How to Cut Household Expenses Without Feeling Deprived
If your budget feels tighter than usual, you're not alone. Rising prices on groceries, utilities, and everyday essentials have made it more challenging for many families to make ends meet. The good news is that learning how to cut household expenses doesn't have to mean sacrificing everything you enjoy.
In fact, many households spend money each month on subscriptions they no longer use, services they could downgrade, or habits that quietly drain their budget without adding much value. By taking just a few minutes to review your regular expenses, you may be surprised by how much you can save.
These simple money-saving ideas take about 15 minutes or less to complete and can help you lower your monthly bills without making major lifestyle changes. Whether you're trying to stop living paycheck to paycheck, build an emergency fund, or simply create more breathing room in your budget, these practical tips can help you keep more of your hard-earned money.
Turn Off Unused Electronics
One of the quickest ways to cut household expenses is to reduce your electricity usage. Take 15 minutes to walk through your home and turn off lights, TVs, gaming systems, computers, and other electronics that aren't being used. Unplug chargers and small appliances that draw power even when they're turned off, or plug them into a power bar that can be switched off easily.
These small changes can help lower your monthly utility bills and even keep your home a little cooler during the summer months.
Wash Laundry in Cold Water
A simple way to cut household expenses is to switch your washing machine to the cold water setting. Most modern laundry detergents are designed to work effectively in cold water, so your everyday clothes will still come out fresh and clean without using extra energy to heat the water.
Using cold water can also help your clothes last longer by reducing fading, shrinking, and wear on fabrics. That's a win for both your budget and your wardrobe. As an added bonus, hang dry your clothes as often as possible.
Clip (or Download) Coupons for Items You Already Buy
Coupons are still one of the easiest ways to save money, but you don't have to spend hours searching for them. Check your favourite grocery store apps, loyalty programs, and digital coupon websites, or browse the weekly flyers for products you regularly purchase.
The key is to only use coupons for items you were already planning to buy. Saving a few dollars on each shopping trip can easily add up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
Check Your Cell Phone Plan
Your cell phone bill is one of those monthly expenses that's easy to forget about, especially if you've been on the same plan for years. Take 15 minutes to log into your account and review how much data, talk time, and other features you actually use each month. You may discover you're paying for far more than you need.
Many providers regularly introduce new plans that offer more value for less money, but existing customers don't always get switched automatically. It's also worth calling your provider to ask about current promotions, loyalty discounts, or lower-priced plans that may be available.
If you're comfortable shopping around, compare offers from other carriers as well. Even saving $10 to $20 per month can add up to hundreds of dollars each year, making this one of the easiest ways to cut household expenses without changing your daily routine.
Negotiate a Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
If you carry a credit card balance, a quick phone call could save you money every month. Many credit card companies are willing to lower your interest rate, especially if you've consistently made your payments on time.
Explain that you're reviewing your finances and ask whether they can offer a lower rate. If necessary, mention that you're considering transferring your balance to another provider. Even a small reduction in your interest rate can make a noticeable difference over time.
Review Your Internet and Streaming Services
Internet, cable, and streaming services are some of the easiest monthly expenses to reduce. Contact your provider and ask whether there are any current promotions, loyalty discounts, or lower-priced plans available.
If you're paying for multiple streaming services, consider cancelling the ones you rarely use or rotating subscriptions throughout the year. Reviewing these recurring charges is one of the simplest ways to reduce monthly bills without making a major lifestyle change.
Meal Plan Every Week
Meal planning is one of the most effective ways to cut household expenses. Taking just 15 minutes each week to plan your meals and create a grocery list helps reduce impulse purchases, minimizes food waste, and makes it much easier to avoid expensive takeout.
Before heading to the store, check what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer so you can build meals around ingredients you already own.
Use Up Pantry and Freezer Food
Before heading to the grocery store, take a few minutes to look through your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Chances are you already have enough ingredients to make several meals without buying much at all. Building your meal plan around foods you already own is one of the simplest ways to cut household expenses and reduce food waste.
Challenge yourself to have a "shop your own kitchen first" week, where you create meals using forgotten pantry staples, frozen vegetables, leftover meat, or canned goods. You may be surprised by how many delicious meals you can make without a full grocery trip.
