The first and most important step in getting started with coupons in Canada is, well, getting coupons to use! This is really the easy part because coupons are actually really abundant in Canada!
Today, I am going to give you a list so you know where to find Canadian coupons that will help you save money! Coupons are a great way to save money on food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and more.
Here is where to find Canadian coupons so you can get your coupon stash growing quickly:
At the grocery store
Grocery stores can be a treasure trove of coupons. There are several different kinds of coupons you can keep an eye out for.
Tear pad coupons - These can be found on the front of shelves or on those cardboard display cases, usually very close to the product for which the coupon is intended. Some large grocery stores also have large coupon boards at the front entrances where you will find dozens of tear pad coupons. As you find the ones you think you will use, keep in mind that you don't have to use them on the day that you take them!
Peelies - Peelies are those little sticker coupons that you can sometimes find attached to products. Recently, I have found them on cereal boxes, feminine products, and granola bars. Keep an eye out! These are meant to be taken only when you purchase the product on which they are found!
Hang Tags - Like peelies, but they are actually hanging on products with an elastic. These are also meant to be taken only when you purchase the product on which they are found!
Rep Coupons - You know those booths that are set up in grocery stores with someone handing out samples or simply bringing awareness to a product? They often have coupons to give out!
Some companies run promotions where they mail coupons (for free product, or money off) to you via Canada Post. One such company is Chapman's Ice Cream. Every year you can request for them to mail you a $4.00 off coupon to use on their ice cream products.
You could also try Shopper's Voice. Complete a survey to receive coupons, samples and special offers.
Be sure to keep an eye out for coupons from fast-food restaurants! These you don't have to sign up for. They just come as junk mail and can be quite valuable if you utilize restaurants like Subway, McDonald's, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, etc.
In product packaging
You can also find coupons inside specially marked boxes or packages that may be used for future purchases. I often see these coupons inside cereal boxes, granola bars and taco kits.
Free Samples
Many times when I fill out a form for a free sample, when it arrives, it comes with a coupon. Sample boxes from companies like SampleSource often add coupons into the box along with the samples.
Email Newsletters
Join email lists of the companies that you often buy from, if they have one. When you sign up online, make sure to check the box that asks if you would like to have special coupons and offers sent to you. I also recommend having a separate email address for signing up for things like this. You wouldn’t want to clutter up your personal email! Gay Lea, Oxi Clean and Oasis are all examples of companies that regularly send out coupons with their newsletters.
Email your favourite companies
If you have a favourite product, there is absolutely no harm in emailing or calling that particular company asking if they have any coupons available to mail to you! Many companies are very willing to send coupons your way if you ask!
Coupon Apps
Also known as Cash-Back apps! If physical coupons aren't your thing, cash-back apps might be a better option for you! The way most cash-back apps work is:
Download the app
Browse the list of cash-back offers then buy your groceries
Now that you know where to find Canadian coupons, you’re going to have to figure out some sort of organizing system so they don’t end up expiring before you use them. There are many different ways to organize coupons, but you may have to try out a couple of systems before you find one that works best for you.
In this post, I’ll be listing several different ways on how to organize coupons. You’re sure to find a system that will work for you!
Coupon Organizing Method #1 – The Wallet Size Expanding Folder
This was my first method of coupon organization. I picked up a wallet sized coupon folder from a local dollar store. You can also find them on Amazon. The folder from the dollar store already included pre-categorized sections like, baking goods, beverages, cleaning products and condiments. Feel free to personalize each section to how you like it. Maybe you want to organize your coupons by expiry date. Or label each section with store names so you could place all the coupons you intend on using at a particular store in the appropriate section!
Organize all your coupons using envelopes. Make an envelope for each category. (such as Meat, Dairy Products, Cleaning Products, Paper Products, etc.) Accumulate all the coupons you plan on using and store them in the corresponding envelopes so they can be easily found.
Coupon Organizing Method #3 – The Coupon Box
Use index cards to create all the categories you’ll need. With this method, your coupons will be really easy to find, but you may find it a bit bulky if you want to bring it into the stores you shop at. Here’s an example from Monica Wilkinson using a cute recipe box, including the categories she uses.
