Valentine’s Day is around the corner so today’s post is going to focus on low cost date ideas! I’m not only going to list frugal ideas to do with your significant other, but also ideas you can use with any special kids in your life. After all, it’s crucial to any important relationship, that you spend some quality one-on-one time together.
However, when money is tight, it’s hard to justify spending money on a “date”. Even dinner and a movie can really add up! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy my ideas for low cost date ideas the whole family can enjoy:
Date-Night with your significant other:
Visit a Winery or Brewery – This can really be a fun and informative afternoon! Most wineries and breweries offer free tours that include free tastings at the end.
Use those Daily Deal Sites – Keep an eye on those daily deal sites like Groupon and WagJag. I often see offers for romantic getaways, restaurant deals and even local attractions. You’ll save yourself a big chunk of money if you take advantage of a deal, especially if you intended on heading out on the town anyways!
Wash the Car Together – Sometimes doing the mundane chores together can be a blast and a great way to catch up. This is a great idea for when life is so busy you’re having a hard time finding a solid chunk of time to spend together.
Get back to your Roots – Did you use to love playing a particular board game together in your younger dating/married years? Pull it out and play it once again. Or maybe you used to love browsing the thrift stores together? Or enjoyed the satisfaction of volunteering? Do something that takes you back to the early days!
Go for a Drive – One year for our anniversary, with a new baby in tow, we took a scenic drive and stopped at a quaint little coffee shop in a nearby town. This was one of our most memorable dates!
Dinner at Home – Not a new idea at all, dinner at home, but how about calling up your date’s mother to get the recipe for their favourite childhood meal? Or if you both enjoy a fancy meal, how about going all out at the grocery store to recreate your favourite fancy restaurant meals? The thought of a picnic on the floor might hit the spot as well! Maybe this year could be your first fondue?
Go to the Beach – Obviously for the warmer months, but we like to bring along a couple of chairs and some good books and spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach. When we get hot, we just jump into the water!
Go for a Hike – or snowshoeing since it’s winter! My husband and I are really fond of hikes. There’s just something about enjoying nature together and getting a little bit of exercise at the same time. Plus, our region has some pretty fantastic hiking locales if I do say so myself.
Date-Night with your Children/Whole Family:
Get the ideas flowing with these suggestions that will work for one on one dates with your children or for the whole family unit!
Have a Picnic – Inside or outside depending on the weather. Pack some sandwiches, a fun beverage and an extra special treat that will be enjoyed.
Have a Movie Night in – grab a movie off the shelf that you haven’t watched in a while or find something on Netflix and make some homemade microwave popcorn!
Have a Theme Night/Day – Mexican, Italian, pirate…the list goes on. Plan dinners and activities around your theme!
Have a Craft Night – Paint, sew, make bracelets, draw…etc! This would have been a dream date with my mom when I was younger. Actually, now that think about it, we used to spend quite a few nights making greeting cards!
Head to your Local Library – Stock up on reading material or even sit in on story time!
Go Bird Watching – See how many different types of birds you can spot. Maybe bring along a bird book from the library. Here’s are some free Bird Watching printables you may enjoy.
Build an Indoor fort – Grab all your blankets, pillows and boxes to create an epic indoor fort. Camp out in it or have a picnic in it!
Check out the free community events offered in your area – Many of the free community events are geared towards family fun.
Go for a Nature Walk – Bring along a bag that you can use to collect all sorts of neat nature things in. Bring the bag home and create some crafts using your haul.
Have a Garage Sale – Involve the kids and help them set up a lemonade or hot chocolate stand. They’ll have fun earning some money and you’ll all enjoy being together!
Go Ice Skating – I recently took my daughter out for the very first time and she had a blast. While she refused to try on the skates, she had fun building her confidence on the ice wearing her boots. We have several local rinks that offer free family skate times, so yours may as well.
Many of these low cost date ideas can be adapted to every season, but the important thing is that you get out there and have fun together as a couple, parent/child or family! Enjoy each other!
Sometimes, the secret to saving money is actually spending a little more money in the first place.
As long as you spend it on the right things, that is.
That might sound illogical, but in reality, it can make a lot of sense when you start thinking about long-term savings.
This is where thoughtful, intentional spending comes in to play.
