Road Trip Activities: What I Bought for Our Kids

road trip activities

Road Trip Activities I Bought for my Kids

Our family has done quite a few road trips over the years. It can be a fun way for us to see more of the world around us!

Because of this, I find myself googling road trip activity ideas often. I love seeing what others think of bringing for their kids!

While we don’t limit screen time, I do find that the girls get tired of their devices quicker than expected. That’s why I like to pick up some new activities before we hit the road (or airplane).

We’re about to embark on another road trip this week so I’ve visited Dollarama and ordered a couple of things from Amazon.

This year we have a 9 year old and a 13 year old, so they are able to do activities on their own or together.

Want to see what I got?

Here are our Road Trip Activities:

Paper Character Kit from Dollarama

This one I bought for my nine year old, but I think if my 13 year old gets bored enough, she’ll make one too! As far as I can tell without opening the package, it looks like we don’t need glue to do this. I’ll throw in a pack of markers too.

Pipe Cleaners from Dollarama

Such a weird thing, but both girls LOVE a new pack of pipe cleaners. The creations they make impress me every time! Keeps them entertained for quite a while too.

Spot What! book from Dollarama

This looks like a fun “I Spy” type of book. I found it online at Amazon.ca for $19 but I got it from Dollarama for $5.

Embroidery Kit from Dollarama

This is for my 13 year old. One of her dance teachers did an embroidery project with them before Christmas and she enjoyed it. I thought this could be something that she could pick up and put down as she pleases. Even at home.

Design a House Stickers from Amazon

I’ve seen these quite a few times on Instagram and thought my daughters would have fun with them too. Basically, the kit contains tiny stickers so they can design their own rooms in a house. The kit has four rooms to design.

Buy the Sticker Kit here.

Mini Connect 4 Game from Dollarama

I bought this tiny game specifically for restaurants. It’s so small, it will be easy to carry around! Dollarama had other mini games too.

Would You Rather Game Book from Amazon

I actually bought this last year when we did our road trip to California. It was a lot of fun for our whole family! Made for some fun conversations.

Buy the Would You Rather Book here.

Foldology from Amazon

My youngest loves making origami. So when I saw this book recommended by Everyday Reading, I knew I had to get it! They are brain twister origami puzzles. You have to fold the papers a certain way to solve the puzzle.

It’s cheaper to buy this from Amazon.com.

Clay Bead Bracelet Kit from Amazon

This was also bought a while ago, but I thought my oldest might enjoy having it in the car for this trip. Last road trip I bought some cheap baking sheets from Dollarama that I think will work great for containing any small spills.

Buy a Clay Bead Kit from Amazon

Curious Kid Podcast

We also really like to listen to the Curious Kid Podcast. I’ll download a bunch of episodes so we can listen to them as we want.

Audiobooks

I’m also going to pick one or two of the audiobook recommendations from this post from Everyday Reading.

What sort of activities do you like to bring along on road trips? Any of the things I listed interest you?

Road trips with kids can be a fun adventure, but let’s be honest, they can also come with endless “Are we there yet?” questions. Keeping kids entertained is key to a smooth and mostly stress-free journey. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a cross-country drive, I hope I’ve helped inspire you with what we’re bringing along!

road trip activities

12 Tips to a No Waste Kitchen

no waste kitchen

Twelve tips for a no waste kitchen

Homes in general create a large amount of waste. However, I happen to think the kitchen is the biggest offender of all the rooms in the house. From rotten produce to packaging, there’s almost an endless amount of waste coming from this one room! If you have been considering a no waste kitchen there’s no better time than now and I’ve got some tips to help you get started.

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

Reduce

The first step to reducing kitchen waste is to reduce and reuse packaging. Be mindful when buying packaged items. Jars and containers can be reused for other purposes. Visit your local farmer’s market to buy fresh produce and bring a basket or reusable shopping bag so you do not need to take plastic grocery bags. Not only are these foods better for you, they have a lower impact on the earth. Also, Bulk Barn Canada has introduced a reusable container program at all Bulk Barn locations!

Regrow

Regrow produce from leftovers. Yes, it’s true! Several produce items can be regrown using the ends! From celery to pineapples to green onions and more, you are bound to find a favorite thing your family can regrow.

