If you have been visiting Simply Frugal for some time, you will know that every January we embark on some sort of decluttering challenge. This year is no different! However, this year, there are going to be a few additions.
After my recent reader survey, it was very apparent that the majority of you would love to combine a No Spend Challenge with a Decluttering Challenge! To be honest, this never crossed my mind, but it makes total sense to combine the two! After all, I am a firm believer that being organized is one of the keys to saving money. Decluttering only emphasizes the need to cut waaaaay back on impulse spending.
Why do a Declutter Challenge?
If you choose to join us this month, we will be completing 21 decluttering tasks together. When all is said and done, you will have a home that is much lighter, peaceful and clean.
Decluttering not only frees your home of excess, it has a huge impact on your mental well-being. It is way easier to make decisions, handle stress and feel less anxious and despair in a home that serves us with the items we have thoughtfully chosen to keep. Decluttering may also help you feel better about yourself, because it is an accomplishment!
Clutter-free living also allows us to complete daily tasks more efficiently. It allows us the space to be on time for appointments, cook at home more often, and even complete cleaning tasks in less time. It also allows us guilt-free time of enjoying our hobbies!
Why do a No Spend Challenge?
A No Spend Challenge is a great way to reset our spending habits. The end goal for me personally, is not to deprive myself, but to reframe how I spend money. Completing a No Spend Challenge helps me to make more intentional purchases that align more with my true goals.
Speaking of goals, a No spend Challenge is also a great way to kickstart your financial goals. Once you reset or reframe your spending habits to serve you, you will be well on your way to completing those goals you never thought possible!
Why combine two challenges?
As I mentioned above, I believe being organized and feeling content with your home, is a key aspect in saving money. Decluttering is something we can control. As we learned from 2020, there are financial aspects we cannot control, like job loss. However, we can control how we spend the money we do receive. That can require some rewiring of our habits. Challenges like a decluttering challenge will help us discover that we already have plenty, thus the desire to spend can be greatly diminished. A No spend Challenge will help break the habit of impulse spending by allowing us a peek into our spending triggers.
How are we going to do this?
Quite honestly, I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this idea! With that in mind, we will be starting The No Spend Decluttering Challenge on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
I will provide you with a decluttering task each weekday, Monday - Friday until the end of January.
I will also give you a No Spend task on many of those days too.
Each decluttering and No Spend task will vary in effort required, but they will still be very achievable.
Are you excited to work your way to a more organized Christmas? Today marks the first day and task in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series that I hope will be super helpful to you!
Before we get started, I have a whole bunch of printables and checklists for you to print out to help you along:
Alright, on to the first task, an important one. đ This week, if you havenât already, sit down with a hot cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate… and create your holiday budget. This is what you think your holiday season will cost and will allow you to put limits on your holiday spending to keep you from shopping regrets if a credit card bill comes your way!
Here is an extensive list of things you should keep in mind when you create your holiday budget:
Gifts:
spouse
kids
parents
siblings
nieces/nephews
grandparents
neighbors
coworkers
friends
secret Santa gift exchanges
Activities/Events/Parties:
tickets
dining out
clothing
Food (not including regular groceries):
baking ingredients
dessert ingredients
Christmas eve
Christmas dinner/brunch
Boxing day
parties
Cards:
stamps
cards/envelopes
stationary for family newsletter
photos
Clothing:
outfits for photos
parties
Christmas day outfit
Decorations:
tree
lights
ornaments/candles/wreath/etc.
craft supplies
Giving:
charities
volunteering
Now, these suggestions are just a guideline. Every family is different and has different needs. My intent is to bring to mind every possible thing that could incur an expense during the holiday season. I’m sure many of you won’t even spend money on half of these things this year. Also, in my mind, the more planning you do, the more money you will save and the saner you will feel. đ
As for my family, we only buy gifts for immediate family and a couple of close friends. My husband and I only exchange stockings. I make some homemade gifts as well as collect credits throughout the year so I can do some online shopping for “free”. Of course, I search for deals too. I will probably buy a few inexpensive Christmas decorations this year. This year, I’m toying with the idea of having a cookie decorating party with the girls’ friends. I think that would be fun! As for any party that we are invited to, I like to bring some baking along.
But enough about us. đ
If after writing down your expenses, you’re scared of the number you see, you have two options: Decrease your expenses or increase your income.
Decrease your expenses
To make a happy holiday season, you really don’t need to spend a lot of money. In fact, I’m daring to say, that being extravagant in your spending can be overwhelming not only to you, but the recipient as well. When I was a child, one set of grandparents used to be quite extreme in their gift giving. It was SO exciting, but I remember being quite overwhelmed with all the gifts once Christmas was over.
