Fun Frugal Living Ideas: Creative Ways to Save Money Without Giving Up the Things You Love
Living frugally doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. In fact, some of the best memories are made when you get creative and focus less on spending money. With a few simple changes, you can enjoy life, stay social, and save money all at the same time.
If you’re looking for realistic and enjoyable ways to cut costs without feeling deprived, these fun frugal living ideas can help.
1. Host a Potluck Instead of Dining Out
Restaurant meals can get expensive quickly, especially for families or larger groups. Instead of meeting at a restaurant, invite friends or family over for a potluck meal. Everyone brings a dish to share, which keeps costs low while making gatherings feel more relaxed and personal.
You’ll still enjoy great food and good company, without the big bill.
2. Make Finding Deals a Fun Challenge
Saving money can actually become enjoyable when you treat it like a game. Try challenging yourself to find the best grocery deals, use coupons, or compare prices before buying.
Many Canadian coupon websites and apps offer digital coupons and cashback opportunities that make saving money almost effortless. You may be surprised how rewarding it feels to score a great deal on items you were already planning to buy.
3. Try DIY Projects Around the House
DIY projects are one of the best ways to save money while learning new skills. Whether you’re making homemade cleaners, organizing your home on a budget, repainting furniture, or creating simple décor, do-it-yourself projects can be both practical and fun.
There are often free activities happening right in your community. Check local Facebook groups, community centres, library bulletin boards, and city event pages for free concerts, outdoor movies, festivals, workshops, and family activities.
Free events are a great reminder that entertainment doesn’t always have to cost money.
5. Try a No-Spend Challenge
A no-spend challenge can help reset your spending habits and encourage you to appreciate what you already have. Choose a week or even a month where you avoid buying non-essential items.
During that time, focus on free entertainment, cooking meals at home, using pantry items, or revisiting hobbies you already enjoy.
Many people find these challenges surprisingly motivating and eye-opening.
6. Use Your Local Library More Often
Libraries offer so much more than books. Many now provide free workshops, movie rentals, audiobooks, online learning resources, children’s activities, and even special events.
Our local library hosted a free escape room event one summer, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the season.
Take a look at your local library’s website. You may be surprised by everything available for free!
7. Organize a Swap Party
A swap party is a fun and budget-friendly way to refresh your belongings without spending money. Invite friends or family to bring items they no longer use, such as clothing, books, toys, or home décor.
You’ll declutter your home while possibly finding something new-to-you that you genuinely love.
8. Learn to Love Cooking at Home
Takeout and restaurant meals can quickly drain your budget. Cooking at home is usually far more affordable and can even become an enjoyable hobby.
Try experimenting with simple recipes, batch cooking, or freezer meals to make life easier during busy weeks. Cooking larger portions can also help reduce food waste and save money long-term.
9. Focus on Experiences Instead of Stuff
One of the biggest shifts in frugal living is learning to value experiences more than possessions. A minimalist mindset doesn’t mean owning nothing. It simply means being more intentional about what you bring into your life.
By buying less and choosing more meaningful purchases, you may find yourself feeling less stressed and more financially secure.
10. Go Thrifting for Hidden Gems
Thrift stores are full of affordable treasures. From clothing and furniture to kitchen items and home décor, shopping secondhand can save you a significant amount of money.
Thrifting is also environmentally friendly and often helps you find more unique items than traditional retail stores.
11. Grow Your Own Herbs or Vegetables
Even a small patio or windowsill can be enough space to grow herbs like mint, basil, or oregano. Gardening can help cut grocery costs while also becoming a relaxing hobby.
Homegrown food often tastes better, too!
12. Plan a Low-Cost Game Night
Game nights are an inexpensive way to spend quality time with friends or family. Pull out board games, card games, or trivia apps you already own and make a fun evening out of it.
Add homemade snacks and you’ve got an affordable night of entertainment that people often enjoy more than an expensive outing.
Nature offers endless free entertainment. Go for a walk, visit a local beach, hike a trail, pack a picnic, or explore a new park in your area. This is one of our family's favourite fun frugal living ideas! We love being outdoors!
