perennial, it can return year after year in suitable climates. If you're growing it in a container, however, you'll need to consider your local winter conditions and whether the plant can survive outdoors.
Once you have a healthy plant, you'll have plenty of fresh leaves to experiment with.
15 Ways to Use Apple Mint
Wondering how to use apple mint once your plant starts producing lots of fresh leaves? Here are 15 simple ideas to try.
1. Add Apple Mint to Tea
One of the easiest ways to use apple mint is to make a simple cup of mint tea.
Rinse a few fresh leaves, add them to a mug, and pour hot water over them. Let the leaves steep for several minutes, then remove them and enjoy. You can also combine apple mint with other herbs for different flavour combinations.
2. Make Flavoured Water
Apple mint is perfect for making plain water feel a little more special.
Add a handful of rinsed leaves to a pitcher of cold water along with sliced lemon, lime, cucumber, berries, or apples. Let it chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
3. Add It to Lemonade
Give homemade lemonade a fresh twist by adding a handful of apple mint leaves.
You can gently muddle a few leaves before adding them to the pitcher or simply use whole leaves as a garnish.
4. Make Mint Ice Cubes
This is a great way to use up extra apple mint.
Place small leaves into an ice cube tray, fill with water, and freeze. Add the minty ice cubes to water, lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water.
They're also a simple and pretty addition to summer drinks when you're entertaining.
5. Add It to Fruit Salads
Apple mint pairs really nicely with summer fruit.
Try chopping a few leaves and tossing them with strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, peaches, pineapple, or cantaloupe. The fresh mint adds another layer of flavour to an otherwise simple fruit salad.
6. Make Apple Mint Syrup
Fresh apple mint can be used to make a simple syrup for drinks and desserts.
Just add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 packed cup of fresh apple mint. Cover and let the mint steep for 20 - 30 minutes. Strain the syrup through a mesh strainer, pressing gently on the mint leaves to release the liquid. Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator and use within about 2 weeks.
Use your homemade syrup to flavour lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water, mocktails, fruit salads, or desserts.
7. Add It to Desserts
Fresh apple mint makes a nice garnish for desserts.
Add a few leaves to ice cream, fruit crisps, cakes, cupcakes, pudding, or a bowl of fresh berries. You can also finely chop the leaves and experiment with adding a small amount to fruit-based desserts.
8. Make Minty Fruit Popsicles
Blend your favourite summer fruit with water or juice and add a few finely chopped apple mint leaves.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.
Watermelon and mint, strawberry and mint, or peach and mint are all refreshing combinations.
9. Add It to Salads
Don't limit apple mint to drinks and desserts!
Finely chop a few leaves and add them to green salads, cucumber salads, grain salads, or salads made with fresh summer vegetables.
10. Make Homemade Salad Dressing
Apple mint can add a fresh twist to homemade salad dressings.
Try combining chopped mint with lemon juice or vinegar, olive oil, and a little honey. You can adjust the ingredients to create a dressing that works with your favourite summer salads.
11. Add It to Marinades
Fresh mint can also be used in homemade marinades.
Try combining chopped apple mint with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your favourite herbs and spices. It can work especially well with chicken, vegetables, or lamb.
12. Make Fresh Herb Butter
Soften some butter and mix in finely chopped apple mint along with a little lemon zest and salt.
Refrigerate it and use it on vegetables, corn on the cob, potatoes, or warm bread.
You can even freeze small portions so you have some ready whenever you need it.
13. Dry Apple Mint for Later
If your apple mint plant is producing more leaves than you can possibly use, don't let them go to waste.
Harvest the leaves and dry them using your preferred herb-drying method. Once completely dry, store them in an airtight container away from heat and direct sunlight.
Use the dried mint later for tea, cooking, or homemade herbal blends.
14. Make a Simple Homemade Air Freshener
Apple mint has a naturally fresh scent, making it useful for adding fragrance to your home.
Bundle a few stems together and hang them somewhere like a pantry, mudroom, or closet where they can dry naturally.
You can also place dried leaves in a small fabric sachet and tuck it into a linen closet or drawer.
15. Use Apple Mint in Summer Decorations
Apple mint is pretty enough to use as part of a simple summer centerpiece.