Don’t Toss Overripe Food

Put overripe fruit to use by making bread, muffins, and other fun baked goods. We are all familiar with using bananas for banana bread, but you can do this with nearly any overripe fruit in your fridge or freezer.

Compost

no waste kitchen

A great way to work towards a no waste kitchen is to compost and boost your garden nutrients at the same time. Instead of throwing out what your family does not eat, use it to build up your garden and feed your family again. Banana peels and eggshells are great to toss right into your garden beds.

Smart Storage

Invest in storage that makes food last longer. Produce can go bad fast but with the right storage, you can make it last longer than ever. Washing fruits in a bit of Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar will kill off mold spores that make them spoil faster. Storing carrots and celery in water can make them last weeks at a time.

No More Sponges

Ditch the sponge for a washable dishcloths that last longer and cut down on bacteria that can make your family sick. I also recently purchased a washable pot scrubber like these, that I LOVE!

No More Paper Towels

Ditch the paper towels for a washable option like reusable towels or microfiber cloths. Reuse empty cans for draining things that cannot be washed down the drain, like bacon grease.

Store Eggs Properly

Make eggs last longer. When storing store bought eggs, put them directly into a sealed container in the fridge. These eggs no longer have the protective coating the chicken leaves on the eggs so they can absorb odors, flavors, and bacteria from your fridge. If you have your own chickens don’t wash the eggs. Slightly dust off feathers and bedding that may be on them and store on the counter. Do not WASH until you go to use them.

Reusable Bags

Shop with reusable supplies like cloth grocery and produce bags. One trick you may enjoy is bringing laundry baskets or big storage containers when you go shopping. Have the cashiers toss everything into the baskets instead of bags. Move the basket to your car and from your car to your home. It cuts down on waste and makes getting everything in easier. You may want to separate refrigerated and pantry goods in these baskets to make putting everything away easy.

Buy What You Need

Don’t buy more than you need. So often we see a sale and buy more than our families can use before it goes bad. If you do not have a deep freezer, control the impulse to buy out that clearance meat. The same goes for buying produce, milk, eggs and even pantry goods that can go stale.

Go Homemade

To cut down on packaging waste for convenience items like cookies, granola bars, apple sauce cups or even frozen entrees, start making those items at home and storing in reusable containers or your baking ware.

Menu Plan

I can’t write anything relating to food without mentioning the importance of menu planning. Menu planning is especially vital to reducing food waste and lowering your grocery bill because it helps account for everything you buy. When you have a plan for your food, there’s less chance that it will be wasted.

If you really struggle with menu planning, then try out $5 Meal Plan. It happens to be my favorite meal planning service. It’s just $5 a month (the first two weeks are free!), and you get menu plans sent straight to your email along with the exact shopping list you need in order to create the meals. Each meal costs around $2 per person or less. This service allows you to save time because you won’t have to meal plan anymore, and it will save you money as well! If you are interested in joining for free, click here.

Armed with these tips, you should be able to make little steps towards a no waste kitchen. Changing one thing at a time will enable you to see progress and keep more money in your pocket too!

I’d love to know how you plan on going towards a no waste kitchen? Please share in the comments below!

7 Menu Planning Tips for Tight Budgets

You've got to check out these menu planning tips that are useful on a tight budget, to give your family amazing meals while easily saving money!

Here are 7 Menu Planning Tips For Tight Budgets that you will appreciate:

When it comes to menu planning, these budgeting tips are going to transform how you view your grocery budget. There are so many simple tricks to help you create amazing meals for your family when you are on a tight budget. This post has some of the best! Armed with a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you can provide your family with delicious meals without breaking the bank.

 

Create your menu with what you have on hand first.

One of the best menu planning tips is to start not with what you want to buy, but what you already have on hand. Look at your pantry, freezer and refrigerator for great starts to a meal. Utilize your on-hand items and limit your week to week expenses as much as possible focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Ask your butcher for budget cuts of meat.

