7 Mothers Day Gifts That Don’t Cost A Cent

Mother’s Day comes just once a year, so why not do all you can to make sure it’s a special day? If you are worried about your budget being too tight to celebrate sufficiently, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to enjoy a nice Mother’s Day without spending a dime. Look below at these 7 Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost a cent, and see how you can celebrate Mom for free.

1. Give her the gift of time.

Don’t try to fit in time for Mom on Mother’s Day, make it a priority. Give Mom the gift of your time to enjoy the things she may want to do, such as go for a hike, watch a movie, or just spend time together around the dinner table.

2. Give her the gift of appreciation.

Show Mom you appreciate her by writing her a list of all of the things you love about her. Make a list of 20-25 things (even more is better!) that make her special. Use your best writing, put the list in an envelope, and gift it to her on Mother’s Day. She will keep it forever.

3. Give her the gift of rest.

Sometimes, Mom just needs a break. Give Mom a little time to herself on Mother’s Day. Quiet the house down and let Mom get a nap in. Or, give Mom some time to sleep in that morning. Even just an hour of quiet time will be much appreciated and make her feel like a million bucks.

4. Give her the gift of affection.

Moms love to hug and hold their babies! Take the time to hug your Mom, hold her hand, and truly connect with her. The older children get, the less often this happens, so take the time on Mother’s Day to get those hugs in.

5. Give her the gift of help.

Are there tasks around the house Mom needs help with? Start tackling those tasks. Do what you can to get these tasks done so Mom can take them off her plate. This will be a huge relief to her and she will no doubt love the help.

6. Give her the gift of truly being present.

Put cell phones and electronic devices away and be present on Mother’s Day. Let Mom know that she is your focus for the day and that nothing else is as important. We get so caught up in devices, this will be a refreshing change for her to see.

7. Give her the gift of patience.

Be patient with Mom today. Mother’s Day is about celebrating her and meeting her needs. Be patient with your own needs on this day and instead make the focus about her.

Don’t let a limited budget keep you from showing Mom how special she is. Consider these 7 Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost a cent, and see how even a frugal Mother’s Day can be a memorable one.

I’d love to hear your ideas or memories of celebrating Mother’s Day! Let me know in the comments below!

How to Save Shopping on Amazon Canada

Shopping on Amazon is one of my favorite ways to save money. After all, I can find almost everything I need at competitive prices and enjoy the convenience of having it shipped right to my door. But wouldn’t saving even more money be great?

Take a look below at 7 tips on how to save big shopping on Amazon Canada to get your household essentials, books, clothing and more at even better prices.

1. Take Advantage of Amazon Resale Deals

A great way to save some money on Amazon Canada is to shop through Amazon Resale!

The Amazon Resale section (previously known as Amazon Warehouse) on Amazon.ca, offers great deals on quality used, pre-owned, or open box products.

With all the benefits of Amazon fulfilment, customer service, and returns rights, Amazon provides discounts on customer favorites such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, home & kitchen appliances, and thousands more.

For each used product they sell, they thoroughly test the condition of the item and provide detailed descriptions to make it easier for you to make a decision.

2. Become a Prime Member.

For $9.99 per month or $99 per year you can become an Amazon Prime member and enjoy many money saving benefits!

With an Amazon Prime membership, you will enjoy:

• FREE Two-Day Shipping on eligible items. Free standard shipping on other items.
• Unlimited streaming of movies and TV episodes on Prime Video
• Amazon Music
• 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals.
• Prime Reading: Borrow books, magazines, and more. Read them on your Fire tablet, Kindle e-reader, or the Kindle reading apps for iOS and Android.
• Secure unlimited photo storage, enhanced search, and organization features in Amazon Drive.
• Access to exclusive Prime Day sales.
• Free DashPass.

If you make a lot of Amazon purchases throughout the year, a Prime Membership will pay for itself in no time.

Are you a student? Check out the Prime Student membership to save even more.

3. Try the Subscribe & Save option.

Is there a product you use often? Toilet paper, dish soap or diapers perhaps? If so, try the Subscribe & Save option!

If you decide to do Subscribe & Save on certain products, you can save up to 15% off and have that product automatically delivered every 2 weeks to 6 months. Shipping is also free. You can cancel your Subscribe & Save at any time.

4. Look for Coupons & Promo Codes

My favourite deals on Amazon are those that are on sale AND have a coupon to apply or a promo code to redeem! Here are some screen shots of what I mean:

When available, these coupons and promo codes are found below the price of the item you’re looking at.

You can find available coupons by browsing this page on Amazon Canada. As for promo codes, as far as I know, there isn’t a specific page for these. Which leads me to my next tip…

5. Follow Me for Everyday Deals.

Every day I post deals over on Instagram and in Facebook stories. I like to post a variety of items that are actual good deals from Canadian retailers, including Amazon. You’ll see deals on everyday essentials, clothing, decor, household items, holiday items and more!

As I mentioned before, my favourite deals are those that are on sale and have a coupon and/or a promo code. You’ll find plenty of these over there!

Also, on Fridays I update my Simply Frugal Weekend Deals post. This is a great all-in-one article for easy deal browsing featuring only Canadian retailers.

6. Add an Item to Your Cart, But Don’t Buy

This is a trick I use time and time again. If you have your eye on a particular item and it’s currently not on sale, add it to your shopping cart, but don’t buy it! Amazon will save it in your shopping cart and let you know when the price changes.

Sometimes the price will increase first, but you will also see when the price decreases. To find if there has been any changes in the pricing, click on the “Cart” button in the top right corner. If there has been any changes to the pricing, you will see a message at the top of your shopping cart. Once the price drops low enough for me, I buy it!

7. Utilize Camel Camel Camel

Camel Camel Camel is an Amazon price tracker. It tracks the price history of products available on Amazon. You can also sign up for a free account and add items to a Price Watching list to get email alerts when the price drops on the items you’re watching.

See how simple it can be to save some extra cash with Amazon Canada? Give these tips a try and see how far you can stretch your Amazon bucks!

I’d love to know what your biggest deal was if you’ve shopped online at Amazon in the past. Let us know in the comments!

The Best Fall Bucket List

Fall is nearly here! One of my favorite seasons (besides Christmas time) is Fall! I love the comfort food, the way the light changes in the evening, the crisp fall air, and warm, cozy sweaters. Along with those things, Fall is a great time to do fun, frugal activities specific to the season.

Create the BEST Fall Bucket List with these ideas. These ideas are perfect for frugal people, who are looking for free or low cost activities to do this fall.

Here is a Fall Bucket List for Frugal People that you are going to love! There are plenty of ideas to fill up your fall calendar with frugal fun.

The Best Fall Bucket List:

1. Go to a Pumpkin Patch.
2. Have a pumpkin carving contest with friends/family.
3. Find fall festivals and harvest events happening in your area.
4. Go to a local apple orchard to pick delicious apples.
5. Go for a hike. The temperature will be much more bearable than in the summer time!
6. Try Halloween themed cookies. Like Oreos. You can only get them this time of year.
7. Try using fallen leaves in one of these ways.
8. Go to a thrift store to find your Halloween costumes.
9. Make apple crisp! This recipe is amazing!
10. Throw a football watching party. To save money, make it a potluck and have everyone bring something.
11. Make your own fall wreath.
12. Make a pot of chili.
13. Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte or apple cider. Homemade or bought!
14. Make a Frugal Fall bracelet.
15. Go through a corn maze.
16. Take your own fall pictures.
17. Rake up the leaves into big piles, then jump in them!
18. Make a scarf out of an old sweater.
19. Have a Halloween (or Fall) movie night at home.
20. Bake pumpkin cookies.
21. Visit your local library and check out some fall themed books.
22. Check the kids’ school calendars to see what free family-friendly events are coming up.
23. Attend a high school football game.
24. Volunteer.
25. Go geocaching
26. Take a scenic drive around your city.
27. Visit your local farmer’s market.
28. Try a new soup recipe.
29. Host a fall brunch, pot-luck style.
30. Light fall candles around the house.
31. Decorate your home with a few Fall decor items from the dollar store.
32. Help a neighbor rake their leaves.
33. Make a batch of these Fall M&M Monster Cookies.
34. Create your own haunted house.
35. Make your own Halloween costumes.
36. Check your city’s website, you will find a ton of free events and activities happening around you.
37. Knit a fall scarf.
38. Write little happy fall notes to your friends.
39. Decorate your porch with fall foliage from the neighborhood.
40. Toast pumpkin seeds.
41. Have a fall canning party.
42. Go on a hayride at a local farm.
43. Eat dinner by candle light.
44. Have a nap!
45. Make Pumpkin Butter

Creating a fall bucket list doesn’t have to be expensive. Embrace the season by enjoying simple pleasures like exploring local parks, crafting with fallen leaves, or cozying up with a good book and a warm drink. These budget-friendly activities allow you to savor the beauty of autumn while making lasting memories without breaking the bank.

The best school backpacks

Can you believe it? Back to school is just around the corner. Save money on back to school shopping by purchasing your school backpacks at a price that feels right.

It can be overwhelming in-store so shopping online is a great option.

Browse this list and save time while getting the best deals. No need to spend a ton of time or money when the deal hunting has been done for you!

This list truly has something for everyone to start the school year off right. There are even some backpacks listed that include lunch kits and more. Go ahead and start shopping today for the best selection.

From solid color options to school backpacks with patterns, the options are endless for the school year. This list has it all.

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

1. Geometric-Print Backpack $29.98

This geometric print backpack is another fun colour option. Great for older elementary or middle school kids.

2. adidas Adicolor Backpack $44.99

This classic Adidas backpack has great reviews and seems suitable for kids that are in the earlier elementary grades.

3. Ripzone Kids’ Recess 15L Backpack $34.99

Another Ripzone backpack with great reviews! This one is a smaller one so is probably suitable for younger kids.

4. Ripzone Kids’ Newton 15L Backpack $34.99

This Ripzone backpack is the same size as the one listed above. It’s just slightly different in its style. Here it is in another colour.

5. Under Armour Hustle Play Backpack $39.99

This Under Armour backpack is a great size. Has a front bungee for added storage!

6. Roots Backpack $39.99

This Roots backpack is from Costco Canada. It looks great for high schoolers and has a lot of pockets!

7. Kids Recycled Backpack $39

I realize that this one is more than $50 when it’s not on sale, however, it’s from Gap Canada and they always seem to have some sales or coupon codes happening. So if this is the backpack you need, do not pay full price for it!

8. Super Mario Bros.™ Canvas Backpack for Kids $39.99

Perfect for the kid that loves Mario! This Old Navy backpack is sure to be a hit with early elementary aged kids.

9. Outbound Kids’ Multi-Pocket Backpack $16.99

Great price for a great backpack! This simple backpack is perfect for younger kids.

10. Outbound Oak Kids’ Recycled Backpack $19.93

This Outbound backpack is a smaller backpack perfect for daycare or preschool.

11. Skip Hop Zoo Big Kid Backpack $38

Oh man these are cute and perfect for younger kids! This is a bigger version of the classic Skip Hop backpack that I’m sure you have seen.

12. Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Backpack $30

Here’s the smaller classic version of the Skip Hop backpack. Perfect for daycare or preschool.

13. Patterned Backpacks from The Children’s Place $49.95 or less

The Children’s Place has a great selection of backpacks! You’ll see Spiderman, Minecraft, princess, Paw Patrol, dinosaur, colorblock and more! They are currently on sale too!

14. High Sierra Swoop Sg Backpack $49.99

This High Sierra backpack has so many pockets! Perfect for the high schooler that likes to be organized!

15. SoYoung Neo Rainbows Backpack $48.98

This SoYoung backpack is a cheerful backpack in two different sizes. Like all backpacks I find, this one is machine washable.

16. Jansport Superbreak Backpack $30.20

This Jansport backpack is perfect for the kid that just wants a plain black, functional backpack.

17. Impact 3-Piece Backpack Set $19.98

You can’t beat the price on this one! This is a backpack set that includes a lunch kit and a pencil case.

18. Dickies Varsity Backpack $24.97

This Dickies backpack is everything you need in a backpack. Has a front zipper pocket, side mesh water bottle pocket and interior padded laptop sleeve.

19. All Canadian Backpack $29.97

Another black backpack with lots of pockets, perfect for carrying everything that’s needed at school!

20. Reebok Celeste Backpack $34.97

This Reebok backpack has storage for a laptop, sunglasses, water bottles and so much more!

21. Jetstream Marble Print Backpack $29.97

So much storage! This Jetstream backpack has pockets everywhere. Includes my favorite water bottle holders and more.

22. Dog Paw Prints Backpack $44.64

Perfect for the child who loves dogs! This Paw Prints backpack is another with lots of pockets.

23. Foldable Backpack $35.99

So this backpack is different than the others because it has a separate section on the bottom for shoes and a pocket on the front for holding wet items.

24. Lightweight Water Resistant Backpack $49.99

This one looks like a really durable backpack perfect for preschool or kindergarten. Lots of different patterns to choose from!

25. Casual Style Lightweight Bag $38.99

This backpack comes with a lunch kit and a pencil case! There are a ton of different designs to choose from too. Perfect for the high schooler.

26. Water Resistant Backpack $48.99

Sometimes, a solid colour backpack is just the thing that kids want. This water resistant backpack with high ratings is perfect for teens.

