• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • DISCLAIMER
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • CONTACT

Our Bill Pickle

real life with (very) real debt

Baby must-haves: 0-6 months

October 14, 2021

When it comes to baby gear, everyone has different opinions about what's essential. These are my 12 baby must-haves.

It’s been more than six months since my husband and I brought our child home, so it seems like as good a time as any to put together my first baby must-haves list.

In preparing to welcome our first child, I spent a lot of time talking to friends and checking out lists online to determine what we would need for those early days of parenting.

It did not take long to realize when it comes to baby gear, everyone has opinions about what’s essential and what’s not.

And that now includes yours truly.

This list includes 12* items I found most useful for baby during the first six months — and a shorter list of things that have helped me adjust to life as a mom.

*Note: one of the items on this list was recently recalled. I’ve removed the purchase link and I’m including a link to the recall notice. I left it on the list because it was useful for us at the time but I would not necessarily recommend purchasing it in light of the recall.

Note: this post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only share links for products I use and love. Thank you for your support.

Continue Reading

Posted by Tara Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged: baby, Baby J, maternity leave, newborn, online shopping, RESP, shopping, WealthSimple

Four steps to assess big purchases (and get what you want)

September 16, 2021

Preparing to make some big purchases? Here are four tips to help you shop confidently and get what you want.

There are two things we’re all about here at Our Bill Pickle: keeping it real and sharing this space with those who can provide perspective on matters outside our expertise.

Today, I’m sharing a special guest post…from my husband, Jeff.

Although Jeff does not have a blog, he does have a lot of knowledge in a unique area: procurement.

He’s been working in the industry since 2016. I’ll be honest: there are definitely elements of his work that go over my head. But there have also been times where his training has helped us a great deal. This is particularly true when it comes to making big purchases.

Today, Jeff is sharing some simple steps that will help you assess big purchases, shop confidently and get what you want.

(Interested in guest posting at Our Bill Pickle? Click here for more details!)

Continue Reading

Posted by Tara Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Guest Posts Tagged: guest post, intentional spending, procurement, shopping, spending money, wants and needs

Three benefits of practicing delayed gratification

March 9, 2021

Practicing delayed gratification is not always easy but it can be worth it. Here are three benefits to practicing delayed gratification.

I wish I could say delayed gratification comes naturally to me but it doesn’t.

I say this as a self-identified saver — someone who likes to stash away my cash, watch my account grow and ponder all the options before making purchases, big or small.

While I can’t say I’ve never made an impulse purchase, generally speaking, I’m mindful about how I spend my money.

Even so, waiting to make purchases, especially ones I’m excited for, is challenging.

However, I have learned over the years delayed gratification, while not always enjoyable, has its benefits.

Continue Reading

Posted by Tara Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged: intentional spending, ipad, shopping, spending, technology, wants and needs

How much I spent upgrading my underwear drawer

February 4, 2021

The cost women's underwear is one of those things I don't think I'll ever understand. Here's how much I spent refreshing my underwear drawer.

The cost women’s underwear is one of those things I don’t think I’ll ever understand.

There are few things I hate shopping for more than underwear. Styles and sizes are inconsistent from brand to brand and while it is possible to find affordable options, I have never had much luck as far as longevity goes.

Maybe it’s me, but I find the whole experience to be chaotic.

If it were possible to buy one set of underwear and wear them forever, I’d be all about that. Alas, that’s not the way it work, which means, every once in a while, I end up doing what I call an underwear drawer refresh.

I did my most recent on in November 2020. Here’s what that looked like (and how much it cost).

Continue Reading

Posted by Tara 4 Comments
Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged: intentional spending, Pink by Victoria's Secret, shopping, spending money, underwear, Victoria's Secret

5 things I don’t spend money on (and 5 things I splurge for)

November 12, 2020

Part of controlling your finances is knowing how you spend your money. Here are 5 things I don't spend money on (and 5 things I splurge on).

It’s safe to say the way I spend my money has changed a lot over the years.

Working at the grocery store in high school, I didn’t think too much about how I spent my pay cheque. I saved some money, sure, but for the most part, I purchased whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it.

Thankfully, as an adult, I am a lot more conscious about what I purchase — and, perhaps just as significantly, what I don’t spend money on.

In this post, I’m sharing five of the things I don’t spend money on — and five things I splurge for.

Continue Reading

Posted by Tara 4 Comments
Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged: intentional spending, personal finance, saving money, shopping, spending, splurge

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Hi, I’m Tara!

Welcome to Our Bill Pickle, a Canadian personal finance blog. Here, we share the good, the bad and the ugly about real life with (very) real debt.

Socials

Search

Recent Posts

  • Five personal finance confessions
  • February budget forecast (+ other notes)
  • It feels like we’re moving backwards

Categories

  • Budgeting
  • Debt
  • Guest Posts
  • Lifestyle
  • Monthly Budget Updates
  • Personal Finance Discussions
  • Reviews

Archives

© 2019 Our Bill Pickle
Powered by WordPress & Genesis