In this article, I’m not going to be talking about gadgets that you will only use once, like a Cake Pop Maker for example. I am going to list out products that you will use time and time again, allowing you to see financial savings in the long run. Smart purchases that will save money in the long run!
On that note, to help you save cash and satisfy your gadget purchasing desire, I’ve rounded up 22 smart purchases that will end up saving you tons of cash in the long run. The best part? They don’t require you to change any of your everyday habits.
Smart purchases that save money:
Low flow shower head – Why not have a great shower and save water at the same time? A low flow shower head doesn’t cost a lot to replace, but the savings on your water bill will really pay off in the long run!
LED light bulbs – While they cost more upfront, LED lightbulbs are a smart choice in your home. they save money on your energy bill and last way longer than incandescent light bulbs. There are many different options to get just the right color warmth that you like.
Solar powered outdoor lights – Light up your yard to add safety and ambiance by using solar powered outdoor lights. Once purchased, these won’t cost a cent on your energy bill!
Drying rack– Do we always need to use the dryer? You can save a lot of electricity by using a drying rack instead! You will also find your clothes last longer too. If you have yard space outside to have a drying line, this is a fantastic way to dry stuff
Smart thermostat – Monitor your energy usage easily with a smart thermostat in your home! This will adjust heating/cooling according to your schedule. You can even control it from anywhere using your Android or iOS device. No more heating and cooling an empty house when you’re gone!
Reusable food storage bags – Stop throwing plastic bags (and money) in the trash. These reusable storage bags are easy to clean and ready to use for a long, long time. I especially like that these ones are self-standing…makes it easy to fill!
Brita water jug – Very, very rarely will we buy bottled water. We do, however, use our Brita every single day. We fill up glasses at home or fill our reusable water bottles for adventure days.
Reusable water bottle – Speaking of reusable water bottles, never buy bottled water again! I really like this Simple Modern one. My daughter uses it for school and dance and it never leaks! Even when it’s on its side.
Air fryer – Hear me out on this one. It might seem like a gadget, but our air fryer has really made my life better. It has made lunch making and heating up leftovers a breeze. Let’s not forget to mention that it saves so much money because I’m not getting takeout as often!
Wool Dryer balls – These don’t seem like anything special, but this is one of those purchases that save money like crazy. They save money on fabric softeners and dryer sheets because they soften naturally. They also lessen the drying time needed so they will save you money on your energy bill.
Rechargeable batteries – If you find yourself going through batteries often, investing in rechargeable batteries is a smart idea!
Fire TV Stick has been a TOTAL game changer for us! We bought one when we decided to eliminate cable tv. It plugs into the back of your tv and has a homepage for all your streaming services. Save a TON of money with the free tv apps it offers.
Hair clipper kit – This one might not be for everyone, but we have saved a lot of money by cutting my husband’s hair at home. I give him a very basic hair cut every 6 weeks or so and he’s always pleased as punch.
Vacuum Sealer – How many times have you thrown away foods that are so badly freezer burned? Well, say goodbye to freezer burnt food by investing in a vacuum sealer. Once you’ve sealed your food, toss it in the freezer and you’ll find it stays fresher for so much longer.
Reusable K Cup Coffee Filter – Those little K-Cups can really add up after awhile! If you own a Keurig machine, think about buying a reusable k-cup coffee filter so you can buy your favourite grounds to use in the filter. You’ll have delicious coffee and save money!
TubShroom – I don’t even remember how I came across this in the first place, but I purchased a TubShroom and LOVE it! It’s been years since we’ve been using one and I will never go back to an ordinary drain protector. It catches so much hair. I’m convinced that this is one of those purchases that save money in the long run.
Makeup remover cloths – I really like those disposable, pre-moistened face towels so I really think these makeup remover cloths would be just as convenient. Plus, they’re reusable of course!
Personal finance books – I’ve got a list of highly rated personal finance books right here. First though, why don’t you see if your library has any copies available?
Memberships – Do you find yourself often visiting the same places and paying the daily rate? It might be time to purchase the membership! Buying a membership to places that you frequent often can save you so much money in the long run. Think swimming pools, science centers, amusement parks and more!