Gift giving is probably the easiest expense to cut back on. If you have a large extended family, consider drawing names so each member is only responsible for one gift. Or do what our family does and only give gifts to the children. My parents have also started to set a $20 limit on each other in recent years. Jesse and I exchange stockings.
Setting a price limit on each gift will allow you to shop within that budget. If your limit on sister Sue is $30, then that $50 purse is off limits.
It’s possible to decrease your food budget too by shopping the sales and limiting the baking and Christmas dishes you prepare.
When it comes to decorations, why not create some memories by making some homemade decorations? (I’ll be featuring some ideas in a few weeks) Or read my Fond, Frugal Christmas Memory post for a fun Christmas tree idea.
Increase your Income
If decreasing your holiday expenses is not an option, then consider increasing your income. Many retailers hire for the holiday season (and may offer an employee discount!).
A couple of other ideas are to:
Sell extra baking to those that may not have much time to create their own.
Sell unwanted household items for cash (make room for new stuff too!)
What are your tips for staying on budget at Christmas time?
Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist! This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. Youâll also receive a weekly email with each weekâs âtaskâ.
When it comes to budgeting, the common excuse I hear from people is that they don't have the extra money to set aside to grow their savings account. Once they get paid, and take care of all of their important bills, there is simply nothing left for them to put into savings. Does this sound like you?
If so, I have a few suggestions for you that will teach you how to save money in no time.
Tip #1 - Always pay yourself first
What do you consider to be an "important bill"? Your mortgage/rent? Your car payment? Insurance? Of course, these are all bills that absolutely must be paid each and every month, but what about the bill of YOU? Aren't you important?
Growing your savings is so very important for your financial future and you need to make this a priority. Do so by treating your savings as one of those "important bills" that absolutely must be paid each month. Ideally, it should be the very first "bill" you pay so that your brain knows that this bill is important. To make it easy on yourself, set up an automatic withdrawal from your chequing account each month (or week), so that a pre-determined amount of cash goes into your savings account without you having to lift a finger.
Tip #2 - It doesn't matter how much you save (in the beginning)
The hardest part about saving money is simply getting started. How much should you save will depend greatly on your life goals, but also, on your current financial situation. If you are only working part time, or you are a one-income family, you may not have very much money to save each month. Don't get discouraged and whatever you do, do NOT say you will "start saving when I make more money". Save money right now, regardless of how much you make.
Even if you are only saving $5 each week, that's still $240 a year that normally would have just slipped through your fingers. As you start to bring in more money, you can increase your savings amount, but in the beginning, start small if you have to. Don't dismiss saving money just because you have a low income.
Tip #3 - Eliminate all unnecessary expenses
This is obvious, but I feel I should mention it anyway, because I know so many people who complain about having no money to save, yet they go out to the movies every weekend, buy new clothes with each paycheck and have a $300 monthly cable bill when they rarely even watch television.
Stop paying for things that are not necessary and save that money instead. Don't buy new clothes if you already have a closet that is bursting at the seams. You don't need to completely eliminate cable (unless you want to), but at least scale back on the cable package that you have - why pay for something you're not using? As for entertainment, stop over-spending. Consider frugal entertainment ideas instead (or in combination), or commit to only going out once or twice per month.
Tip #4 - Make more money
Again, this is obvious, but if you really want to start saving money, you need to seriously consider if it's worth it for you to start bringing more money home. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to take on a second job (although that will help, of course).
There are many ways that you can make extra money. If you're looking for a few ideas, check out this article that I wrote recently: 7 Ways to Earn More Money.
Just because you don't have a lot of money, doesn't mean that savings is something you should ignore. You need to start saving money as soon as you start earning it (however young that may be when you start working!). The golden rule is to save a minimum of 10% of your gross income every month, but like I said in tip #2, you don't have to start saving this much initially.
Start saving whatever you can and gradually increase the amount. The key is to never give up. Never stop saving, no matter what your circumstances may be. That, is how to save money.
Are you looking for ways to save on baby stuff? If you're like most parents, it's likely that you are!
Here are 3 easy ways to save money on items for your new baby:
Buy Used
Purchase used for as many baby items as you can.
You can find fantastic bargains on clothing, toys and even strollers and play pens at yard sales and thrift stores. Facebook marketplace is another great resource for used goods and the way I find most of my used purchases.
The only items you may not want to buy used are a car seat and crib. Those are things you want to invest some money in, since they will be used heavily and safety is a priority.
Borrow
Do you know someone with kids? If so, there's a good chance they have baby items that they no longer need! Ask if you can borrow those items until your child(ren) no longer need them.
Great items to borrow include play mats, change tables, bassinet, bouncy seat and crib mobile.
Be sure to pay it forward the next time a friend or family member needs baby items!