27. adidas Laptop Sleeve School Backpack $31.97

This adidas backpack is a sturdy, highly rated backpack that is perfect for higher elementary/middle school grades.

28. Solid Colour Backpack $36.99

This solid colour backpack is another option with lots of pockets. Comes in several different colours.

There you have it! A great selection of school backpacks found in Canada for under $50! Which ones do you think your kids will like the most?

You might also enjoy:

• Achievable Back to School Tips and Tricks
• My Favourite Labels for Keeping Track of Things
• School Supply Deals from Amazon Canada

10 Secrets to a Lower Grocery Bill:

Groceries.  We need them and we have to buy them. Yet, while they are a necessity, do you find that you have quite a high grocery bill? Are you frustrated by that fact? There are ways to keep grocery costs down and I’m about to reveal my secrets that will help fix your problem.

You might be feeling as though there’s no possible way to lower your grocery bill. But, I’m of the mindset that our grocery bill is one of the most flexible bills we have to pay. There is no set monthly bill that a grocery store sends our way, unlike the phone company. We make the call on how much our bill will be each time we stop at the store.

Shop your Pantry

Before you even head to the grocery store, peruse your pantry shelves to see how many ingredients you already have that will help you put together as many meals as possible. Take inventory. Every once in a while I like to dedicate a week or two to shopping from my pantry.  On those weeks, I literally only spend about $30 on dairy products and fresh fruits & veggies. Simply because I’m making an effort to use what I already have on hand. This is a great way to ensure that you don’t spend money you didn’t have to, and that you don’t find good food that has expired.

Have a Meal Plan

I’m a huge fan of meal planning. Like, huge! Every week, I try to have 5 dinners planned out by Sunday evening. Five, because one night we usually eat out and Sundays are spent at my parents.  Also, I plan dinners only because lunch usually consists of dinner leftovers and breakfast is a rotation of oatmeal/peanut butter toast/pancakes/French toast/and eggs, each always served with fruit. This works for us because usually the same things get marked down on the list and I know what each item generally costs. This makes our bill fairly consistent, since there’s usually only a few “not usual” items needing to be purchased.

Shop the flyer sales

I’ll admit and say that shopping the store sales and planning meals around those sales is not my strongest trait. But often times if there’s an item on sale that I know we’ll use in the near future, I will buy at least a couple. (Chicken is on sale this week so I’ll probably buy at least four packages to get us through to the next sale.) If you can get good at planning your meals around what’s on sale each week, you’ll be saving a ton!

Breakfast is cheaper than dinner. There are usually a couple of nights a month where I plan to make breakfast for dinner. Waffles with whipped cream, fresh strawberries and bacon? Yes, please!  My husband also likes to make a huge batch of French toast once in a while and we put the leftovers in the freezer for super easy breakfasts.

Use rice & pasta

I like to use rice and pasta quite a bit because I find them to be so cheap! Pasta is very cheap when I can find a good deal using coupons. Rice, when purchased in bulk, is cheap and lasts a long time! I like to make up stir-frys once in a while using rice or pasta to serve the veggies over. (Stir-frys are also a great way to use up vegetables!)  Also, I know when I make something involving rice or pasta, it’ll be a hit with my toddler, and that’s a win!

Eat leftovers

Growing up, I was not a big fan of leftovers. When my parents would inform me that we’ll be having leftovers for dinner, I usually cringed. Now, as an adult, I LOVE leftovers! Leftovers mean one less meal I have to make during the week! More often than not, I’ll actually double up on dinner just so we have extra. Most of the time we save leftovers for lunch, but occasionally we’ll have a busy night that will need a super quick dinner.

Use meat substitutes

These days, I’m actually forced to use something besides meat and poultry because my daughter has decided she’ll have none of it.  Luckily, she loves beans, lentils and eggs, which I find to be a great grocery budget saver! There are also many other vegetables that are high in protein such as mushrooms, green peas, kale, broccoli and cauliflower that I prepare with each meal.

Use frozen vegetables

While I much prefer fresh vegetables, sometimes buying frozen vegetables can be cheaper in the long run. Especially if you find certain vegetables are always going bad before you have a chance to finish them. (That’s cauliflower in our home!)  I usually have a bag of mixed frozen vegetables on hand for those nights when dinner can’t be made fast enough. We have also determined that steaming them makes them taste the best.  They’re not as soggy that way!

Use coupons

I don’t use a lot of coupons, but as I mentioned above, I’ve stocked up on pasta (and other items) many times because of some sales and coupons I’ve had. I also consider paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste and other household items to be grocery items and I won’t buy these items unless I have a coupon. There are also some great cash back apps that I use to save even more.

Eat before you shop

This is a tip you probably hear every time someone tells you how to save money on groceries. But, I can certainly attest to its truth!  Nearly each time I grocery shop hungry, I end up with extra stuff in my shopping cart.  And it’s usually not healthy stuff!  A bag of chips?  Sure! A bottle of pop?  We haven’t had that in a while! I always have snacks in my purse because of my daughter, but I’ve been known to “share” them with her just so I’m not starving and fill our cart full of unnecessary stuff.

There you have it. My 10 Secrets to a lower grocery bill!  I hope you found something helpful in this list, or at least something that inspires you to try harder.

I’d love it if you would share your tips and tricks in the comments!

Free Printable Expense Trackers

In today’s fast-moving world, keeping tabs on your finances is pretty darn important if you want to stay above water. But perhaps, keeping a full on budget isn’t your thing. Enter printable expense trackers: your trusty sidekick in the quest for financial proficiency.

Imagine a world where tracking your spending feels like organizing a DIY project—except this project saves you money!

These already made printable expense trackers that I have for you, come in a minimalist design so there’s no confusion on what needs to be jotted down. In this freebie, you’ll find 12 printable sheets – one for each month of the year.

These trackers are your personal finance cheerleaders, shouting “You got this!” as you track everything from groceries to that daily latte. By jotting down your expenses, you get a crystal-clear view of where your hard-earned cash goes. It’s like shining a spotlight on your spending habits—making it easier to tweak budgets and save up for that dream vacation or rainy day fund.

Going old-school with pen and paper isn’t just nostalgic; it’s smart. Writing things down makes you more mindful of your money moves. It’s like having a mini-financial coach nudging you towards smarter decisions—like skipping that impulse buy or renegotiating that subscription you forgot about.

Plus, these trackers are like a yearbook of your financial journey. Flip through and see how far you’ve come from those early days of tracking. It’s not just numbers; it’s your story of financial growth and savvy choices.

Best part? These trackers won’t cost you a dime. They’re like the best DIY project ever—free, fun, and oh-so-rewarding. Just download, print, and let the financial adventure begin!

So, whether you’re plotting your escape from debt or aiming to stash away for that epic road trip, grab these printable expense trackers and make managing money as fun as finding a hidden treasure map. Your financial future will thank you for it!

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

How to save money with online shopping in Canada

It seems as though there’s always something to shop for. Upcoming birthdays, new clothes for the kids, work clothes…the list can go on! Whenever I have something to purchase I tend to always look online first.

In most cases I find it easier then hauling a kid around that will most likely put up a fuss at some point during our outing. 😉  I also enjoy reading the reviews that other buyers have left if I’m contemplating a product that I’m not really familiar with.  

Now, if you have your list in hand, budget in mind and are ready to begin shopping, here are 4 ways to save money with online shopping in Canada:

Use Coupon Codes

A simple tip, but learn to look for coupon codes! If you’re going to purchase something online, start by doing a simple search online for a coupon code that could save you money. To find a coupon code, simply do a Google search for the store you would like to make your purchase at!

Or, my favourite right now is Honey! Honey finds and applies coupon codes at online checkouts for you so you can get back to the more important things in your life quickly. Basically, it’s amazing because Honey finds the deals on the things you need without any effort on your part.

Shop through a Cash Back Site

Why not get a percentage of your money back for making an online purchase through a cash back site? Cash back sites work together with online stores to offer you a percentage back as a rebate. Usually somewhere between 3-6%.  It’s nice to get some cash back on something you were going to purchase anyway!

I highly recommend Rakuten.ca. Rakuten is an awesome site that pays you Cash Back when you shop online. With over 750 stores, including Hudson’s Bay, Indigo.ca, Old Navy, and Sephora, get paid to shop for things you’re already buying.

Bonus, join today and spend $30 within 90 days of your sign up day, and you’ll receive a $30 bonus!

Don’t pay for shipping

I really don’t like paying for shipping. Quite often the cost of shipping can be a deal breaker for me. Especially when the shipping costs more than the product I’m buying! For this reason, I like buying from Amazon.ca, Well.ca and Indigo.ca for example, since you only have to spend $30 or $35 to get free regular shipping.

Most of the time, retailers offer free shipping when you spend a certain amount. Occasionally, they offer a coupon code for free shipping. However, I think it’s best if you shop when a store is offering free shipping without a coupon code. This way, you can also use a coupon code to save on the cost of the product, since many stores don’t let you combine coupon codes.

It pays to be patient so you can score free shipping when companies offer it.

Go in with a friend

You can also save on shipping by chipping in! Ask your sister-in-law, ask a friend, ask a neighbour, or ask a co-worker. If you all shop online regularly, check with each other before placing an order. Splitting the shipping can be an effective cost saving measure, especially when done time and time again!

By combining coupon codes, rebates and free shipping, you should be able to get a great deal on all your online purchases! Do you prefer shopping online or in store? Do you have any additional tips for saving money when shopping online?

Cheap Family Activities for Family Day

It’s extremely important for any family to intentionally take the time once in a while to have fun as a family. Life can be very busy so making a conscious effort to slow down together without the demands of other friends/family/work/school can be so beneficial.

Family fun, however, does not have to cost a lot! Sure, there are activities that can cost a lot (and those are fun!), but there are so many fun cheap family activities too.

With Family Day in Canada quickly approaching, I thought I’d share some ideas for cheap family fun!

Cheap Family Activities:

• Have a picnic inside
• Start your garden seeds inside – Use this as an opportunity to teach your children about patience, responsibility and how things grow!
• Movie night – Pick a movie that you haven’t watched in a while and make some homemade microwave popcorn! We’ve been having fun watching some of the movies my husband and I watched when we were kids.
• Have a theme night/day – Mexican, Italian, pirate…the list goes on. Plan dinners and activities around your theme!
• Have a craft night – paint, sew, make bracelets, draw…etc!
• Head to your local library – stock up on reading material or even sit in on story time!
• Have a game night – pull out those board games and cards!
• Unplug – Turn off the cell phone, TV, computer and just reconnect with your wonderful family!
• Shop at a thrift store together.
• Have a dance party.
• Build stuff with Lego.
• Make everyone a nice warm drink, then read together with your own books.
• Go bird watching – see how many different types of birds you can spot. Maybe bring along a bird book from the library.
• Go ice skating – many ice rinks offer free skating on certain days
• Build an indoor fort – camp out in it or have a picnic in it!
• Have another family over for dinner – this is way cheaper then eating out!
• If it’s a holiday weekend, see if there are any free events taking place.
• Visit a local ski hill and wander around. Maybe grab an inexpensive treat to enjoy.
• Go tobogganing.
• Go snowshoeing.
• Bake something together.
• Write a simple story together.
• Face painting. Here are some easy face painting designs.
• Do a scavenger hunt. Either inside or outside would be fun!
• Redecorate or rearrange a bedroom with things you already own.
• Play video games together.
• Go for a walk around the neighborhood.

What other free or cheap family activities can you suggest?

Related articles:

• 45 Free & Cheap Summer Activity Ideas
• Free Date Ideas

Low Cost Date Ideas You’re Sure to Love!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner so today’s post is going to focus on low cost date ideas! I’m not only going to list frugal ideas to do with your significant other, but also ideas you can use with any special kids in your life. After all, it’s crucial to any important relationship, that you spend some quality one-on-one time together.

However, when money is tight, it’s hard to justify spending money on a “date”. Even dinner and a movie can really add up!  With that in mind, I hope you enjoy my ideas for low cost date ideas the whole family can enjoy:

Date-Night with your significant other:

Visit a Winery or Brewery – This can really be a fun and informative afternoon!  Most wineries and breweries offer free tours that include free tastings at the end.

Use those Daily Deal Sites – Keep an eye on those daily deal sites like Groupon and WagJag.  I often see offers for romantic getaways, restaurant deals and even local attractions.  You’ll save yourself a big chunk of money if you take advantage of a deal, especially if you intended on heading out on the town anyways!

Wash the Car Together – Sometimes doing the mundane chores together can be a blast and a great way to catch up.  This is a great idea for when life is so busy you’re having a hard time finding a solid chunk of time to spend together.

Get back to your Roots – Did you use to love playing a particular board game together in your younger dating/married years?  Pull it out and play it once again.  Or maybe you used to love browsing the thrift stores together?  Or enjoyed the satisfaction of volunteering?  Do something that takes you back to the early days!

Go for a Drive – One year for our anniversary, with a new baby in tow, we took a scenic drive and stopped at a quaint little coffee shop in a nearby town.  This was one of our most memorable dates!

Dinner at Home – Not a new idea at all, dinner at home, but how about calling up your date’s mother to get the recipe for their favourite childhood meal?  Or if you both enjoy a fancy meal, how about going all out at the grocery store to recreate your favourite fancy restaurant meals?  The thought of a picnic on the floor might hit the spot as well!  Maybe this year could be your first fondue?

