You can save money and cut costs on many things that you really don’t need! Frugal living takes work, but most of all it takes a lifestyle change. In our society where there is tons of convenience for a price, you can spend extra money which you could avoid spending.
Years ago, we dropped from a two income family to a one income family. While I wouldn’t say that we lived a rich or lavish lifestyle, we really did not live that frugal of a life.
What I learned is that you can save money on things you are paying way too much money for, simply by finding cheaper or less expensive alternatives. You would be surprised when you begin to find simple projects and natural resources you have at home, and keep you from spending extra money.
Further, when you actually do spend money, you can spend more wisely with what you have and it saves you money to put into the bank. Try these ideas to cut everyday costs in your family.
Save money with budgeting
We all hate the word budget. But, I challenge you to think about budgeting as a word that means freedom. Freedom from what?
Well, freedom from excessive credit card charges. Or even freedom from being over-worked and underpaid, never getting ahead.
So, what if you sat down with your significant other and planned what it is you need to pay for? List what your bills are, and look at where you might be able to cut back.
Sometimes all it means is that you stop going to Starbucks everyday and go only once a week, or skip it all together. What do you do when it comes down to spending money lavishly? Do you check yourself and look at your goal to save money for a house, or do you look at other ways to spend money and then work harder.
Overspending money is quite common for many people, but setting a budget helps you save money for emergencies and for the future. Trying to stick to a budget and cutting expenses, helps you get more for your dollars and achieve your life’s goals.
Save money in the kitchen
- Plan and buy food in bulk and freeze it.
- Cook meals and snacks, then pack lunches for car trips.
- Make your own laundry soap
- Mix up a batch of dishwasher soap
- Make a large jar of sun tea, make your own lemonade or other fruit drinks.
- Bake your own snacks and cookies for the kids
- Make your own baby food
- Add beans, pasta, and/or other legumes to stretch your meat dishes.
- Plant a garden.
- Get some chickens.
- Bake homemade breads, crackers and cookies.
- Make large crockpot meals and freeze the excess.
- Create a monthly meal plan, then stick to it.
- Stir fry anything you can find in the kitchen for a quick nutritious supper.
- Add any sauce that goes on pasta.
- Shop Dollar Tree staples like pasta, rice or beans
What about around the home?
- Shop at Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
- Upcycle what you can.
- Recycle anything else.
- Learn to sew anything.
- Make your own cleaners, using Borax, vinegar, and dish or Castile soap.
- Use cloth where you used paper, such as towels, wipes, and napkins.
- Re-use containers.
- Sew your own napkins and towels.
- Try fixing your own home problems.
- Buy auto parts for your car maintenance man.
- Check and change your own oil
- Learn how to give your family haircuts.
- Use Groupon for awesome coupons on many practical needs
- Sign up for Retailmenot to receive even more coupons on many items and services
In Healthcare
- Sign up for a medical sharing program.
- Use telehealth when necessary.
- Definitely wear your mask and make your own if you need to.
- Use natural essential oils and treatments from insect repellents to first aid.
- Grow and use your own herbs for teas and homemade ointments
- Definitely take your vitamin C and D to avoid getting sick.
- Make your own elderberry liquid to stop illnesses.
- Shop at Dollar Tree for tons of healthy products.
Save money with the kids
- Stream movies through services instead of buying.
- Watch older movies you already have.
- When it is COVID safe, go to the thrift store and buy movies there.
- Read books online through apps.
- Take walks in safe places (with masks of course).
- Pull out board games to play.
- Read a classic book and then watch the movie.
- Use what the kids have in their rooms and closets.
- Make blanket forts.
- Paint on the windows and then clean them off.
- Use shaving cream to fingerpaint on the table, then wipe off.
- Make your own paints and glues.
- Create sand or dirt pictures with what you have on hand.
- Make mud pies.
- Let them wash the car.
Other ways to save money
- Try to keep an emergency savings account.
- Invest in Bitcoin over the long term.
- Check at Dollar Tree first, then go to other discount stores.
- Make your kids earn an allowance to buy their own toys (Instead of asking you.).
- Set your thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter.
- Use fans in the summer and space heaters or wood-burning sources in the winter.
- Set up your own Wifi.
- Find a cheaper cell phone plan.
- Search around for cheaper car insurance.
Saving money puts money in the bank
While earning a living helps you earn money, saving money on everyday items puts money in the bank. The more you save, and do not spend, the more you have to save for emergencies or to buy that home you always wanted.
When you cut everyday costs from lavish to practical, you just put money into your savings account you didn’t even know you had. Sure, you could spend it on something else, but saving it in a rainy-day fund or savings account for something larger, is investing in your family and your future.