Not only will this help lower your grocery bill, but it also prevents perfectly good food from expiring and ending up in the garbage. Making a habit of using what you already have before restocking is an easy money-saving strategy that can make a noticeable difference in your monthly food budget.
Make a List of Free Local Activities
Entertainment doesn't have to be expensive. Spend a few minutes creating a list of free activities in your community. Ask friends for recommendations, browse local Facebook groups, or check your city's events calendar.
Parks, hiking trails, splash pads, community festivals, farmers' markets, museums, and library events often provide hours of entertainment at little or no cost. Having a ready-made list makes it easier to choose affordable outings when you're looking for something fun to do.
Make the Most of Your Library Card
Your library card is one of the best free money-saving tools you can have. Today's libraries offer so much more than shelves of books. Many provide free access to eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, children's programs, workshops, online learning, and more.
Instead of buying books, paying for magazine subscriptions, or renting movies, see what your local library has available first. Making regular use of your library is an easy way to cut household expenses while still enjoying plenty of entertainment and learning opportunities for the whole family.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to cut household expenses doesn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul. In fact, many of the best money-saving habits take just a few minutes to put into action.
Whether you're lowering your utility bills, meal planning, reviewing monthly subscriptions, or borrowing books instead of buying them, these simple changes can add up to significant savings over time. Start with one or two tips today, then build from there. Every dollar you save helps create more breathing room in your budget.
What's your favourite way to reduce household expenses? Share your best money-saving tip in the comments below. I always love discovering new ideas from readers!
Pantry Staples Meal Plan: A Week of Budget-Friendly Meals
Meal planning doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the most affordable and stress-free meal plans start with ingredients you already have at home.
A pantry staples meal plan is exactly what it sounds like: building your weekly meals around common pantry items like rice, pasta, beans, canned tomatoes, oats, and other shelf-stable foods. By relying on ingredients you regularly keep on hand, you'll save money, waste less food, and make meal times much easier.
If you're trying to stretch your grocery budget or simplify your routine, here's how a pantry staples meal plan can help.
What Are Pantry Staples?
Pantry staples are basic ingredients that have a long shelf life and can be used in a variety of meals. While every household's pantry looks a little different, common pantry staples include:
Rice
Pasta
Oats
Flour
Sugar
Canned tomatoes
Canned beans
Lentils
Peanut butter
Broth or bouillon
Cooking oils
Vinegar
Herbs and spices
Canned tuna, chicken or salmon
Crackers
Baking supplies
Many people also include freezer staples such as frozen vegetables, frozen fruit, bread, and ground meat.
The goal isn't to stockpile food. Instead, it's to maintain a practical supply of ingredients that can easily become meals.
Benefits of a Pantry Staples Meal Plan
Saves Money
One of the biggest benefits of a pantry staples meal plan is that it reduces grocery spending. When you already have the foundation for meals at home, you only need to buy a few fresh ingredients each week.
Reduces Food Waste
Planning meals around ingredients you already own helps prevent forgotten food from expiring in the back of the pantry.
Makes Meal Planning Easier
Staring into the fridge at dinner time wondering what to make can be frustrating. With pantry staples available, you'll always have meal options ready.
Helps During Busy Weeks
Whether you're dealing with a hectic work schedule, sports practices, or unexpected expenses, pantry meals can help you get dinner on the table quickly without another trip to the grocery store.
How to Build a Pantry Staples Meal Plan
Start by taking inventory of what you already have.
Check your:
Pantry shelves
Refrigerator
Freezer
Make a list of ingredients that need to be used soon and ingredients you have plenty of.
Next, choose a few proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates that can be mixed and matched throughout the week. For example:
Pantry Proteins
Beans
Lentils
Canned tuna
Peanut butter
Eggs
Pantry Carbohydrates
Rice
Pasta
Oats
Tortillas
Potatoes
Pantry Vegetables
Canned vegetables
Frozen vegetables
Canned tomatoes
Using these ingredients, you can create multiple meals with minimal grocery shopping.
I created the meal planner PDF to help busy families save money and to reduce stress around meal time. With the help of the planning pages in this kit, you will soon know exactly what you already have in your cupboards, have a list of your family's favorite meals, and know what you will be eating each day of the week.
7-Day Pantry Staples Meal Plan
Monday: Bean and Rice Bowls: Use rice, canned black beans, salsa, and any vegetables you have on hand.