Go to the Beach – Obviously for the warmer months, but we like to bring along a couple of chairs and some good books and spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach. When we get hot, we just jump into the water!

Go for a Hike – or snowshoeing since it’s winter!  My husband and I are really fond of hikes. There’s just something about enjoying nature together and getting a little bit of exercise at the same time. Plus, our region has some pretty fantastic hiking locales if I do say so myself.

Date-Night with your Children/Whole Family:

Get the ideas flowing with these suggestions that will work for one on one dates with your children or for the whole family unit!

Have a Picnic – Inside or outside depending on the weather.  Pack some sandwiches, a fun beverage and an extra special treat that will be enjoyed.

Have a Movie Night in – grab a movie off the shelf that you haven’t watched in a while or find something on Netflix and make some homemade microwave popcorn!

Have a Theme Night/Day – Mexican, Italian, pirate…the list goes on. Plan dinners and activities around your theme!

Have a Craft Night – Paint, sew, make bracelets, draw…etc! This would have been a dream date with my mom when I was younger. Actually, now that think about it, we used to spend quite a few nights making greeting cards!

Head to your Local Library – Stock up on reading material or even sit in on story time!

Have a Game Night – Pull out those board games and cards! Some of our favourite games include Mexican Train, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Sequence, Old Maid, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game and Guess Who.

Go Bird Watching – See how many different types of birds you can spot. Maybe bring along a bird book from the library. Here’s are some free Bird Watching printables you may enjoy.

Build an Indoor fort – Grab all your blankets, pillows and boxes to create an epic indoor fort. Camp out in it or have a picnic in it!

Check out the free community events offered in your area – Many of the free community events are geared towards family fun.

Go for a Nature Walk – Bring along a bag that you can use to collect all sorts of neat nature things in. Bring the bag home and create some crafts using your haul.

Have a Garage Sale – Involve the kids and help them set up a lemonade or hot chocolate stand.  They’ll have fun earning some money and you’ll all enjoy being together!

Go Ice Skating – I recently took my daughter out for the very first time and she had a blast. While she refused to try on the skates, she had fun building her confidence on the ice wearing her boots. We have several local rinks that offer free family skate times, so yours may as well.

Many of these low cost date ideas can be adapted to every season, but the important thing is that you get out there and have fun together as a couple, parent/child or family!  Enjoy each other!

What are your ideas for low cost date ideas?

Clever Purchases That Save Money In The Long Run

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

Sometimes, the secret to saving money is actually spending a little more money in the first place.

As long as you spend it on the right things, that is.

That might sound illogical, but in reality, it can make a lot of sense when you start thinking about long-term savings.

This is where thoughtful, intentional spending comes in to play.

In this article, I’m not going to be talking about gadgets that you will only use once, like a Cake Pop Maker for example. I am going to list out products that you will use time and time again, allowing you to see financial savings in the long run. Smart purchases that will save money in the long run!

On that note, to help you save cash and satisfy your gadget purchasing desire, I’ve rounded up 22 smart purchases that will end up saving you tons of cash in the long run. The best part? They don’t require you to change any of your everyday habits.

Smart purchases that save money:

Low flow shower head – Why not have a great shower and save water at the same time? A low flow shower head doesn’t cost a lot to replace, but the savings on your water bill will really pay off in the long run!

LED light bulbs – While they cost more upfront, LED lightbulbs are a smart choice in your home. they save money on your energy bill and last way longer than incandescent light bulbs. There are many different options to get just the right color warmth that you like.

Solar powered outdoor lights – Light up your yard to add safety and ambiance by using solar powered outdoor lights. Once purchased, these won’t cost a cent on your energy bill!

Drying rack – Do we always need to use the dryer? You can save a lot of electricity by using a drying rack instead! You will also find your clothes last longer too. If you have yard space outside to have a drying line, this is a fantastic way to dry stuff

Smart thermostat – Monitor your energy usage easily with a smart thermostat in your home! This will adjust heating/cooling according to your schedule. You can even control it from anywhere using your Android or iOS device. No more heating and cooling an empty house when you’re gone!

Reusable food storage bags – Stop throwing plastic bags (and money) in the trash. These reusable storage bags are easy to clean and ready to use for a long, long time. I especially like that these ones are self-standing…makes it easy to fill!

Brita water jug – Very, very rarely will we buy bottled water. We do, however, use our Brita every single day. We fill up glasses at home or fill our reusable water bottles for adventure days.

Reusable water bottle – Speaking of reusable water bottles, never buy bottled water again! I really like this Simple Modern one. My daughter uses it for school and dance and it never leaks! Even when it’s on its side.

Air fryer – Hear me out on this one. It might seem like a gadget, but our air fryer has really made my life better. It has made lunch making and heating up leftovers a breeze. Let’s not forget to mention that it saves so much money because I’m not getting takeout as often!

Wool Dryer balls – These don’t seem like anything special, but this is one of those purchases that save money like crazy. They save money on fabric softeners and dryer sheets because they soften naturally. They also lessen the drying time needed so they will save you money on your energy bill.

Rechargeable batteries – If you find yourself going through batteries often, investing in rechargeable batteries is a smart idea!

Fire TV Stick has been a TOTAL game changer for us! We bought one when we decided to eliminate cable tv. It plugs into the back of your tv and has a homepage for all your streaming services. Save a TON of money with the free tv apps it offers.

Hair clipper kit – This one might not be for everyone, but we have saved a lot of money by cutting my husband’s hair at home. I give him a very basic hair cut every 6 weeks or so and he’s always pleased as punch.

Vacuum Sealer – How many times have you thrown away foods that are so badly freezer burned? Well, say goodbye to freezer burnt food by investing in a vacuum sealer. Once you’ve sealed your food, toss it in the freezer and you’ll find it stays fresher for so much longer.

Reusable K Cup Coffee Filter – Those little K-Cups can really add up after awhile! If you own a Keurig machine, think about buying a reusable k-cup coffee filter so you can buy your favourite grounds to use in the filter. You’ll have delicious coffee and save money!

TubShroom – I don’t even remember how I came across this in the first place, but I purchased a TubShroom and LOVE it! It’s been years since we’ve been using one and I will never go back to an ordinary drain protector. It catches so much hair. I’m convinced that this is one of those purchases that save money in the long run.

Makeup remover cloths – I really like those disposable, pre-moistened face towels so I really think these makeup remover cloths would be just as convenient. Plus, they’re reusable of course!

Personal finance books – I’ve got a list of highly rated personal finance books right here. First though, why don’t you see if your library has any copies available?

Memberships – Do you find yourself often visiting the same places and paying the daily rate? It might be time to purchase the membership! Buying a membership to places that you frequent often can save you so much money in the long run. Think swimming pools, science centers, amusement parks and more!

Drain snake – Having a drain snake on hand will without a doubt save you money on expensive drain cleaners that don’t necessarily work. Not to mention, a drain snake could save you having to hire a plumber too!

Bamboo towels – These bamboo towels are such a great idea. Especially if you think it will be hard to get away from using regular paper towels. These bamboo towels are washable and can be used just like how you use regular paper towels.

Fabric Defuzzer – Before you discard of any pilled sweaters or even furniture, try a fabric defuzzer! For less than $15, you can save your favorite things and make them look brand new again with this simple tool!

In conclusion, making smart purchases that prioritize quality and durability is not just a matter of saving money in the short term; it is a strategy for long-term financial well-being. By choosing products that stand the test of time and offer lasting value, you can enjoy the satisfaction of smart purchasing decisions that will contribute to your financial stability. As well as taking steps to be a more intentional consumer.

What are some smart purchases that you would add to the list?

You might also enjoy these money saving tips:

• 7 Things You Will Never Regret Spending Money On
• 7 Ways To Cut Household Expenses In Half
• The Best Household Items Every Penny Pincher Owns
• 10 Reusable Household Items that Will Save You Money

A Day in the Life of a Frugal Person

Living the life of a frugal person means living below your means from dawn to dusk. There are many things frugal people do throughout the day that help them save money and help them store funds away for the future. But what are those things exactly? Come on a journey and take a look at a day in the life of a frugal person. These are some of the daily tasks that save them BIG. By knowing more about this day to day living, you too can try implementing these tasks and seeing what a difference they can make for you.

Morning:

1. Make homemade coffee.

Our frugal person doesn’t spring for a $5 specialty coffee. Instead she makes her own at home and saves big. She uses her favorite reusable mug that can be used time and time again.

2. Looks at the Meal Plan.

This frugal person creates a menu plan every week with $5 Meal Plan. So every morning she double checks the plan to see what she might have to pull out of the freezer or pick up at the grocery store in order to stay on track. Her menu plan saves her hundreds of dollars each month and keeps her sane at the dinner time hour.

3. Check the Gas Buddy app.

Before filling up and running and errands, our frugal person checks the free Gas Buddy app to see what gas prices are and where to fill up for less. When she finds a great deal, she fills up at that price.

4. Turn on the slow cooker.

There won’t be any take out traps for this frugal person tonight thanks to her menu plan. Instead, she tosses some chicken, fresh vegetables, and broth into the slow cooker for dinner. She uses canned broth from the stockpile, veggies from the garden, and chicken she bought on sale.

5. Scour the sales.

Our frugal person checks the weekly grocery store flyers to see what’s on sale that week. She then matches the sale prices with the coupons she has on hand. This helps her to make her shopping list for the week while keeping her budget in check. She loves the Budget Planner for keeping track of her budget categories and her savings goals.

Afternoon:

6. Enjoys a homemade lunch.

Whether at work or on the go, our frugal person enjoys a homemade lunch. Today it’s a taco salad using ground beef leftover from last night’s burgers. She uses a refillable water bottle to save money on unnecessary sugary beverages, which also keeps her waistline trim!

7. Swing into the local thrift store.

Frugal people love thrift stores to look for gently used items at a fraction of the price of new. Today, our frugal person finds some frames that can be spray painted to match her décor as well as a table lamp she can use on her night stand. For about $7 total she walks out of the door happy!

8. Give the house a quick clean.

Our frugal person uses vinegar to keep windows sparkling and baking soda to get sinks and drains clean. She doesn’t spend money on household cleaners and instead uses natural products to get the job done for less. A fresh lemon is just what the faucet needs to shine, and a little lemon peel down the drain can get rid of disposal odors.

9. Snag some free reads.

Our frugal person loves looking on Amazon for free eBook downloads. She also loves swinging into the library to grab free movies, CD’s, magazines, books, and so much more.

Evening:

10. Dinner is served.

Our frugal person serves her thrifty dinner. She uses cloth napkins instead of buying disposable paper. She serves lemon water and powdered drink mixes which cost less than pop. When done, she will load the dishes into the dishwasher but wait until it is full before running it.

11. Inexpensive entertainment.

The newspaper lists free events in the area and our frugal person loves looking for them. She finds a free outdoor concert that evening as well as an outdoor movie being shown downtown. There are also budget days at the local movie theatre she enjoys, plus local parks which are fun to visit too.

12. Cheap dessert.

Our frugal person gets on the email lists of all her favorite brands. This way, she gets all sorts of coupons sent to her. Tonight she has a B1G1 FREE coupon to her favorite ice cream place. So tonight, she gets to enjoy dessert for less.

13. Lights out!

Now that it is time for bed, our frugal person turns down the thermostat so it won’t work as hard at night while she is sleeping. She takes a warm shower before bed, using a shower timer and a low flow shower head so she doesn’t waste as much water.

Our frugal person is now asleep, and can dream about all of the money she saved that day! Is the frugal life for you? Give a day in the life of a frugal person a try and see how well the day goes for you!

I’d love to know what your life as a frugal person looks like. Let me know in the comments below!

Related frugal articles:

• Household items every frugal person owns
• Reusable Household Items that will Save you Money
• Frugal living tips for single income families

How to Actually Save Money on a Tight Budget

You’re living on a tight budget. You may have already cut back on your frivolous purchases, but you’d like to save even more money and don’t know where to start. It may take a bit of creativity, but it is possible to find extra savings!

Here are some ideas to help you save money on a tight budget:

Keep your receipts

Most people who feel they are broke and have no way out, actually change their perspective when they find out how much they actually already have and waste. Keeping track of what you spend each month can help you make changes to your spending habits which could account for a large chunk of change in the bank.

Evaluate

Evaluate what really is a necessity in your life. Is cable TV really needed at this time or can you use some creativity to occupy your time otherwise? Maybe you have both a land line and a cell phone and perhaps cancelling one is a possibility. Taking a good look at all your recurring expenditures and really evaluating what is an actual necessity (and getting rid of those things that aren’t) will really help you save money on a tight budget.

Prioritize

In North America, people are continuously living outside of their means. It’s impossible to save money if you’re living a $100,000/year lifestyle on a $35,000/year salary. Prioritize what is important to you at this time and get rid of the rest. You may want to put the kids in piano lessons and guitar lessons, but you can’t afford to do both. Pick one, then move on.

Cut out a convenience item

Start by cutting out one convenience item at a time.  Do you typically buy packaged cookies?  Start baking your own.  Rather than purchasing high priced, chemical laden cleaning products, make your own!  (Check out my own homemade cleaning kit.)  By cutting out one convenience item at a time, you’ll be making little strides towards your savings goal!

