How to Create a Spending Journal to Take Control of Your Money
We journal our thoughts, our meals, our goals and sometimes even our workouts. But how often do we actually write down what we're spending?
A spending journal is one of the simplest ways to get a clearer picture of where your money is going. And you don't need a fancy budgeting app or complicated spreadsheet to get started. All you really need is a notebook, a pen and a few minutes each day.
The goal isn't to make you feel guilty about every coffee or takeout order. It's simply about becoming more aware of your spending habits. Once you can see where your money is going, you can start making more intentional decisions about where you'd like it to go instead.
Here’s how to create and keep a spending journal that can actually help you spend smarter and save more.
1. Choose a simple journal
You don't need anything fancy to get started. In fact, I'd recommend keeping it really simple.
Grab a notebook, spiral-bound journal or even a small notepad you already have at home. There's no reason to spend a lot of money on a spending journal when the whole point is to help you save money!
Choose something that's easy to carry with you and give it a title such as “My Spending Journal” or “Where Does My Money Go?” The important thing is that you'll actually use it.
2. Decide how you want to organize it
There are several ways you can set up your spending journal, so choose whatever feels easiest for you.
You could:
Use one page for each day.
Divide the journal into weeks.
Create separate sections for income, bills and everyday spending.
Keep a running list of every purchase.
Use a simple table with columns for the date, item, amount and category.
Don't overthink this part. The best system is the one that makes it easy for you to record your spending consistently. If you're new to the idea, I'd start with a new page for each day. You can always change your system later.
3. Write down every dollar you spend
This is the most important part of keeping a spending journal: record everything.
That means the big expenses and the little ones. Write down your:
Groceries
Coffee and takeout
Gas
Household purchases
Clothing
Entertainment
Online shopping
Subscriptions
Bills
Miscellaneous purchases
Those small purchases are especially important. A $5 purchase might not seem significant on its own, but several small purchases throughout the week can add up quickly.
The goal isn't perfection. It's awareness.
(You may also want to record income or money coming into your account so you can get a more complete picture of your finances.)
4. Separate needs from wants
Once you're recording your purchases, try adding a simple category to each expense.
For example:
Needs: Groceries, utilities, transportation, medication, housing and other necessary expenses.
Wants: Takeout, entertainment, impulse purchases, unnecessary clothing purchases and other things you could live without.
You can use different coloured pens if you enjoy that, but you certainly don't have to. A simple N for need and W for want works just as well.
This can be incredibly eye-opening.
You might discover that you're spending far more on convenience purchases than you realized. Or that some of the things you thought were “needs” are actually wants. There's no judgment involved. You're just collecting information.
5. Review your spending at the end of each week
This is where your spending journal really starts to become useful.
Once a week, take a few minutes to look back at what you've written down. Ask yourself:
What did I spend the most money on?
Were there any purchases I regretted?
Did I make any impulse purchases?
How much did I spend on convenience?
Are there expenses I could reduce next week?
Did I spend money on things I already had at home?
Were there any purchases I could have planned for better?
You may start noticing patterns that are difficult to see when you're simply tapping your debit or credit card and moving on with your day.
6. Track the money you save, too
Here's a fun addition I'd make to your spending journal: keep track of your wins!
Create a small section for money you've saved. This could include:
Coupons or discounts you used
Sale prices
Cash-back rewards
Money you transferred into savings
Items you chose not to buy
Bills or expenses you successfully reduced
Don't underestimate the value of recording the things you didn't spend money on.
If you planned to spend $50 but found a way to spend $35 instead, that's a $15 win. Write it down!
Watching those savings add up can be surprisingly motivating.
7. Keep your spending journal somewhere convenient
Keep it somewhere you'll remember to use it. That might be in your purse, beside your computer, on your desk or in another spot you visit every day.
You can also use a notes app on your phone if that's more convenient for you. The point isn't to use a particular type of journal. The point is to create a habit of paying attention to your spending.
Try recording purchases as soon as possible. Waiting until the end of the day makes it much easier to forget those little purchases.
8. Use what you learn to make better decisions
After you've kept your spending journal for a few weeks, you should have a much clearer picture of your habits.
Now comes the fun part: do something with that information.
Maybe you discover you're spending $40 a week at the coffee shop. Perhaps you're making small purchases online often. Or maybe you realize that grocery trips are becoming expensive because you're stopping at the store several times a week.
You don't have to overhaul your entire budget overnight. Choose one or two areas where you think you could make a change and start there.
The purpose of a spending journal isn't to make you feel bad about spending money. It's to help you become more intentional about it.
Give a Spending Journal a Try
You don't need a complicated budgeting system to start paying closer attention to your money.
A notebook and a few minutes a day can be enough to show spending patterns you might not have noticed otherwise. Once you know where your money is going, you can make more informed decisions about where you'd rather have it go.