Fresh air and movement can boost your mood while helping you avoid costly entertainment habits.
14. Take Advantage of Free Trial Periods (Strategically)
Many services offer free trials for entertainment, learning, and fitness, which can be a great way to save money while still enjoying premium content. Platforms like Audible, Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium and Kindle Unlimited often let you explore audiobooks, movies, and ebooks before committing to a paid plan.
The key is to use these trials intentionally. Sign up when you know you’ll actually use them. (For example: when you're going on a vacation and know you'll be reading.) Keep track of renewal dates, and decide whether the service is truly worth keeping based on your needs. I typically cancel my trial as soon as it starts because I will still receive the amount of time the trial is for.
This approach works best when you’re organized and intentional, so you can enjoy the perks without unnecessary ongoing costs.
15. Join “Buy Nothing” Groups
Local community groups or Buy Nothing groups often share items for free or trade within the neighbourhood. You can find everything from furniture to kitchen items to kids’ toys.
It’s one of the most practical ways to reduce spending quickly. It's so fun and satisfying when you receive something you've been wanting for free!
16. Turn Errands Into Mini Adventures
Even boring errands can feel more enjoyable if you add a simple twist:
Walk instead of drive when possible.
Listen to a podcast or audiobook.
Explore a new neighbourhood on the way.
It makes everyday tasks feel less like chores and more like experiences.
Final Thoughts
Frugal living is not about deprivation. It’s about being intentional with your money while still enjoying life. Small changes and creative habits can make a huge difference over time.
The good news is that saving money doesn’t have to feel restrictive. With a little creativity, these fun frugal living ideas can help build a lifestyle that feels both fun and financially smart.
I find decluttering my clothing one of the hardest decluttering tasks to do. I get this weird attachment to certain pieces. Like the ones I remember wearing on a golf date with my husband 15 years ago. Or the ones I think I'll fit into again one day. Or even the ones that I spent a pretty penny on but hate the way they fit. It's silly really, to hang on to clothing that doesn't fit properly, you don't like, or is outdated. It's easy to replace those things on a budget with items you actually love!
I was talking with my mom the other day about how I was going to be ruthless during my upcoming decluttering session. In a sense, I want to start over. Keep the pieces that I love and that fit me well, but finally say goodbye to the things that make me feel frumpy.
7 Simple Ways to Declutter Clothes
So in a new effort to add only pieces that I LOVE here are 7 questions I ask myself when I declutter clothes:
1. Does it fit?
If the shirt pulls in entirely the wrong areas, it doesn't fit. If I can't do up the zipper on my jeans easily, they don't fit.
2. Have I worn this in the last 12 months?
Chances are, if you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year or more, you're not going to wear it again.
In order to determine if you've worn something in the last 12 months, you could try the backwards hanger trick. When you're hanging up your clothes, flip the hanger around so it hangs (with the clothing on it) backwards on the rack. Every time you pull something out and wear it, hang it back up with the hangers facing the proper way. That way at the end of 12 months, you can see if there's anything you didn't wear because the hangers are still hanging backwards!
3. Will I ever wear this again?
Maybe you bought something for a special occasion you were attending, but don't have much, or any, opportunities to wear it again. It might be time to consider selling it in a consignment shop or even on Kijiji/Craigslist.
4. Is it currently in style/does it represent my style?
I'm sure we've all got those sentimental pieces in our wardrobe that we wore in the "good 'ol days". Well, new "good 'ol days" are upon us and it's time to get with the times by getting rid of those outdated pieces. If it's just too hard, put them in the dress up box for the kids to enjoy!
5. Do I feel good when I wear it?
This is becoming one of the most important questions I ask myself. If I just don't feel confident when I put something on, it's time to really consider putting it in the purge pile. As I mentioned above, it's doesn't do my postpartum body and ego any favours if I'm just wearing something for the sake of getting dressed. Even the hoodies I purchase have to make me feel "cute"!