Not only can you watch for the sales on meat at your market or grocery store, but you can talk directly to the butcher. Sometimes they will have meat that isn’t bad, but can be sold at a fraction of the regular price for some reason. End pieces of whole rib eyes can be found at low prices because they aren’t enough to be a “steak”. Ask for these bits and then cube for stews or braised beef dishes. Sometimes meat isn’t past the ‘best by’ date, but close to it and the butcher has to mark it down. Grab those mark downs and cook in advance to freeze for a later date or simply freeze the meat uncooked as soon as you bring it home.

menu planning tips for tight budgets

Use your slow cooker.

Slow cooker or Instant Pot recipes are one of the best ways to stick to your menu plan as well as stay on budget. One of the best menu planning tips is to use those budget cuts of meat and tenderize them for amazing meals in your slow cooker or Instant Pot. A beef roast or whole chicken can feed your family several meals for half the price, but may not be as convenient or easy to cook in the oven. Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot and let them do the work for you.

Start your own garden if possible.

If you have time and space to have your own garden, this can be a huge savings for your menu plan each week. Learn to can or freeze your excess produce for future use, and use your surplus year round in your weekly menu plans.

Build around low cost staple items.

For most, this means picking up things like dry beans, rice and potatoes that are low cost but can stretch a meal further. While many would find this unhealthy, if you combine this with nutrient-dense vegetables and limit your high-fat proteins you truly can eat healthy. Focus on whole grains when possible and limit the regular potatoes and white rice.

Buy what is on sale and combine with coupons.

For sales at your market or grocery store, take the time to check your coupons and shop using those coupons on sale items. You’ll get twice as much value toward your menu plan!

Utilize one item multiple ways.

One of my favorite ways to save money is to cook dry beans in my slow cooker or Instant Pot. Dry beans can be seasoned and eaten by themselves, added to soups or chili, refried to make dips or put into burritos. This simple item can be used multiple ways for very cheap.

Related menu planning articles:

Take advantage of my favorite menu planning tips that will stretch your budget even further! I’d love to hear your tips that make your grocery budget stretch farther in the comments below!

7 Essential Must Haves for Pantry Organization

must haves for pantry organization

7 Must Haves for Pantry Organization

Take a peek inside your pantry. Go ahead, I’ll wait…

If your pantry is anything like most pantries, you may be looking at mass chaos sitting on those shelves.

If your pantry door is kept closed because it’s not suitable for anyone’s eyes but yours, it may be time to start organizing that space. The good news? It can be simple to get it done and you will have your kids packing their own lunch in no time flat.

Here are a few must haves for pantry organization that will help you get that jump-start to organizing your pantry.

Do Away with the Packaging

Who says that your food items have to be stored in the boxes or packaging that they came in? Instead, check out these Airtight Clear Storage Containers for your pantry space.

Not only do they come in different sizes, they are clear so it’s easy to see what is in them. They also seal tight to keep the air out, keeping food fresher, longer. You can use them to store noodles, cereals, grains, coffee…anything! 

Organize your Cans

Cans can take up a ton of space. If you find yourself digging and digging to look through cans to see what you have on hand, you need a change.

Try using a 3-Tier Can Rack Organizer instead. It can hold different sized cans and allows you to place them in a way that they are easily seen. These can save a ton of space!

Use Every Square Inch

Remember that door that we talked about earlier that hides all those things that are lurking in your pantry? Use that space on your door! It’s an area that you might as well be utilizing to free up more shelf space.

Look at installing the Door Mount Cabinet Organizer! It hangs on the door to save space, and you can place your spices, plastic wrap, or other items in it for easy access.

End Bakeware Frustration

How much time do you spend digging around for the proper bakeware that you are wanting to use? If your answer was longer than a few seconds, then your current method of storing bakeware isn’t working. They should be easy to access and grab when needed.

Give the StoreMore Bakeware Rack a peek to see if it would fit well in your pantry. It has built-in dividers that help you organize your muffin pans, baking sheets, and other bakeware in a nice, neat, organized manner.

See All Your Spices at Once

Quit playing hide and seek with your spice jars. Get them visible, all at the same time! Nothing is more frustrating than when you are cooking and need to find the basil quickly. But where, oh where, did the basil go??

Eliminate the time spent searching by using a Spice Gripper Clip Strip. (Try saying that fast five times!) Not only does this allow all your spices to be seen easily, it keeps them all in one place as well. Sounds like a win to me! 

