Finding Happiness with Less

What I Spent in January 2026: A Minimalist Monthly Spending Review

2026-02-07

Since the beginning of my maternity leave, I have been more conscious of my spending. Now that I have gone back to work part-time, I continue to be mindful of my expenses. I want to spend money only on what matters, as I don’t want to go back to work full-time yet. I also have financial goals I want to meet and rebuild my emergency fund. I thought I would share with you how I spent my money this January. Please note that I usually round up to the dollar when I track my spending.

Here’s the run-down for January

Income

Work salary: 3079$

Child Benefits: 390$ (I received both federal and provincial benefits this month)

Consignaction refund: 17$

Gifts: 98$

Total: 3584$

Bills

Housing: 2305$

* Every expense related to housing is typically paid from my partner’s and my joint account. This includes mortgage payments, electricity, and Wifi bills. It also covers taxes, minimum debt payments, house and car insurance, and some shared expenses for my daughter. This amount represents my portion of the payments, with each of us paying half of every bill.

Cell phone: 33$

Disney + subscription: 11$

iCloud subscription: 5$

Life insurance: 47$

Day care: 296$

Bank fees: 10$

Total: 2697$

Variable expenses

Groceries: 285$ (my husband pays most of the groceries)

Restaurants: 104$

Car fuel: 214$

Presents: 9$

Expenses for my daughter: 98$ (had to buy her new shoes)

Expenses for the house: 139$

Clothing: 20$

Hobbies: 169$

Pharmacy: 165$

Costco: 148$

Other: 2,50

Dentist: 12$ (my dentist’s office works directly with the insurance, so I did not have to reclaim to them directly)

Doctor: 80$ (had an asthma exacerbation due to a cold. Oh the joy of having a child starting daycare…)

Total: 1445$

Savings

Emergency fund: 172$

Car sinking fund: 86$

Walt Disney sinking fund: 17$

Work sinking fund: 200$ (my work permit is due in March)

Daugther’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) sinking fund: 390$.

*I put aside 2500$ per year in a savings account and once I get to this amount, I put it in the investment account. I do this because in Canada, the government gives grants for a maximum of 2500$/year.

Total: 865$

Investments

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP): 50$

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA): 60$

Total: 110$

Additionnal debt payment: 100$

In all, it seems that I spent more money then I made this month. I spent 4142$ total, but only received 3584$ as income. The extra money spent was from the money I already had in my checking account as I did not use the money from my emergency fund. I had some unplanned spending (doctor’s visit) and had three daycare and mortgage payments this month, but only two paychecks. As of now, I have a small emergency fund, but live mainly paycheck to paycheck. My goal for next month is to limit my spending in order to not need to use money from my emergency fund if a surprise arises.
Minimalism vs. Frugality: Finding the Right Balance with Hand-Me-Downs

2026-01-26

Recently, one of my coworkers gave me about three boxes of hand-me-down clothes for my daughter. They were mostly size 4T and 5T (my daughter is currently wearing 18 months). Suffice it to say, she is still a few years away from wearing these clothes!

I went through the boxes and kept about the equivalent of two boxes of clothing. I donated the rest to the thrift store and threw some pieces in the trash because they were torn or stained too much. I will store the boxes in my basement and use them when the time comes.

This lead me to reflect on the fine line between minimalism and frugality. For the past 6 months, I have worked on decluttering my house and trying to live a more minimalist life. A true minimalist would never have accepted these hand-me-downs as they do not serve right now and they use space inside my house. On the other hand, I am also trying to decrease my spending. I am currently working part-time after my maternity leave and we are also trying to pay off some debt that we racked up in the past two year (mostly excavation work we did around the foundation of the house last spring). If being able to store two boxes of 4T-5T clothes mean that I will spend less money in the future as this is one less purchase to make, I think it remains a good thing. I still need to be careful not to keep everything that is given to me and only keep what will be of real use.

I’m interested in how you manage hand-me downs or donations from others. Do you keep them for the future, or do you prefer to pass them along right away? I’d love to hear how you navigate the balance between minimalism and frugality.
2026 BINGO Card

2026-01-18

This year, I decided to follow the trend of making a 2026 BINGO card for myself. I thought it would be a good way to encourage me to diversify my hobbies and activities.

I decided to share it with you here so you can get some inspiration if you want to make one for yourself as well. I made mine with Canva.

If you would like a version to download, you can find it here.

2026-bingo-card.pdf Télécharger
My Goals for 2026

2026-01-03
As the new year has finally arrived , I find myself reflecting on the past year and envisioning what the next one will hold.

Becoming a first-time mom made 2025 a year of incredible highs, accompanied by some lows that we managed to overcome. While I absolutely love being a mother, I also want to return to the activities and goals I set aside during my maternity leave.