Buy in Bulk
When it comes to things like diapers, wipes and formula, a great way to save is to purchase these items in bulk.
Consider shopping at a wholesale store, such as Costco, to pick up these items.
In addition, watch the sales at your regular grocery and drug stores. There are always coupons available for baby items and when matched with a sale, you can often get these necessities inexpensively.
These are 3 simple ways that you can save money on baby items.
Don't believe the myth that babies cost you thousands of dollars every year. By being frugal with your purchases, you can easily save quite a bit of cash on the things you need to buy for your child.
I'd love to hear your tips for saving on baby stuff! Let us know in the comments below.
You donât have to be a wannabe chef to whip up some delicious meals. You donât even have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, which is great news for anyone who prefers spending their free time binge-watching a show on Netflix or catching up on their reading.
All you have to do, is dig into your pantry and grab a few basic items to whip up these recipes. Best of all? You wonât even have to turn on your stove or touch your oven because they're no bake recipes!
No Bake Recipes Using Pantry Staples
3 Ingredient No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Want a no bake oatmeal cookie recipe thatâs impossible to mess up? Then follow these instructions to create a batch of oatmeal cookies that are delicious and gluten-free. Best of all, you donât need oil or butter to make them. Hereâs what you will need:
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups gluten free rolled oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup of syrup (you can replace with about 20 drops of Stevia, or ½ cup of sugar)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Grab a large mixing bowl and add all the ingredients together. Make sure to mix well until theyâre combined. Then, use your hands to form 12 small balls and place them on a large plate lined with parchment paper. Press each ball into the shape of a cookie and add the chocolate chips on top. Now refrigerate for about 30 minutes until theyâre nice and firm.
Extra Yummy Microwave Cheese Sandwich
Craving a cheese sandwich but donât feel like driving to the nearest fast food restaurant or turning on the stove to cook one? Then try this microwave cheese sandwich recipe. It makes a perfect go-to breakfast meal. Hereâs what youâll need:
Ingredients
A few slices of turkey or ham
1 tablespoon of salsa
1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese
1 split and toasted whole wheat bagel or two slices of bread
3-4 spinach leaves
Place one of the pieces of break on the bottom of a custard cup, a ramekin, or a dish thatâs microwave-proof and coat it with some salsa. Sprinkle with the cheese and microwave for 30 seconds until the cheese is melted. Now add some salsa, the turkey slices, and some spinach leaves to the other slice of bread and close the sandwich. Heat it up for 10 more seconds and enjoy this delicious mini treat.
3-ingredient Cookies & Ice Cream Pie
A cookies and ice cream pie recipe might sound complicated, but itâs actually quick, simple to do, and perfect for any occasion. Hereâs what youâll need:
Ingredients
20 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos or any kind of sandwich cookies you like)
1 cup melted chocolate
1 1/2 cups of softened ice cream
Place the sandwich cookies in a gallon sized plastic bag and smash them with a pan or rolling pin until theyâre crushed. Now pat the cookie crumbs in to the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish. Then spread the softened ice cream on top and even it out. Then drizzle the top with some melted chocolate and place in the freezer for 4 hours to harden the ice cream.
The Easiest 3 Ingredient Cheesecake in the World
Looking for a 3-ingredient cheesecake that is very creamy and will take your taste buds on the greatest adventure in the history of cheesecakes? Then try this recipe:
Ingredients
1 liter plain double cream yogurt (Greek yogurt works amazingly well too!)
1 tin condensed milk
200g crushed biscuits
Press the biscuits down into the bottom of a microwave-safe deep dish. Then mix the condensed milk with the yogurt and pour the mixture over the even biscuit layer. Now smooth the top and microwave the entire thing on high for about 6 minutes. Then let it cool in the fridge and serve.
Here are the best pantry staples to keep on hand at all times
This list of 18 food items that you should always keep in your pantry, will help you create frugal, healthy, and quick meals. When you keep these pantry staples on hand, dinner time is so much smoother. These items will help you to feel great about your grocery budget and what youâre feeding your family.
I would highly recommend buying in bulk, the items you know your family loves, to get the best bang for your buck.
1. Nut or Seed Butter
Nut butters and seed butters are not only great for sandwiches, but can be a great addition to sauces and baking!
2. Pasta
Pasta allows for so many meal options! And with a variety of pastas on the market for various dietary needs, pasta is a real family favourite.
3. Rice or Quinoa
Having rice or quinoa on hand allows for great nutritious side dish options that cook quickly.
4. Canned beans
Dry beans are a great inexpensive option as well, but for quick meals, canned is the way to go! Here are some I like to keep on hand: Pinto, Chickpeas, Garbanzo, Kidney, Black, Cannellini and Refried.