Coupon Organization Method #4 – The Coupon Binder
The coupon binder is a hugely popular coupon organization method and is the one I’m currently using. It’s fairly simple to create your own using a three-ring binder, page dividers, trading card holders, and perhaps a zippered pocket to hold scissors, random coupons, or a calculator. I’ve also heard of people using photo albums instead of a binder! Here are a couple of tutorials to help you get idea on how to create a coupon binder system that may work for you:
Now that you have some ideas on what to put your coupons in, you may want some ideas on how to sort your coupons.
Organize by product: Rather than create categories, you could group all your similar product coupons together. For example, all shampoo coupons together and all makeup coupons together.
Organize by expiry month: Create a section for each month of the year and place the coupons according to the month they expire.
Organize alphabetically: Put your Irish Spring coupons in the “I” section and your Crest coupons in the “C” section.
Organize by category: Probably the most popular way of sorting coupons. Place all coupons in broad categories such as Meat, Paper products, and Snacks.
I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to organize coupons with a system that will work for you!
If you’re a coupon user with a system already in place, how do you organize your coupons?
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Are you constantly trying to save more and spend less?
If so, you're not alone. Saving more and spending less is always one of the top battles we face every day.
One of the best ways to save money is to adopt a frugal lifestyle. Frugal does not have to equal boring. You just have to be get a little more creative with your thinking. Thankfully, I've made that a little easier for you! Below, are 12 almost effortless ways that you can be more frugal today!
If a friend invites you to a movie, suggest watching one at home. If a relative wants to spend the day at an amusement park with the kids, suggest a free or low cost museum. If a co-worker thinks a trip to the book store would be fun, suggest the library.
Cheaper entertainment alternatives can still be fun!
Switch to homemade coffee
Did you know, you only need to spend $27.40 a day to blow $10,000 in a year?
There are many great coffee beans on the market (Kicking Horse, Melitta, even Starbucks and Tim Hortons sell their coffee in grocery stores) that taste just as good, if not better, than the kind you will pay 10x the price for at your local coffee shop.
Many small local coffee shops sell more locally roasted coffee beans that you can take home to brew yourself.
There are also so many fancy coffee creamers and flavorings available at grocery stores, soon you'll be enjoying your homemade cup even more than store bought!
Flip and rotate your mattresses
A mattress can be a big investment. Take care of your investment by flipping and rotating it every three months to extend its life span. This is a great way to be more frugal.
Keep in mind that foam mattresses, like our Endy mattress can only be rotated. Most of the new foam mattresses can't be flipped. But rotating it will still keep it in tip top shape!
Stockpile groceries
I'm a big fan of stockpiling. I believe that in addition to using coupons, stockpiling is one of the best ways that you can save money on your grocery bill each month.
Set aside a bit of money each month for stocking up on great deals that you know you will use. When those sales come around, pick up as many as you need and can afford, and add them to your stockpile so you can make it until the next great sale.
Use Less
It really can be as easy as simply using less. Use less hand soap, less laundry detergent, less dish soap and even using half a dryer sheet. You probably won't notice a difference in how products like these perform!
Invest in energy efficient products
There are some things you should spend your money on, such as energy efficient products.
If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and/or dryer or chest freezer - take a look at the energy efficient models available. They may cost a bit more, but considering all the money they will be saving you in the future, they are well worth the investment.
Don't forget about smaller energy efficient products, such as LED light bulbs. These do cost more than traditional incandescent light bulbs, but they last much longer.
Shop the Sales
Perhaps a no brainer, but there's really no need to pay full price for most things. Sales always come along on groceries, electronics, cars, clothing, furniture and more. If you are planning a purchase anyways, make sure to purchase when it's on sale. There's no easier way to be more frugal!
Don't use the Dryer
If you can, don't use your dryer to dry clothes. Use a clothes line or drying rack instead. Not only will this save money on your utilities bill, but it will keep your clothes looking and feeling newer, longer!