Add fresh stems to a vase with flowers, tuck a few sprigs around a serving platter, or place a small bunch beside each place setting.
It's an inexpensive way to add greenery and fragrance to your summer table using something you grew yourself.
More Ways to Use Apple Mint
If you have a really productive plant, don't stop at these 15 ideas. Here are a few more ways to use apple mint:
Add fresh leaves to iced tea.
Use it as a garnish for fruit platters.
Add chopped leaves to homemade salsa.
Mix it into a yogurt-based dip.
Add a few leaves to sparkling water.
Make mint-infused vinegar for salad dressings.
Add fresh mint to homemade fruit compotes.
Freeze chopped leaves in small portions to use later.
Add fresh mint to smoothies.
Use it to flavour homemade fruit sauces.
Don't Let Your Apple Mint Go to Waste
One of the best things about growing herbs like apple mint is that you don't need to use everything immediately. If your plant starts producing more mint than you can keep up with, harvest some and preserve it for later.
You can dry the leaves, freeze them in ice cubes, or make something such as mint syrup that you can enjoy after the growing season is over.
So the next time you see apple mint at your local garden centre, don't overlook it. It's a pretty, useful herb that can provide you with fresh flavour, fragrance, and lots of inexpensive ways to enjoy what you've grown.
And if you're already growing apple mint, hopefully these 15 ways to use apple mint have given you some new ideas for putting that plant to good use!
How to Be Frugal: Simple Tips to Save Money and Live Well
Learning how to be frugal is one of the best ways to reduce financial stress and feel more in control of your money. Frugal living doesn’t mean depriving yourself or never spending money. It simply means being intentional with your spending and making smarter financial choices.
At its core, frugality is about living well within your means. When you spend less than you earn, you create room in your budget for savings, emergencies, and future goals. Knowing how to be frugal can help you feel more prepared when unexpected expenses pop up and can give you peace of mind during difficult financial seasons.
Years ago, frugal living was simply a normal way of life. Families cooked from scratch, reused what they had, grew gardens, and found creative ways to stretch their budgets. Today, with rising grocery prices, inflation, and increasing living costs, more people are searching for practical ways to save money and learn how to be frugal in everyday life.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start.
You don’t need to completely change your life overnight. Small habits and simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference over time. Learning how to be frugal is all about making progress little by little and finding ways to live comfortably while spending less.
If you’re wondering how to be frugal, here are some practical tips to help you get started:
1. Never Spend More Than You Earn
One of the most important frugal habits is learning to live below your means. Track your spending, create a simple budget, and avoid relying on credit cards for everyday expenses whenever possible.
Eating out and ordering takeout can drain your budget quickly. Cooking simple meals at home is one of the easiest ways to save money. Start with easy, affordable recipes and build a list of go-to family favourites.
3. Grow Your Own Food
Even a small garden can help reduce grocery costs. Herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers are beginner-friendly options that can save money throughout the growing season.
4. Use the Library
Libraries offer free books, audiobooks, movies, magazines, and more. Using your local library is a simple and effective way to be frugal while still enjoying entertainment and learning opportunities.
5. Cut Unnecessary Subscriptions
Review your monthly expenses and cancel subscriptions you rarely use. Streaming services, apps, and memberships can quietly eat away at your budget each month.
6. Prioritize Your Spending
Spend money on the things that matter most to you and cut back on the things that don’t. Being frugal doesn’t mean never spending money. It means spending intentionally.
7. Compare Prices Before Buying
Take a few extra minutes to compare prices online and in stores before making purchases. Watching for sales and using cashback apps can help you save even more.
8. Keep a Price Book
A price book is a simple way to track the regular prices of items you buy often. This helps you recognize a genuine sale and know when it’s the best time to stock up.
9. Reuse and Repurpose What You Have
Before buying something new, see if you can reuse, repair, or repurpose something you already own. Frugal living often means making the most of what you already have.
10. Make Things From Scratch
Homemade meals, snacks, coffee drinks, and cleaning products are often far cheaper than store-bought versions. Learning basic DIY skills can save a lot of money over time.
11. Use Coupons and Cashback Apps
Coupons still work, especially when paired with sales. Cashback apps and rewards programs are another easy way to reduce your grocery and household expenses.