Tuesday: Pasta with Tomato Sauce: Cook pasta and combine it with canned tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Wednesday: Lentil Soup: Simmer lentils with broth, canned tomatoes, and spices for an easy, filling meal.
Thursday: Tuna Pasta Salad: Mix canned tuna, pasta, frozen peas, and a simple homemade dressing.
Friday: Breakfast for Dinner: Make oatmeal, pancakes, eggs, or French toast using pantry ingredients.
Saturday: Pantry Chili: Combine canned beans, tomatoes, corn, and seasonings for a hearty chili.
Sunday: Leftover Night: Use remaining ingredients and leftovers to reduce waste before grocery shopping again.
Maybe your family won't really enjoy those suggestions? Good news, I've got even more pantry staple meal ideas for you! Check them out for inspiration:
Ramen Upgrade Bowls: Instant ramen enhanced with eggs, frozen vegetables, and seasonings.
Shepherd's Pie: Ground meat or lentils topped with mashed potatoes.
Pantry Pizza: Use homemade dough, tortillas, naan or English muffins with tomato sauce and cheese.
Spanish Rice and Beans: Rice, tomatoes, beans, and Mexican-inspired spices.
Meatless Pantry Meals
Lentil Tacos: Seasoned lentils in place of ground beef.
Chickpea Curry: Chickpeas simmered in coconut milk and spices.
Black Bean Soup: Black beans, broth, tomatoes, and seasonings.
Vegetable Pasta: Pasta tossed with canned or frozen vegetables.
Bean and Cheese Nachos: Tortilla chips topped with beans and cheese.
Hummus Wraps: Homemade hummus with tortillas and veggies.
Stuffed Potatoes: Baked potatoes topped with beans, salsa, or cheese.
"Nothing in the Fridge" Emergency Meals
Baked potatoes with pantry toppings
Peanut butter and jam sandwiches
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Oatmeal with peanut butter
Rice with canned tuna
Instant noodles with frozen vegetables
Pancakes for dinner
Pasta with butter and garlic
Bean quesadillas
Scrambled eggs and toast
Chili over rice
Lentil soup
A pantry staples meal plan is one of the easiest ways to save money, reduce food waste, and simplify meal preparation. By keeping a small collection of versatile ingredients on hand, you'll always have the building blocks for affordable meals.
The next time you're making your grocery list, start with what you already have in your pantry. You may be surprised at how many meals you can create without spending much at all!
What's one pantry staple you always keep stocked because it saves dinner when you don't know what to make?
Summer is almost here! Warm weather, backyard BBQs, swimming, road trips, picnics, and spontaneous adventures are just around the corner. It's one of my favourite times of year.
But if you're anything like me, mealtime can become a bit stressful during the summer months. Cooking isn't exactly my favourite activity, and on busy days it's tempting to grab takeout. Unfortunately, that isn't very budget-friendly, and after a while it gets old.
I've found that having a little organization and preparation in place makes a huge difference. The right meal prep supplies can help you spend less time in the kitchen, waste less food, and make healthy, affordable meals much easier to pull together.
The good news? You don't need dozens of expensive gadgets to meal prep successfully. A few practical meal prep supplies can help you prepare fresh summer meals faster and enjoy more time doing the things you love.
The number one thing that helps me with mealtime is having a plan. Not a strict, every-detail-accounted-for plan, but at least a list of meal ideas for the week.
That's actually why I created The Meal Planner. It's a set of printable sheets that helps me organize meal ideas, create grocery lists, keep track of family favourites, and take inventory of what I already have on hand.
One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to use what you already own before buying more. Having a meal planner helps prevent duplicate purchases and reduces food waste.
If meal planning feels overwhelming, I highly recommend starting with a simple system like this.
Glass Meal Prep Containers
A good set of meal prep containers is one of the most useful meal prep supplies you can own.
They're perfect for storing leftovers, portioning lunches, prepping salads, and keeping cut fruits and vegetables ready to grab throughout the week.
I personally prefer glass containers because they don't absorb food odours and they're easy to clean. Having meals and ingredients ready to go makes busy summer evenings so much easier.
Vegetable Chopper
I'm actually quite a minimalist when it comes to kitchen gadgets. I've learned that many kitchen tools get used a few times and then sit in a drawer forever.