Drain snake – Having a drain snake on hand will without a doubt save you money on expensive drain cleaners that don’t necessarily work. Not to mention, a drain snake could save you having to hire a plumber too!
Bamboo towels – These bamboo towels are such a great idea. Especially if you think it will be hard to get away from using regular paper towels. These bamboo towels are washable and can be used just like how you use regular paper towels.
Fabric Defuzzer – Before you discard of any pilled sweaters or even furniture, try a fabric defuzzer! For less than $15, you can save your favorite things and make them look brand new again with this simple tool!
In conclusion, making smart purchases that prioritize quality and durability is not just a matter of saving money in the short term; it is a strategy for long-term financial well-being. By choosing products that stand the test of time and offer lasting value, you can enjoy the satisfaction of smart purchasing decisions that will contribute to your financial stability. As well as taking steps to be a more intentional consumer.
What are some smart purchases that you would add to the list?
Living the life of a frugal person means living below your means from dawn to dusk. There are many things frugal people do throughout the day that help them save money and help them store funds away for the future. But what are those things exactly? Come on a journey and take a look at a day in the life of a frugal person. These are some of the daily tasks that save them BIG. By knowing more about this day to day living, you too can try implementing these tasks and seeing what a difference they can make for you.
Morning:
1. Make homemade coffee.
Our frugal person doesn’t spring for a $5 specialty coffee. Instead she makes her own at home and saves big. She uses her favorite reusable mug that can be used time and time again.
2. Looks at the Meal Plan.
This frugal person creates a menu plan every week with $5 Meal Plan. So every morning she double checks the plan to see what she might have to pull out of the freezer or pick up at the grocery store in order to stay on track. Her menu plan saves her hundreds of dollars each month and keeps her sane at the dinner time hour.
3. Check the Gas Buddy app.
Before filling up and running and errands, our frugal person checks the free Gas Buddy app to see what gas prices are and where to fill up for less. When she finds a great deal, she fills up at that price.
4. Turn on the slow cooker.
There won’t be any take out traps for this frugal person tonight thanks to her menu plan. Instead, she tosses some chicken, fresh vegetables, and broth into the slow cooker for dinner. She uses canned broth from the stockpile, veggies from the garden, and chicken she bought on sale.
5. Scour the sales.
Our frugal person checks the weekly grocery store flyers to see what’s on sale that week. She then matches the sale prices with the coupons she has on hand. This helps her to make her shopping list for the week while keeping her budget in check. She loves the Budget Planner for keeping track of her budget categories and her savings goals.
Afternoon:
6. Enjoys a homemade lunch.
Whether at work or on the go, our frugal person enjoys a homemade lunch. Today it’s a taco salad using ground beef leftover from last night’s burgers. She uses a refillable water bottle to save money on unnecessary sugary beverages, which also keeps her waistline trim!
7. Swing into the local thrift store.
Frugal people love thrift stores to look for gently used items at a fraction of the price of new. Today, our frugal person finds some frames that can be spray painted to match her décor as well as a table lamp she can use on her night stand. For about $7 total she walks out of the door happy!
8. Give the house a quick clean.
Our frugal person uses vinegar to keep windows sparkling and baking soda to get sinks and drains clean. She doesn’t spend money on household cleaners and instead uses natural products to get the job done for less. A fresh lemon is just what the faucet needs to shine, and a little lemon peel down the drain can get rid of disposal odors.
9. Snag some free reads.
Our frugal person loves looking on Amazon for free eBook downloads. She also loves swinging into the library to grab free movies, CD’s, magazines, books, and so much more.
Evening:
10. Dinner is served.
Our frugal person serves her thrifty dinner. She uses cloth napkins instead of buying disposable paper. She serves lemon water and powdered drink mixes which cost less than pop. When done, she will load the dishes into the dishwasher but wait until it is full before running it.
11. Inexpensive entertainment.
The newspaper lists free events in the area and our frugal person loves looking for them. She finds a free outdoor concert that evening as well as an outdoor movie being shown downtown. There are also budget days at the local movie theatre she enjoys, plus local parks which are fun to visit too.
12. Cheap dessert.
Our frugal person gets on the email lists of all her favorite brands. This way, she gets all sorts of coupons sent to her. Tonight she has a B1G1 FREE coupon to her favorite ice cream place. So tonight, she gets to enjoy dessert for less.