12. Buy Less Overall
One of the simplest answers to how to be frugal is to buy less. Use what you already have before purchasing more clothing, beauty products, decor, or household items.
Learning how to be frugal is a journey, not an overnight transformation. Every small change you make can help improve your financial situation and reduce stress over time. Frugal living is ultimately about being resourceful, intentional, and confident with your money so you can build a more stable and peaceful life.
Way back in January 2008, I challenged myself to go an entire month without buying anything we didn't absolutely need. A month-long No Spend Challenge. The only things I allowed myself to pay for was groceries and monthly bills. My husband and I were newly married in 2007 and at the time I was working a seasonal job with winters off.
It wasn't because I wanted to become "the frugal person." I wasn't trying to make a statement or see how little I could live on. I simply wanted to take a closer look at where our money was going and stop buying useless junk that I usually ended up decluttering. I had a feeling we were spending more out of habit than necessity.
I expected the month to feel very restrictive. I imagined constantly telling myself "no" and counting down the days until it was over.
Instead, something unexpected happened.
The challenge forced me to slow down before buying anything. I started shopping my pantry and making meal plans before heading to the grocery store. I found creative ways to use what we already had. Instead of browsing the stores, I decluttered our house. I rekindled some hobbies. (I found uncompleted sewing projects while I was decluttering!) I realized how many of my purchases had been automatic rather than intentional.
By the end of those thirty days, we had saved money. But that wasn't the biggest surprise.
The biggest surprise was how much lighter I felt. I wasn't constantly chasing the next purchase or wondering where our money had gone. I realized that living frugally wasn't about deprivation. It was about being intentional with the money we worked so hard to earn.
That one month experiment ended, but the mindset never did.
Over the past 18 years, my version of frugal living has evolved. Some of the things I used to do no longer make sense. New tools and technology have changed the way I save money. But many of the habits I developed during that very first no-spend challenge are still part of my everyday life.
Looking back now, I've learned what truly saves money, what wastes time, and what purchases are worth every penny. If you're curious about what nearly two decades of frugal living has taught me, here's an honest look at what has changed, what hasn't, and the habits I still rely on today.
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What Frugal Living Looked Like 18 Years Ago
When I first started living more frugally, things looked a lot different than they do today.
There were no grocery pickup orders, cashback apps, or browser extensions that automatically searched for coupon codes. Forget about frequent Amazon deliveries! If you wanted to save money, you had to be much more hands-on.
Every week, I'd live for the coupon booklets (remember SmartSource?) and flyers that came in the Sunday newspaper. I'd sit down and cut out all the coupons, compare prices, and make my shopping list based on what was on sale. I would match the coupons up with items that were on sale, planned meals around store sales and often visited more than one grocery store if the savings made it worthwhile.
Meal planning quickly became one of my biggest money saving habits. Before heading to the store, I'd check the pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what we already had. Instead of deciding what sounded good for dinner, I'd build meals around ingredients that needed to be used first.
Cooking at home became the norm. We packed lunches, made coffee at home, baked more often, and stocked the freezer with freezer meals for the days I didn't feel like cooking. Leftovers were almost never wasted because they usually became lunch the next day.
We became experts in borrowing and accepting free things. Most of our furniture was given to us. We didn't care about aesthetics! We borrowed baby clothes from family and friends. Streaming services like Netflix and Prime didn't exist back then so we borrowed shows and movies. It was great because we could just give everything back when we were finished. Or donate our furniture with zero regrets.
We also found lots of free entertainment. Movie nights borrowed from the library, afternoons at the beach, hiking trails, and free community events became regular parts of our lives. Looking back, some of our favourite memories didn't cost much at all.
Of course, not everything I tried was a success. Like many people starting their frugal journey, I experimented with homemade cleaners, DIY projects, and every money saving tip I could find online. Some became lasting habits, while others quietly disappeared after I realized they weren't saving enough time or money to be worthwhile.
What I remember most, though, wasn't any specific trick or tip. It was the shift in how I thought about spending. Instead of asking, "Can I afford this?" I started asking, "Do I actually need this?" That one simple question probably saved us more money than any coupon ever could.
What Has Changed
While the heart of frugal living has stayed the same for me, the way I save money has definitely changed over the past 18 years.