Use a Carousel for Random Items

Don’t let the small random items become your nemesis in your pantry! Instead, find ways to organize it better.

Look at implementing a Lazy Susan Organizer for your spices, baking supplies, oils, barbeque and picnic supplies, cleaning supplies or other random items. This handy little gadget is a fun carousel that spins for easy access.

Wrangle Food Wraps

Sometimes all those food storage wraps can be annoying to organize. Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper, even plastic bags.

These self-adhesive door storage boxes look ideal for wrangling food storage wraps, storage bags or whatever else you think would fit perfectly.

Use Storage Baskets

I think the answer for many organizing conundrums, can be baskets. Specifically plastic storage baskets for the pantry.

I have my pantry cupboard full of baskets that hold snacks for the kids, pastas, grains, chips, canned goods, baking supplies and so much more! I simply pull out the basket with the item I need, grab the item and get on with my day! I like plastic in this situation because they are easy to wipe down.

Your pantry doesn’t have to get the best of you. You can control it, you can organize it! Try a few of the must haves for pantry organization above and see if they help clear that clutter! You may be surprised at how a few easy changes can quickly give your pantry more functionality. Less clutter in your pantry means less clutter in your mind!

Related articles:

I’d love to hear your must haves for pantry organization. Let me know in the comments below!

must haves for pantry organization

Easy Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: Candy in a Jar (with Free Printable Labels)

easy valentine's day gift idea

Easy Valentine’s Day Gift Idea

Do you need a super quick and fun Valentine’s Day gift?  Try this DIY idea: Candy in a Jar!  This is a perfect idea for those of you needing several inexpensive little gifts for teachers, family members, friends or even neighbors.

It’s so simple.  All you have to do is pour some sort of Valentine coloured candies into a jar, tie a ribbon around the jar then glue the label to the lid. 

I used a jar and ribbon from around the house and picked up a bag of Jolly Rancher jelly hearts.

And if you have extra candy?  Consider the extras your dessert 🙂

Oh, and the FREE printable Valentine’s Day labels I mentioned?  You can print them here.  Or by clicking on the picture below.

Other Valentine’s Day Ideas:

The Ultimate List of Canadian Made

canadian made

The Ultimate List of Canadian Made

Want to shop local and support Canadian businesses? You’re in the right place! Buying Canadian made products means getting great quality while helping homegrown brands thrive. Whether you’re after clothing, beauty, home essentials, or food (hello, maple syrup!), this list has you covered.

From well-known brands to hidden gems, here’s your ultimate guide to Canadian made products. Let’s shop local and keep our dollars close to home!

Now, when you’re out and about shopping, I recommend you read labels and do a bit of research. Shopping Canadian can be incredibly nuanced. For example, Lay’s and General Mills are American companies, however, there are production plants in Canada employing Canadians. They also use Canadian ingredients. So my recommendation is to buy how you feel comfortable with what you know.

Here is how to tell if something was made in Canada:

From Vancouversun.com: Anything at the grocery store that is labelled as a ‘product of Canada’ means all of its major ingredients, where it was processed, and the labour used to produce it are Canadian or are located in Canada.

A product labelled “made in Canada” means just that: The item was last processed or had its “last substantial transformation” in Canada but its ingredients may be a mix of both domestic and imported ingredients.

Ready for the list of Canadian Made?

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

Canadian Made Grocery Brands:

