IF YOU’RE READING THIS RIGHT NOW, THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR.

 

You might not think that frugal and finance belong next to each other but when you have control over your money situation with a plan things start to ease up. Money pressures don’t have to rule your life but to change that awful feeling you must endure some of the toughest decisions you may ever have to make.

This past year I’ve been fortunate to chat with many fans of this blog about their financial situations, answered questions and offered  tips. I even went as far to spend hours creating budgets for those that did not understand even when I had no time to spare. I care.

In 2016 I was honoured to be featured a few times over at The Globe and Mail, The Brighter Life and Rockstar Finance. My posts have been showcased all over the personal finance world by bloggers sharing and you the fans spreading the word. I thank you for that support.

• How to curb holiday debt hangover– The Brighter Life/Sun Life Canada – January 4, 2016
• How to include Fresh Produce in your diet when prices are high– The Globe and Mail Online mention by Rob Carrick- June 2016
• Why You Should Always Say YES to your Grocery Receipt– The Globe and Mail Online mention by Rob Carrick- June 2016
• How Not To Slaughter Your Personal Finances This Holiday Season– The Globe and Mail Online mention by Rob Carrick- Dec 7, 2016

Thank you to everyone who mentioned Canadian Budget Binder at your work, Colleges, Universities, Banks, Real Estate etc. I appreciate the support that you show for our little-big family at CBB. I have to laugh because any time I email Grayson who manages the back-end of the blog with me he tells me I don’t have a small blog, it’s big. He’s right because we’ve gone from a few viewers to thousands and now hundreds of thousands every year.

Just recently Canadian Budget Binder was nominated again as one of the Top Personal Finance Blogs in Canada for The Plutus Awards. I honestly never thought my blog would make it in the top again with so many amazing Canadian finance bloggers on the block. Thank-you for your support fans because without you this would never happen.

This little-big blog that will be 5 years old next month started as somewhere for me to chat about our money and it’s turned into so much more. We see a passionate community of like-minded people who I’ve come to look forward to chatting with daily and opening my email to lend an ear.

The end of the year also signifies the Grocery Game Challenge (GGC) 2016 will come to an end. This year has been wonderful with many returning fans challenging their grocery budget. We’ve still got a couple of weeks to post yet but I’m certain the CBB family will reach our goals. Next year we will see an increase in our grocery budget as our son likes to eat too now sometimes. Ha.

I’m also thrilled to see new participants who have been very happy with their grocery shopping results since posting in the GGC. This little gang of GGC savers have become like family to me as well the What’s For Dinner gang on my Facebook Page. I enjoy being as active as I can with the fans of this blog and encourage you all to speak up. I welcome you all to join in the fun and get back on track with your food budget in 2017.

Join in the Grocery Game 2017 starting in January.

I’m thrilled to say I’m looking forward to 2017 and the challenges it offers me. A huge shout out to Big Scoots for fantastic blog hosting service because without a great host your blog suffers. So very happy I switched. A blog also can’t run well without an excellent team and for me that guy is Grayson from iMark Interactive and the finance blogger behind, Debt Round Up.

Grayson puts up with lots of whining and panic written emails from me at all times of day when the blog has issues. Thankfully he knows me by now and helps me sort it out fast. As you can tell not much has changed since last year describing my relationship with Grayson apart from us both being new parents and trying to balance work-life. He’s my rock behind the scenes. Cheers mate.

Related: Start a blog resources on Canadian Budget Binder

You might not connect with every story I write but you might connect with me and that’s what I’m trying to carry out. This is a personal blog which means I talk about real situations whether it be my own or from fans who want their story heard and seek opinions. I want to build a community who is not afraid to speak up and understands that there are support systems available when money situations aren’t favourable.

Money affects every aspect of our lives which is why this blog is not just about what’s in your bank account it tumbles over relationships, investments, travel and much more. It’s a binder filled with money situations looking for answers.

We need to stop money shaming people who think they are less than equal just because they don’t earn enough, have too much debt or struggling to pay the bills every month. Lift your head up and push forward with a charge of survival and win your money fight. Living in Canada has become a dream come true for me but I sure as hell work my butt off to keep a roof over my families head. Never give up, there’s always a way.

This is my last full Saturday Weekend Review for 2016. I will be back in the new year with my eyes wide-open looking for hot new story ideas. If you have story ideas, a story you’d like to tell or suggestions for the blog shoot me an email and let’s chat.

Much love to all and here’s to an even better Financial 2017!

Mr.CBB

 

Making a difference (MAD)

 

Welcome to the 2016 Making A Difference series! Join the networking movement of Personal Finance Bloggers around the world. If you are a personal finance blogger and would like your blog to be featured simply drop me an email.

I’m currently booking for January 2017.

Just look at the 45 personal finance bloggers listed below who made their way into the 2016 Making A Difference Series. It was a pleasure to chat with all of you and get to know your blogs. I hope that you all have continued success on your journey to wherever it takes you.

