What to do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house
At this moment, my house is not in tip top shape. In fact it feels quite chaotic to me. In some sense, I've come to terms with the state of my home because of the season I'm in with young kids at home. However, there are days when I find my home quite overwhelming and something needs to be done before my sanity is jeopardized. 🙂 A clean and tidy space makes for a happier mom.
So today I give you four QUICK things that you can do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house:
Make the beds
Fluff the pillows, throw the covers back on. Doesn't have to be perfect, but having the beds made makes me breathe easier. Even when there are piles of laundry on the floor! The bed is the biggest visual surface in a bedroom, so having the bed made creates calm for your eyes.
Clear off the outside of the fridge
Art work, shopping lists and magnets galore. I love displaying my daughters' art work from school and the fridge is just so convenient for having my grocery list. But once in a while, a good wipe down is necessary and I don't bother to put anything back up for a while afterwards.
Sweep the floors
One word. Crumbs. Everywhere! Nothing irritates me quite as much as stepping on some crumbs and having them stick to my bare feet. Ewww! Because of this, I try to sweep the floor every day and vacuum at least once a week. I'm amazed at how much better I feel after the floors have been swept.
Clear the kitchen counters
This is a constant battle of mine. Our kitchen doesn't have a lot of counter space so anything extra on it makes it more difficult to do every day tasks. Needless to say, our kitchen counters are a drop zone for school papers, mail and dirty dishes. While it's a never ending battle, I try to clear off as much "extras" as I can on a daily basis. Getting the dishes done (with my favourite dish soap) is also key!
Another thing that really helps me when I'm overwhelmed or paralyzed by my messy house? I create a plan to stay focused! Check out this fun HOME CLEANING PLANNER – with room by room checklists, daily + weekly task lists, and seasonal cleaning checklists to make sure it all gets DONE in a systematic way!
What sort of things do you like to do when you're overwhelmed by your messy house?
How to Save Money on a Tight Budget: 10 Practical Ways to Find Extra Savings
When money is tight, the idea of saving money can feel almost impossible. If you've already cut back on the things you don't really need, where is there anything left to save?
The good news is that saving money on a tight budget isn't necessarily about making huge changes. Sometimes it's about finding the small leaks in your budget, making a few strategic swaps, and being more intentional about where your money goes.
And if you're wondering how to save money on a tight budget, start by remembering this: you don't have to change everything at once. Even a few small changes can make a difference over time.
Here are some practical ways to find extra savings when your budget is already stretched.
1. Track where your money is actually going
Before you try to cut your spending, figure out what you're already spending.
For a month, keep track of your purchases, even the small ones. Coffee, convenience store stops, takeout, subscriptions, online purchases and those little “it's only $10” purchases can add up quickly.
Don't use this exercise to beat yourself up over your spending. Use it as information. Once you know where your money is going, you can decide where you'd like it to go instead.
2. Look at your recurring expenses
Recurring expenses deserve special attention because they're easy to overlook.
Go through your bank and credit card statements and make a list of everything that comes out automatically each month. Look at things like:
Streaming services
Apps and memberships
Phone and internet plans
Insurance
Banking fees
Gym memberships
Subscription boxes
Cloud storage
Other services you pay for automatically
Ask yourself: Would I sign up for this again today? If the answer is no, cancel it.
For bills you need to keep, see if there's an opportunity to negotiate, switch plans or shop around. Even a small monthly reduction can add up over a year.
3. Prioritize what matters most
When your budget is tight, you can't always afford everything you'd like to have. That's not a failure, it's simply a reason to prioritize.
Instead of trying to eliminate every enjoyable expense, decide what matters most to you and spend your money there.
Maybe your family values swimming lessons, but doesn't care about every other extracurricular activity. Maybe you'd rather keep your weekly coffee date and cut back somewhere else.
The goal isn't to create a life where you spend nothing. It's to make sure the money you do spend is going toward the things that are actually important to you.
4. Find one expense you can eliminate
Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to cut your entire budget overnight. Pick one expense.