  • French’s ketchup
  • Rogers Foods
  • Black Diamond
  • Armstrong
  • Saputo
  • TreStelle
  • Lactantia
  • Agropur
  • Astro
  • Liberte
  • Olympic
  • Natrel
  • Dairyland
  • Gay Lea
  • SunRype
  • Old Dutch
  • Kicking Horse
  • Time Hortons
  • President’s Choice (most are made in Canada)
  • Great Value (some are made in Canada)
  • Compliments
  • BioSteel
  • Canada Dry
  • Oasis
  • Allen’s
  • Hardbite
  • Nature’s Path
  • Barbara’s
  • Quaker (some products)
  • Laid Back Snacks
  • One Degree
  • Maple Leaf
  • Olymel
  • Piller’s
  • La Cocina
  • Que Pasa
  • Schneiders
  • Maple Lodge Farms
  • Lillydale
  • Grimm’s
  • Lilydale
  • Camino
  • Gardein
  • Yves Veggie Cuisine
  • Arctic Gardens
  • Renee’s
  • Little Creek
  • Nabob
  • Red Rose
  • Tetley (some made in Canada)
  • International Delight REdpath
  • Dr. Oetker (some products)
  • Beatrice
  • aMOOza
  • Five Roses
  • Red River
  • Anita’s Organic Mill
  • Fieldstone Organics
  • Holy Crap
  • MadeGood
  • GoBio
  • Kozlik’s Canadian Mustard
  • Fontaine Sante
  • Summer Fresh
  • Crofter’s Organics
  • Nuts to You
  • Prana
  • Tenderflake
  • Good Leaf
  • Summerland Sweets
  • Smart Sweets
  • Sunrise Soya Foods
  • Hellmann’s
  • Spread’Em Kitchen
  • Stoke Juice
  • Kanel Spices
  • Black Sheep Vegan Cheeze
  • MALK
  • Cove Soda
  • Simply Protein
  • Maison Orphee
  • Twigs pretzels
  • Fresh is Best
  • Earth’s Own
  • Manitoba Harvest
  • Janes
  • San Daniele
  • Fletcher’s
  • Wings
  • Casa Mendoza
  • Country Harvest
  • D’Italiano
  • Stonemill Bakehouse
  • Two Donkeys
  • Aylmer
  • Clark Foods
  • Primo
  • Sprague
  • Unico
  • Balzac’s 
  • Voets Coffee
  • Creekmores Coffee
  • Multiply Coffee
  • Salt Spring Coffee
  • Van Houtte
  • Chapman’s
  • Daiya
  • Earth’s Own
  • Skotidakis
  • Eagle Brand
  • D. Dutchman Dairy
  • Blackwell Dairy
  • Clearly Canadian
  • Happy Planet
  • High Liner Foods
  • Cavendish Farms
  • McCain Foods
  • Green Giant
  • Bee Maid Honey
  • Munro Honey
  • M&M Food Market
  • Peace River Hone
  • Freybye
  • Harvest Meats
  • Lou’s Kitchen
  • Matt & Steve’s
  • Kernels
  • Hawkins Cheezies
  • Yeshi
  • Dare Foods
  • Leclerc
  • Inno Foods
  • Kerrs Candy
  • Laura Secord
  • OMG!
  • Purdy’s Chocolate
  • Windsor Salt
  • Noble Jerky
  • DAVIDs Tea
  • Four O’clock Teas
  • Ener-C
  • Cira
  • Webber Naturals
  • Jamieson Vitamins
  • Kidstar Nutrients
  • Voortman
  • Balderson cheese
  • St. Albert Cheese
  • Natural Factors
  • Billy Bee Honey
  • Eat-More
  • WithinUs
  • Good Protein
  • Mid-Day Squares
  • Blume
  • Healthy Crunch
  • Organika
  • Squish
  • Baby Gourmet
  • Suro
  • Orange Naturals
  • St. Francis Herb Farm
  • Island Farms
  • Kawartha Dairy
  • Hampton House
  • Flow Hydration
  • Flourish
  • Chickapea
  • Sapsucker
  • Farming Karma Fruit Co.
  • Canadian Naturals
  • Nutrience
  • Flowrs Tea
  • Sunrise Soya
  • Little Northern Bakehouse
  • Cuddy
  • Mastro
  • Honeybar

Canadian Made Household Essentials Brands:

  • Attitude
  • Down East
  • Green Beaver
  • SD Naturals
  • Live Clean
  • The Unscented Company
  • Cascades
  • Cashmere
  • Royale
  • Purex
  • Tru Earth
  • Nature Clean
  • Allen’s
  • AspenClean
  • Biovert

Canadian Made Personal Care Brands:

  • Truly Lifestyle Brand
  • OM Organics
  • QUO Beauty
  • Beauty from Bees
  • Truly Tallow
  • Skin Essence
  • Nudestix
  • Stone House Holistics
  • Attitude
  • Anto Yukon
  • Anointment Skincare
  • Buck Naked Soap Company
  • Rocky Mountain Soap
  • The Hobbyist
  • Cheekbone Beauty
  • Nala Care
  • Tok Beauty
  • LUS Brand