13. Lights out!
Now that it is time for bed, our frugal person turns down the thermostat so it won’t work as hard at night while she is sleeping. She takes a warm shower before bed, using a shower timer and a low flow shower head so she doesn’t waste as much water.
Our frugal person is now asleep, and can dream about all of the money she saved that day! Is the frugal life for you? Give a day in the life of a frugal person a try and see how well the day goes for you!
I’d love to know what your life as a frugal person looks like. Let me know in the comments below!
You’re living on a tight budget. You may have already cut back on your frivolous purchases, but you’d like to save even more money and don’t know where to start. It may take a bit of creativity, but it is possible to find extra savings!
Here are some ideas to help you save money on a tight budget:
Keep your receipts
Most people who feel they are broke and have no way out, actually change their perspective when they find out how much they actually already have and waste. Keeping track of what you spend each monthcan help you make changes to your spending habits which could account for a large chunk of change in the bank.
Evaluate
Evaluate what really is a necessity in your life. Is cable TV really needed at this time or can you use some creativity to occupy your time otherwise? Maybe you have both a land line and a cell phone and perhaps cancelling one is a possibility. Taking a good look at all your recurring expenditures and really evaluating what is an actual necessity (and getting rid of those things that aren’t) will really help you save money on a tight budget.
Prioritize
In North America, people are continuously living outside of their means. It’s impossible to save money if you’re living a $100,000/year lifestyle on a $35,000/year salary. Prioritize what is important to you at this time and get rid of the rest. You may want to put the kids in piano lessons and guitar lessons, but you can’t afford to do both. Pick one, then move on.
Cut out a convenience item
Start by cutting out one convenience item at a time. Do you typically buy packaged cookies? Start baking your own. Rather than purchasing high priced, chemical laden cleaning products, make your own! (Check out my own homemade cleaning kit.) By cutting out one convenience item at a time, you’ll be making little strides towards your savings goal!
Earn more
Of course, earning more money is a great way to add to your savings. Take on a part time job, ask for a raise, turn a hobby into a side business. Just make sure you save your extra, don’t spend it!
Sell what you don’t need
You’ve all heard of Kijiji, Craigslist Facebook Buy & Sell Groups and eBay, I’m sure. I’m also pretty sure you have stuff around your home you don’t need anymore. Sell what you don’t need on one of those previously mentioned sites or have a garage sale, then head to the bank and make a deposit!
Collect change
Make a jar for your spare change then throw it in there. Empty your pockets and change purses every night into the jar. Keep going until the jar is full, then pay a visit to the bank to make a deposit. It’s possible to save hundreds of dollars each year this way!
Shop wisely
Pay attention to how and why you shop. You may discover that purchasing Christmas presents during the Christmas frenzy is expensive and tough on your budget. Why not start buying presents during after Christmas sales or seasonal clearance sales? You undoubtedly have a list of the same people you have to buy for every year so when you’re out shopping, keep an eye open for any gifts they may enjoy.
Another thing that can really help when you’re overwhelmed or paralyzed by the thought of budgeting? Create a plan to stay focused! Check out this thoughtfully made BUDGET PLANNER – pages to help you achieve financial goals, track your bills and spending, discover what you did well, what you need to improve on and so much more!
Money may be a little tight, but choosing to do some of these suggestions could help you save thousands. Decide what you can give up to help you save big and reach those financial goals a bit quicker.
What are you willing to do to make a change in your financial situation? Have you got any other suggestions?
“Why can’t I save money? I should be able to do it…”
Do you find yourself asking that question a lot?
You make a decent salary, many others would be happy getting paid as much as you. Maybe you have a few debts, but nothing that’s not manageable.
So why can’t you seem to put any amount into savings? You know something needs to change.
But don’t be discouraged! Many people are in your situation. Whatever your salary, you can save some of it.
Let’s take a look at some reasons why you can’t save money along with solutions:
1. You were never taught how to save money
We’re not generally born with good money sense. This is something that has to be taught and practiced. If you were never taught how to save money beginning at a young age, it’s quite possible you still don’t know how to save money as an adult.