6. If it's damaged, will I actually find time to fix it?
Enough said. If you don't have time to fix something, whether you want to fix it yourself or go out of your way to take it to a professional, it's time to part ways. That piece of clothing will just nag on you anyways as it taunts you from the depths of your closet!
7. If I were shopping right now, would I buy it?
Often times, I've looked at a piece of clothing and wondered what I was thinking when I bought it. (Most likely it was cheap! Ugh.) So, if you look at your current clothes and see things you wouldn't buy today, maybe it's time to say goodbye.
I sure hope these questions help you decide what to keep and what to let go as you declutter clothes and simplify your wardrobe. From now on, I’m focusing on buying only the pieces I truly love. The ones that fit well, feel comfortable, and make me feel confident every time I wear them.
Sometimes that may mean spending a little more on quality items that actually work for me, and honestly, I’m okay with that. In the long run, buying fewer random $10 purchases here and there will likely save money, reduce clutter, and leave me feeling like a million bucks every time I open my closet.
Do you have any other ways to declutter clothes that you can share with us in the comments? What sort of outrageous clothing are you storing in your closet?
Have you ever wondered if there’s a “best” time of year to buy certain things? The answer is yes! Canada follows a pretty predictable retail sale cycle, and knowing when items typically go on sale can save you hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars every year!
Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Old Navy, Well.ca, grocery stores, department stores, and even local small businesses regularly clear out seasonal inventory to make room for new products. That means certain items hit their lowest prices during specific months of the year.
For example, Christmas decorations are deeply discounted in January, patio furniture drops in price at the end of summer, and winter clothing gets marked down as stores prepare for spring inventory.
If you can plan your purchases around these sale cycles, you’ll almost never have to pay full price again.
Here’s a month-by-month guide to the best time of year to buy anything in Canada:
January:
January is one of the best months for clearance shopping. Retailers are clearing out holiday inventory and winter merchandise after the busy Christmas season.
Best things to buy:
Christmas decorations
Wrapping paper and gift bags
Holiday candy and baking supplies
Toys on post-Christmas clearance
Winter clothing (coats, boots, sweaters, gloves)
Exercise equipment
Fitness programs and healthy foods
Gym memberships
Bedding and towels (White Sales)
Small kitchen appliances
Organizers and storage bins
Computers and tablets
Tax software
Vehicles from the previous model year
Motorcycles and boats
Furniture clearance items
February:
February is known for home-related sales and electronics promotions leading up to the Super Bowl.
Best things to buy:
TVs and home theatre systems
Electronics
Cameras
Furniture
Mattresses
Rugs
Small appliances
Kitchenware and housewares
Winter clearance clothing
Valentine’s Day candy and décor (after February 14)
March:
Spring cleaning season officially begins, so retailers heavily promote cleaning and organization products.
Best things to buy:
Cleaning supplies
Paper products
Storage containers
Vacuums
Luggage
Spring clothing
Rain boots and outerwear
Frozen foods during grocery promotions
April:
April is all about home improvement and clearing out the last of winter inventory.
Best things to buy:
Paint and home renovation supplies
Vacuums
Winter boots and outerwear on clearance
Cookware and kitchen items
Tires
Easter candy and decorations (after Easter)
Gardening tools
Ham and holiday grocery items
May:
Warmer weather means seasonal products start going on sale before peak summer demand.
Best things to buy:
Spring fashion
Bedding and towels (another White Sale period)
Cleaning products
Outdoor furniture
Gardening supplies
BBQ accessories
Ice cream and frozen treats
Bottled drinks and picnic foods
June:
June brings Father’s Day promotions and early summer sales.
Best things to buy:
BBQs and grilling accessories
Hot dogs, condiments, and paper plates
Tools and hardware
Camping gear
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Outdoor toys
Athletic gear
Summer entertainment items
July:
July is one of the best months for summer clearance deals and mid-year sales events.
Best things to buy:
Air conditioners and fans
Patio décor
Craft supplies
Party supplies
Summer clothing
Swimwear
Outdoor play equipment
Canada Day and summer seasonal products
Office supplies during mid-year sales
August:
Back-to-school sales dominate August, making it a great month for families to stock up.