Earn more

Of course, earning more money is a great way to add to your savings.  Take on a part time job, ask for a raise, turn a hobby into a side business.  Just make sure you save your extra, don’t spend it!

Sell what you don’t need

You’ve all heard of Kijiji, Craigslist Facebook Buy & Sell Groups and eBay, I’m sure.  I’m also pretty sure you have stuff around your home you don’t need anymore. Sell what you don’t need on one of those previously mentioned sites or have a garage sale, then head to the bank and make a deposit!

Collect change

Make a jar for your spare change then throw it in there.  Empty your pockets and change purses every night into the jar.  Keep going until the jar is full, then pay a visit to the bank to make a deposit. It’s possible to save hundreds of dollars each year this way!

Shop wisely

Pay attention to how and why you shop. You may discover that purchasing Christmas presents during the Christmas frenzy is expensive and tough on your budget. Why not start buying presents during after Christmas sales or seasonal clearance sales? You undoubtedly have a list of the same people you have to buy for every year so when you’re out shopping, keep an eye open for any gifts they may enjoy.

Another thing that can really help when you’re overwhelmed or paralyzed by the thought of budgeting? Create a plan to stay focused! Check out this thoughtfully made BUDGET PLANNER – pages to help you achieve financial goals, track your bills and spending, discover what you did well, what you need to improve on and so much more!

Money may be a little tight, but choosing to do some of these suggestions could help you save thousands. Decide what you can give up to help you save big and reach those financial goals a bit quicker.

What are you willing to do to make a change in your financial situation?  Have you got any other suggestions?

8 Reasons Why You Can’t Save Money

“Why can’t I save money? I should be able to do it…”

Do you find yourself asking that question a lot?

You make a decent salary, many others would be happy getting paid as much as you. Maybe you have a few debts, but nothing that’s not manageable.

So why can’t you seem to put any amount into savings? You know something needs to change.

But don’t be discouraged! Many people are in your situation. Whatever your salary, you can save some of it.

Let’s take a look at some reasons why you can’t save money along with solutions:

1. You were never taught how to save money

We’re not generally born with good money sense. This is something that has to be taught and practiced. If you were never taught how to save money beginning at a young age, it’s quite possible you still don’t know how to save money as an adult.

Solution: The good news is that you can still learn how to save money! You can do this by reading helpful articles, tracking your spending, and implementing smart money habits with the tips you learn.

2. You are an impulse spender

Spending money is fun. I get that, I really get that. There are studies out there that prove that shopping can be therapeutic. But did you know that dopamine (the feel-good hormone), is actually released before you make a purchase? It begins before the purchase happens. You don’t even have to make a purchase to get that good feeling. If you find yourself making impulse purchases to make yourself feel better, this could be a reason why you can’t save money.

Solution: Just browsing or window shopping can positively impact your mood and release dopamine. If you find yourself making many impulse purchases, take 48 hours, a week or even 30 days to think about a non-essential purchase. You might be surprised to discover that you don’t actually need that item and feel content leaving it at the store.

3. You don’t track your spending

A big reason why you can’t save money might be because you aren’t tracking what you spend. When you track your spending, you can track overspending and you can eliminate wasteful spending habits. This is also a great way to discover you are paying for a subscription that you no longer use.

Solution: Use a notebook or a simple app to write down your expenditures. You might also find the idea of a Spending Journal perfect.

4. You don’t use cash

One possible reason why you can’t save money might be because you aren’t using enough cash. You mostly swipe that credit or debit card. I know when I have cash in my wallet, I think harder about any purchases I want to make. I often decide I don’t need something when I think of the bills leaving my wallet.

Solution: Start using cash. This doesn’t mean you need to use cash for every single thing. (there can be benefits to using credit cards.) But perhaps you can try using cash for your clothing or entertainment budget. I have a set of printable cash envelopes and spending trackers that might be useful too.

5. You are dealing with lifestyle inflation

Lifestyle inflation or lifestyle creep is when your expenses increase along with any increase to your income. Maybe you think every time you get a raise or receive a promotion, you deserve to treat yourself with something new. For example, with your increase in income, you might think a new car is a good idea. But really, this just means the more you earn, the more you spend.

Solution: Take the time to learn contentment. If all of your basic necessities and bills are taken care of, with any increase to your income set up automatic deposits to your savings account with the difference. You should start seeing a healthy savings account grow!

6. You think you need something you want

A house is something you need and a car is something you need to get to work. (Although, we often overspend on this necessity because we want a certain vehicle, when we can simply focus on one that we need. Which is any reliable vehicle, really.) A fridge is something you need but a 65′ TV is something you want. Not knowing the difference between and need and a want can be the reason why you can’t save money.

Solution: Take a hard look at your thought process when it comes to purchases. Is it something you need or is it something that you want? If it’s something you want, start saving your dollars so you can purchase it guilt free.

7. Everyday expenses are rising (inflation)

As I’m sure you are aware, we are seeing big price inflations on pretty much everything these days. Housing, groceries, gas… While you can’t stop it, there are things you can do to alleviate the pressure on our wallets. (I like this article on the causes of inflation, if you’re interested to read more.)

Solution: Think of this as an opportunity to be creative. Think about ways you can create more income. Or trade your garden vegetables for fresh eggs from your neighbor. Go through your expenses with a fine tooth comb to weed out the expenses that are not 100% necessary in this season. Consider eating more vegetarian meals. Brainstorm to get your creative ideas going.

8. You don’t have a savings goal

Having a savings goal in place for something specific can be a great motivator. When you are just putting money into the bank for the sake of putting money into the bank on a regular basis, it can be easier to withdraw for unimportant reasons. When you implement a savings goal, you are more likely to save more money. It helps to create healthy and productive money habits.

Solution: Implement a savings goal. An emergency fund is a common, but great savings goal to start with. Once you’ve established your emergency fund, you can move onto paying off a debt. Then you can keep going with something else. Like a vacation fund, or new appliance fund, or a new to you car fund. With a goal in place, you’ll start to see how every money decision impacts your greater financial health.

One thing is for sure though, if you’re struggling to save money, you’re not alone. With the help of these 8 solutions, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your savings goals. Which of the 8 reasons do you resonate most with?

How to Save Between $2,000 and $5,000 a Year

Spending money is fun, but saving money can be fun too! It’s fun to pay cash for the things you saved for!

Who doesn’t love going on vacations? Or buying a new TV? Or whatever is on your wish list? It’s even more fun when you can enjoy those things without a guilty conscious because they’ve already been paid for.

We all know how tough it is to pinch a penny these days. Saving money isn’t easy, but with a little creativity and some willpower, you can save between $2,000 and $5,000 a year with a few simple tips and hacks. So here’s how to save $2,000 – $5,000 (or more!) a year.

Start Off by Setting a Goal

In order to save $5,000 a year, you’re going to have to set aside about $417 a month. But if this amount is making your heart race, (don’t worry, it sounds scary to me too) then try saving $2,000 a year. You’d only have to set aside about $167 a month to reach your goal.

Cut down on takeout

No, you don’t have to let go of your takeout cravings completely. But consider cutting down 80% on takeout food. If you’re not tracking your expenses, you probably don’t realize just how much money you’re throwing away at on takeout.

But for example, if you order the Big Mac meal for $10 once a week, (just once!) that’s $40 a month. If you cut down this vice out of your annual expenses, you would’ve managed to save $480 a year.

Don’t Pay for Netflix

Say goodbye to your Netflix subscription. Or Disney+. Or Spotify.

Think about any monthly subscriptions that you have and consider cancelling one or two for a little while.

The cost for Netflix’s standard plan is about $15.49 a month. That’s $185.88 a year you could save if you forego this popular streaming service.

Think about the savings you will see if you cancel more than one service.

This can also become a fun exercise in creativity when you need to fill your downtime with something entertaining.

Start a $5 jar

Have you heard of the $5 jar hack before? How it works is, every time you find yourself with a $5 bill, you put it in a jar. Simple, right?

You’ll find that all those $5 bills really add up quickly and painlessly!

Save Your Raise

Say you got yourself a raise that will give you $2,000 a year after taxes. The simplest way to save is to pretend like you never got the raise in the first place. (Only if you can manage it with the cost of living these days!)

So, every month, transfer $167 into your savings account and in a year you’ll have $2,000 to play with!

Cut Down on Starbucks

The average price of a Starbucks tall latte in Canada is $3.85. If you go to your local Starbucks five days a week, you’re spending $19.25 a week, $77 a month, and $924 a year on average.

But if you cut down on Starbucks or drive-thru coffee in general and settle for the coffee in the break room or from home, you could save yourself nearly $1,000 a year.

Try your hand at DIY oil changes

If you are an ambitious type and enjoy a challenge, doing your own oil changes at home can save you a lot.

Learning how to drain and replace the oil and other fluids is easy. There are tons of online tutorials on YouTube that can teach you how to do it.

Same with changing your tires from summer to winter tires and vice versa. Save yourself a good chunk of change by learning how to do these yourself.

Reduce your carbon footprint

The average person spends about $386 per month on gas for their car. That’s $4,632 a year.

You can reduce your monthly gas expenses by carpooling, using public transportation like the subway or a bus.

If all else fails, try walking or riding a bike. It’s healthy and 100% free.

Sign up for PC Optimum

PC Optimum is a points program that is available at Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, or other Loblaw banner stores.

You collect points on your purchases, which can then be redeemed in $10 increments off any purchase you make at these stores.

Here is an in-depth article about the PC Optimum Program.

Cancel your gym membership

The average cost of a gym membership is about $50 a month. That’s $600 a year, and if you add the initiation fee, it will probably be more like $800.

Consider canceling your membership and go for a nice jog around the block or do some push-ups at home. There are tons of YouTube channels with 40, 50, and 60-minute workouts that are just as good.

Reduce Your Cell Phone Plan

All those Smartphone data plans you got suckered into getting could run you at least $80 a month. That’s $960 a year on average.

But you can find carriers that offer prepaid data plans. If you run out of credit, just use Wi-Fi and let people know they can only reach you when you find free Wi-Fi. This will help you save about $480 a year.

All in all, just shop around to find something that will suit your needs at the lowest price.

Get a Part Time Job

Sometimes, the best way to save $2,000 to $5,000 is to earn it.

The average minimum wage in Canada is $15.55 per hour. So, if you work 15 hours a week, you’ll earn about $233.25. That’s $933 a month and $11,196 a year, minus the taxes.

As you can see, eliminating little things here and there can really add up! Try adopting a few of these ‘how to save’ techniques, even for a short time and see how much you can save!

I’d love to hear all your ideas for how to save $2,000 – $5,000 a year. Drop a comment below!

Excellent Black Friday shopping tips

The biggest shopping day of the year is about to happen in a few weeks. I’m pretty sure it now rivals and perhaps beats out Boxing Day sales in Canada. Black Friday can be a fantastic time to score great deals on Christmas gifts. It can especially be a great time to shop if you know a few tips and tricks to make your shopping successful.

Here are 9 useful Black Friday shopping tips:

Bookmark my giant Black Friday post

Coming up next week, I will have my annual list (it’s giant!) of Canadian Black Friday deals. Simply peruse the list to find the stores that interest you, click the links, then start shopping from the comfort of your own home!

Buy discounted cards for the stores you will be shopping at.

Go shopping with discounted gift cards instead of cash to save yourself some moolah! There are many stores like Real Canadian Superstore/Loblaws, Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart that offer discounts on gift cards for stores such as Old Navy and Gap during their weekly sales. You might also want to take a look at CardSwap.ca for discounted gift cards.

Ditch the big shopping cart if you’re shopping in-store.

Just don’t even think about getting one of those large cumbersome shopping carts if you plan on shopping in-store. Grab a basket or bring a large reusable shopping bag (IKEA bag anyone?) to avoid collisions or getting stuck in an aisle when you just want to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible.

Make your shopping list in order of importance.

Is Santa promising to bring a Lego set this year? You better put that first on your shopping list! By making your shopping list in order of importance, you’re really helping yourself to not forget that all important gift.

Sign up for emails for the stores you will be shopping at.

Whether you’re shopping in-store or online it can be extremely valuable to sign up for the email list of the stores you will be shopping at. Almost certainly, they will include coupon codes or coupons you can print/show on your phone for an extra discount. Often times email subscribers can also start shopping the sales earlier online.

Shop online.

The same sales are typically available online too, save for the extreme doorbusters. Save yourself some time and energy by shopping from the comfort of your own home. (This is my preferred method ;))

Join loyalty programs

Might as well join the loyalty programs for the stores you will be shopping at if you haven’t already! Collect points that can translate into free items or even extend certain perks. (I’m thinking the TJX card from Winners.)

Shop online at Amazon.

Because I’m such a fan of online shopping, I usually check Amazon first. Black Friday will be no different because I find that they usually have some great one day deals. Another Amazon tip: Use Honey to track Amazon prices so you can see how today’s Amazon price compares to the last 30 days. You can even use the Droplist feature which allows you to save items you’re interested in and once Honey detects a lower price, they’ll let you know.

Set a budget and stick to it.

You’re really not getting any deals per say, if you put yourself into debt trying to get the latest and greatest thing. If you’ve created a shopping list, it should be easy to stay within budget because you have an idea of the price of each item. Don’t ruin your holidays worrying about debt! There’s rarely any deal that is worth that amount of stress.