Here are my goals for 2026.

1. Move my body for 2.5 hours each week

During my maternity leave, I walked with the stroller almost every day. However, now that I have returned to work, I have become more sedentary. I don’t have specific exercise plans in mind, but I believe that any form of physical activity—whether it’s running, biking, doing yoga, or practicing pelvic floor rehabilitation—will help me reach my fitness goals.

2. Attempt to reach 1,000 hours outside with my daughter

Our family tries not to rely on screens to entertain our daughter. I first learned about the 1,000 Hours Outside movement this year while listening to the Minimalist Moms podcast. I’ve noticed that my daughter is always in a good mood when we go outside. Reaching 1,000 hours outside may be tough as working parents and due to the challenging weather in Canada, but I will strive to get as close as possible to this goal.

3. Post 1 blog post per month

I started this blog in the summer to document my decluttering journey. However, since returning to work, I’ve found it challenging to keep up with it. I plan to get back into blogging this year. To make my goal more realistic and achievable, I’ve decided that one post per month will be manageable for now.

4. Keep up with my daily tasks

I really want to keep my house in order this year. I have found that daily tasks are the key to keeping the clutter away. Here are the main daily tasks that I want to do every day/almost every day.
- Empty the dishwasher in the morning and empty it at night
- Do 1 load of laundry
- 5 min pick up
- Sweep the kitchen
I first heard of the daily habits concept when I read one of Dana K. White’s book for the first time. That have been quite life-changing for me. I recommend you read her books or listen to her podcast if it interests you.

5. Build my emergency fund back up.

After a year of maternity leave and only being paid 50% of my salary for a good part of it, let’s say my emergency fund is now at an all time low. I started working part-time again in the fall (three days a week) and I am mindful of my spending in order to build back up my emergency fund and pay back some debt that we racked up after doing construction work on the foundation of our house last spring. For now, I really enjoy the cash enveloppe system in order to keep track of my spending.

These are my goals for the new year: I aim for consistency rather than perfection. I want to improve my health, maintain a clean and organized home, enhance my financial situation, work on my personal projects, and enjoy time outdoors with my daughter.

What are your goals for 2026? Don’t hesitate to let me know.
Things I Decluttered in July — 523 Fewer Things in My Home

2025-08-25

Every month, I try to be intentional about what stays in our home and what no longer serves us. July was no different. In fact, I was surprised by how much I was able to let go of once I started really looking around with fresh eyes.

Here’s what I decluttered this month:

• Markers and pencils — We had way more than we ever use. Many were dried out or duplicates we didn’t need.

• Recipe books — I used to collect cookbooks thinking I’d try every recipe. In reality, I stick to a few favourites and most of my go-tos are digital now.

• Hand towels — Some were stained or fraying, and honestly, we had too many in rotation.

• More clothes — I did another round through our wardrobes and found even more pieces that don’t fit, don’t feel good, or just don’t get worn.

• Table cloths — We rarely use them, and I kept only the most practical one.

• Toys — A few toys that weren’t being played with found a new home. It always feels good to pass things on that someone else can enjoy.

• Wine glasses — We had more than we ever use, and with a toddler in the house, less glass is better anyway.

• Expired food — I did a full pantry sweep and was shocked at how much was hiding at the back.

• Stickers — I had a surprising amount of old, unused sticker sheets. They were fun at one point, but now they were just clutter.

Total objects decluttered in July: 523.

It always amazes me how quickly things can accumulate, even when I’m trying to be mindful. This month reminded me that decluttering isn’t something you do once and forget about — it’s a habit. A mindset.

Letting go of 523 things means more space, more calm, and more ease in our day-to-day life. And that’s exactly what I’m working toward — a life with less stuff, and more of what truly matters.
Book Review: Tiny Habits – The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg

2025-07-22

Last week, I read Tiny Habits – The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg, and I found it both inspiring and refreshingly practical. As someone who’s often tried to kick bad habits—or start healthier ones—I really connected with Fogg’s approach.

One idea that stuck with me is the importance of starting small. Like, really small. Fogg explains that most people fail at habit change because they aim too big right away. When something feels too hard or overwhelming, it’s easy to give up. But if you start with a tiny step—what he calls a “tiny habit”—you set yourself up for success.

He shares a great example: he wanted to start flossing daily, but could never stick with it. So instead of committing to a full flossing routine, he began with just one tooth a day. That’s it. Just one. If he flossed more, great! But if not, he’d still succeeded. Over time, that one tooth turned into two, then three, and eventually his whole mouth. The key was starting so small, it felt silly not to do it.