Best things to buy:
School supplies
Laptops and tablets
Backpacks and lunch gear
Snack foods
Summer clothing clearance
Patio furniture
Pool supplies
Outdoor toys
Bathing suits
Dorm essentials
September:
September is one of the best months to buy summer clearance and major appliances.
Best things to buy:
Summer clothing
Bicycles
Gardening items
Shrubs, trees, and bulbs
Large appliances
Lawn care equipment
Patio furniture clearance
Back-to-school items
Grills and outdoor cooking items
October:
Retailers begin preparing for the holiday season, so many summer and outdoor products hit clearance pricing.
Best things to buy:
Lawn mowers
Gardening equipment
Fishing supplies
Camping gear
Baking supplies
Fall groceries
Turkey and Thanksgiving foods
Outdoor furniture clearance
Halloween costumes and décor (after Halloween)
November:
November is one of the biggest shopping months of the year thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Best things to buy:
Electronics
Laptops and gaming systems
Small appliances
Blankets and winter bedding
Winter clothing
Heaters and humidifiers
Baking supplies
Holiday décor
Kitchen appliances
Halloween costumes, candy and décor
Toys before Christmas inventory sells out
December:
While many prices increase leading up to Christmas, some categories still see excellent sales.
Best things to buy:
Toys during pre-Christmas promotions
Electronics
Tools and hardware gift sets
Holiday baking ingredients
Flooring and carpeting
Gift sets and beauty products
Christmas dinner ingredients
Holiday entertaining supplies
Tips for Getting the Best Deals Year-Round
Shop end-of-season clearances whenever possible.
Compare prices using Canadian flyer apps and cashback apps.
Watch for holiday weekends like Black Friday, Boxing Day, Victoria Day, and Labour Day sales.
Check clearance aisles year-round, especially at grocery stores and big box retailers.
Sign up for loyalty programs to stack points, coupons, and cashback offers.
Once you learn the best time of year to buy anything in Canada, it becomes much easier to plan ahead and avoid paying full price. A little patience can lead to huge savings over the course of the year!
Here are some other money saving articles that may interest you:
How to Create a Budget Binder for your financial success
Creating a Budget Binder for your home is a smart and simple way to stay in control of your finances. Not only does it help you keep track of your spending, but it also gives you a clear picture of what you expect to spend in the months and years ahead. Think of it as your personal financial roadmap. A go-to resource for understanding your budget, planning for upcoming expenses, and staying focused on your savings and financial goals.
1. Find a binder that works for you. I really like this binder, but any binder will work. I would choose one that has at least a 1″ spine width.
2. You will also want to have some tabbed dividers so that you can separate your budget binder into sections. These Removable Index Tabs are perfect to add to each section. The tabs are writable and repositionable so you can move them around or use the same one if you need to refresh the page.
3. I like to divide my Budget Binder up by months. (One section for each month of the year, January - December) In each section/month, I include a Monthly expense tracker, a Monthly budget and bill tracker, a Monthly debt payoff tracker, a Monthly reflection sheet and Month at a glance calendar sheets. In the back, I have a yearly finance goal worksheet and spending trackers.
I created this easy-to-use printable budget planner to make budgeting feel simple, organized, and far less overwhelming. Inside, you’ll find helpful pages to set yearly financial goals, track your bills and expenses, monitor your spending habits, and reflect on what’s working well and where you can improve. Designed to keep everything in one place, this planner will help you stay focused, organized, and in control of your finances, so nothing slips through the cracks.
4. In the back of your binder, create a section dedicated to important account information. Include the names of your financial institutions, contact details, account numbers, login information, and any other helpful details you may want quick access to when managing your finances.
5. You can also add pouchesto hold receipts, a page to record prices on your favorite items, or anything else that might be useful in keeping your family in the black!
And there you have it. Setting up a Budget Binder really can be that simple! Taking the time to organize your finances in one convenient place can make a huge difference in reducing stress, staying on track with your goals, and feeling more confident about your money decisions. Whether you’re trying to pay off debt, save for a vacation, plan your monthly expenses, or simply get a better handle on your spending, a budget binder can help you stay focused and organized every step of the way.