I debated buying one for the longest time, but now I'm glad I did. It makes quick work of potatoes, onions (no more tears!), peppers, cucumbers, and vegetables for Greek salad. It's also great for shredding cheese and speeding up meal prep on busy days.
Salad Spinner
Fresh salads are a staple in our house during the summer, and a salad spinner makes preparing them so much easier.
Washing and drying lettuce thoroughly helps it stay fresh longer, which means fewer slimy greens getting tossed in the compost. If you eat a lot of salads, this is one of those meal prep supplies that quickly pays for itself.
Produce Savers
Every time I use our produce saver container, I'm amazed by how quickly the food inside gets eaten.
Grapes that used to sit forgotten in the fridge are suddenly gone within days because I've washed them and removed them from the stems ahead of time. The same goes for strawberries, blueberries, and cut vegetables.
Produce saver containers help keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer, making healthy snacks much more convenient and reducing food waste.
They're perfect for storing chopped vegetables, marinating chicken, freezing fruit for smoothies, and packing snacks for summer outings.
Since they're reusable, they also help cut down on disposable plastic bag usage.
Air Fryer
It might be a stretch to call an air fryer a meal prep tool, but it definitely earns a place on my list.
We use ours regularly for quick meals like chicken nuggets, fries, roasted vegetables, and chicken breasts that can be sliced and added to salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week.
On busy summer nights, it can be an absolute lifesaver.
Slow Cooker
Summer mornings tend to be slower around our house, which makes them the perfect time to throw something into the slow cooker.
When dinner is cooking while we're out enjoying the day, everyone wins!
Some of our favourites include BBQ chicken for sandwiches or even naan pizzas, shredded chicken tacos, roast beef dip sandwiches, soups, and more.
The slow cooker also keeps the kitchen cool while making dinner almost effortless.
Mason Jars
I use mason jars for everything from overnight oats and yogurt parfaits to cut fruit, homemade fridge pickles, and pasta salads. They're especially handy for preparing grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches during the summer when we're constantly on the move.
Mason jars are also great for storing dry pantry staples, homemade sauces & salad dressings, smoothie ingredients, and even infused water. If you're looking for meal prep supplies that offer a lot of value for the money, mason jars are hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
Having the right meal prep supplies doesn't mean filling your kitchen with gadgets you'll never use. Instead, focus on tools that genuinely save time, reduce food waste, and make healthy meals easier to prepare.
For me, that means having a meal planner, quality food storage containers, produce savers, a vegetable chopper, and a few versatile appliances like an air fryer and slow cooker.
By spending a little time preparing ahead, you'll spend less time worrying about what's for dinner and more time enjoying everything summer has to offer.
What are your favourite meal prep supplies? I'd love to hear which tools help make your summer meals easier.
Things Frugal People Never Buy (And What They Buy Instead)
Being frugal isn't about being cheap. It's about spending intentionally and getting the most value from every dollar.
People who are good with money don't necessarily spend less on everything, they simply spend differently. They look for ways to reduce waste, avoid unnecessary purchases, and invest in things that save money over time.
If you've ever wondered how frugal people seem to stretch their budgets so much further, here are some things frugal people rarely buy, and what they choose instead.
1. Bottled Water
Buying bottled water regularly can become an expensive habit.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Reusable water bottles and water filters.
A quality reusable bottle can last for years and eliminate the need for countless convenience-store and grocery store purchases. Our family's favourites are Owala and Simple Modern for water bottles and we use a Brita in the fridge.
2. Coffee Shop Drinks Every Morning
A daily coffee run may seem harmless, but it can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year!
Many frugal people enjoy great coffee. They just prefer making it at home and taking it with them.
3. Restaurant Lunches During the Workweek
Eating out regularly adds up really fast.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Food thermoses, lunch containers.
Frugal people know that yesterday's dinner can become today's lunch for a fraction of the cost. I really like our Thermos brand food thermoses and these Sistema bento boxes (They hold a lot!).
4. Disposable Batteries
Few things are more frustrating than constantly replacing batteries.
These simple swaps reduce waste while lowering household costs.
6. Expensive Snack Foods
Packaged snacks often cost far more than people realize.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Popcorn makers and bulk ingredients to make their own snacks.