Technology has made many things easier. Instead of flipping through paper flyers, I browse digital ones from my phone. I can compare prices online in minutes, order groceries for pickup to avoid impulse purchases, and use cashback apps and rewards programs without carrying around a stack of coupons and loyalty cards.
Shopping has changed too. Years ago, finding a good deal often meant driving from store to store. Now I can quickly compare prices, set price alerts, or wait for a sale without leaving the house. It saves both time and money.
I've also become much more selective about where I put my energy. I know that my time has value too.
Saving $2 isn't worth an extra hour of my day. Sometimes paying a little more is the better choice if it saves time. Besides, I've since learned that if I stop at another store for a deal, I usually end up buying more than more than I intended!
One of the biggest changes is that I no longer focus on being as cheap as possible. Instead, I focus on getting the best value.
For example, I've learned that buying a well made pair of winter boots that lasts for years is often cheaper than replacing inexpensive ones every season. A quality kitchen tool that gets used several times a week can be a smarter purchase than the cheapest option on the shelf.
I've also become much more intentional about what I bring into our home. In the beginning, I was excited whenever I found a great deal. Now I know that a bargain isn't really a bargain if it wasn't something I needed in the first place.
Perhaps the biggest change is that frugal living no longer feels like something I have to think about every day. It's just our way of life and doesn't feel restrictive.
The habits I worked so hard to build during those first few years have simply become part of how we live. Meal planning, checking the pantry before shopping, waiting before impulse purchases, and looking for good value all happen almost automatically now.
After 18 years, I've realized that frugal living isn't about constantly finding new ways to save money. It's about creating habits that make spending intentionally feel effortless.
What Hasn't Changed
Even though the way I save money has evolved over the years, I've been surprised by how many of the simplest habits are still the most effective.
Meal planning is still one of the biggest ways I save money. Taking just a few minutes each week to decide what's for dinner helps me avoid last-minute takeout, lessens food waste, and makes grocery shopping much less stressful. Eighteen years later, it's still one of the best returns on the small amount of time it takes.
I also still check my pantry, fridge, and freezer before making a grocery list. It's amazing how often I already have the ingredients for several meals hiding in plain sight. Using what we already own has always been one of the easiest ways to spend less.
Shopping with a list is another habit that has never gone out of style. I have a notepad on the fridge where I jot down the things we run out of right away so I don't forget something we use all the time. Whether I'm walking through the grocery store or filling an online cart, having a plan helps me stay focused and avoid impulse purchases.
Waiting before buying something I want has also saved me countless dollars over the years. Most purchases don't need to happen immediately. Giving myself a little time to think usually helps me decide whether it's something I'll truly use or just something that caught my attention in the moment.
We have probably saved thousands over the years by shopping secondhand or borrowing items. Often, we end up with better quality than we could have afforded buying new.
This leads me to my next topic. We avoid debt as much as we can. This means we buy everything we can, including used vehicles with cash. The only debt we have had is our mortgage, which we have since paid off by putting down the maximum allowed once a year on top of our monthly payments.
Another habit that has stood the test of time is taking care of what we already own. Cleaning, maintaining, and repairing things whenever possible helps them last longer and delays the need to replace them. Thanks to YouTube, my husband has fixed our washing machine, dryer and air conditioner! Looking after what you have is one of the most overlooked ways to save money.
More than anything, though, what hasn't changed is my mindset.
Frugal living has never been about saying "no" to everything. It's about spending with purpose. It's asking whether something adds real value to our lives instead of buying it simply because it's on sale, trendy, or convenient.
After 18 years, I've realized that the biggest savings rarely come from complicated tricks or extreme sacrifices. They come from small, consistent habits repeated over and over again. Those habits may not be exciting, but they've made a lasting difference in our finances. They've become such a natural part of life that I hardly think about them anymore!
The Habits I still Use Every Week
Here's a checklist of the habits I still use 18 years later:
I always meal plan. Not because I enjoy it. But because every meal I don't plan usually costs me more. Some weeks, I only have a rough idea and that still helps! I have a dedicated notebook for meal plans and I find it's helpful too look back at old plans when I need inspiration.
I check my pantry, fridge and freezer first. It's amazing how often dinner is already sitting there!