The best part is that your binder can be completely customized to fit your family’s needs and lifestyle. You can include monthly budgets, bill trackers, savings goals, meal plans, debt payoff sheets, expense trackers, calendars, and anything else that helps keep your household running smoothly.
Do you use a Budget Binder in your home? What pages or sections do you find the most helpful to keep on hand in your family budget binder?
Here’s a recipe for one of my current breakfast favorites: overnight oats! They’re incredibly versatile, so you can easily switch things up to match whatever you’re craving.
Not only are these overnight oatmeal jars seriously delicious and filling, they're also packed with a ton of nutrients.
Chia seeds don’t have much flavour, which makes them easy to add to just about anything, but they’re packed with nutrition. They’re a great source of fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, and can support heart health, aid digestion, help you feel fuller longer, and promote more stable blood sugar levels.
These overnight oats keep well in the fridge for several days (just wait to add fresh fruit until you’re ready to eat). I usually make a couple at a time, but prepping a full week’s worth would be a great time-saver!
My current favourite combo is brown sugar with fresh berries, whatever I have on hand. Grapes are surprisingly tasty too! You could also try apple and cinnamon for a cozy twist, or peanut butter and banana for something a little more indulgent. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
One simple way to save money is to take a break from grocery shopping for a week or two and challenge yourself to use what you already have stocked in your pantry and freezer. I like to think of it as “shopping” from my own kitchen! At least once a year, when I notice my pantry and freezer getting a little too full, I do a Pantry Challenge to use up what we already have on hand. It’s always surprising how many forgotten items I end up finding :P. Being intentional about using the food we’ve already purchased helps cut down on waste and saves our family a lot of money!
Here’s how we make it work for us:
Take Inventory
This is a major key to success in doing a pantry challenge for us. If I don't know what I have stuck in the nooks and crannies, then it's hard to make a plan of attack.
Meal Plan
Based on what I wrote on my inventory list, I'll come up with a meal plan that will carry us through until most/all of the food is eaten. I'm terrible at "inventing" meals so I'll usually add our tried and true recipes along with some really basic recipes that I've found via Pinterest or something. (I need a recipe to work with. Lol.)
Check out The Meal Planner! I created the printable Meal planner to help make meal planning and saving money easy! The PDF includes:
18 pages
Monthly, Weekly + Daily meal planning worksheets
Meal brainstorming worksheets
Food inventory worksheets
Grocery lists
Price matching worksheet
Party Planning worksheet
Set a Goal
Having a goal or two when you embark on a Pantry Challenge is important. Usually when I eat from the pantry, I do a month long challenge. So one of my goals is to avoid any major grocery shopping for one month. Another goal I set is to only spend $25 a week on essentials (fresh fruit/vegetables, dairy, eggs). I think it would be impossible to do a month long challenge without shopping for some essentials. However, setting a goal of spending only $25 a week, for example, will still help significantly in keeping more money in the bank account!
Here's how you could make it work for you:
Make it a Game
Along with taking inventory, making a meal plan and setting a goal or two, turning a pantry challenge into a game can really add fun to meal time. Rather than thinking of a pantry challenge as a hard thing, why not see how long you can survive without going to the store. Or see what kind of wacky (edible) meals you can create to give the whole family a laugh.
Focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have
Be thankful for the deals & steals that you have already taken advantage of to fill your pantry and freezer, instead of thinking of all the ones you're missing out on in the grocery stores. Or, are you really wishing you had more rice? Find some new ways to love all those potatoes that you do have.
Get Creative
It’s time to get creative again! Whether it’s breakfast for dinner to finish up some pancake mix, using stale bread to make bread crumbs, cooking is about enjoying the process and breaking out of the mundane. Creativity comes when you have 12 boxes of pasta and need a new recipe. Or, think of all the ways you can use up that leftover ham and go for it!