 

January 2016

 

• 2 My Family Plan
• 9 Thousandaire
• 16 Retire by 40
• 23 Money Buffalo

 

FEBRUARY 2016

 

• 6 Financially Fitz
• 13 Money Bacon Guy
• 20 Formative Fortunes
• 27 The Butler Journal

 

MARCH 2016

 

• 5 Ready to Water
• 12 Money Mini Blog
• 19 Organized Redhead
• 26 Cents From A Talking Stone

 

APRIL 2016

 

• 2 Unchained 55
• 9 Struggling To Be Debt Free
• 16 Free to Pursue
• 23 Two Monkeys Travel
• 30 Young Wealth Builder

 

MAY 2016

 

• 7 An Awkward Year
• 14 Mr. Practical Saves
• 21 The Budget Mom
• 28 Super Saving Tips

 

JUNE 2016

 

• 4 The Millennial Budget
• 11  Ms. Thrifty
• 18 The Frugaennial
• 25 House of Tre

 

JULY 2016

 

• 2 Couple Sense
• 9 Dames in Debt
• 16 Invest wisely
• 23 Smart Stewards
• 30 Finance Superhero

 

AUGUST 2016

 

• 6 Dollar Engineer
• 13 Money Q and A
• 20 My Debtspiration
• 27 Homley Economics

 

SEPTEMBER 2016

 

• 3 Guy  On Fire
• 10 Solving Finance
• 17 High-end Cheapskate
• 24 Hope and Cents

 

OCTOBER 2016

 

• 1 Tidy and Teal
• 8 Apathy Ends
• 15  Save With Dan
• 29 Frugality Gives Us Options

 

NOVEMBER 2016

 

• 5 Net Worth is King
• 12 Just compare
• 19 Investor Tuition
• 26 My Naira Journey

 

DECEMBER 2016

 

• 3 The Debt Plower
• 10  The Green Swan

 

CBB Published Posts

 

If you have a question that you would like to ask me fill out the Contact Mr.CBB form on the blog home page and I’ll do my best to reply to each question.

If you would like to share a story via a Fan Question please ensure that there is minimum 500 words and lots of details…we love details!

Contact me for more info at canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca

Top Post This Week: How much should my grocery budget be?

• Spot a Deal, Share a Deal Get Rewarded with Dealspotr
• What it feels like to have no debt and others struggle
• Jolly Don Don Fudgy Bars

 

Weekly fan brag

 

If you have a brag that you want to share email me at canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca with a photo and small write-up of your deal. It can be anything you saved money on that you are excited about.

If your story gets featured you get two ballots in the yearly draw for a PC Financial Gift Card and at least one ballot for emailing me your entry. Either way, you get a ballot in the draw.

2016 Brags are now closed.

Thank-you to all the Fans who sent in a brag for 2016! Your ballots are in and I’ll be drawing a winner and announcing the winner shortly. Please continue to send in your deals for 2017. It starts all over again!!

 

Spotlight on finance

 

 

This doesn’t need much explanation apart from never stop learning about your financial situation.

 

Top finance post

 

I read lots of finance posts from all over the world every week and I learn something new from each one of them. This week I stopped by the personal finance blog, Wealth Simple. I absolutely enjoyed reading the story about the Winner of MasterChef Canada Mary Berg and why she became interested in saving money. Her story is one that will make you think about whether you are prepared for the worst.

Frugal recipe box

 

Food is a big part of any budget and a struggle for so many people which is why I’ve created frugal recipes for my family and yours for many years.

I have a second Facebook page called The Free Recipe Depot where I exclusively share recipes from Food Bloggers around the world.

Since we are officially in Christmas Holiday season I’ll be sharing festive recipes for the month of December.

Check out the Free Recipe Index on CBB compiled of frugal recipes that are 100% tested and accepted by family and friends!

This year the holiday recipe hype has centered around easy Christmas baking. With that came about Christmas crack on crackers.

It may sound odd but apparently it’s pretty addicting stuff to try and walk away from. I found this popular recipe for Christmas Crack Toffee over at IheartNaptime.

With thousands of shares on Pinterest and by the looks at how delicious this looks I’d say it’s worth giving it a shot. The perfect frugal Christmas baking I’ve seen so far.

 

Frugal DIY crafts

 

Another big craze this winter is the crocheted messy bun hat or ponytail hat which tonnes of people are trying to get their hands on. Knitters are being kept busy with large orders for these hats that are perfect for the person with long hair. These are unisex hats and my wife has just ordered a few from a lady we know who makes them.

She’s paid $15 a hat and plans to give them to her sister and friend for a Christmas gift. Custom, homemade with love. The hard part about having long hair Mrs. CBB says is that when you put it in a bun it’s hard to fit in a hat. This hat will be her new best hat ever, you’ll see.

Over at YarnBallin you’ll find links to get patterns for these types of messy bun hats.

 

Search term giggles

 

Always begin and end your day with a SMILE!- Mr.CBB

Every week I get thousands of people visit Canadian Budget Binder because they did a search online and found my blog.

Most times funny, Sometimes serious.

• Is marrying for money a wrong reason?– Do you even have to ask?
• Why can I not call 4449999333 from the UK: I changed the number. Really you’re asking your computer?
• Making a million in asphalt sealing: You do what you have to do.
• How many renovations can I get for $25,000?– Really? It doesn’t work that way.

That’s all the fun for this week, thanks for dropping by and we’ll see ya all again next Saturday!

Mr.CBB

Don’t forget to Follow me on Social Media and Subscribe to the blog

• The Saturday Weekend Review #198: 5 Easy Ways To Price and Sell Used Clothing
• The Saturday Weekend Review #199: 11 DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make At Home
• The Saturday Weekend Review #200: 10 Simple Resources to Get Free Christmas Gifts
• The Saturday Weekend Review #201 : 10 Frugal Ideas For Gift Wrapping Christmas Presents
• The Saturday Weekend Review #202: How to Change Christmas Traditions You Can’t Afford

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