Try keeping a spending journal for the next 30 days and see what you discover. You might be surprised by what you learn. You will probably find a few easy opportunities to spend less along the way.
Have you ever kept a spending journal? What did it teach you about your spending habits?
How to Feed a Family on $50 This Week: A Practical Grocery Budget Plan
One of the things I love most about home cooked meals is how they bring a family together. There is something pretty special about gathering around the kitchen table, eating something delicious and talking about what happened during the day.
Unfortunately, feeding a family can get expensive quickly.
If you're trying to stretch your grocery budget this week, though, there are ways to make $50 go further. It won't necessarily be easy, and prices vary depending on where you live and what is on sale, but with some planning and creativity, you can make a small grocery budget stretch a lot further.
One important note: when I talk about how to feed a family on $50 for a week, I'm assuming you have at least a few pantry, refrigerator or freezer staples already on hand. You don't need to start with an entirely empty kitchen!
Here's how I'd approach a $50 grocery budget.
1. Take Inventory Before You Shop
Before you even think about going to the grocery store, shop your own kitchen.
Check your:
Pantry
Refrigerator
Freezer
Baking supplies
Spices and seasonings
Write down everything you already have that could be used to make meals.
You might have pasta, rice, potatoes, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, eggs or a package of meat hiding in the freezer. Maybe you have half a bag of tortillas or a can of beans that you forgot about. There is no need to buy tomato sauce if you already have some in the pantry!
The less you need to purchase, the further your $50 will go.
2. Check the Flyers and Build Your Meal Plan
Once you know what you already have, check your local grocery flyers and look for the best deals. I like to use Flipp to compare prices.
This is where I think a lot of people go wrong with meal planning. They decide what they want to eat first and then go shopping for all the ingredients.
When you're working with a very small budget, I'd do the opposite: Look at what you already have, see what's on sale and then build your meals around those ingredients.
If chicken thighs are on sale while chicken breasts aren't, chicken thighs might be the better choice. If ground beef is expensive but another protein is on sale, adjust your plan. If potatoes are a great price, find several ways to use them throughout the week.
You don't have to stop eating the foods your family enjoys. You just need to be a little flexible about which ingredients you use.
This is also where a meal planner can really help. I like having everything written down so I can see the entire week at a glance and make sure I'm not planning meals that require a bunch of ingredients I don't already have.
If you want to make meal planning easier, I've created a printable meal planner that you can print and use week after week.
Use it to plan your breakfasts, lunches and dinners, then build your grocery list around what you still need. When you're working with a specific budget, having everything planned out before you shop can help prevent those little “I'll just grab this” purchases that add up really quickly!
The goal isn't to plan the fanciest meals. It's to create a meal plan that uses what you already have, takes advantage of what's on sale and keeps your grocery spending under control.
3. Use Budget-Friendly Meal Stretchers
When money is tight, inexpensive staples can be your best friend.
Rice, beans, potatoes, pasta and oats can all help stretch meals without adding a lot to your grocery bill. Beans can be added to tacos, chili and soups. Rice can bulk up a stir-fry or serve as a side dish. Potatoes can turn a small amount of meat into a more filling meal. Pasta can stretch a sauce and feed more people. Dry beans are generally one of the most economical options if you have the time and desire to prepare them, but canned beans can also be convenient when they're on sale.
These are simple ingredients that can help you get more meals out of your grocery budget.
4. Make a List of Cheap Family Meals
I believe that most meals can be frugal meals when you buy the ingredients at the right price.
For example, if chicken thighs are on sale, I'll choose those instead of chicken breasts. If pasta is on sale, I'll work it into the meal plan. If a big bag of carrots are on sale, I'll look for ways to use them throughout the week.
I also have a 20 meal rotation that I've been using lately. I'd consider most of the meals on that list simple, inexpensive family dinners.
Some other budget friendly ideas include:
Spaghetti with tomato sauce
Homemade soup
Chili with beans
Tacos with beans or a small amount of meat
Fried rice
Grilled cheese and soup
Pancakes or French toast
Baked potatoes with toppings
Pasta salad
Egg sandwiches
Rice and vegetable bowls
You don't need fancy recipes to feed your family well.
5. Keep Breakfast and Lunch Simple
In our house, I have a pretty predictable breakfast rotation: oatmeal, pancakes/waffles, French toast, peanut butter toast, scrambled eggs and cereal, always served with fruit.
That might sound boring, but honestly, it makes life easier! I'll also make pancakes/waffles or French toast for dinner sometimes just so I can freeze the leftovers. Then I can pop them into the toaster on a busy morning for a quick and filling breakfast.
I take a similar approach with lunches.
Sandwiches, grilled cheese, soup, leftovers and simple wraps can all make inexpensive lunches.