Another concept I loved was habit stacking—the idea of pairing a new habit with something you already do. Fogg recommends choosing an existing routine (like brushing your teeth, making coffee, or going to the bathroom) and using it as a trigger. For example, you could decide to do two push-ups every time you go to the bathroom. It’s simple, doable, and adds up.

That’s the habit I’m currently trying out! With a baby at home, finding time to work out has been tricky. But now, every time I use the bathroom, I do two push-ups on the counter. If I go five times a day, that’s 10 push-ups—more movement than I was getting before, and it actually feels manageable.

Overall, I really appreciated BJ Fogg’s philosophy on behavior change. It’s not about willpower—it’s about designing habits that are so small and easy, they become part of your life almost effortlessly. I plan to keep applying this method to other habits I want to build, one tiny step at a time.

What’s one tiny habit you’d like to start this week?
Bathroom Organization: A Real-Life Look Inside Our Cabinets and Closets

2025-07-19

One area of our home that used to constantly feel cluttered and chaotic was the bathroom. With limited storage space and different needs for each family member, it didn’t take much for the drawers to overflow and for things to get lost in the shuffle.

But over time—and through a lot of trial and error—I found a system that’s simple, functional, and works for our family. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it’s intentional, and it makes our daily routines feel a lot smoother. Here’s a look at how I organize our bathroom and linen closet.

Bathroom Cabinet and Vanity Setup

We have a double sink vanity with a couple of drawers and two small cupboards underneath. I wanted each person in the family to have their own space to keep things simple and minimize daily clutter.

Under the sink cupboard #1 is pretty empty—just the scale lives there. I like keeping some space open to breathe.

Drawer #1 is for my partner’s hygiene products—his razor, deodorant, and anything else he uses regularly.

Drawer #2 is for my hygiene products. I try to keep it pared down to the essentials so it’s not overflowing.

Drawer #3 holds all of our kid’s hygiene items—a few bath toys, their toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, and body lotion.

Under the sink cupboard #2 is home to feminine products and extra body washes. I store everything in small open bins so I can see what we have at a glance.

Linen Closet Organization

Our linen closet is just outside the bathroom, and it has become one of the most practical spaces in our home—especially since I gave each shelf a specific purpose.

Shelf #1: The first aid kit is right up top—easy to grab but out of reach for little hands.

Shelf #2: This one is dedicated to medications and anything else we need to keep out of reach of the kids. Safety first.

Shelf #3: This is where we store hand towels, face cloths, and our kid’s towels. I keep them rolled up to save space.

Shelf #4: Just our everyday bath towels—nothing fancy, just what we use and love.

Shelf #5: A small stash of beach towels lives here. I only keep a few since we don’t go to the beach often, but enough for everyone in the family.

Shelf #6: This is our dirty laundry shelf. We keep a basket here so we can toss towels and clothes in as we go.

Shelf #7: Extra toilet paper, neatly stacked. It’s not glamorous, but it’s one less thing to run out of during the week!

This system isn’t about perfection—it’s about making life easier. Having a place for everything helps reduce decision fatigue and makes it more likely that things get put away where they belong. When I step into our bathroom now, it feels calm, not chaotic—and that small shift really adds up.

Have you found a bathroom organization system that works for your home? Or is it still a work in progress (like ours was for a long time)? I’d love to hear what’s working—or not working—for you.
Simplifying My Hobbies as a New Mom: How I’m Making Time for What Matters

2025-07-11

Since having my daughter last November, I’ve come to a big realization: my free time has basically disappeared. Even though I’m still on maternity leave, I already feel the squeeze—so I can only imagine how it’ll be once I return to work in October.

Before becoming a mom, I had a ton of hobbies and was always eager to try something new. But honestly, even back then, I wasn’t doing all the things I wanted to do. So now, as part of decluttering my life, I’ve decided to declutter my hobbies too. I’m streamlining and focusing on the ones that truly bring me joy and fit into my new lifestyle.

Here are the hobbies I’m sticking with—for now:

Triathlon Training

Before I got pregnant, I had just started training for triathlons—and I loved it. It’s such a dynamic sport, with swimming, biking, and running all rolled into one. It’s hard to get bored when you’re switching things up all the time. I’m hoping to get back into it slowly as my schedule allows.

Coloring (Yes, Really!)

I picked this up over the winter, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to relax. It’s super easy to take out and put away (a big plus with a baby around), and I especially enjoy color-by-number books. It’s like meditating, but with markers.

Blogging

This is a new one for me, but I’ve really gotten into it. It helps me stay accountable in my decluttering journey and gives me a creative outlet. Plus, I can write a quick post from my phone during nap time or while waiting in line—perfect for mom life.