Here's a list of basic meals that you should be able to create with some of your inventory:
There you have it! That's how to eat from the pantry to save money! Eating from the pantry is a great way to ensure that you don’t spend money when you don't have to and that you don’t find good food that has expired.
Have you ever tried a pantry challenge? If so, how long have you gone without going to the store?
Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Like your to-do list keeps growing while your energy keeps running low? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin, it may be time to focus on working smarter instead of harder. The good news is that a few small changes can make a big difference. Take a look at these 7 simple tweaks for a more productive day so you can feel less stressed, more focused, and get more done with less effort. Here’s how to get started:
Before heading to bed, take a few minutes to write out your to-do list for the next day in a notebook or planner. Getting everything out of your head can help you relax at bedtime and avoid that “what am I forgetting?” feeling. It also gives you a clear plan for the morning so you can start your day with focus instead of scrambling to figure out what needs to be done.
2. Use Helpful Apps to Stay Organized
There are so many free apps that can help simplify your day and keep your life organized. From shared calendars and grocery lists to reminders and meal planning, the right app can save both time and mental energy. Our family has been loving the Cozi app because it keeps everyone’s schedules in one place and makes it easier to stay on top of appointments and activities. Try experimenting with different apps to find what works best for your routine.
A newer thing that many families are loving is a Skylight calendar. You can mount it on a wall where everyone will see it. It is a touch screen digital calendar and chore chart!
3. Let Natural Light In First Thing
As soon as you wake up, open the curtains or step outside for a few minutes. Natural light helps wake up your body and signals to your brain that it’s time to start the day. Even this tiny habit can help boost your energy, improve your mood, and make it easier to feel productive.
4. Keep Small Tasks in the Car.
Waiting in the school pickup line or sitting outside activities can add up to a lot of wasted time. Keep a small basket or tote in your vehicle with quick tasks you can tackle while waiting. This could include paperwork, a book you’ve been meaning to read, a journal, coupons to organize, or even your planner. It’s an easy way to make use of spare moments during busy days.
5. Carry a water bottle.
Staying hydrated can help improve focus, energy, and productivity throughout the day. Keeping a reusable water bottle with you also saves time and money since you won’t need to constantly stop for drinks. Using a measured water bottle can help you keep track of how much water you’re drinking each day.
6. Set realistic goals.
One of the quickest ways to feel overwhelmed is by expecting yourself to do too much in one day. Instead of creating an impossible to-do list, focus on setting realistic goals you can actually accomplish. Start with 5–7 important tasks and build from there. Finishing your list feels far more motivating than constantly feeling behind.
7. Finish One Task Before Starting Another
It’s easy to bounce between tasks all day long, but constantly switching gears can leave you feeling frazzled and unproductive. Try focusing on finishing one task before moving on to the next whenever possible. Completing tasks fully helps create a sense of accomplishment and keeps loose ends from piling up.
8. Prep for the Morning the Night Before
Lay out clothes, pack lunches, gather school bags, or prep breakfast ingredients before bed. Even spending just 10–15 minutes preparing for the next day can make mornings feel much calmer and less stressful.
9. Use Timers for Chores
If you struggle to stay motivated while cleaning or tackling projects, set a timer for 10–20 minutes and focus only on that task. You’ll often get more done when you race the clock, and chores feel less overwhelming when they have an end point.
10. Batch Similar Tasks Together
Try grouping similar tasks together to save time and mental energy. For example, make all your phone calls at once, run errands in one trip, or prep several meals at the same time. Batching tasks helps you stay focused and reduces constant switching between activities.
11. Reduce Distractions
Constant notifications and interruptions can make even simple tasks take twice as long. Try silencing unnecessary phone notifications or setting aside focused work time without distractions. Even short periods of uninterrupted focus can make a huge difference in productivity.
12. Create Simple Routines
Having routines for mornings, evenings, cleaning, or meal prep can help your day flow more smoothly. Routines reduce decision fatigue because you already know what comes next, which saves time and mental energy.