Canadian Made Fashion Brands:

  • Dans le Sac
  • Abaka
  • Little & Lively
  • Jan & Jul
  • Kombi
  • Prana Vida
  • Province of Canada
  • Arc’teryx
  • Tilley Endurables
  • Herschel Supply Co
  • Ela Handbags
  • Poppy & Peonies
  • Smash + Tess
  • The Skinny
  • Matt & Nat
  • Chelsea King
  • Knix
  • Blueberri
  • Bula
  • Bravado
  • Petit Lem
  • Kamik
  • Stonz
  • Kushies
  • Hatley
  • Brok Boys
  • Buttercream Clothing
  • Laura
  • LumberJill Apparel
  • Stanfield’s
  • Brunette the Label
  • Melanie Auld
  • CDN
  • Okanagan Lifestyle
  • Bambie & Birdie

Canadian Owned Retailers:

  • Urban Barn
  • Sport Chek
  • Indigo
  • Aldo
  • Home Hardware
  • Giant Tiger
  • Pizza Pizza
  • Mr. Mikes
  • Pita Pit
  • Boston Pizza
  • A&W
  • Panago
  • Cora
  • Lone Star Texas Grill
  • Mary Brown’s
  • Booster Juice
  • New York Fries
  • Nature’s Fare
  • Fill
  • Native Northwest
  • Pet Value
  • Real Canadian Superstore
  • Loblaws
  • No Frills
  • Sobeys
  • Extra Foods
  • Urban Fare
  • BCAA
  • The Co-operators
  • CAA

As always, I appreciate your help in adding brands and retailers that I have missed. Canada has so many gems!

I mentioned above that buying Canadian can be incredibly nuanced. I firmly believe that you have to make the best shopping decisions for your family values. This might mean only buying from Canadian owned companies or brands. Or perhaps you feel comfortable buying from an American owned brand/company as long as products are produced in Canada and/or use Canadian ingredients and materials.

Also, it goes without saying, but supporting your local Mom & Pop shops, farmer’s markets and even buying from your neighbour is hugely beneficial.

All that said, here are a couple more places where you can support Canadian via American owned companies:

Canadian made products, brands, retailers

How to Save Big Shopping on Amazon

how to save shopping on Amazon

How to Save Shopping on Amazon Canada

Shopping on Amazon is one of my favorite ways to save money. After all, I can find almost everything I need at competitive prices and enjoy the convenience of having it shipped right to my door. But wouldn’t saving even more money be great?

Take a look below at 7 tips on how to save big shopping on Amazon Canada to get your household essentials, books, clothing and more at even better prices.

1. Take Advantage of Amazon Resale Deals

A great way to save some money on Amazon Canada is to shop through Amazon Resale!

The Amazon Resale section (previously known as Amazon Warehouse) on Amazon.ca, offers great deals on quality used, pre-owned, or open box products.

With all the benefits of Amazon fulfilment, customer service, and returns rights, Amazon provides discounts on customer favorites such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, home & kitchen appliances, and thousands more.

For each used product they sell, they thoroughly test the condition of the item and provide detailed descriptions to make it easier for you to make a decision.

2. Become a Prime Member.

For $9.99 per month or $99 per year you can become an Amazon Prime member and enjoy many money saving benefits!

With an Amazon Prime membership, you will enjoy:

  • FREE Two-Day Shipping on eligible items. Free standard shipping on other items.
  • Unlimited streaming of movies and TV episodes on Prime Video
  • Amazon Music
  • 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals.
  • Prime Reading: Borrow books, magazines, and more. Read them on your Fire tablet, Kindle e-reader, or the Kindle reading apps for iOS and Android.
  • Secure unlimited photo storage, enhanced search, and organization features in Amazon Drive.
  • Access to exclusive Prime Day sales.
  • Free DashPass.

If you make a lot of Amazon purchases throughout the year, a Prime Membership will pay for itself in no time.

Are you a student? Check out the Prime Student membership to save even more.

3. Try the Subscribe & Save option.

Is there a product you use often? Toilet paper, dish soap or diapers perhaps? If so, try the Subscribe & Save option!