Homemade popcorn remains one of the most affordable snacks available. Making your own snacks like granola bars, cookies, muffins and more is a really smart (and delicious) way to make the grocery budget stretch.
7. Cheap Furniture That Falls Apart
Frugal people understand that the cheapest option isn't always the best value.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Quality second-hand furniture.
Many used pieces are better built than brand new budget furniture and cost a fraction of the price.
8. Full-Price Household Essentials
Paying full price for products that regularly go on sale is something many frugal people avoid.
These tools help preserve food longer, reduce waste, and make bulk buying practical. They also meal plan so they use everything they buy and only buy what they need.
10. High Heating and Cooling Bills
Heating and cooling costs can take a significant bite out of a household budget, especially during extreme weather.
Rather than cranking the heat or air conditioning at the first sign of discomfort, frugal people look for simple ways to stay comfortable while using less energy.
11. Frequent Takeout After Busy Days
Many people order takeout because cooking feels overwhelming after a long day.
These tools make homemade meals quicker and more convenient, reducing the temptation to spend on restaurant food. When they inevitably do get take-out, they'll try to get something that will give them leftovers, like pizza or Chinese food.
12. Brand-New Books
Book lovers know how quickly reading can become expensive.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Used books, libraries, book swaps, and digital borrowing apps.
They enjoy the same stories without paying full retail prices!
Learning a few simple skills (YouTube can be super helpful!) can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
14. High Electricity Costs
Frugal people pay attention to recurring monthly expenses.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
LED bulbs, drying racks, and energy-saving household upgrades.
Small reductions in energy use can add up significantly over time.
15. Cheap Shoes That Need Replacing Every Year
The lowest price isn't always the best deal.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Good-quality shoes that last.
Many frugal people follow the idea that it's often cheaper to buy one quality item than replace several cheaper ones.
16. Memberships They Never Use
Unused subscriptions quietly drain budgets every month.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Memberships that they actually use.
This may include warehouse clubs, gym memberships, credit cards with an annual fee (because the perks are worth it), or TV subscriptions.
The key is using them regularly enough to make them worthwhile. Our family finds having a Costco membership worthwhile. We also like to switch between a Netflix subscription and a Disney+ subscription. Never both at the same time.
17. Convenience That Costs More Than It Saves
Many people assume frugal living means avoiding convenience entirely.
That's not true.
What Frugal People Buy Instead:
Convenience that creates monetary and/or time savings.
grocery pickup or delivery services that reduce impulse buys during in-store shopping
simple home organization systems (like drawer dividers or pantry bins) that prevent overbuying and duplication
multi-purpose kitchen tools that replace several single-use gadgets
Frugal people understand that convenience can be a smart investment when it lowers overall spending.
18. Things They Can Borrow
Many items are only used once or twice a year.
What Frugal People Do Instead:
Borrow from friends, family, libraries, or community lending programs.
Why own something that spends most of its life collecting dust?
The Real Secret Behind Frugal Spending
The most frugal people aren't constantly asking, "How can I spend less?"
They're asking, "How can I get more value from the money I spend?"
That's why they often avoid purchases that create ongoing costs and choose alternatives that save money for years to come.
Frugal living isn't about sacrifice. It's about making intentional choices that help your money go further while still enjoying the things that matter most.
Are there any other things frugal people never buy that you'd add to the list? Share your best money saving swap in the comments below!
25 Creative Uses for Coffee Filters Around the House
Most people think coffee filters only belong in the coffee maker, but these inexpensive household staples are surprisingly versatile. If you're looking for frugal living hacks, you'll love these creative uses for coffee filters. Best of all, you can pick up a large package at your local dollar store for just a few dollars!
1. Cover Food in the Microwave
Use a coffee filter as a splatter guard when heating food in the microwave. It helps keep your microwave clean without the need for plastic wrap.
2. Clean Windows and Mirrors
Because coffee filters are lint-free, they're perfect for cleaning windows, mirrors, and chrome surfaces without leaving streaks behind.
3. Protect Fine China
Place a coffee filter between dishes when storing fine china to help prevent scratches and chips.
4. Remove Broken Cork from Wine
If a cork crumbles into your wine bottle, simply pour the wine through a coffee filter to catch the pieces.
5. Prevent Rust in Cast-Iron Pans
Place a coffee filter inside your cast-iron skillet before storing it. It absorbs moisture and helps prevent rust.