13. Keep a Donation Bin Handy
Clutter can quickly make your home and your mind feel chaotic. Keep a basket or bin somewhere convenient so you can easily toss in items you no longer use. Decluttering a little at a time is much easier than waiting until things pile up.
14. Build in Buffer Time
Try not to schedule every minute of your day. Leaving small pockets of extra time between errands, appointments, or tasks can help reduce stress when things don’t go exactly as planned.
15. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
Productivity isn’t about constantly being busy. Rest is important too. Taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and slowing down when needed can actually help you stay more focused and productive in the long run.
What are your favorite simple tweaks for a more productive day?
5 Free Money Saving Apps Every Canadian Should Download
Today I’m sharing five of my favourite free money saving apps that help me save money with barely any extra effort! These apps are perfect for busy people who want simple ways to spend less and keep more money in their pocket.
You can download the apps right to your phone or use the desktop versions. Whatever works best for your lifestyle.
Once you start using these apps, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. The savings add up fast, and scoring deals starts to feel almost effortless!
Rakuten Canada
Rakuten is an awesome site that pays you Cash Back when you shop online. With over 750 stores, including Best Buy, Book Outlet, Crocs, Old Navy, and Sephora, get paid to shop for things you’re already buying. Plus, get a $30 Cash Bonus when you join today!
Hopper
Hopper Do you have travel plans? Hopper is the #1 most downloaded travel app in North America! Hopper aspires to be the world’s best — and most fun — place to book travel. Hopper has helped over 75 million travelers save!
Honey
Honey finds and applies coupon codes at online checkouts for you so you can get back to the more important things in your life quickly. Basically, it's amazing because Honey finds the deals on the things you need without any effort on your part.
Flipp
Need butter? Use Flipp to find out where it's on sale! Flipp is your one-stop app for deals and savings. They collect the widest variety of digital flyers, ads, and deals from over 2000 retailers, giving you the flexibility to save when and where it’s most convenient.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a cash-back app that will give you cash back on items you purchase from the grocery store. All you have to do is pick the products you like, purchase them at any store, and upload a photo of your receipt. When your account reaches $20, you can cash out and we'll send you a check! Another cash-back app you will love: Caddle.
Do you use any of these already? If so, which one is your favorite? Do you have any favorite free money saving apps that I didn't list? Hit reply and let me know!
Summer is almost here! Can you feel the sunshine, the excitement, and the busy days ahead?
Summer is the season for beach days, backyard BBQs, road trips, swimming, and making memories with the people you love most. It’s the perfect time to slow down a little, soak up the longer days, and enjoy more quality time with family and friends.
And let’s be honest. Every great summer moment usually revolves around good food!
The good news? Feeding your family healthy, homemade meals during the summer doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. (Because who wants to do that when the weather is beautiful?) The secret is simple: meal prepping. With a little planning ahead, you can put together quick, delicious meals for any time of day while saving both time and money on takeout.
If you’re looking to simplify meals this summer, here are 10 quick and easy meal prep ideas the whole family will love.
Start by deciding what meals and snacks you want to prepare for the week ahead. Write down the recipes you plan to make, then create a shopping list with all the ingredients you’ll need. Having a plan in place makes grocery shopping easier and helps you avoid those last-minute takeout runs.
Start Multitasking
Save yourself time by cooking multiple things at once. Roast a tray of summer vegetables while baking chicken, or prep fresh ingredients while something cooks on the stove. A little multitasking can make meal prep feel much quicker and more manageable.
Don’t Overdo the Meal Prep
Try not to prep more than three or four days’ worth of meals at a time. Fresh summer produce doesn’t always last long in the fridge, and over-prepping can lead to spoiled food and unnecessary waste. Smaller batches help keep meals tasting fresh and delicious.
Use Your Grill
One of the best parts of summer is grilling season! Instead of heating up the kitchen with the oven, cook outdoors whenever possible. Grill chicken, burgers, fresh vegetables, or even fruit for easy summer meals the whole family will love.
Bonus tip: make extra meat while the grill is hot so you’ll have leftovers ready for lunches, salads, wraps, or quick dinners later in the week.