5. Canned tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are so versatile they can be used in things like chili, soups, fajitas, spaghetti and more! I like to have these in my pantry: Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste.
6. Spices
No meal is complete without some seasoning from spices! Even if it's just pepper and salt! Here are some of my favourite spices that get regular use around here: Onion powder, Garlic powder, Ginger, Cumin, Seasoned Salt, Cinnamon, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Dried Basil and Dried Oregano.
7. Applesauce
Applesauce is a great food staple to store in the pantry because it can be used to replace oil in a crunch. It binds all the ingredients together while baking things like cookies, loafs and cakes. If stored properly, it can last 12 to 18 months on the shelf.
8. Canned Tuna
Canned tuna or salmon are excellent sources of protein and omegas that don't have to be cooked.
9. Stock or Broth
Pre-made stock or broth makes so many meals faster and easier. Some varieties that I like to have on hand are: Chicken, Vegetable, Beef, Bouillon cubes or powder.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a breakfast staple in a lot of homes, especially when the temperature gets cold in the winter. Not only does it make for a great hearty breakfast, it can be used to make oatmeal cookies, granola bars and even bread.
11. Baking Ingredients
Having staple baking ingredients on hand at all times will save you big bucks on your grocery bill. It's always so much cheaper (and tastier) to create from scratch than to buy something pre-made. Here are the baking ingredients I suggest you have on hand: Flour, Sugar (white, brown and powdered), baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, yeast, oats and chocolate chips.
12. Condensed soups
While you can make your own cream of "something" soups, I highly recommend having a few cans of condensed soup on hand to make meal prep really easy on hectic days.
13. Condiments
Having condiments on hand at all times is something else I recommend to make delicious meals. Here are the ones we regularly keep on hand: Ketchup, mustard, dijon, soy sauce, vinegar (white, apple cider, red wine, rice), BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, honey, maple syrup, peanut butter, mayonnaise and salad dressing.
14. Pasta sauce
Spaghetti is a meal that is on regular rotation here. I don't over complicate it by having a few jars of pasta sauce on hand. Sometimes I like to add some fresh vegetables like carrots or mushrooms to jazz it up a bit along with the usual ground beef.
15. Tortillas
Tortilla shells are so versatile. They work for taco night, pizzas, wraps and so much more! I even have a recipe for making your own! See the homemade tortilla recipe here.
16. Potatoes
Potatoes can keep for a long time if they are kept in a cool dark place! The same goes for sweet potatoes too.
17. Frozen vegetables
I prefer having frozen vegetables over canned vegetables because I find they are more cost effective and I can control the sodium. (I always have fresh on hand too!) Frozen vegetables make for great quick side dishes and additions to soups or casseroles.
18. Cooking oil
My favourites are olive oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil. I use each of those oils for stove top cooking, but I only use grapeseed oil and avocado oil for baking because they don't have a strong flavor.
In case you need some easy cheap meal ideas that you can create with some of these staples, I created a list of ideas for you!
Pantry Staple Meals
Quesadillas: Butter one side of a tortilla shell, place grated cheese and other toppings (meat, salsa, tomatoes, peppers...etc), then fold the tortilla in half and fry until lightly browned and cheese is melted.
BBQ Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce over top. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Shred chicken with a fork and serve over buns or potatoes.
Spaghetti: Brown some ground beef and stir in a jar of pasta sauce after draining the grease. Red lentils also work really well in pasta sauce! Boil your favorite pasta noodles.
Italian Chicken: Place chicken breast in the slow cooker and pour a bottle of Italian dressing over tip. Cook on high for 3 - 4 hours or low for 5 - 6 hours. Shred with a fork.
Tacos: Brown a pack of ground beef, turkey or chicken. Drain the grease. Add a packet of taco seasoning and some water. (You can also make your own taco seasoning.) Serve in tortilla shells or crunchy taco shells with your favorite toppings.
Pizza: Using a homemade pizza crust, store bought crust, tortilla shell, naan bread, pita bread or even bagels, spread pizza sauce over top and sprinkle with mozzarella and your favorite toppings. Bake at 400â for about 15 minutes.
French Toast: Mix 2 eggs with 2/3 cup milk. Dip 6 pieces of thick bread into the mixture until fully coated. Cook in a frying pan on medium heat. Flip once, until both sides are browned.
Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pork chops in an oven safe dish. Mix cream of mushroom or chicken soup with water until smooth. Pour over pork chops then bake for about 25 minutes or until the pork reaches a minimum of 145 °F in the middle. Serve with rice or potatoes.
What are some of your go-to meals using pantry staples? Any staples you would add to my list?
18 of the best pantry staples to have on hand to create delicious, budget meals.