I wait before buying most things. With the exception of groceries, very few purchases need to happen in the end if I wait. I'll find I don't need it, have something similar already or I'll fix what I already have.
I compare prices. Not obsessively, just enough to know if I'm overpaying. This is also handy for you when I share deals in Instagram stories or Facebook!
I search for deals on family activities. If it's not a free activity, you can bet I will try my hardest to save us some money! This includes any flights or hotels we may need for travel.
I look for the best value, not just the lowest price. Especially at the grocery store.
I check Checkout 51 and Caddle for cashback offers that I can use as well as Rakuten if I'm making online purchases.
Here's my personal Weekly Frugal Checklist:
✓ Plan this week's dinners
✓ Check the pantry before shopping
✓ Make (and stick to) a grocery list
✓ Review upcoming sales
✓ Wait before buying non-essentials
✓ Use leftovers for at least one meal
✓ Declutter one small area before buying new
What I No Longer Bother Doing
When I first started living frugally, I was willing to try just about every money-saving tip I came across. But over the years, I have learned that some things just aren't worth it to me anymore. Here's what I don't do anymore:
drive across town to save $2
make everything from scratch
keep hundreds of coupons
buy things just because they're on sale
feel guilty about spending money
stocking up on things we won't use
buy cheap products that wear out
trying to be a "perfect" frugal person (confession: we don't budget and I really love spending money on restaurant meals and coffee out.)
Where I Happily Spend Money
Yes, frugal people absolutely spend money! Here's what our family chooses to spend money on:
Good shoes. But almost always on sale!
A quality vacuum. If you maintain it, a good quality vacuum will last years!
Kitchen appliances we use daily. When you buy good quality, you don't have to replace them very often! Our KitchenAid stand mixer and toaster are still going strong after almost 20 years!
Travel. We love to travel! We save money in other areas of our life so we can splurge a bit while we travel. But I live for travel deals!
Extracurricular activities. We highly value extracurricular activities. These days, that looks like competitive dance and gymnastics for our daughters. A lot of money goes towards these but the benefits far outweigh the price. My husband is currently dealing with a knee injury, but he also plays soccer.
Experiences. Our family often does free or cheap activities, but love to do the occasional amusement park or similar activity!
High-quality winter clothing. It's not fun being cold or wet in the winter. The sorels I bought as a young adult are still in excellent condition, no regrets!
Coffee with a friend and dinner/lunch out. I mentioned that I love a meal or coffee out. Firstly, I don't have to cook or clean up after. But secondly, I love the time spent connecting with someone I care about.
Books. I love borrowing books and audiobooks from the library, but my husband and oldest like to buy books.
What I'd Tell Someone Starting Today
If you're just starting to live more frugally, my biggest piece of advice is this: don't try to change everything all at once.
When I began my month long no spend challenge 18 years ago, I had no idea it would completely change the way I thought about money. I certainly didn't adopt every frugal habit overnight. The biggest changes happened gradually, one small habit at a time.
Start with one thing that feels manageable. Maybe it's meal planning once a week. Maybe it's making granola bars instead of buying them. Maybe it's checking your pantry before grocery shopping or waiting 24 hours before buying something you want. Small habits may not feel life changing in the moment, but when you repeat them week after week and year after year, they add up in ways you can't imagine.
I'd also encourage you to stop comparing your journey to anyone else's. Frugal living isn't a competition to see who can spend the least money or make the most things from scratch. It's about making thoughtful decisions with the money you have and building a life that reflects your priorities.
Finally, remember that frugal living isn't about deprivation. It's about freedom. It's about creating breathing room in your finances, reducing financial stress, and spending confidently on the things that truly matter to you. If you can shift your mindset from "What am I giving up?" to "What am I gaining?" you'll find that living frugally feels far more rewarding than restrictive.
Looking back, I'm so grateful I decided to try that no spend challenge all those years ago. I thought I was learning how to spend less, but what I was really learning was how to live with more intention. And that's a lesson that's been worth far more than the money we've saved along the way.
After 18 years, I'm still learning, still adapting, and still finding new ways to spend more intentionally. Frugal living has never been about having less. It has always been about making the most of what we have.
Now I'd love to hear from you: What's one frugal habit you'll never give up? Share it in the comments below!