Prepare Raw Food
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy lighter, refreshing meals. Fresh vegetables like cucumber and zucchini pair well with so many dishes and are especially refreshing during hot weather.
Buy yourself this vegetable chopper and spiralizer to make quick work of produce prep. The spiralizer attachment is great for zucchini or cucumber to be tossed with pesto for a quick veggie noodle dish.
No-cook meal ideas like salads, canned beans, corn, fresh fruit, and snack plates are also great additions to your weekly meal plan.
Utilize Your Slow Cooker
Slow cookers aren’t just for chilly winter meals. They’re incredibly useful during the summer too! They allow you to cook without heating up the whole house.
Use your slow cooker to prepare shredded chicken, taco meat, beans, potatoes, carrots, or corn in large batches. Freeze leftovers in smaller portions for easy meals later on. And of course, the Instant Pot or an air fryer are other great options for quick summer cooking!
Choose Glass Containers Over Plastic
While plastic containers may be cheaper, glass containers are often the better long-term option for meal prep. Here are a few reasons why:
It’s easier to see what’s inside
Glass containers can safely go in the microwave
Food tastes fresher and doesn’t absorb odors
Glass won’t release chemicals when heated
They’re durable and reusable for years
Use Your Leftovers
Cook extra portions at dinner and use the leftovers for lunches or quick breakfasts the next day. Leftovers are a huge time-saver and help reduce food waste. Plus, having ready-made meals in the fridge makes busy days so much easier.
My husband loves taking leftovers to work because it saves both time and money!
Buy Better Bread
All those summer activities can definitely work up an appetite! If sandwiches are part of your meal plan, try choosing hearty whole grain breads that are filling and nutritious.
Look for bread made with 100% whole grains and plenty of texture. A good quality bread can make even a simple sandwich feel much more satisfying.
Cook Once, Eat all Day
Set aside one block of time each day to prep meals, chop produce, or cook proteins for later. Having meals ready to go makes busy summer days so much easier and helps you avoid spending tons of time in the kitchen.
With just a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy healthy, delicious meals all summer long without spending a fortune or cooking nonstop.
What are your favourite summer meal prep ideas and tips? Share them in the comments below!
I know that with every new season, I start feeling tempted to refresh my wardrobe with a few new pieces. You too? There’s something exciting about changing things up a little when the weather shifts. But instead of immediately heading to the mall or filling up an online cart, I’ve been trying to look at the clothes I already own with fresh eyes first.
The truth is, most of us have items tucked away in our closets that still have plenty of life left. Sometimes they just need a little creativity to feel new again! Refashioning old clothes is such a fun and budget-friendly way to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce waste and make the most of the things we already have.
Lately, I’ve been searching for simple ways to refashion clothes, and honestly, there are so many clever ideas out there. From turning oversized shirts into cute fitted tops, trimming jeans into shorts, or transforming dresses into skirts, the possibilities are almost endless. Even small changes like replacing buttons, adding lace, hemming, or dyeing faded fabrics can completely change the look of a piece.
I’ve also been looking for an excuse to pull out my sewing machine again. It’s been sitting untouched for far too long! Some of these beginner-friendly projects seem simple enough that I can work on them during nap time while my daughter sleeps. I love the idea of slowly creating a wardrobe that feels more personal and unique instead of buying the same fast-fashion pieces everyone else has.
What I especially love about refashioning clothes is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, part of the charm is giving something old a second chance and making it your own. Whether you’re an experienced sewer or someone who’s never threaded a needle before, there are plenty of easy projects that don’t require advanced skills or expensive supplies. Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas.
If you’ve been wanting to save money, get creative, or simply breathe new life into the clothes you already own, refashioning old clothes is such a rewarding place to start. You might be surprised by how many hidden gems are already hanging in your closet just waiting for a little makeover!
Here are 20 fun and fashionable ways to refashion clothes:
Have you ever tried to refashion clothes before? I’d love to hear which idea is your favourite! I think I might finally try turning one of my husband’s old shirts into a cute new skirt for myself. It sounds like such a fun way to give something old a whole new life!