Do you shop on Black Friday? I’d love to hear your Black Friday Shopping tips in the comments below.

Simple ways to celebrate the holidays on a tight budget

For some of us, the holidays always seem to land during a time where everything else hits. This means a tight budget during the holidays is a common issue that most of us will face at some point in our lives. If you find yourself with a tight budget this holiday season don’t let it ruin your fun.

This year, learn how to rock the holidays on a tight budget with these simple but meaningful ideas.

Focus on Meaning

Focus on the meaning of the holidays instead of the frills and trappings. The holidays are about friends and family so focus more on making memories than having a fancy holiday. Make homemade decorations, bake cookies, and spend quality time with the people you love.

Create new traditions

It’s the perfect time to create new traditions that your family will remember for years to come! Here are some ideas that you may enjoy or get you brainstorming:

• Go on a Christmas tree hunt: Growing up, my favourite tradition was going into the forest (with our free permit to cut a tree) and searching for the most perfect tree to decorate.
• Decorate on December 1st: Another thing we would do is wait until December 1st to decorate the house. December 1st also meant we could crank the Christmas carols!
• Make homemade Christmas cards: This would be a super fun afternoon activity for the whole family!
• Give to the less fortunate: I know locally, there are several businesses that set up bins to collect toys. Perhaps, you could find something similar and team up with a few friends to help take the focus off of yourself.
• Decorate a Gingerbread house: This is always a fun activity for the kids! Or decorating sugar cookies is also fun!
• Write letters to Santa: Sit down with the  kids and write letters to Santa! Don’t forget to send them off! In Canada, you can send your letters to:Santa Claus
  North Pole HOH OHO
  Canada
• Create a holiday bucket list: This post may help you with some ideas to add to your calendar.
• Read a Christmas book every day in December: Head to your library and pick up a big stack of holiday books to read together.
• Have a Christmas movie night: One for the whole family and maybe one just for mom & dad!
• Seek out the best Christmas light display: Take a drive one night just to look at all the lights. Vote for your favourite display.
• Give Christmas PJ’s on Christmas eve: For the last few years, I have been wrapping up a pair of Christmas pajamas for both girls that I got on sale and giving it to them on Christmas eve. They love to wake up Christmas morning in their new Christmas pajamas!

Make Homemade Gifts

Save money but still enjoy the gifting part of the holidays with Homemade Christmas gifts. Use the things you have on hand to make personalized, meaningful gifts for the people you love. It’s the fact that you thought of them and wanted to do something special that makes gifts so wonderful. Baking homemade gifts is a great way to use items you have on hand to create a great gift someone will appreciate.

Earn Extra Cash

A great way to deal with a tight budget during the holidays is to work on simple ways to earn extra cash. Sell off things you do not need or crafts you have made that others can give as gifts. Cleaning houses and clearing snow are both great ways to earn extra cash as the season wears on. This is the best time of year to pick up a part-time seasonal job for extra money if you have the time to spare.

Make a Holiday Budget

To help you thrive during any time with a tight budget, create and stick to a budget. This is a plan to help your family stay on track financially. Plan all of your regular expenses first so you don’t end up making your situation worse for the sake of the holidays. This will leave you with a clear idea of how much you can really spare and how much you should try to earn instead of going ahead blindly.

Look for Free Activities

Look for free fun activities to do. You can still make the most of Christmas even when you can not afford much. Go for a stroll and check out neighborhood light displays, volunteer to help others down at the soup kitchen or food bank. Find reasons to be grateful for what you do have this season, and you will be well on your way to rocking the holidays on a tight budget!

What are your best tips for making a meaningful but frugal Christmas season?

5 Steps for a Successful No Spend Challenge

Many years ago I embarked on my very first no spend challenge. This is when I spent zero dollars for a whole 30 days. That’s right…zero spending for an entire month! (except for bills and a few groceries.)

When I embarked on my first no spend challenge, I just jumped right in without a plan. I will tell you that I was successful in completing the challenge, however, it could have been so much smoother if I had a plan in place!

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” quoted by Benjamin Franklin, is excellent advice to put in place when you are embarking on a challenge of not spending a dime for 30 days.

The thought of no spending for a month is downright daunting… but then to face the challenge without any plan in place?! We all know that we can pretty much expect defeat.

That is not what we want.

So, today, I’m going to outline several ways to plan for a successful no spend challenge.

But first…

Why do a No Spend Challenge?

Not spending any extra money for 30 days can sound crazy, I know. However, 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 financial 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!

Let’s plan shall we?

If you’re really looking for an in-depth system for a successful no spend challenge, I recommend my No Spend Challenge Planner! It’s 45 pages of instructions, no spend activity ideas, pantry meal ideas, before and after challenge questions, food inventory sheets, gratitude sheets and so much more! Take a look here!

Step 1: Determine the length

The first step is to determine the length that your no spend challenge will last. If this is your first no spend challenge, I suggest starting small. Maybe a weekend, a work week or 7 days. Starting small will pretty much ensure a successful no spend challenge.

As you start to see the fruits of your no spend challenge, you can increase the frequency of your weekend/work week/7 day challenges. Or you can jump into a 30 day challenge to see the greatest increase in your savings account.

Step 2: Look ahead to what’s coming

Grab your calendar and take note of any events, birthdays or vacations you have coming up. You can either pick a period of time that avoids those events, or work around them.

I personally like to work around any events, birthdays, anniversaries, or family vacations we already have planned. This is so we don’t become paralyzed waiting for a perfect month. After all, any month or day is a great day to save money!

I should note that it’s possible to use creativity with planned events. In the past, I have gone on a quick vacation to Vancouver during a no spend month (already planned) and used only gift cards that I had accumulated!

Step 3: Take Inventory

This is a crucial step to having a successful no spend challenge.

Before I embark on a no spend challenge, I take inventory of my fridge, pantry, freezer and anywhere I keep household supplies.

I mark down everything I find. I’m often surprised at what I do find. Lol. Sometimes I have no idea that there are two pork tenderloins frozen in the freezer, for example.

During a typical month, food can be a huge area of the budget. By taking inventory for a no spend challenge, you will greatly reduce the amount of money you need to spend on food because you can use what you already have on hand.

This is a great time to quickly jot down some meals that you can make with the ingredients that you find.

Step 4: Use creativity

One of the hardest parts of a no spend challenge can be figuring out how to use what you have or learning to go without. This is where a bit of creativity can really pay off!

Here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

• Trade your abundance with friends (have a lot of zucchini but need toiletries?).
• Take to Pinterest to be inspired with meal ideas or simple DIY projects to create things with stuff you already have.
• Save money by buying just one of something instead of 10.
• Shop only where you have gift cards.
• Order any groceries you need online so you aren’t tempted to impulse buy.
• Borrow a book, audiobook or video from your library.
• Take advantage of free community events .
• Carpool to work.
• Declutter and sell items to make some cash.
• Go on a walk with a friends instead of going for coffee.
• Earn Swagbucks to earn free gift cards so you can treat yourself to little things like coffee.
• Host a potluck at your house instead of dinner out.

Here are some other money saving tips to help get your creative juices flowing!

• 30 Things to Stop Buying and Start Making
• Creative uses for old magazines
• 52 things to learn for free
• Creative Ways to Use Ordinary Objects for Organizing

Step 5: Reassess your wants and needs

A no spend challenge can be a real eye opener on how you really spend your money on a normal basis.

During a challenge, this is a great time to assess where you really value spending money. On the other hand, you can also assess what you are wasting money on without even realizing it.

Instead of spending money all the time as a solution, a no spend challenge will help you to work with what you already have. So needs may become wants as you work through creative solutions.

I have no doubt that a successful no spend challenge will teach you lessons that will last a lifetime.

How to do life after your challenge

Immediately after a no spend challenge is an important period.

You don’t want to fall back into any bad spending habits or go on a shopping spree to make up for days without spending anything.

This is a good time to look at how much money you saved during your no spend period as well.

What do you plan to do with your savings? Are you going to transfer it to your savings account or use the extra money to pay some bills or debt?

After you decide what you’re going to do, take action immediately. Put the money to use right away, or you might be tempted to use it for the wrong thing.

One last thing. Remind yourself constantly of what you really want your money to do for you. Do you want to pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible? Do you want to spend a month traveling Europe? What ever your true financial goals are, write them down and keep them in a visible spot so you’re constantly reminded. Don’t shortchange yourself. You are worth it.

This was such a big hit in past years, that I took the time to update it with this year’s dates!  Hope you enjoy 🙂

Are you living in the Okanagan or planning on taking a trip there this summer?  The Okanagan happens to be the place I call home, so I thought I’d create a guide full of fun, frugal activities that take place in the land of sun.  The goal is for this to be The Ultimate Frugal Okanagan Summer Activity Guide.  If you have an event or know of a really cool place to visit, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!

Farmer’s Markets:

• Lake Country Farmer’s Market: Fridays from 3pm – 7pm.  June – September.
• Osoyoos Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. May through September.
• Armstrong Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 8am – 12pm. End of April – middle of October.
• Salmon Arm Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. May – October.
• Vernon Farmer’s Market: Mondays and Thursdays from 8am – 1pm. April – October.
• Kelowna Farmer’s Market: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am – 1pm.  April – October.
• Naramata Community Market: Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. June – September.
• Penticton Farmer’s Market: Saturdays from 8:30am – 1pm. April to October.
• Westbank Farmer’s Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm. July 2 – September 24.
• Summerland Farmer’s Market: Sundays 9am – 1pm. June 26 – September 25.
• Peachland Farmer’s Market: Sundays 10am – 2pm. May 29 – Last Sunday in September.
• Sun Peaks & Region Farmers’ Market – Sundays 9:30am – 1:30pm. June 19 – October 9.

Food & Wine:

The Okanagan is well know for its award winning wines and wineries.  Many of them offer free tours and wine tastings.

• Vineyard and Winemaking Tour – in Oliver – Each weekend in July, 11am – 3pm.
• Okanagan Wine Festivals – They have a great list of events that happen all year long.
• Cider Tasting – at BX Press Cidery. Tastings are daily from 10am – 5pm.
• Gasthaus on the Lake – in Peachland
• Okanagan Feast of Fields – at Wiseacre Farm Distillery in Kelowna – September 18, 2022.
• Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery – Tastings available all day Monday – Saturday.
• Diner en Blanc – in Kelowna at a secret location – July 7, 2022
• Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads Bakery – in Kelowna – Open Tuesday – Saturday 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Okanagan Bakehouse: in Vernon – Open Tuesday – Saturday 8am – 5pm.
• Carmelis Goat Cheese tours – in Kelowna – Friday – Monday from 11am to 5pm
• Farmstrong Cider Company – In Armstrong – Open Thursday – Sunday 12pm – 8pm
• Farm to Table Tours –  in Kelowna

Canada Day:

• Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta & Canada Day Celebration: in Osoyoos July 1.
• Celebrate Canada Day – in Kelowna July 1
• Music in the Park – “The Goods” – in Armstrong July 1, 7pm – 9pm
• Canada Day Celebrations in Penticton: in Penticton July 1.
• Peachland Canada Day events – in Peachland – July 1.

Arts:

• Many Hat’s Theatre Company Presents: Off The Grid – in Penticton Thursdays – Sundays July 7 – 30, 2022.
• Caravan Farm Theatre Presents: Blackhorse – in Armstrong July 12 – August 17, 2022.
• 11th Annual Retro Concert Weekend – at Sun Peaks August 26 – 28, 2022.
• Parks Alive – in Kelowna at various parks
• Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival – in Salmon Arm August 18 – 21, 2022.
• Lake Country Art Walk – in Lake Country September 10 – 11, 2022.
• Craft and Country, Beer and Music Mountain Festival – at Big White July 16, 2022.

Beaches:

• We like to boast about all our amazing beaches here in the Okanagan. Take a look at this list of the Best Okanagan Beaches.

U-Pick Fruit & Fruit Stands:

• See here for another great list of fruit stands and u-pick fruit places in the Okanagan.
• Local Fruit Stands to watch for in Peachland: Buchanan Rd, Drought Hill, Elliot Drive, Turner Avenue, Hwy 97

Sports:

• Rattlesnake Island Swim – in Peachland August 6, 2022.
• Canada Cup DH Race – at Silver Star Mountain Resort, July 8 – 10, 2022.
• Slay the Dragon – at Silver Star Mountain Resort, June 25, 2022.
• Kelowna Across the Lake Swim – in Kelowna on Okanagan Lake July 16, 2022.
• Peach Classic Triathlon – in Penticton July 17, 2022.
• Spartan Race – at Big White Ski Resort, August 27 – 28, 2022.
• Okanagan Granfondo – in Penticton July 10, 2022.
• Funtastic Slo Pitch Tournament – in Vernon June 30 – July 3, 2022.

Golf Courses

The Okanagan has many amazing golf courses to play!  Enjoy one round or make a vacation out of it!  See this list of Okanagan Golf Courses.