Cook in Bulk
I love doing this! If I'm already cooking something that freezes well, I'll make a big batch so I can freeze half or more. This not only creates an easy meal for a busy night, it helps me avoid the temptation of expensive take out. I like to do this with taco meat, spaghetti sauce, meatballs, shepherd's pie, Chicken Pesto Pasta Shells and chili.
Cut off the ends of 'Empty' Tubes
When you think your hand cream is empty or your makeup is definitely gone, cut off the ends of the tubes or plastic bottles. You will be amazed to see how much is actually left!
Sign up for Rewards Programs
No matter where you live, most retailers offer some kind of rewards program. Some offer points that you can redeem for free products, some offer discounts and some offer cash-back. This can save you big bucks without really trying!
In Canada, my personal favourite rewards programs are:
One way to save a ton of money this year, is to buy used for everything you possibly can. Do you need new clothes for your kids? Check out thrift stores in your area. Need a new couch? Facebook marketplace is great for that!
Being frugal does not mean you live a life of deprivation. You are simply being smart about the resources that you have and learning to love the simple pleasures in life.
What is one thing you are going to start doing today to be more frugal? Or what are some things you already do without thinking, that are frugal?
Keeping your pantry stocked with necessities is a great way to avoid the take-out trap. But how exactly do you build a frugal pantry so it can perform its duties best and not cost an arm and a leg?
Take a look below at some helpful tips on how to build a frugal pantry, so you can be sure you always have everything you need right at your fingertips. Building a frugal pantry is simple, and as you will see, it doesn’t require you breaking the bank to get started. Now, let’s get building!
1. Evaluate your eating habits.
To begin, take a look at the meals your family eats each week. Do you love casseroles? Slow Cooker meals? Veggie side dishes? Snacks? Knowing what your family enjoys regularly can help you best plan out your pantry. Write down 10-12 dishes your family loves so you can start to deconstruct the meals by the ingredients used.
2. Deconstruct the meals by ingredients.
Once you know what you are eating, it’s time to deconstruct the meals by the ingredients used. For example, if you love spaghetti dinners, you will want to make sure you have pasta noodles, pasta sauce, and ground beef on hand at all times.
Another example would be ingredients in the premade meals and snacks you buy, like instant oatmeal or muffins. It’s definitely cheaper to create these convenience items at home and they can often taste much better.
3. Create your list.
Once you know what you need, you can create your shopping list. The idea is to stock up on canned and dry goods that can be used in a variety of ways. All of these items can be purchased in bulk and last a long time, so you will have a stocked pantry that is easily accessible. Here is what your shopping list may look like:
Assorted seasonings and dried herbs for sauces, marinades, and coatings.
Dried cereals, granolas, and oatmeal
Crackers and bread mixes (for use as intended or to create coatings)
Oils and vinegars for cooking or seasoning
Dried beans, lentils, nuts, seeds
You could also check out my Basic Pantry List that includes a helpful printable!
4. Buy on Sale
Try to purchase all of your pantry staples while they’re on sale. This will give you the most bang for your buck and allow you to purchase more than what you normally would have if they weren’t on sale. If you’re into using coupons, be sure to use any that you may have!
5. Organize your pantry.
Once you have your items, you want to organize the pantry so the ingredients are easy to find. Group them as described above. This will help you see what you have, see what you want to use, and see what you may need to buy.
Use your frugal pantry ingredients to create all of your favorite meals. In most cases, all you need to add is fresh meat, dairy, or a few fresh vegetables or fruits to finish off the recipe. Having these pantry staples on hand will cover the bulk of the recipe while saving you time and cash.
So are you ready to eat great while saving some money? It’s easy to build a frugal pantry when you give these tips a try!
Today, I was looking at what my daughters were playing with and I realized that they have consistently been playing with this purchase since March of 2020! That doesn't happen often around here! However, I have been trying to be way more intentional with the toy purchases that I make. My main criteria has been toys that have open ended play capabilities and toys that appeal to both girls. (Ages 5 and 9.)
This toy that I purchased in March meets the criteria and has been the most loved purchase!
Magnetic tiles for the win! These have been by far our favorite toy purchase!