Maybe you could:
Make coffee at home a few more days a week
Pack lunch instead of buying it
Reduce takeout
Borrow books instead of buying them
Skip one shopping trip
Use what you already have before buying more
Replace one convenience purchase with a homemade option
Once that becomes your new normal, look for another small change.
Saving money becomes much easier when you treat it as a series of small decisions rather than one giant financial overhaul.
5. Shop your home before shopping the store
One of my favourite ways to save money is so simple: use what you already own!
Before buying something, take a look around your home. Do you already have something that will work?
Check your pantry before grocery shopping. Look through your freezer. Shop your cleaning supplies before buying another bottle. Look through your closet before buying another outfit. Check your craft supplies, toiletries and household storage before adding something else to the collection.
Sometimes the best deal is the thing you don't have to buy at all.
6. Get creative about earning extra money
Cutting expenses isn't the only way to create more breathing room in your budget.
If you have the time and energy, consider whether there's a way to bring in a little extra income.
You could sell things you no longer need, pick up occasional work, offer a service, or turn an existing skill or hobby into a small side income.
And if you do earn extra money, consider giving it a specific job before you receive it. For example, you might decide that extra money will go toward your emergency fund, a specific bill, debt repayment or another financial goal.
7. Sell things you no longer need
Most of us have money sitting around our homes in the form of things we no longer use.
Look around your home with fresh eyes. What could someone else use? Clothing, furniture, electronics, toys, kitchen appliances, sporting equipment and other household items may be worth selling.
You could sell your things with local buy-and-sell groups, online marketplaces or other resale platforms.
And here's an important part: don't let the money disappear into your regular spending. If you're trying to build savings, transfer your earnings somewhere specifically designated for that goal.
8. Make your grocery budget work harder
Food is one area where small changes can make a noticeable difference.
Before you shop:
Check what you already have.
Plan meals around food that needs to be used.
Compare prices.
Buy store brands when they make sense.
Watch for sales on things you regularly use.
Use your freezer to reduce food waste.
Plan a few inexpensive meals each week.
Don't shop hungry if it leads to impulse purchases.
You don't need to become an extreme couponer or spend hours chasing every deal. Instead, focus on consistently paying less for the groceries you were already planning to buy.
9. Start a change jar or a small savings habit
Saving loose change may not make you rich, but it's an easy way to turn money you might otherwise ignore into savings.
Keep a jar for coins and empty your wallet or pockets into it regularly.
You can take it a step further by creating a small automatic savings habit. Even $5 or $10 at a time can help you build the habit of paying yourself first.
If your budget is extremely tight, don't worry about the size of the amount. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
10. Shop strategically instead of automatically
When you're on a tight budget, timing your purchases can make a big difference.
If you know you'll need birthday or Christmas gifts, watch for sales throughout the year rather than waiting until you need everything at once. The same applies to clothing, household goods, seasonal items and other predictable purchases.
Make a list of things you know you'll need eventually and keep an eye out for good prices.
But there's an important distinction here: a sale isn't a savings if you didn't need the item in the first place. The best deals are the ones that help you spend less on something you were already going to buy.
Give every dollar a job
When money is tight, it's easy to feel like you're constantly reacting to whatever bill or expense comes next.
Creating a simple plan can help you feel more in control. You don't need a complicated budgeting system. Start by knowing:
What money is coming in
What bills have to be paid
What you need for groceries and other essentials
What expenses can be reduced
What you're trying to save for
Even a simple budget can give you a clearer picture of where your money needs to go.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of budgeting, my printable budget planner can help you organize your bills, spending and financial goals all in one place.
Saving money on a tight budget is about progress, not perfection
When money is tight, you may not be able to save hundreds of dollars every month. That's okay.
Maybe you start with $5. Maybe you find $25 in savings by cancelling a subscription. Maybe you sell a few things you no longer need. Maybe you reduce your grocery bill by $10 a week.
Those small amounts matter.
The goal isn't to live an unnecessarily restrictive life. It's to find realistic ways to spend less, waste less and make your money work harder for you.
So if you're wondering how to save money on a tight budget, don't start by asking, “What else can I give up?”
Instead, ask: “Where is my money going, and what small change would make the biggest difference?” Start there. Then build from it.