Hiking Trails:

• Hiking Trails in Kelowna
• Hiking Trails in Vernon
• Hiking Trails in the Penticton area

Festivals, Fairs & Community Events:

• Lumby Days – in Lumby June 10 – 12, 2022.
• Peach City Beach Cruise – in Penticton from June 24 – 26, 2022.
• Penticton Elvis Festival – in Penticton from June 23 – 26, 2022.
• Great Train Robbery & BBQ – in Summerland starting June 19. 1:30pm and 4pm.
• Okanagan Military Tattoo – in Vernon July 23 – 24, 2022.
• Penticton Peach Festival – in Penticton August 3 – 7, 2022.
• Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede – in Armstrong August 31 – September 4, 2022.
• Salmon Arm Fall Fair – in Salmon Arm September 9 – 11, 2022.
• Sunshine Festival – in Vernon June 18, 2022.
• Funtastic Music Festival & Ball Tournament – in Vernon June 30 – July 3, 2022.
• Westside Daze– in West Kelowna July 8 – 10, 2022.
• Summer Reading Club – at Okanagan libraries. Check your local branch for times and dates.
• Craft & Country Mountain Fest – at Big White Ski Resort, July 16, 2022.

Father’s Day Events:

• 19th Annual Father’s Day Car Show: at Kelowna City Park, June 19, 2022 from 11am- 4pm

Places of interest:

Vernon & Area:

• Davison Orchards
• Splashdown Waterslides
• Allan Brooks Nature Centre
• Caetani Cultural Centre
• Downtown Murals in Vernon
• O’Keefe Ranch
• Okanagan Science Centre
• Oyama Ziplines
• Silver Star Mountain Resort
• Falkland Museum & Heritage Park
• Vernon Dog Parks
• Vernon Museum
• Village Green Shopping Centre
• Starlight Drive-In Theatre
• Log Barn
• Vernon Playgrounds
• Vernon Public Art Gallery
• Powerhouse Theatre
• Village Cheese

Kelowna & Area:

• Kangaroo Creek Farm
• Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
• Energyplex
• Jump2It
• Okanagan Military Museum
• Kelowna Art Gallery
• Lake Country Art Gallery
• Alternator Centre for Contemporary Arts
• Gellatly Nut Farm
• Myra Canyon Adventure Park
• Safari Ridge Adventure Park
• Scandia Golf & Games
• The Jammery
• Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens
• Okanagan Heritage Museum
• Kelowna Community Theatre
• Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
• Farm to Table
• Orchard Park Shopping Centre
• Big White Ski Resort
• Paynter’s Fruit Market

Penticton & Area:

• Parrot Island Sanctuary
• Peachland Museum
• Little Schoolhouse
• Beach Ride Rental Co.
• Penticton River Channel
• ZipZone Adventure Park
• Kettle Valley Steam Railway
• Cherry Lane Shopping Centre
• Linden Gardens
• LocoLanding Adventure Park
• Penticton Museum
• SS Sicamous Paddle Wheeler and Heritage Park

Okanagan Tourism Websites:

• Tourism Vernon
• Armstrong Tourism
• Enderby Tourism
• Tourism Kelowna
• Lake Country Tourism
• West Kelowna Tourism
• Summerland Tourism
• Peachland Tourism
• Tourism Penticton
• Okanagan Falls Tourism
• Oliver Tourism
• Naramata Tourism
• Osoyoos Tourism

Looking for deals?

Groupon has a ton of local discounted restaurants, spas, things to do and more! Check it out for great savings on the things you want to do in the Okanagan.

10 Uses for Coconut Oil

I just bought a giant tub of coconut oil from Costco so I thought I’d better add a list of 10 uses for coconut oil! To go along with the 10 uses for vinegar and baking soda, of course.

While I purchased mine at Costco, it’s also available at grocery stores and Amazon too.

I’ve used coconut oil in the past for cooking and baking, however, I’m really excited to delve into all that the product offers. There are so many unique ways to use it!

Here are 10 Uses for Coconut Oil:

#1 – Shaving Cream: Coconut oil can serve as a pretty fine substitute for shaving cream when you’re getting ready to go to work in the morning. Also, if you rubbed the electric razor a little too hard on your skin, coconut oil can also serve as a great after shave lotion.

#2 – Leather Cleaner and Protector: You have a leather coat or couch and want to condition the material. Maybe you have heard that coconut oil is a good use for leather and faux leather conditioning. You wonder if it will take out the cracks and help the leather look smooth for a long time.

Well, the good news is that coconut oil is an excellent conditioner for leather and faux leather material. Use a clean, dry cloth to buff the oil onto the leather or faux leather surface.

#3 – Oil For Wood Bowls and Boards: If one doesn’t maintain their woodware properly, the consequences can be rather irritating. Some pretty serious stains can settle in, and smells can linger for a long time.

Coconut oil can serve as a great way to get those tough stains and smells out of your favorite wood bowl and off your favorite cutting board. Just use it as you would any other wood treating oil; a fine, thorough rub into the wood and your woodware is fresh once again.

#4 – Makeup Remover: Coconut oil is pretty much great for anything, so of course it makes a good makeup remover! Simply warm about a teaspoon of coconut oil between your fingers, then massage onto your face to dissolve makeup. Just be sure to be gentle while you’re trying to remove that mascara.

#5 – Impromptu Neosporin: Little accidents happen a lot around the house in this day and age.

Thankfully, coconut oil can keep those minor scrapes from developing into worse things, like infections. Just dab a little of it over any cut, scrape, or scratch and put a Band-Aid on top of the injury. An added bonus is that it smells a lot better than anything you could pick up at the drugstore.

#6 – Mouthwash: Lets face it, Listerine doesn’t really taste all that great. But, what if you had something that generally doesn’t taste terrible, what if you had something that might actually taste pretty GOOD while your swishing it around in your mouth, getting all the gunk and goo cleaned out?

Coconut oil my friend; just toss it around in your mouth for a good 10-15 minutes in the morning to clean your mouth up a bit. When all is said and done, just rinse the leftovers out with water and spit. (This method is also called oil pulling.)

#7 – Deodorant: Now, here’s something really unique you’d never expect out of coconut oil; it can also be used as deodorant! Who would’ve thought, huh?!

In all seriousness, though, coconut oil is an extremely effective tool that can keep your kid’s armpits sweet-smelling, and if used in conjunction with baking soda, it can be even more effective. Just massage it in and things will smell a lot less like a gym locker room on a bad Tuesday.

#8 – Moisturizer: Some of us don’t want to pay the high prices for the expensive moisturizers. And, luckily, most people like the smell of coconut, the mere scent of which invokes images of Hawaiian beaches and Caribbean shores.

Thankfully for you, coconut oil is a nice, natural moisturizer that you can use on anything from dry elbows to chapped lips!

#9 – Energy Supplement: Energy drinks lift us up, but they eventually bring us down even lower than when we started. Sometimes a real pick me up is needed to get us through our busy lives.

This is where our coconut oil friend comes into play. Coconut oil has been proven to give men and women alike nice bursts of energy when things are feeling pretty darn tiring. So, when that heart-attack inducing (It’s been proven by science, can’t argue with that) energy drink starts eyeing you from across the desk, remember to try and slip yourself a small bit of coconut oil and see how that works out.

#10 – Athlete’s Foot Combatant: Coconut oil also works well at keeping Athlete’s Foot away. A quick massage of the stuff on your foot and you’ll be good for a while.

 What do you think of those uses for Coconut Oil? How do you like to use Coconut oil?

How to Live Below Your Means to Achieve Your Financial Goals

The concept of living below your means sounds easy enough. In reality, it can actually be quite difficult! Especially with the rising cost of living.

A quick definition: To live below your means, you must not spend more money than you earn.

But maybe you are struggling to make ends meet.

Never mind saving money each month.

That doesn’t stop you from having financial goals though. They’re still at the forefront of your mind. You just don’t know how to achieve them. That can feel pretty discouraging.

Today, I’m here to add hope to your financial future. Your current situation doesn’t have to be your situation forever. Life situations always change!

Before we get started on how you can achieve your financial goals, I’ve got a couple important things to touch on. It can be beneficial to pin point exactly why you are struggling.

There are various reasons why you may be having troubles living below your means:

• You were never taught how to manage money (It’s never too late to learn!)
• You don’t budget
• Not enough income
• Spending is easier than saving
• You’re trying to keep up with the Jones’
• Lifestyle inflation (Your expenses increase along with any increase to your income)
• Everyday expenses are rising (inflation)
• You want instant gratification (training yourself to have to cash first before a purchase can feel just as satisfying.)

The truth of the matter is, most of us simply don’t have enough money to purchase everything we want, as soon as we want it. Self-discipline and planning are key in creating good spending habits.

If you want to achieve your financial goals, living below your means will help you immensely. Here are some strategies to help you achieve success.

1)  Set realistic financial goals

When you set realistic and achievable financial goals, you are more likely to stay motivated and self-disciplined. Here are some examples of realistic financial goals you can set:

• I will save up $500 in my savings account in the next 12 months. 
• In the next 12 months, I will pay off $600 in debt.
• In the next 12 months, I will only spend $400 on clothes and shoes.

The goals in the examples above have a time limit set on them and are specific in nature. The amounts are achievable.

The best thing to do is to focus on only 1 or 2 financial goals at a time to ensure your success.

After you set the goals, set an action plan that specifically says how you are going to accomplish those financial goals. For example, if you focus on the “I will save up $500 in my savings account in the next 12 months” goal, you can set the following specific action plans:

• Cancel $10 Disney+ subscription for the next 12 months. (Savings: $120)
• I will save $12.50 from each paycheck for the next 12 months. (Savings: $300)
• Save $80 on clothing expenses for 1 year by buying items second hand. (Savings: $80)
  Total Savings: $500

Once you’ve set your action plan, review your goals and action plans often enough to make sure you are staying on track. Once you see the progress you are making, you may find yourself extra encouraged to keep going!

2)  Create a budget.

Living below your means requires you to build self-discipline with spending. To be disciplined with money, you must be organized with your earnings and spending.  

A budget is the way to track how much money is coming in and how much money is going out each week, biweekly, or monthly.

You don’t need anything fancy to get started with a budget. I have a free monthly budget form you can get that will be a helpful starting point.

Or if you want to go all in with creating a budget, my $9 Budget Planner is a great, easy way to track all aspects of your finances.

Or even a simple Monthly Budget Spreadsheet from Etsy will be a great tool.

A budget is not a set and forget thing though. Be diligent about checking in with your budget at least once a week to make sure you are on track with your spending.

Side note: A budget often takes away the feeling of guilt when you spend money on a wanted item because you know it can fit within the budget.

3) Practice delayed gratification.

Currently, I’m saving up for a Fitbit. Not because I need one, but because I want one. I have been selling some of our unwanted items and saving some cash I earn from Simply Frugal.

This is where self-discipline comes in handy again in regards to your spending habits. Save cash for the unnecessary, but enjoyable things you want to get.

Let’s say you want to get: 

• A new smart watch
• A new tennis racket
• A new kitchen faucet
• New furniture for the living room

These are not essentials, but things you want to have to make life a little better! If you are on a tight budget, it’s important that you save before you buy. Don’t make that purchase until you have enough saved to make the purchase. Delayed gratification can feel amazing, especially since you don’t have to worry about paying off the item(s) you purchased!

These purchases can also become one of your financial goals. So set the goal with a time frame and create the action plan on how you are going to achieve your goal like I outlined in strategy number one above.

4)  Put money aside for emergencies.

Without having money put aside for emergencies, and replenishing it after use, you are risking the chance of racking up some debt. In other words, you may have to borrow money in order to be able to afford the unexpected expense.  

Have money put aside for emergencies by saving enough to cover things like:

• Repairs on a often used appliance
• Replacement of a hot water tank
• Replacement of a computer

You can decide how much is right to have set aside. I suggest at least $500, but $1000 or $2000 are even better. Once you set an amount, you can start the saving process by setting your goal and action plan.  

Having an emergency fund in place will help you to live within your means because you will not spend unbudgeted money when an unexpected need arises.

In conclusion, it takes consistency, self-discipline and organization to achieve your financial goals. The more you practice, the easier it will be to develop strong spending and saving habits. Living within your means will help you:

• Save more
• Ride the waves of inflation better
• Feel less stress
• Have more financial security
• Be financially content
• And more

The strategies in this article will help you to live within your means and achieve your financial goals.

Use cash back apps to save big

As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m not a huge coupon user for various reasons. (Mainly time. I don’t make enough time to use them.) But one thing that I can really get on board with is all these cash-back apps that are available!

Here is how I make these cash back apps work for our lifestyle:

1. I don’t make a shopping list based on the rebates they have available
2. After I’m finished shopping I peruse the list of rebates and if there are items I have purchased on the lists, I go ahead with filing my receipt.

This way, I’m not buying (or getting really cheap) stuff that we won’t use or eat. Every nickel adds up when I’m buying things that will just get wasted in the end!

What I especially love is the rebates for fresh produce! It’s not often you see a coupon for that! I’ve also taken advantage of the rebates for wine in the past, which we’ve bought for gifts.

For this this post, I wanted to create an Ultimate Guide to the Cash Back Apps we have available to us in Canada. Sound good? Lets get started!

Honey

In a nutshell:

Honey is here to help. We give everyone the tools it takes to find the best savings, perks, and all around value. And we make them free and easy-to-use. So you can always spend with confidence.

1. Join Honey for Free: It only takes two clicks to add Honey to Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Opera.
2. Find Savings in Seconds: While you shop, Honey will find working promo codes on the internet
3. Save Instantly: With one click, Honey will apply some of the best deals to your cart. It’s that easy!
   