6. Apply Shoe Polish
A balled-up coffee filter works well for applying and buffing shoe polish.
7. Reuse Frying Oil
Strain used cooking oil through a coffee filter to remove food particles before storing it for future use.
8. Weigh Chopped Ingredients
Place chopped vegetables, fruit, or herbs in a coffee filter when weighing ingredients on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold Tacos and Other Messy Foods
Coffee filters make handy holders for tacos, sandwiches, and other foods that tend to drip or crumble.
10. Keep Soil in Plant Pots
Line the bottom of flower pots with a coffee filter to prevent soil from escaping through drainage holes.
11. Catch Popsicle Drips
Poke a hole through the center of a coffee filter and slide it onto a Popsicle stick to catch sticky drips.
12. DIY Waxing Strips
In a pinch, coffee filters can be used as an alternative to waxing strips for small areas.
13. Absorb Grease from Fried Foods
Place fried foods like bacon, French fries, or chicken fingers on coffee filters to soak up excess grease.
14. Stop Razor Nicks from Bleeding
A small piece of coffee filter can help stop minor shaving cuts from bleeding.
15. Use as Sewing Backing
Coffee filters work well as temporary backing when embroidering or appliquéing delicate fabrics.
16. Freshen Shoes and Closets
Fill a coffee filter with baking soda, tie it closed, and place it in shoes or closets to help absorb odors.
17. Strain Soup Stock
Use coffee filters to strain homemade stock or bundle herbs for soups and stews.
18. Create a Spill-Free Funnel
Place a coffee filter inside a funnel when adding fluids to your vehicle to help catch debris and reduce spills.
19. Use as a Spoon Rest
Set cooking utensils on a coffee filter while preparing meals, then simply throw it away when finished.
20. Hold Baking Ingredients
Use coffee filters to hold pre-measured baking ingredients, chopped vegetables, or fruit while cooking.
21. Protect Christmas Ornaments
Wrap delicate ornaments in coffee filters before storing them away for the season.
22. Remove Nail Polish
Out of cotton balls? Coffee filters work surprisingly well for removing nail polish.
23. Sprout Seeds
Dampen a coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it up, and seal it in a plastic bag until the seeds begin to sprout.
24. Press Flowers
Use coffee filters as blotting paper when pressing flowers. Place flowers between two filters and weigh them down with a heavy book.
25. Make Disposable Snack Bowls
Coffee filters are perfect for serving popcorn, chips, crackers, and other snacks at parties or movie nights. Or you could even use them to line these food baskets!
And of course, coffee filters still make great coffee! But as you can see, there are plenty of creative uses for coffee filters beyond your morning brew. From cleaning and organizing to gardening and cooking, this inexpensive item can be used in countless practical ways around the house while helping you save money at the same time.
The following is an article by Mr.CBB who is the voice behind Canadian Budget Binder a blog about Personal Finance, Relationships, Recipes, the famous Grocery Game Challenge and more. Join him on Facebook, x.com and Pinterest.
How to start a budget
When we first started to use a budget we really didn’t want to commit to such a boring task. Like many, we were used to tracking expenses in our head and checking in on the bank account to see how much money we had left. Looking back it was probably the worst thing we did for our personal finances and I can’t believe we did that.
Budgeting can be overwhelming at first but it doesn’t have to be if you plan it out correctly. No matter what your situation or money mistakes are, or were, a budget is necessary. I typically equate this to a business that has a yearly budget so they know what they can and can’t do with the company money. How is a company supposed to sustain themselves if they have no budget? That’s right; they probably would go bankrupt or close shop. Your household budget is just as important as a business.
One of the first things I did when I started to blog at Canadian Budget Binder was put together a 10 step budgeting series. Many people wanted to know how we were saving so much money. It’s not really about how much money we were saving. It's really about how we got to the point where we were actually saving money.
The easy answer was: with a budget.
That’s what I’m going to show you today. The steps we took to get from Step 1 to Step 9 and eventually to complete debt freedom. We own our vehicles, have no consumer debt and will be paying our mortgage in full this year. All of this and still over 30 years until retirement (of course we may plan to retire early).
The magic happened just from paying attention to our personal finances and spending less than we earn. It also helped that growing up we were savers. But the bulk of our money came just in the past 10 years. Not everyone wants to lead a frugal life, but it has it’s pros and cons and for us, well worth it.