If you decide to do Subscribe & Save on certain products, you can save up to 15% off and have that product automatically delivered every 2 weeks to 6 months. Shipping is also free. You can cancel your Subscribe & Save at any time.

4. Look for Coupons & Promo Codes

My favourite deals on Amazon are those that are on sale AND have a coupon to apply or a promo code to redeem! Here are some screen shots of what I mean:

When available, these coupons and promo codes are found below the price of the item you’re looking at.

You can find available coupons by browsing this page on Amazon Canada. As for promo codes, as far as I know, there isn’t a specific page for these. Which leads me to my next tip…

5. Follow Me for Everyday Deals.

Every day I post deals over on Instagram and in Facebook stories. I like to post a variety of items that are actual good deals from Canadian retailers, including Amazon. You’ll see deals on everyday essentials, clothing, decor, household items, holiday items and more!

As I mentioned before, my favourite deals are those that are on sale and have a coupon and/or a promo code. You’ll find plenty of these over there!

Also, on Fridays I update my Simply Frugal Weekend Deals post. This is a great all-in-one article for easy deal browsing featuring only Canadian retailers.

6. Add an Item to Your Cart, But Don’t Buy

This is a trick I use time and time again. If you have your eye on a particular item and it’s currently not on sale, add it to your shopping cart, but don’t buy it! Amazon will save it in your shopping cart and let you know when the price changes.

Sometimes the price will increase first, but you will also see when the price decreases. To find if there has been any changes in the pricing, click on the “Cart” button in the top right corner. If there has been any changes to the pricing, you will see a message at the top of your shopping cart. Once the price drops low enough for me, I buy it!

7. Utilize Camel Camel Camel

Camel Camel Camel is an Amazon price tracker. It tracks the price history of products available on Amazon. You can also sign up for a free account and add items to a Price Watching list to get email alerts when the price drops on the items you’re watching.

See how simple it can be to save some extra cash with Amazon Canada? Give these tips a try and see how far you can stretch your Amazon bucks!

I’d love to know what your biggest deal was if you’ve shopped online at Amazon in the past. Let us know in the comments!

How to Get Free Books

how to get free books

How to Get Free Books

I love to read when I get the chance, but I don’t always love the price tag that goes along with reading.  Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get books or digital books for Free!

Where to Find Free Paperback Books:

The Library: The library is the first place I check if there’s a particular book I want to read.  The only downfall is that there’s usually a waiting list because the books I want to read are usually newer books.  There’s been only a couple of occasions when I’m not able to find the book I want.

Friends: Often times friends of mine already own books that I want to read so I tend to ask around first before I buy.  Of course, I return the favour if I own a book someone wants to read.

Facebook Groups: Check your local Buy Nothing group for people giving away free books. Or, you could even put in an ask and I’m sure other would be happy to pass on their books!

Swagbucks: While this is not an instant gratification method to getting free books because it takes time to earn Swag Bucks, it’s still worth a mention!  I like to collect Swag Bucks and then redeem them for Amazon gift cards (and Starbucks cards…)  There are plenty of ways to earn Swag Bucks.  Searching the web, shopping online, daily polls, surveys, watching videos and more!  Check out this post for 6 Ways to Earn More Swagbucks.

how to get free books

Where to Find Free eBooks:

eBooks are books too! They are a great alternative to physical books. There are so many ways to expand your library this way. Here’s how to get tons of Free eBooks:

Libby app: I have been loving the Libby app! With Libby, you can enjoy free ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your library. All you need is a library card.

eReaderGirl: Check daily for free ebooks, including Kobo, NOOK, and Kindle versions.

BookBub: BookBub alerts you to limited-time free and discounted ebooks matching your interests.

The Fussy Librarian – The Fussy Librarian offers two email newsletters catered to your particular interests: Bargain books or free ebooks! Pick one or both, delivered on the days you pick.

Amazon: Do a search for Free ebooks by either typing in “0.00” or “free kindle ebooks”.

BookRunes: Find a great selection of free & bargain books on BookRunes. Search by genre too!

Story Cartel: This one is neat and practically anyone can use Story Cartel! All books on Story Cartel are completely free, but in return you support authors by leaving your honest review, whether good or bad, of the book you downloaded.

Blog email newsletters: Follow your favourite blogs and sign up for their email newsletter if they offer any ebooks they’ve written for free!  This is a great way to support those bloggers you love!