Solution: The good news is that you can still learn how to save money! You can do this by reading helpful articles, tracking your spending, and implementing smart money habits with the tips you learn.
2. You are an impulse spender
Spending money is fun. I get that, I really get that. There are studies out there that prove that shopping can be therapeutic. But did you know that dopamine (the feel-good hormone), is actually released before you make a purchase? It begins before the purchase happens. You don’t even have to make a purchase to get that good feeling. If you find yourself making impulse purchases to make yourself feel better, this could be a reason why you can’t save money.
Solution: Just browsing or window shopping can positively impact your mood and release dopamine. If you find yourself making many impulse purchases, take 48 hours, a week or even 30 days to think about a non-essential purchase. You might be surprised to discover that you don’t actually need that item and feel content leaving it at the store.
3. You don’t track your spending
A big reason why you can’t save money might be because you aren’t tracking what you spend. When you track your spending, you can track overspending and you can eliminate wasteful spending habits. This is also a great way to discover you are paying for a subscription that you no longer use.
Solution: Use a notebook or a simple app to write down your expenditures. You might also find the idea of a Spending Journal perfect.
4. You don’t use cash
One possible reason why you can’t save money might be because you aren’t using enough cash. You mostly swipe that credit or debit card. I know when I have cash in my wallet, I think harder about any purchases I want to make. I often decide I don’t need something when I think of the bills leaving my wallet.
Solution: Start using cash. This doesn’t mean you need to use cash for every single thing. (there can be benefits to using credit cards.) But perhaps you can try using cash for your clothing or entertainment budget. I have a set of printable cash envelopes and spending trackers that might be useful too.
5. You are dealing with lifestyle inflation
Lifestyle inflation or lifestyle creep is when your expenses increase along with any increase to your income. Maybe you think every time you get a raise or receive a promotion, you deserve to treat yourself with something new. For example, with your increase in income, you might think a new car is a good idea. But really, this just means the more you earn, the more you spend.
Solution: Take the time to learn contentment. If all of your basic necessities and bills are taken care of, with any increase to your income set up automatic deposits to your savings account with the difference. You should start seeing a healthy savings account grow!
6. You think you need something you want
A house is something you need and a car is something you need to get to work. (Although, we often overspend on this necessity because we want a certain vehicle, when we can simply focus on one that we need. Which is any reliable vehicle, really.) A fridge is something you need but a 65′ TV is something you want. Not knowing the difference between and need and a want can be the reason why you can’t save money.
Solution: Take a hard look at your thought process when it comes to purchases. Is it something you need or is it something that you want? If it’s something you want, start saving your dollars so you can purchase it guilt free.
7. Everyday expenses are rising (inflation)
As I’m sure you are aware, we are seeing big price inflations on pretty much everything these days. Housing, groceries, gas… While you can’t stop it, there are things you can do to alleviate the pressure on our wallets. (I like this article on the causes of inflation, if you’re interested to read more.)
Solution: Think of this as an opportunity to be creative. Think about ways you can create more income. Or trade your garden vegetables for fresh eggs from your neighbor. Go through your expenses with a fine tooth comb to weed out the expenses that are not 100% necessary in this season. Consider eating more vegetarian meals. Brainstorm to get your creative ideas going.
8. You don’t have a savings goal
Having a savings goal in place for something specific can be a great motivator. When you are just putting money into the bank for the sake of putting money into the bank on a regular basis, it can be easier to withdraw for unimportant reasons. When you implement a savings goal, you are more likely to save more money. It helps to create healthy and productive money habits.
Solution: Implement a savings goal. An emergency fund is a common, but great savings goal to start with. Once you’ve established your emergency fund, you can move onto paying off a debt. Then you can keep going with something else. Like a vacation fund, or new appliance fund, or a new to you car fund. With a goal in place, you’ll start to see how every money decision impacts your greater financial health.
One thing is for sure though, if you’re struggling to save money, you’re not alone. With the help of these 8 solutions, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your savings goals. Which of the 8 reasons do you resonate most with?
Spending money is fun, but saving money can be fun too! It’s fun to pay cash for the things you saved for!
Who doesn’t love going on vacations? Or buying a new TV? Or whatever is on your wish list? It’s even more fun when you can enjoy those things without a guilty conscious because they’ve already been paid for.