The first step with budgeting
One of the first steps I talk about in my budgeting series is simply “gathering all the information”. You can’t sit in front of an empty budget spreadsheet with no numbers. You need to get all the numbers from your bank accounts, credit cards, lines of credits, bills, whoever you owe, how much you owe, interest rates, due dates, etc. It’s like getting ready to bake a cake. If you don’t have all the ingredients for your recipe how will your cake grow? It won’t. It will sink because all the ingredients (in this case the numbers) are not available.
What is Net and Gross Income?
Net Income in simple terms, is the amount of money that you get after all your taxes are paid. So for those that get direct deposit from your employer that is your net. If you are self employed or no taxes are taken off that is NOT your Net Income, that is your Gross Income.
You can read in more detail each step of our budget and why we did what we did. The budget spreadsheet I designed for our family changed numerous times over the course of the year. A budget will always change and so should yours. You should never just set it and forget it.
There are a myriad of free budget spreadsheets and free budget programs to track expenses on the internet if you do a Google search. If you want to have a budget binder so you can manually track your budget and expenses, then do it. As long as you know exactly what is going in and what is going out.
Some people chose to use a cash system and put it in envelopes or jars. If that’s what it will take to motivate you to start budgeting, then do it. You will see over time how easy it becomes and you will continue to challenge yourself further each month. We no longer carry cash we use credit cards for rewards. I don’t recommend this unless you are at a stage where you can pay your credit card in full every month.
9 Steps for Creating a Budget
Step 1 - Gather all the information - As mentioned above, the first step in designing a budget is to gather all the information. You will need to get all the numbers from your bank accounts, credit cards, lines of credits, bills, whoever you owe, how much you owe, interest rates, due dates, etc.
Step 2 - Categories - Every person/family is different so you need to decide what categories will suit your budget. You may need daycare while another family does not, for example.
Step 3 - Tracking Receipts - This is so important and I can’t stress that enough if you want to know where you are spending your hard earned dollars. Have a plan in place so you save your receipts and input them into your tracking spreadsheet.
Step 4 - Note Taking - Always make notes so you can backtrack information. Know where the purchase was made, how you paid for it, dates, etc.
Step 5 - Organization - Keep organized and keep your workstation free from distractions.
Step 6 - Who Does What and When - If you are in a relationship, budgeting doesn’t have to be a one person job. In fact my wife and I both share the budget duties as a team. If in the event something should happen to one of us, we both need to know what is happening with our personal finances. Don’t put the burden on one person.
Step 7 - Balancing Our Budget - Your budget has to balance each month. If you can’t balance your budget you have to do one of 2 things: Make more money or spend less than you earn.
Step 8 - Reading Our Bills - I can’t tell you enough to make sure you always read your bills and receipts when you are shopping. There have been times when I found errors on my communications bill where they charged us for services we did not get. You may also notice the wrong price on your grocery bill. This could result in a scanning code of practice where you get the item free up to $10, if the store participates. Most importantly, you catch an error where you were paying more than you should have. So many people get burned by not reading.
Step 9 - Projected Expenses - This is a big category for us. We save close to $15k a year in it. What is it? In short, it’s an account where we keep money for items that we know we will have to pay for at some point during the year that our regular budget won’t be able to handle. We were always taking money from our emergency savings for these items which was wrong. A sticker for our vehicle once a year is not an emergency but should be saved all year long so the money is ready to be used when it comes due. We save $7.50 a month in a separate account for 12 months to pay for the sticker. $90/12 months. This has been the biggest stress reliever for us and one of the biggest reasons people fall off their budget. If you don’t factor in the small stuff, you may not have the money to pay for it. You should budget it in and save it.
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!
I encourage you to take a deep breath if you are wanting to budget but are feeling stuck in getting started. Start living instead of existing and take back control of your personal finances. A budget is just one step in the process in working towards debt freedom, but one that may allow you the opportunity to drop that debt and get back in the game. Time to look at a budget as part of a lifestyle rather than a chore.
Mr.CBB is the voice behind Canadian Budget Binder a blog about Personal Finance, Relationships, Recipes, the famous Grocery Game Challenge and more. Join him on Facebook, x.com and Pinterest.