Openlibrary.org: has over 1 million ebook titles available for you to read!

Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg offers over 75,000 free ebooks: choose among free epub books, free kindle books, download them or read them online.

Kobo eBookstore: Visit the Kobo store for a list of Free ebooks

While I’m still a fan of paperback books, my love for eBooks has been growing.  I purchased a Kindle ereader a few years ago and I’ve been loving it ever since.  It’s not easy to carry around hundreds of books at the same time otherwise! 😉 Amazon also has a free app that will allow you to read Kindle books on your computer, smartphone or tablet.

I’d love to hear all your ideas on how you find free books and ebooks in the comments!

The Best Canadian Birthday Freebies

Canadian birthday freebies

The Best Canadian Birthday Freebies

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related posts:

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

homemade chai spice mix

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

This recipe for Chai Spice Mix is a delicious and easy way to have your favorite chai drinks and treats whenever you like. Wonderfully aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice are combined to create a rich, spiced base for drinks and baked goods. Authentic and relaxing.

This chai spice mix would be a great, thoughtful gift for many on your Christmas list!

Recipe and instructions are included below for Hot Chai Latte, Cold Chai Latte, and Hot Chai Tea Latte using this chai spice mix recipe!

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time: 3 Minutes
Yields: 9 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon

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

Ingredients:

● 3 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
● 3 Tablespoons Ground Ginger
● 2 Tablespoons Ground Cardamom
● 1 Teaspoon Fine Ground Pepper
● 1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
● 1 Teaspoon Ground Allspice
● 1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until fully combined.
  2. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot for up to 1 month.
  3. If you’re making this for gifts, small glass containers like these are great.

Hot Chai Latte Directions:

● 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
● 8 Ounces Milk
● 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Warm ingredients slowly in a pan over the stove. Once heated through, pour through a cheesecloth, if desired, and enjoy. To skip the stove, warm the milk and add all the ingredients to a blender and serve.

Cold Chai Latte Directions:

● 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
● 8 Ounces Cold Milk
● 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 20 seconds. Pour into a cup and enjoy.

Hot Chai Tea Latte Directions:

● 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
● 4 Ounces Milk
● 4 Ounces Hot Black Tea
● 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Warm ingredients slowly in a pan over the stove. Once heated through, pour through a cheesecloth, if desired, and enjoy. To skip the stove, warm the milk and add all the ingredients to a blender and serve.

Tips:

● If you prefer one spice more over another, you can adjust the spice amounts to match your preferences.
● If you make the drink recipes, be sure to adjust the amount of spice mix and sweetener to suit your tastes.
● This tastes better the longer the spices get to sit in the liquid. The flavors truly shine their best if you blend or heat them over a stove when preparing.
● You can use one of those little handheld milk frothers in place of a blender as well, although I still find that the blender is still a bit better at it.
● You can make this recipe from whole spices and get an even more robust flavor out of it.

Chai Spice Mix
Prep Time
3 mins
 
Ingredients
  • ● 3 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
  • ● 3 Tablespoons Ground Ginger
  • ● 2 Tablespoons Ground Cardamom
  • ● 1 Teaspoon Fine Ground Pepper
  • ● 1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • ● 1 Teaspoon Ground Allspice
  • ● 1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until fully combined.
  2. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot for up to 1 month.
Recipe Notes

Yields 9 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon

 

Hot Chai Latte Directions:

  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
  • 8 Ounces Milk
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Warm ingredients slowly in a pan over the stove. Once heated through, pour through a cheesecloth, if desired, and enjoy. To skip the stove, warm the milk and add all the ingredients to a blender and serve.

 

Cold Chai Latte Directions:

  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
  • 8 Ounces Cold Milk
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 20 seconds. Pour into a cup and enjoy.

 

Hot Chai Tea Latte Directions:

  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Chai Spice Mix
  • 4 Ounces Milk
  • 4 Ounces Hot Black Tea
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey (or other sweetener)

Warm ingredients slowly in a pan over the stove. Once heated through, pour through a cheesecloth, if desired, and enjoy. To skip the stove, warm the milk and add all the ingredients to a blender and serve.

Chai Spice Mix