What is one thing you've done to save money on a tight budget?
Meal planning is something I highly recommend. Not only does it save money, lessens the unnecessary stops to the grocery store, but it also makes our life much easier!
Today, I'd love to share with you how to meal plan for the week.
I'm going to give you a system that will ensure you are saving money AND eating well.
While there are various ways to meal plan, what I'm showing you today, has been my tried and true system for the last 18 years.
Regardless of how you may tweak my system to work for your family, the bottom line is, you have to have a plan. Whether rigid or loose, a plan will save you hours of time and hundreds of dollars each year!
Here are the steps on how to meal plan for the week:
Step 1: Take Inventory
Scour the cupboards, the fridge, and the freezer for food items you already have. Use the items that you find as a starting point for your menu. Make a list of meal possibilities from what you find.
Maybe you have some pork chops that you picked up on sale, and you have some vegetables from last weeks shopping trip, and perhaps you always have rice on hand. Right there you could have a meal of BBQ pork chops, rice and vegetables!
By using what you already have, you will instantly start seeing savings on your weekly grocery bill!
As you are going through your pantry, fridge and freezer, mark down any staple items you need to buy more of. If you find you are low on milk, eggs or flour, for example, add these to your grocery list.
I like to jot down all my ideas on a small piece of paper titled 'meals' and on the other side I title it 'grocery list' to put down everything I need to buy. (I like to have my meal ideas with me when I shop because sometimes I'll forget why I'm buying something or it helps me remember to buy an item that I may have forgotten to write on my grocery list.)
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
Step 2: Look through the sale flyers
Quickly look through your flyers with the Flipp app to see what deals your local stores have. Jot down on your shopping list, the things that are a great deal and you know your family will eat or use.
If you coupon, now is the time to pull out your coupons to see which coupons will make the sales a great deal. For example, maybe this week No Frills has toilet paper on sale and you also have a coupon. This makes it a no brainer purchase!
I do most of my shopping at Real Canadian Superstore as I find they usually have the best overall prices. Occasionally, I'll pop over to a different grocery store if I see they have great deals on some things we will use. I don't like to shop at a lot of stores each week because I find that I will end up spending more than I intended. 😉
When I find a great deal on something we use regularly, I'll stock up as much as I can. This saves tons of money.
I try to build up a small stockpile of ingredients to work with when planning our meals so that some weeks I only have to buy the basics like milk and fresh vegetables!
Step 3: Finish planning your menu
Once you have taken inventory at home and determined which sales you want to take advantage of, write out your meals with your findings.
At this time in my life I do not plan our breakfasts and lunches.
I only plan for five dinners including side dishes, leaving one night open for leftovers and another for dinner out or a quick bowl of soup.
I also don't give each meal a specific night to be made since I like to cook for what I'm in the mood for that particular day. I try to have at least one chicken dish, a beef dish, and a pasta dish.
For breakfast, I like to have fruit, cereals, eggs, bread and the ingredients for basic pancakes or French toast on hand. I'll occasionally buy bacon but that's usually only if it's in a dinner recipe I'm using.
Lunches are almost always dinner leftovers from the night before. We rarely let food go to waste!
When you're first starting out with meal planning, you may want to plan all three daily meals, as you don't want to forget anything at the store. The less trips to the grocery store, the more money and time you'll save!
Step 4: Make a final grocery list.
Now is the time when I go over my list to see if I've forgotten any pantry staples, milk or items needed for a recipe. I'll also put all the items into categories according to the store layout. Produce, meats, dairy, canned goods, personal supplies...etc.
Make a list and check it twice!
Step 5: Go shopping!
I recommend going at a time of day when the store is not very crowded and you can take a time to compare prices or mark-downs. I try my best to get to the grocery store before 10:00am on Monday mornings. This is what works for me and I also find the shelves are well stocked on a Monday.
I've found that when the store is busy I'm more likely to hurry, therefore, I spend more money or forget something I've written down on my list.
You may also want to have a grocery budget and bring cash only. Using cash only forces you to stay within your chosen budget. We tend to get a lot of the same stuff each week so I know that I usually spend $125 each week, give or take.
