Today Walmart Canada asked shoppers across the country to take part in a frugal shopping challenge and I was very excited when I was asked to be a part of it. What made this campaign so fun was that I got to choose from an assortment of challenges to find the one that best fit my family. I was very tempted to attempt to redecorate a room in my home for $100 since I’ve been doing a lot of spring cleaning lately, but with our trip to Disneyland just a few weeks away, I decided to undertake the challenge of outfitting two children for summer for $100.
I’ve mentioned before that when it comes to clothes, my boys are not the type of kids that will just wear whatever they have. They love clothes, recognize stylish clothes and like to be involved in the shopping experience whenever possible. So I took the two of them into the store so that they could help me choose their summer wardrobe.
Whereas December is all about family, celebrating, and resolutions, I find January a time for analysis and reflection on the previous year. Even the most disciplined of us find ourselves slipping during the holidays. Whether it’s in our diet, our fitness regime or our spending, it seems the entire world around us gives us a free pass in December.
It’s the most wonderful time…but also that time of year that might just make you want to grab your cash and credit cards, crawl into a hole and not come out until after New Year’s. Between parties, decorating, travelling or hosting out of town guests, requests for year-end charitable donations and, of course, gift giving, the holidays can throw even the most disciplined budgeter for a loop.
If there was ever a special toy that we really, really wanted, it was something we would usually get on our birthdays or at Christmas…if we were lucky. I remember browsing through the toy stores when I was little and gazing wide-eyed at the beautiful Collector’s Edition Barbie dolls in their sparkling detailed dresses, wishing that I could have one. 
I never head to the grocery store without checking my purse to see what great coupons I might have to use that day. And when I shop online, I do the same thing! Online shopping is a revolution that I love and so many retailers offer amazing coupon codes for online purchases that shopping online can be the perfect affordable and comfortable alternative to battling busy crowds in a traditional store. 