We all know how tough it is to pinch a penny these days. Saving money isn’t easy, but with a little creativity and some willpower, you can save between $2,000 and $5,000 a year with a few simple tips and hacks. So here’s how to save $2,000 – $5,000 (or more!) a year.
Start Off by Setting a Goal
In order to save $5,000 a year, you’re going to have to set aside about $417 a month. But if this amount is making your heart race, (don’t worry, it sounds scary to me too) then try saving $2,000 a year. You’d only have to set aside about $167 a month to reach your goal.
Cut down on takeout
No, you don’t have to let go of your takeout cravings completely. But consider cutting down 80% on takeout food. If you’re not tracking your expenses, you probably don’t realize just how much money you’re throwing away at on takeout.
But for example, if you order the Big Mac meal for $10 once a week, (just once!) that’s $40 a month. If you cut down this vice out of your annual expenses, you would’ve managed to save $480 a year.
Don’t Pay for Netflix
Say goodbye to your Netflix subscription. Or Disney+. Or Spotify.
Think about any monthly subscriptions that you have and consider cancelling one or two for a little while.
The cost for Netflix’s standard plan is about $15.49 a month. That’s $185.88 a year you could save if you forego this popular streaming service.
Think about the savings you will see if you cancel more than one service.
This can also become a fun exercise in creativity when you need to fill your downtime with something entertaining.
Start a $5 jar
Have you heard of the $5 jar hack before? How it works is, every time you find yourself with a $5 bill, you put it in a jar. Simple, right?
You’ll find that all those $5 bills really add up quickly and painlessly!
Save Your Raise
Say you got yourself a raise that will give you $2,000 a year after taxes. The simplest way to save is to pretend like you never got the raise in the first place. (Only if you can manage it with the cost of living these days!)
So, every month, transfer $167 into your savings account and in a year you’ll have $2,000 to play with!
Cut Down on Starbucks
The average price of a Starbucks tall latte in Canada is $3.85. If you go to your local Starbucks five days a week, you’re spending $19.25 a week, $77 a month, and $924 a year on average.
But if you cut down on Starbucks or drive-thru coffee in general and settle for the coffee in the break room or from home, you could save yourself nearly $1,000 a year.
Try your hand at DIY oil changes
If you are an ambitious type and enjoy a challenge, doing your own oil changes at home can save you a lot.
Learning how to drain and replace the oil and other fluids is easy. There are tons of online tutorials on YouTube that can teach you how to do it.
Same with changing your tires from summer to winter tires and vice versa. Save yourself a good chunk of change by learning how to do these yourself.
Reduce your carbon footprint
The average person spends about $386 per month on gas for their car. That’s $4,632 a year.
You can reduce your monthly gas expenses by carpooling, using public transportation like the subway or a bus.
If all else fails, try walking or riding a bike. It’s healthy and 100% free.
Sign up for PC Optimum
PC Optimum is a points program that is available at Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, or other Loblaw banner stores.
You collect points on your purchases, which can then be redeemed in $10 increments off any purchase you make at these stores.
The average cost of a gym membership is about $50 a month. That’s $600 a year, and if you add the initiation fee, it will probably be more like $800.
Consider canceling your membership and go for a nice jog around the block or do some push-ups at home. There are tons of YouTube channels with 40, 50, and 60-minute workouts that are just as good.
Reduce Your Cell Phone Plan
All those Smartphone data plans you got suckered into getting could run you at least $80 a month. That’s $960 a year on average.
But you can find carriers that offer prepaid data plans. If you run out of credit, just use Wi-Fi and let people know they can only reach you when you find free Wi-Fi. This will help you save about $480 a year.
All in all, just shop around to find something that will suit your needs at the lowest price.
Get a Part Time Job
Sometimes, the best way to save $2,000 to $5,000 is to earn it.
The average minimum wage in Canada is $15.55 per hour. So, if you work 15 hours a week, you’ll earn about $233.25. That’s $933 a month and $11,196 a year, minus the taxes.
As you can see, eliminating little things here and there can really add up! Try adopting a few of these ‘how to save’ techniques, even for a short time and see how much you can save!
I’d love to hear all your ideas for how to save $2,000 – $5,000 a year. Drop a comment below!