Checkout 51

In a nutshell:

Every Thursday morning, Checkout 51 updates with a new list of offers. All you have to do is pick the ones you like, purchase them at any store, and upload a photo of your receipt through our mobile app or website. When your account reaches $20, we send you a check.

How Checkout 51 works

1. Browse your offers and buy products at any store in Canada. (excluding Quebec)
2. Upload your receipt using Checkout 51. Photos must be clear and readable. You must send a photo of the entire receipt. If you have a long receipt, you can add “sections”.
3. They’ll confirm your purchase and credit your account.
4. When your account balance reaches $20, you can choose to cash out and they’ll mail you a check.

Other Key Guidelines

• Anyone can use Checkout 51. They have an app for smartphones and you can even use it on your computer.
• Offers go live on Thursdays at 12:00 AM in each time zone. They expire the following Wednesday at 11:59 PM in each time zone. You must upload your receipts while the offers are live.
• Offers are available in limited quantities. Be sure to check your offer list before you go shopping to ensure that the offer is still available. Make sure to upload your receipt immediately after purchase to avoid disappointment!
• A quantity of one of each rebate offer is eligible for Cash Back per member.
• Each receipt can only be used once.
• You can only earn Cash Back for the exact product listed, so please read carefully.
• Products must be purchased in your country of registration. We currently support the United States (the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and Overseas US Military Bases) and Canada (excluding Quebec).
• Receipts uploaded must be in English.
• Items purchased from online retailers are eligible for Cash Back. Itemized packing slips are accepted as proof of purchase. Online purchases are subject to the same upload timelines as receipts.

Can I use a Coupon with my Rebate offer?

Yes! You can earn Checkout 51 Cash Back in combination with any other coupon or discount unless otherwise stated. This is a great way to get free or nearly free items each week!

When Will I get my Cash Back?

You are able to cash out and receive a cheque once your account reaches $20 or more. Cheques are sent out via snail mail within 7 business days.

Ampli

In a Nutshell:

Link – Shop – Earn – Cash Out

Canada, it’s about time you got paid to shop! Ampli is the newest Canadian cash back app, getting you cash back on your everyday online and in-store purchases!

How Ampli Works

1. Download the Ampli app for free
2. Securely link your debit and credit cards from over 130 Canadian banks and other financial institutions
3. Automatically earn cash back every time you shop online or in-store at participating brands
4. Cash out by sending yourself a free Interac e-Transfer

How do I get paid?

You can cash out your balance by sending yourself a free Interac e-Transfer to any Canadian bank account when you reach a minimum balance of $15.

Eclipsa

In a Nutshell:

Earn cash back on your healthier grocery choices too. New products are added every week on Thursday.

How does Eclipsa work?

1. Download the free app & choose the products you want to buy
2. Use the eclipsa app to snap a clear picture of your receipt
3. After they read your receipt, they will deposit the cash into your account

Other Key Guidelines:

• Earn cash back on your healthier grocery choices too. New products are added every week on Thursday.

• You can purchase your products at your favourite stores, retailers, and even online!

• Once you earn $20, we can mail you a cheque or deposit your earnings into your bank account through Interac e-Transfer.

Save.ca Cash Back

In a Nutshell:

Save.ca is excited to introduce our new Mobile Cash-Back feature! Download the app and start getting cash back by purchasing the brands and products you already love – it’s like you’re getting paid to do your shopping!

How Does it Work?

1. Browse offers on the list – Our app will be updated regularly with new offers, so check back often!
2. Buy products at any store – Select the offers you like, and make sure you buy the right item and size in store.
3. Upload Your Receipt – Take a legible photo of your receipt and submit through the app.
4. Earn $ and cash out to your PayPal account – When your receipt is processed, your account will be credited within a few days. Once you have $5, you can instantly cash out to your PayPal account.

Save.ca has the only cash-back app that uses PayPal to get you money back. It’s the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to get you spending less and saving more!

Connect your PayPal account by selecting the burger menu on the top left corner of the app and choosing ‘My Account’. From here, go to ‘Profile’ and then ‘View PayPal’ where you can connect the app to your PayPal account.

Once your total savings equal $5, you can opt to cash out and the funds will be deposited to your PayPal account will within minutes. Don’t want to cash out right away? No problem. Keep saving and cash out whenever you would like!

Once you’ve reached $5 in savings, you can cash out in the ‘My Account’ section of the app under the ‘Balance’ tab. Simply select ‘Cash Out’ located at the bottom of this screen and verify your PayPal email address before confirming your submission.

You will be notified via email.

You can submit a receipt for as long as the coupon is available on the Save.ca app or until it is sold out. After it is no longer available, you will not be able to submit your purchase so act quick!

Please allow 3-5 business days for your purchase to be validated.

Caddle

In a Nutshell:

Caddle is a free app that pays users with real cash back for everyday purchases, completing surveys, and engaging with brands and products. Download now from your phones app store!

How to Use Caddle:

1. Download the App on any Apple or Android device or sign up on their website.
2. Following login, browse our weekly offers. Once you find an offer you like, simply tap the offer, follow the on screen instructions to redeem the offer and get cash.
3. New Caddle offers launch weekly. Check Caddle every Thursday for more ways to make money. You can earn from watching ads, answering surveys and engaging with brands.
4. Once you reach $20 or more in your Caddle account, you can cash out. Simply go to my account, select cash out and we will mail you a cheque. It’s that easy. Start earning today!

Related posts:

• How to Coupon in Canada
• Ways to Save Money with your Smartphone

Do you use any of these Cash Back apps to save? Which one is your favourite?  What type of offers are your favourite?

The Best Time of Year to Buy Anything in Canada

You might have been wondering when the best time of year to buy a particular item you’ve had your eye on might be. Did you know that Canada has a yearly sale cycle? As in, every retail and department store will have specific items on sale each month of the year. Yes, Superstore, Walmart, Sport Chek, Best Buy and even local small businesses will all have sales to clear out stock.

For example, you can find rock bottom prices on Christmas decorations in January and cheap Summer clothes in September. Here’s how you can get the biggest bargain on what you need all year long:

January:

• Christmas Items (candy, decorations, wrapping paper…etc.)
• Toys (those on clearance from Christmas)
• Exercise Equipment
• Dieting products (food and programs like Weight Watchers)
• Athletic shoes
• Gym memberships
• Bedding, Towels (also known as a White-Sale)
• Computers/tablets
• Tax software
• Vehicles
• Small appliances
• Houses
• Motorcycles
• Boats
• Organization products
• Winter clothes (outerwear, boots, sweaters)

February:

• Electronics
• Furniture
• Cameras
• TV’s (before the Super bowl)
• Valentine’s Day items (after valentine’s day: candy, decorations…etc.)
• Rugs
• Housewares

March:

• Cleaning Supplies
• Paper Products (paper towel, facial tissue, toilet paper)
• Luggage
• Spring clothes

April:

• Vacuums
• Paint
• Winter clothes (now on clearance)
• Winter Boots
• Easter Items (candy, decorations..etc)
• Cookware
• Tires
• Ham

May:

• Bedding, Towels (White-Sale)
• Ice Cream, salad dressing, bottled water
• Cleaning items

June:

• BBQ Items (Hot dogs, condiments, paper plates…etc.)
• BBQ’s
• Sunscreen/insect repellent
• Tools (for Father’s day)

July:

• Air Conditioners/fans
• BBQ Items
• Craft items
• Party Supplies
• Sunscreen/Insect repellent

August:

• School Supplies
• Patio Furniture
• Snack foods (for back-to-school)
• Bathing Suits (now on clearance)
• Outdoor Toys
• Summer clothing
• Pool supplies (air mattresses, pool noodles…etc.)

September:

• Summer clothes (now on clearance)
• Gardening items (bulbs, shrubs, trees)
• Bicycles
• Large Appliances
• Snack foods (for back-to-school)

October:

• Turkey
• Fishing supplies (now on clearance)
• Lawn mowers (now on clearance)
• Baking Supplies

November:

• Heaters
• Baking supplies
• Halloween candy (now on clearance)
• Blankets
• Pie ingredients (crusts, fillings)
• Turkey
• Winter clothes

December:

• Everything for Christmas dinner
• Toys
• Tools
• Electronics
• Carpeting & Flooring

Here are some other money saving articles that may interest you:

• 8 Ways to Earn PC Optimum Points Quickly
• How to Coupon in Canada
• Canadian Scanning Code of Practice
• Almost Effortless Ways to be Frugal

How to Earn PC Optimum Points Quickly

If you shop at the Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, or other Loblaw banner stores, then you may have heard about the PC Optimum Rewards program they offer.

In my opinion, the PC Optimum rewards program is one of the best in Canada. It is awesome.

Before I get into the exciting part about how to earn PC Optimum Points quickly, first a quick run down of the program:

About the PC Optimum Rewards Program:

• It is free to sign up for a PC Optimum account.
• You can earn points at participating Loblaw stores using your PC optimum card or app.
• Earn 15 points per $1.00 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart.
• Earn 10 points per litre at Esso and Mobil stations across Canada.
• Earn points at Superstore, Loblaws, Zehrs, No Frills and other Loblaw grocery stores by collecting points from personal digital offers found in the app and/or in-store offers. (can be found in the flyers.)
• Redeem 10,000 points for $10 worth of goods at any Loblaw store.
• Redemptions are in increments of 10,000 points i.e. $10, $20, $30, and so on. You can redeem up to a maximum of 500,000 points or $500 in a single transaction.

How to Earn PC Optimum Points Quickly

It’s easy to earn and redeem PC Optimum points. That’s why PC Optimum is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada.

But I have several tips for you today that will help you to maximize the amount of points you earn each shopping trip.

1. Take Advantage of Weekly Personalized Offers

When you sign up for PC Optimum, they will send you weekly emails with personalized offers that usually reflect your buying habits. Making them personalized to you.

For example, this week, one of my personalized offers is 200 points for every $1.00 spent on strawberries. Most weeks, I buy strawberries. So I will automatically get the points when I scan my PC Optimum card or app at the checkout. You will also receive points even if you do grocery pick-up with PC Express.

New weekly personalized offers go live every Thursday at 12 am and are valid through Wednesday of the following week.

2. Save your Personalized offers for next week

Since the personalized offers change on a weekly basis, you may find some offers don’t work for you on a particular week. (Because you just bought that item or you are away, for example.) If you know you will need that particular item next week when you shop, it’s possible to save up to 4 offers for the following week.

For example, I have an offer for 600 points for every $3 spent on PC frozen fruit. I don’t need any frozen fruit this week, but since we eat a lot of smoothies, I will save this offer for next week, when we will need more.

It could also be advantageous to save offers so you can wait for a sale. It’s great when you can grab something on sale AND collect points at the same time! I believe you can save the same offer more than once.

3. Choose ‘Don’t Show Again’

Alternatively, sometimes you know an offer just won’t work for you, ever. Instead of saving this offer for another week, you can choose ‘Don’t Show Again’ and this offer will be dismissed.

This is a great way to tailor your personalized offers so that when the offers refresh on Thursday, they will be even more applicable to how you normally grocery shop.

4. Check the Weekly Flyers for in-Store offers

Take a look in your flyers and you are sure to spot some points offers that say something along the lines of ‘Buy 2 (insert participating product), get 1,500 PC Optimum Points’. I recently earned 1,600 points because I bought a rotisserie chicken. (The offer was 1,600 points for every $8 spent on hot or chilled ready-to-go meals.)

You may also see bonus offers like: Get 8,000 Bonus PC Optimum Points when you spend $40 or more on these participating brands. (insert participating brands.) These are excellent. Keep in mind that you can also use coupons (if applicable) so you can get a lot of products and a lot of points with these bonus offers!

5. Check the app for Bonus Points Events

This week, I see in the app that I have a points offer for 20,000 points when I spend $60 or more on almost anything in-store at Shoppers Drug Mart.

So definitely take a look in the app before you go shopping!

6. Join PC Optimum Insiders

Signing up for a PC Optimum account is free. However, they also offer a subscription called PC Optimum Insiders. This does have an annual fee of $119.

I have heard from several people who are PC Insiders that they make back in points what they pay annually quite quickly. The PC Optimum Insiders subscription is really beneficial if you often buy President’s Choice products or use PC Express grocery pick up.

Here is what a PC Optimum Insiders subscription offers:

• 10% back on every single PC® product
• Free PC Express™ grocery pickup with priority time slots. This is a saving of $3 to $5 per pickup.
• Free shipping, with no minimum purchase from joefresh.com and shoppersdrugmart.ca
• 10% back on all JOE FRESH products
• 5% back in points on PC Travel bookings, including car rentals, hotel bookings, flights and vacation packages

7. Use a PC Financial Mastercard

If you are a credit card user (sometimes they can be beneficial!) and mostly shop at Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, etc., then a PC Financial Mastercard may be a good option for you! There are three different cards available:

• PC Financial Mastercard: Earn 25 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and 10 points per $1 spent at PC grocery stores. Also earn 10 points on all other purchases. This card has no income requirements.
• PC Financial World Mastercard: Earn 35 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and 20 points per $1 spent at PC grocery stores. This card has a $60,000 minimum annual personal income requirement.
• PC Financial World Elite Mastercard: Earn 45 PC Optimum points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and 30 points per $1 spent at PC grocery stores. To be eligible, you must meet the $80,000 minimum personal income requirement.