Other useful meal planning tips:
I like to create simple meals that do not call for a lot of ingredients as this saves on time as well as cash since I'll most likely always have those ingredients on hand. (soy sauce, spices, etc...)
As you are preparing a meal, you may want to double it to put one in the freezer. It's always nice to have meals in the freezer you can pull out when you don't feel like cooking! I do this all the time with Spaghetti sauce and taco meat.
There you have it! That is how to meal plan for the week.
Do you meal plan? If so, what kind of meal planning system works for you? (monthly meal plans, weekly plans, loose plans, etc.)
One aspect of frugal living, is the desire to become less wasteful. To live a more sustainable life. We can do this by making intentional purchases with thoughts to the future.
It's no secret that the kitchen can create huge amounts of waste. However, it's possible to reduce the amount of waste we see by adding some thoughtful zero-waste kitchen products to our inventory.
While this post outlines zero-waste kitchen products from Amazon, I recommend you shop local first, if possible. Even so, Amazon is a great choice if you don’t have local options or if you just don’t want to spend too much money right away. There are reasons why Amazon is popular - It's easy and offers affordable price points.
If you are ready for a more sustainable kitchen, here are some excellent zero-waste kitchen products that I recommend:
Reusable Grocery Bags
One of the easiest ways to start with this more sustainable lifestyle is to stop buying plastic grocery bags from the grocery store. Instead use reusable grocery bags! There are so many to choose from, but I like these fun ones that can be folded up nicely to fit in my purse.
Speaking of cooler bags, I have a couple of insulated grocery bags that I use all the time in the warmer months. I use them for bringing home frozen items from the grocery store and I use them for our beach picnics.
Reusable Produce Bags
Instead of using plastic bags to put your produce in, use a reusable produce bag like these ones from Amazon.
Or, if you want to go one step further, cotton reusable produce bags don't contain any plastic, so they are biodegradable.
Glass Jars
Having an assortment of glass jars on hand is ideal for food storage. They are great for shopping for bulk food if you have access to bulk stores where you can bring your own containers. (Bulk Barn in Canada offers this.)
Because they are clear, it's also easy to see the contents of the jar so you know when something needs to be restocked.
I prefer to use the empty jars that I get from various food items from the grocery store. (Think pickle jars, pasta sauce jars, etc.) But on some occasions you may need to purchase glass jars. Take a look at garage sales, in thrift stores or ask relatives for extras. I find them expensive on Amazon.
Stainless Steel Straws
Stainless steel straws are must-haves in my kitchen. They get used all the time!
These stainless steel straws on Amazon come with 12 straws in 4 different shapes and sizes. It also includes 2 cleaning brushes which are a must for cleaning your reusable straws.
These reusable straws also come with a travel bag so you can take a straw or two with you wherever you go! Perfect for eating out at restaurants.
If you have kids, you may want to purchase silicone straws instead. While we insist our kids sit to eat and drink, it's inevitable that our youngest will eventually feel the need to get up and do a dance or something. (LOL). I feel much safer with them using soft silicone straws.
They are ideal because you can easily see the contents so you know what needs to be eaten. Another reason is that you can reheat your food right in the same container.
Beeswax Food Wraps
Beeswax food wraps are a natural and sustainable alternative to plastic wrap. They are eco-friendly and biodegradable because they are made with cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin.
You can wrap any type of food with beeswax wrap or use it to place over bowls. Use it the same way as you would use plastic wrap or tin foil.
Silicone Food Bags
Silicone food bags are a great way to eliminate even more single use plastics from your kitchen.
The Stasher brand is the number one seller, however there are other brands on Amazon with good ratings as well!
You can use these silicone bags in the freezer, dishwasher and the microwave, making them so versatile.
Glass Spray Bottles
Investing in glass spray bottles for your kitchen is a smart idea if you like to make your own cleaning supplies. They even work well for watering your kitchen plants!
This four pack of glass bottles is perfect for scattering around the house in places where they are most commonly used.
Reusable cloth Towels
Are you still using paper towels? Make the simple switch to reusable cloth towels with a set of E-Cloths! They are fantastic zero-waste kitchen products!
