When Control Becomes a Full-Time Job In my last post, The Not-Pinterest-Perfect Halloween , we talked about finding ways to enjoy the holiday without chasing picture-perfect standards. That idea has been growing quietly in my mind for a while now, long before I really recognized the bigger picture of what it meant. It’s not just about pumpkins or front porches, it’s been showing up in the smaller, quieter corners of everyday life. We tell ourselves this is the week the color-coded planner will stick. We spend so much of our time trying to get life right. The right morning rhythm, the right tone when we parent, the right system for keeping it all running. We tweak and plan until “right” starts to feel like the only thing that counts. At some point, without even noticing, we start equating order with peace. I used to believe that if I could just get the structure right, everything else would follow. If the house was clean, I could think straight. If the plan was detailed and th...
Hey, I’m Jen
I’m the mama behind Thrifty Northern Mama — three kids, one husband, a house that never seems clean, and a budget that’s always in need of stretching.
This isn’t a place for Pinterest-perfect homes or complicated systems. Around here, I share the tools, tricks, and shortcuts that actually keep my family fed, the bills paid, and my brain (mostly) intact.
Why I Started This
Because life with kids is loud, expensive, and messy — and most of the “advice” out there seems to be made by people who don’t live in the middle of it. I got tired of tips that assumed you:
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Have endless time,
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Own kids who eat everything without complaint,
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Or have a grocery budget that doubles as a vacation fund.
Spoiler: that’s not my life. So I started making my own tools — meal planners, budget trackers, seasonal checklists, and routines that work in the chaos. Once I realized they were actually saving my sanity, I figured I should share them.
What You’ll Find Here
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Meal planning & recipes → simple, repeatable, affordable.
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Budgeting tools → designed for Canadian families who need practical, not fluffy, advice.
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Printables & planners → the exact systems I use (and sell in my Etsy shop).
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Seasonal & household hacks → checklists, routines, and family-friendly ideas that make life a little easier.
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Blog posts → honest, useful, and sometimes a little messy — just like family life.
Let’s Make Life Easier
👉 Check out my Printables Shop for done-for-you tools that take the guesswork out of meals, money, and routines.
👉 Or head over to the Blog for weekly posts full of thrifty, practical ideas you can actually use.
Let’s Connect
Got questions, ideas, or just want to commiserate about the laundry pile? Contact me here — I’d love to hear from you.
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