For all the details, be sure to talk with an advisor at a PC Financial institution.

8. Buy Gas at Mobil and Esso

Earn even more points by fueling up at Esso and Mobil gas stations! You will earn 10 PC Optimum points per litre as a PC Optimum member and at least 30 points per litre when you pay using a PC Financial Mastercard.

Take Note:

Points cannot be earned or redeemed on gift cards according to their terms & conditions, section 7.

As you can see, the PC Optimum program is great. Especially if you do the majority of your shopping at Loblaw banner stores and Shoppers Drug Mart. It’s fun to accumulate points and then redeem them to pay for an entire shopping trip! Sometimes I like to redeem some when I’m purchasing a new sweater or kitchen appliance, for example. It’s like getting those ‘wants’ for free!

You may also love my How to Coupon in Canada Series:

• Where to find Canadian coupons
• How to organize your coupons
• What the Fine Print Means
• Ensuring a coupon is valid
• Coupon etiquette
• Maximize your coupon savings
• Coupon Stacking in Canada

Do you have any other tips on how to earn PC Optimum Points quickly?

Coupon Stacking in Canada

Coupon stacking in Canada is a very popular topic when it comes to coupon use!

Unfortunately, traditional coupon stacking is no longer available in Canada. 🙁

Since I’ve been out of the coupon game for quite some time, I’m not sure when London Drugs and Save-On Foods stopped allowing coupon stacking.

But don’t let this discourage you from using coupons!

There are still a couple of legitimate methods that will allow you to “stack” coupons or deals.

Method #1

First of all, since the introduction of cash back apps, it may be possible to use a coupon at the store, then redeem a cash back offer from an app at home. For example, say you have a coupon for Melitta Coffee Pods. Use that at the store, then redeem the cash back offer for $2.00 found in the Caddle app.

One thing to watch for is  wording like this: Cannot use this offer with any other print or in-app coupon or rebate. This literally means what it says. You can’t use a coupon AND redeem the cash back offer for the same product. This wording is found in Checkout 51 most often.

Cash-Back Apps that I love:

• Checkout 51
• Caddle
• Eclipsa
• Ampli

Method #2

Secondly, this is very loose “stacking”, but it’s still a great way to use coupons and save money for future purchases.

I love the PC Optimum program. By scanning my card, I’m able to collect points with the personal offers they have for me each week as well as the bonus points that can be found in the flyers.

So with one grocery shopping trip, I can redeem coupons and collect points that I can use as a cash discount another time! Sometimes, you may have a coupon and be able to collect points on the same product!

Do you use cash back apps or the PC Optimum program? What are some of the great deals that you have gotten by using these methods?

Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:

• Where to find Canadian coupons
• How to organize your coupons
• What the fine print means
• Ensuring a coupon is valid
• Coupon etiquette
• Maximize your coupon savings

Where to Find Canadian Coupons

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!

Printable Coupons

If you have access to a printer, you will love to know that there are so many printable coupons available to Canadians. Many companies Like webSaver.ca, GoCoupons.ca, Walmart and Dairyland offer coupons that you can immediately print right from home, cut out and take to your local stores to redeem. Check out the giant list of printable Canadian coupons that are available on Simply Frugal!

Mail to Home Coupons 

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:

1. Download the app
2. Browse the list of cash-back offers then buy your groceries
3. Select the offers you purchased
4. Upload your receipt
5. Earn Cash Back when your receipt is approved

The best Cash Back apps in Canada are: Checkout 51, Caddle, Eclipsa, webSaver Digital Coupons, Honey (for online shopping) and Rakuten (for online shopping).

The Ultimate List of Canadian Coupon Sources:

• webSaver.ca
• Walmart Coupon Portal
• GoCoupons.ca
• Get Well Stay Well
• Simply Frugal Printable Canadian Coupons List

I’m positive these ideas will help you with where to find Canadian coupons! What’s your favourite way to grow your coupon stash?

Here’s the list of posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:

• How to organize your coupons
• What the Fine Print Means
• Ensuring a coupon is valid
• Coupon etiquette
• Maximize your coupon savings
• Coupon Stacking in Canada

How to Organize Coupons

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!

This coupon organizer is similar, but more like a wallet!

Coupon Organizing Method #2 – Use Envelopes

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:

• Here’s how I organize my coupon binder
• Coupon Organizing Tips
• How to Create a coupon binder (video)
• A Coupon Binder (video)

How to Sort  your Coupons

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:

• Where to find Canadian coupons
• What the Fine Print Means
• Ensuring a coupon is valid
• Coupon etiquette
• Maximize your coupon savings
• Coupon Stacking in Canada

How to be more frugal without really trying

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!

Suggest cheaper alternatives

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:

• PC Optimum (can redeem points for free groceries)
• Petro-Points (can redeem for free gas)
• Starbucks Rewards (Earn free drinks and food)
• Rakuten (Earn cash-back on my online purchases)

Buy used

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?

How to Stick to your Budget

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.

Can you believe we have reached the last day in the No Spend Declutter Challenge? It’s so hard to believe we’ve been working away for nearly a month! I still have areas of my house that need some fine tuning, but overall, I’m quite happy! I think I brought in 5 boxes/bags to the second hand store.

One thing I wish I would have been better at, is using stuff we already have in our pantry and freezer. I feel like I still spent the same amount on groceries as I do every month.

Day 18 Declutter Task:

We’re going to close out the month with something that I like to do about once a month or so. A digital declutter. This is when I go though my email accounts and delete emails I no longer need. Unsubscribe from newsletters that don’t interest me any longer. Unfollow social media accounts and delete photos off my phone and computer that are no longer needed.

It’s sort of a mindless task, but feels so good to have only the stuff you need and the stuff you love in the end!

How often do you do a digital declutter?

Day 18 No Spend Task:

Remember when a couple of weeks ago, our task was to create “wants” list? Well, today, we’re going to revisit that list.

When you revisit your list, cross off the things you realize you no longer want. With the items that are still on the list, I want to encourage you to try buying used, borrowing from friends or family, or asking in a local Buy Nothing Facebook group.

I know you will will feel just as satisfied with those options when you receive the items you want!

I’d love to know, after nearly an entire month of not spending unnecessarily, how many things do you no longer want or need?

Thank you so much for joining me this month! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

Day 17 Declutter Task:

Today, we’re going to tackle our desk areas. Now this year, things might look different than normal. You may be using a table as a make shift desk for school or work at home. So I guess you can tidy up the spot you call a work area!

In our home, I have a desk, but the girls are the ones who use it right now for making crafts and colouring. (We are fortunate to have in-class school!) My husband also has a desk that tends to get cluttered up with toys because it’s in our basement where most of the toys are. So today, I’ll tidy them up and make sure all the random items are in their proper place.

Day 17 No Spend Task:

Well, once again, we’re going to intentionally not spend money on unnecessary things! But we are almost finished! Have you noticed a big change in your mindset? Are you less tempted to purchase random items now?

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

Day 16 Declutter Task:

Today, we’re going to declutter and organize our craft/hobby supplies. While we don’t have a dedicated craft room, I still find it very helpful to occasionally go through our craft supplies! I seem to have bins all over the house. I’ll be sorting through my daughters’ craft supplies too. Actually, mainly their supplies. I’m still trying to figure out what my hobby is. 😛

When we moved into our house almost four years ago (!!), we purchased a few of these ALEX drawer units from IKEA. My husband created a desk out of them by placing a piece of pine board overtop. It has been the most wonderful set up for the girls!

Here are some links to great craft organization tips that I thought you might enjoy:

• Oatmeal Box into a Ribbon Holder
• Toolbox into Craft Storage
• Stool into Wrapping Paper/craft Storage
• Amazing Ways to Store ribbon
• Pegboard Craft Organizer
• Clever Craft Spaces
• Use the Back of a Door
• Filing Fabric

Day 16 No Spend Task:

Once again today, we’re going to keep it simple, and not spend money on anything unnecessary. What did you do yesterday for your self care? I ended up with an hour to myself so I forced myself to not do any chores and read a book!

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

Day 15 Declutter Task:

Today we’re going to start a task that I dread. Filing paper. I’m not sure why I don’t like it so much, because when I do take the time to to it, it really doesn’t take that long. Once it’s done I’m always left feeling satisfied too! I just don’t know…

I think it was about a year ago that I overhauled our filing system and I’m really liking it! If you are in need of some filing system inspiration, here are some great links:

• How to Set up a Filing and Budget System that Works
• Organizing the Most Thorough Home Office Filing System
• Create File Folders that are Self Maintaining
• Filing System Organization from A Bowl Full of Lemons
• A File System that Actually Works
• This is a great video to help with paper clutter

Related: Tips to Tame the Paper Clutter

Do you have a system that works well for you?  Care to share your tips in the comments?

Day 15 No Spend Task:

I definitely think it’s time for some intentional self-care, don’t you think? If you can’t find time today, make some time this week! Here are some ideas for self care that you may enjoy:

• Journaling
• Reading
• At home pedicure
• Facial masks: Clay, Avocado, egg whites, or oatmeal made into a paste
• Epsom salt bath
• A walk
• Baking
• Homemade scrubs: Strawberry Lemonade Lip Scrub, Whipped Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub, Homemade Grapefruit Scrub

What do you do for self care?

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

Can you believe we are starting our final week of the No Spend Declutter Challenge? I’m finding it hard to believe, but I’m also ready for February! 😀

This week, we’re going to jump around the house a bit with the decluttering tasks to work on areas that I think, will have a big impact.

Day 14 Declutter Task:

Today’s activity for the Declutter portion is to sort through our books and magazines.

I’m so torn with books though. I have some I’m keeping only because I loved reading them when I was younger and I thought my daughters might enjoy them one day. Silly? I’m not sure! However, today, I am determined to declutter at least a few books.

I’ve been buying (and borrowing) less books lately because I bought a Kindle a couple of years ago. I avoided those electronic devices for so long, but in the end they really spoke to my “wanting less clutter” side. And now I’m in love with the thing. I actually read more often! And I love that I can have so many books when we go away! (That day WILL come again!)

Do you have any books or magazines you can be rid of?

Day 14 No Spend Task:

Well, once again, we’re going to keep things simple. No spending on unnecessary things.

In full disclosure, yesterday, I bought groceries for the week. However, I did purchase a pair of $6 pajamas for my daughter because all of her one piece pj’s have holes. Could I have waited another week to get her a pair? For sure. But, Walmart actually had her size (in the boy section) so I snapped it up. I’m feeling okay with that! 🙂

Have you had any slip ups lately? I’d love to know!

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

Ah yes, the weekend is nearly upon us! How did your week go with the decluttering tasks and the No Spend? I managed to find a small pile of clothing to donate yesterday. Even that makes me happy though because some of the items I have been holding onto for a while thinking that I could make them work.

Let’s get on with today’s tasks shall we?

Day 13 Declutter Task:

Today, we’re going to tackle our outerwear and footwear. That means we’re finally going to let go of jackets, snow pants and footwear that no longer fit or we just don’t care for any more. Donate or sell the items you no longer need to keep. Outerwear also includes winter gloves, hats, scarves, etc.

This shouldn’t be too hard around here, especially in the footwear department. I don’t have many shoes and my husband has even less!  I think my struggle is going to be convincing my husband that he needs to finally throw away his old broken soccer cleats. (He thinks he might use them one day as backup shoes??) I think if it’s been a year and he hasn’t needed them, they’re gone. 

As for my daughters’ outerwear and footwear, the too small items and out of season ones will go into storage or get donated.

Day 13 No Spend Task:

Today we’re going to take a look again at our No Spend Weekend Ideas for some fun, free things we can do this weekend!

I’d like to do some baking with my oldest. I’ve got a nice big stash of bananas in the freezer that need to be turned into banana bread!

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!

So, here we are at Day 12, and I realized I made a mistake. For some reason, I added too many tasks to the list! Somewhere along the line I counted the number of days wrong. LOL. While that doesn’t make much of a difference for you, I’m now choosing the tasks from my list that I think are most important. At the very end of the challenge, I’ll leave the list of tasks that we never got to, so you can continue on if you’d like!

Day 12 Declutter Task:

Today, we’re still in the bedroom and tackling something that may seem overwhelming to many of us. I’m talking about clothes. I always find the task of decluttering clothes somewhat daunting. That’s why I loved this video from The Minimal Mom about the easiest way to declutter clothes. You should watch it!

Also, here’s a post I wrote about 7 Ways to Pare Down Your Closet that may help you today.

While I don’t think my declutter pile will be huge this time, I know I’ll have something to donate or sell! I always do!

If you have children, you could also take the opportunity to go through their clothes, if you’d like. I recently went through my daughters’ closets and put away too small clothes and donated stuff they don’t wear, so I’ll skip this today!

Day 12 No Spend Task:

While we’re still not spending on unnecessary things, I thought today would be a good day to make use of our local libraries.

Take the time today to request a few books from your library on a subject that you have been wanting to read about. Perhaps some financial books, cook books or even crafting books. Even a fiction book or two would be great with the weekend coming up! Whatever it is, the library is a fantastic free resource!

I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.

I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!

If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!