Clean virtually anything with only water! They are very absorbent, making mess clean up simple. They also easily trap dust, dirt and grime.
Silicone Baking Mat
Instead of using parchment paper that you throw away after one use, give silicone baking mats a try! I'm still loving and using mine that I got years ago!
Silicone mats also reduce the need for cooking sprays and grease.
Silicone is very durable and therefore a great long-lasting alternative to baking or roasting with parchment paper.
There you have it! 10 zero-waste kitchen products that you're sure to love. How many of these items do you already use?
Fruit flies can be so annoying, can't they? It seems they are impossible to avoid and eliminate. If you find your home filled with pesky fruit flies, I have a tried and true technique to get rid of them. It's so simple and requires only two easy to find ingredients. Here's how to catch fruit flies at home:
Next, fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap.
Bam! That's all you need to catch fruit flies! Soon you'll be seeing those pesky things floating in your concoction.
The fruit flies are attracted to the sweetness of the apple cider vinegar. The soap reduces the surface tension of the liquid, causing the fruit flies to sink and drown when they land on it.
By placing a jar or two in areas where you notice a lot of flies, you'll soon be seeing a lot less fruit flies in your home. Whew!
Check the traps regularly and empty them when they start to accumulate fruit flies. Rinse out the traps and replace the apple cider vinegar and dish soap as needed.
Here's how you can prevent fruit flies:
Wash all produce when you get home from the store.
Refrigerate promptly the produce that belongs in the fridge.
Freeze or toss overripe produce.
Clean up any spills promptly.
Keep your kitchen sink and drain clean.
Regularly empty and clean your garbage cans.
With these simple tips, not only will you know how to catch fruit flies, you'll know how to prevent them from showing up in the first place.
How have you dealt with fruit flies? Tell us in the comments below!
Strategies to save money on groceries without using coupons:
I'm a coupon user. I've gotten many great deals thanks to my coupon use. But, there are many grocery shopping trips where I don't use one single coupon and still manage to keep my grocery bill quite low! I also realize there are many people who don't really care for the time that couponing requires.
Here is how I save money on groceries:
Meal Plan
I credit a big portion of my low grocery bill mostly to the 1/2 hour I spend each weekend planning our dinners. I choose meals based on what I have in the pantry/freezer already and sales the stores are running that particular week. You can take a look at my meal planning method here.
Make a Grocery List
I don't leave the house without my list! Not only do I find it easier to buy only what I need, it also saves me an extra trip to the store for an ingredient I've forgotten.
Shop Only Once a Wee
The less you shop, the less you spend. I find this to be so very true for me. I like to go grocery shopping on Mondays, (because that works for me) and only buy what will get us through the week.
If, on occasion, I go to the store a second time for something, I usually end up buying a few things that I don't need which just boosts my total unnecessarily!
Prepare Easy, Inexpensive Meals
Simple is a favourite word of mine. Simple meals save time and hard earned dollars. Of course there are times when a fancier meal is required for special occasions, but generally I like to make one-dish meals (spaghetti) or prepare an easy meat dish served with vegetables and either rice or potatoes. I even like to go meatless once or twice a week!
Simple meals, simple ingredients. A great way to save money on groceries!
Plan Your Meals Around Store Sales
Is chicken on sale at your local store? Then plan a few meals using chicken. Check all the flyers for the grocery stores in your city to see which store is offering the best deals. Shop at that store.
Buy Store Brand Ingredients
Okay, there are times when I can't forgo the name brand because it just tastes way better. But for times when it doesn't matter, I always get the store brand. There's usually quite a substantial price difference!
Use a Grocery Pickup Service
This is one of the newest ways I like to save money on groceries! Not every week, but as often as I can, I like to do an online order through Voila (Safeway, Sobeys, IGA, Longo's, Farm Boy) or PC Express. This is a great way to avoid impulse buys altogether because I'm not actually going in the store!
I hope some of these tips will inspire and help you to save money on groceries! This is an area of your budget that you can easily change!
How do you save on the cost of groceries? Let us know in the comments below.