Save your meal variety for dinner. You don't need to reinvent breakfast and lunch every day of the week.
6. Use Store Rewards and Loyalty Points
If you have grocery store loyalty points, don't forget to check your balance before you shop.
I like collecting PC Optimum points because I can redeem them toward my grocery bill. I recently redeemed $30 worth of points, which made a pretty noticeable difference at checkout!
If you regularly shop at a store with a rewards program, it can be worth learning how the program works and watching for opportunities to earn extra points.
When you're trying to stick to a $50 grocery budget, $10 in rewards can make a big difference!
7. Look for Grocery Rebates
Grocery rebate apps can be another way to squeeze a little more value out of your shopping trip.
I personally like Checkout 51 and Caddle because I can upload my receipt after shopping and claim eligible offers easily.
Ampliis another option if you're comfortable connecting your cards to the service. (I haven't tried this one.)
The important thing is to check the offers before you shop rather than buying something simply because there's a rebate. A rebate isn't a deal if it causes you to spend money on something you didn't need!
8. Be Willing to Shop Somewhere Different
If you're used to doing all of your grocery shopping at one particular store, this might be the week to step outside your usual routine.
Different stores can have very different prices on the exact same products. Depending on where you live, you might find better prices at stores such as Walmart, No Frills, FreshCo, Food Basics, Giant Tiger or a local discount grocer.
You don't need to shop at five different stores, either. If the time and transportation costs aren't worth it, choose the store that gives you the best overall value. I like to use Flipp to compare prices so I can get a general idea of what store will provide the best value each week for what I need.
The goal isn't to spend your entire day driving around town to save $3. It's to be strategic about where you shop so your $50 buys as much as possible.
9. Look at a Sample $50 Grocery Haul
So what could a $50 grocery trip actually look like?
Your exact prices will depend on your location, store and what's on sale, but here's the kind of shopping list I'd build around a tight budget:
Oats
Eggs
Bread
Bananas
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Pasta
Rice
Canned tomatoes
Beans
Frozen vegetables
Tortillas
One sale priced protein
Cheese or another inexpensive topping
The key is that these ingredients aren't just for one meal. For example, potatoes can become a side dish, breakfast potatoes or part of a soup. Beans can go into chili, tacos or rice bowls. Eggs can cover breakfast, lunch or even dinner.
Think in ingredients, not individual meals. That's how you make a small grocery budget work harder.
10. Don't Forget the Leftovers!
Who wants leftovers?
Well, maybe not everyone. But leftovers are one of the easiest ways to stretch your grocery budget because you've already paid for the ingredients and done the cooking.
If your family doesn't enjoy eating exactly the same meal two nights in a row, change it up.
Taco Tuesday can become taco salad Wednesday. Leftover chicken can become sandwiches or soup. Roasted vegetables can be added to eggs, rice or pasta.
I also love freezing leftovers whenever possible. For example, I'll freeze leftover spaghetti sauce so that I have an easy meal waiting for us on a busy night.
Don't think of leftovers as yesterday's dinner. Think of them as tomorrow's shortcut!
11. Don't Be Afraid to Repeat Meals
There's something about the idea of eating the same thing twice that makes people feel like they're failing at meal planning.
You're not.
If you make a big pot of chili on Monday and eat it again on Wednesday, that's not boring. That's smart grocery budgeting.
You can also freeze portions so you aren't eating the same meal several days in a row.
When you're trying to feed a family on $50, repetition is your friend.
What Would I Actually Do With $50?
If I had exactly $50 to spend on groceries this week, I'd start by shopping my own kitchen.
Then I'd check the sales and look for inexpensive proteins, produce and staples that could be used in several meals.
I'd use my meal planner to map out the week and build a grocery list around what I actually need.
I'd keep breakfast and lunch predictable, make several inexpensive dinners, use rice, beans, potatoes and pasta to stretch meals, and plan to eat the leftovers.
I'd also check my loyalty points and available grocery rebates before I went shopping.
And most importantly, I'd leave some flexibility in the plan.
If I got to the store and discovered that chicken was expensive but pork was on sale, I'd change the plan. That's one of the biggest advantages of meal planning around sales instead of being stuck to a particular recipe.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your family on $50 for a week isn't necessarily going to be easy, especially if you're starting with an empty pantry. Grocery prices also vary considerably, so your $50 may look very different from someone else's.
But if you have some staples at home and are willing to plan around sales, shop strategically and get creative with your ingredients, you may be surprised by how far a small grocery budget can stretch.
To me, frugal living isn't about making every meal as cheap as possible. It's about using what you have, buying things at the right price and finding ways to make your money work harder.
And sometimes, that means a pot of chili feeding the family twice. 😉
What are your favourite ways to stretch a $50 grocery budget? I'd love to hear them!
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.
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?