In the picture above, they are currently being used as a house for Peppa Pig and Calico Critter toys. (also favorites!) The particular tiles I bought are PicassoTiles. If you can snag the set for less than $60, you're getting a great deal!
We also own Magformer tiles, but the girls love this style way more because they can create floors so their little toys don't fall through.
I'd love to know, what has been your favorite toy purchase lately?
Setting a budget is one thing, but actually sticking to your budget each and every month is another! In today's society, you're constantly bombarded by temptations that can lead you away from your plan. TV commercials, an enticing "sale" sign and a beautiful store display can all tempt you to spend outside of what you can afford in your budget. Never mind that you may not like to delay gratification for something that you want today!
But, the truth is, what you decide to do today will determine your future. Having a budget in place to help eliminate debt and not consciously sticking to it, may make our lives enjoyable today, but will give us much misery in the future.
Here are some tips to make sticking to a budget a bit easier:
Set specific financial goals
Since you've most likely put a budget in place so you can attain financial goals, it's important to get specific by providing numbers and deadlines for your goals. For example, instead of “My goal is to save enough for a down payment on a house”, a better one would be, “My goal is to save $2,083 a month for a 20% down payment on a $250,000 house in 24 months”. Setting specific goals gives an idea of how well or how poorly you're doing. In turn, possibly enticing you to be more disciplined with your budgeting or allowing yourself a pat on the back!
Be realistic
In terms of goal setting, it's important to set goals that are reasonable. Not ones that are setting you up for failure right from the start.
It's also important to be realistic when you're setting up your budget. Say you've discovered that you spend, on average, $800 a month on groceries after you've tallied up your receipts from previous months. Don't decide that having a budget of $500 for groceries is "totally doable" since you have to "reach your financial goals as fast as you can because you're so excited". This is just setting you up for failure. I'm not saying it's not impossible to eventually get your budget down to $500 a month, you'll just want to work slowly, one step at a time, at reducing your monthly grocery budget.
Have accountability
Think about the last time you started a workout routine or tried to kick a bad habit; having a partner by your side, holding you accountable is crucial. Involve your family (or a very good friend) in your plan. Explain why you need to scale back on some areas, and get their input and encouragement on those things. From here, review your budget once a week with your family (or very good friend) to make sure that you're on track. Not only is it good to have someone help keep you on track, it's great to have someone helping you celebrate your successes!
Use cash
If you leave your debit cards and credit cards at home and only bring the amount of cash that you have budgeted, then that's all you'll be able to spend. So if your budget allows you $100 at the grocery store each week, then only bring $100 with you. (These printable Cash Envelopes are a fantastic tool to help you organize your cash.)
You'll be more likely to avoid those unnecessary items that might otherwise end up in your cart. They may not seem like a big deal because they're only a few bucks, but when you end up at the checkout with $110 worth of items, you'll be forced to put some things back, making you prioritize and forcing you to stick within your budget. If you had your debit card with you, chances are you'd think "It's only a few dollars", and you'll find yourself short at the end of the month.
Remember your goals
As you go about the daily life of living within a budget, it's important to remind yourself often of why you're living on a budget. Is it because you want to save enough for that winter vacation? Or maybe it's to pay off your consumer debt. Regardless, it's important to constantly remember your financial goals to help fuel the excitement of what's to come, if you manage to successfully stick to your budget. It could help to write down your financial goals and carry them around with you in your wallet or purse. Every time you pull out your cash and look at those goals, you'll be reminded of the reason you have a budget.
Reward yourself
When you divide your big goal into several mini goals, make sure you reward yourself each time you accomplish one of those mini goals. Not only will this help spur you on, you'll also start to feel as though your big goal could definitely become a reality if you stick to it. Your reward may be as simple as a long bubble bath or a bowl of ice cream; or as extravagant as a fancy dinner out. Of course, as long as it is still within budget! Here are some great ideas to treat yourself for free.
What are the things that you do to make sticking to a budget easier? Let me know in the comments below.
Dried rice, pasta noodles, quinoa, couscous