Reading

Reading has been a constant in my life since I was a kid. These days, I squeeze it in with audiobooks in the car or ebooks on my Kindle when I get a quiet moment. It’s one of the few hobbies that doesn’t require much setup, which makes it a winner in my book (pun intended).

Knitting & Crocheting (On Pause)

I’ve kept my knitting and crochet supplies, even though I don’t really touch them right now. I imagine I’ll come back to them in a few years—maybe while sitting on the sidelines of my daughter’s future soccer games. It’s nice to know they’ll be there when I’m ready.

So that’s where I’ve landed. I’ve pared down my hobbies to the ones that fit my current season of life. It feels good—less pressure, more enjoyment. And who knows, I might pick up a few more in the future. But for now, this feels just right.
Building a Mindful Capsule Wardrobe: Soft Summer & Soft Autumn Color Palette

2025-07-05

My Capsule Wardrobe Journey

After tackling a full closet declutter, I’m now focusing on being intentional with every new piece I bring in. I’ve begun building a capsule wardrobe, and the first step is choosing a cohesive color palette. To simplify the process, I used a color-season analysis—ChatGPT helped me figure out that I’m a Soft Summer in winter and a Soft Autumn once my tan develops in summer. That means I’ll lean into a cool, muted “Soft Summer” palette for winter, and a warm, earthy “Soft Autumn” palette for summer.

The key to a versatile wardrobe is a cohesive color palette that makes mixing and matching effortless. By committing to these seasonal palettes, I’m making shopping decisions easier—knowing that every color I buy will mix well with what I already own and enhance my natural coloring.

• Soft Summer (Winter Clothes): Cooler, muted tones—pale blues, rose grays, dusky lavender.

• Soft Autumn (Summer Clothes): Warm, earthy tones—olive, camel, soft peach

Going forward, I want to be extra thoughtful about the colors I invite into my closet—making sure every piece plays well together. Since I plan to significantly cut back on how much I shop, this will be a gradual journey. But that’s the point: I want every new item to be intentional, informed, and something I genuinely love. By building each addition around my color palette, I’m setting myself up for a wardrobe that feels cohesive, sustainable, and truly mine—no impulse buys, just pieces with purpose. Building this wardrobe is slow and deliberate—and that’s okay! My goal isn’t instant perfection, but intentional growth.

At the end of the day, this capsule wardrobe is about more than just owning fewer clothes—it’s a lifestyle shift that brings clarity, creativity, and confidence to my everyday dressing. With my Soft Summer and Soft Autumn palettes guiding every pick, I’m not only curating a wardrobe that looks good and feels right, but also making choices that align with sustainable and mindful fashion principles. It’s a slow, intentional journey—but every thoughtful addition makes getting dressed more joyful and less stressful. So tell me: what colors feel like you when you open your closet?
Using the Container Concept to Tame My Closet

2025-07-03

Over the past month, I’ve been on a serious decluttering mission — especially when it comes to my clothes. It’s been surprisingly satisfying to let go of what I don’t need, but now I’m at the next stage: figuring out how to organize what I actually kept.

Recently, I discovered Dana K. White (yes, I know, very late to the party), and I’m really into her “container concept.” The idea is simple but genius: you assign a physical container to hold your stuff — and when that container is full, that’s it. You don’t get more space, so you’re forced to be intentional about what earns a spot.

So with that in mind, here’s a breakdown of my current clothing “containers” and what I’m putting in each one.

Bedside Table

Because yes, even pajamas need boundaries.

• Drawer 1: Tights, socks, and a few random bedside knick-knacks (the usual suspects)

• Drawer 2: Pajamas and those extra fluffy, cozy socks for chilly nights

Dresser

Trying to keep this one functional and not overflowing with forgotten tees.

• Drawer 1: Underwear

• Drawer 2: Casual t-shirts and sports shirts

• Drawer 3: Long-sleeved athletic tops, leggings (both summer and winter ones)

Wardrobe

This is where most of the action happens.

• Shelf: Pants, Christmas pajamas (yes, they get their own space), scrubs

• Hangers: Dresses, cardigans, long-sleeved shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and dress pants

• Shoe Rack: Shoes and sport socks

• Hooks: Belts and purses

3-Drawer Plastic Dresser (inside the wardrobe)

Reserved for the sporty stuff.

• Drawer 1: Summer shorts

• Drawer 2: Biking gear

• Drawer 3: Trisuits and bathing suits

That’s where I’m at right now. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it works — and more importantly, it feels manageable. I’m really loving the idea that space is the limit, not my willpower. If it doesn’t fit in the container, it’s got to go.

Still tweaking things, but I’m finally feeling like I can find what I need without digging through piles. Progress!