Hey guys! I thought we could go over some basics on how to save some money at home. As a single mom of now 2 teens, it’s hard trying to make ends meet.
We all have bills and the extras, such as clothes and shoes that need to be paid. So how can we do all of this on one income? How can we still enjoy life and buy the little things we need and still add to our savings account?
I’m going to go over a couple things that have saved me money throughout the years and I think it will help you in the long run too.
Use Dish Clothes- There’s no need to use paper towels or napkins for things like drying your hands or cleaning. Us wash clothes for cleaning and towels for drying hands or dished, save those paper towels for messy faces!
Unplug Unused Appliances- Scower your home, see what is being used and what can be unplugged. This means every room in the home and garage!
Do your kids have things plugged in that are pulling power? You can use a power strip and just flip everything off at once as they leave for school in the morning.
This will shut down all of the unnecessary items. Be careful though, make sure your fish tank is plugged into the wall! (You live and learn, right?!)
Do you have an old freezer in the basement or garage that’s not being used? Unplug that power sucker until its needed!
Meal Plans- Plan your meals and stick to the list! The easiest way to break the bank for me is… Well, its the moment I walk into the store really.
So how do I get around not over buying or over spending? That’s simple, I take the $4.99 pick up fee and let someone else do my shopping for me.
So if I’m paying money for someone else to shop for me, how is this saving me money?
Just last week I went grocery shopping for the week and spent 3 times what I normally spend with grocery pick up! Yep, I know I am terrible at grocery shopping.
I love grocery pick up and it really is worth every dime for me! Try it out and let me know what you think!
Cut Down On The Snacks- Cutting down on snacks has saved us a ton of money! Really, by the time kids get home from school and we get home from work I start dinner. By starting dinner early we have eliminated the need for after school snacks and the kids are eating more healthy.
When we do allow snacks, we actually buy them from the dollar store. They have big bags of pretzels, animal crackers and much more!
Cooking- Yes that’s right, you are going to learn how to cook. And with places like Pinterest and Google, this really shouldn’t be that painful! I’m going to put together some of my favorite meals for you guys here eventually, stay tuned!
I am not a cook, but these recipes are easy and teen approved!
Take Inventory- Before you head out to the store make sure you take inventory. This will make it so you don’t have 5 bottles on Ketchup in the fridge. If you keep a list of the items you run out of throughout the week, this should be fairly easy.
I usually make a list on my phone, that way I can just add things to my list as needed.
Don’t Waste Water- There are several ways to save on the water bill you just have to be very conscious of what you are doing wrong.
You can fill up a water bottle with water and put it in your toilet tank. Less water will be used to fill up the toilet tank.
Don’t leave your clothes in the washer for them to get stinky, this means you will have to run them through the wash again.
Fill up your sink with a couple inches of water to pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. There’s no need to keep the water running.
Limit your shower time, I know everyone loves to take a long hot shower. But just remember, this will cost ya!
Run your sprinklers at night and experts say you only need to water twice a week.
Air Dry Your Clothes
Avoid Using Hot Water– When you can, use cold water to avoid over water heater over usage.
Avoid Name Brands- I know this is hard to do with some items but if you can use the off-brand, it will shave a lot of money off of your grocery bill.
DIY Cleaners- There are a lot of DIY recipes out there that cost very little to make and will last you quite some time! I suggest hopping on Pinterest, there are a ton of ways to make different cleaning solutions and soaps.
Grow A Garden- If you have a green thumb, then grow your own vegetables and herbs! They usually taste better and will be completely free. Use the seeds from the vegetables that you are already using for dinner tonight to get your garden going.
Use Left Overs- You can use leftovers for lunch the next day or dinner. Whatever you choose but don’t be afraid to use them! I love taking my chicken from leftovers and using it in a salad the next day. Or taco meat with ranch dressing on a salad is amazing too!
Buy In Season- Try to use vegetables and fruits only when they are in season. You can avoid the extra cost and the lack of quality.
Buy In Bulk- If you have a large family, buying in bulk may be the way to save. Case lot sales are also a fantastic way to stock up on name-brand items. But don’t buy it if you really aren’t going to use them!
Cancel Cable and use Netflix or Hulu
Go through your memberships and subscriptions– Cancel those that you don’t use.
Update your home- Start by switching to LED lights and dimmers and building up to energy efficient appliances.
Borrow What You Cant Buy- Just make sure you take really good care of it. We have had plenty of friends or relatives borrow our lawn mower because theirs broke and they financially couldn’t get one right then. Same with our carpet cleaner and movies. Borrow what you can and make sure you do the same for others.
Always Ask About Discounts Or Shop Around! Some stores still price match and others do rewards programs. This is why I purchase a lot of items thought Best Buy. They price match and have a reward program!
Switch Cell Phone Carriers– There are much cheaper cell phone carriers than AT&T and T-Mobile. Or if you are really low on cash, you can use WIFI to make calls off of your Facebook messenger.
Shop Insurance Companies- Don’t be afraid to switch insurance companies if you find one that is cheaper. Just make sure to do your research, some times cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to insurance coverage and customer service.
Use Less- Use less of everything! You most likely use too much shampoo and tooth paste amongst many other things. Try cutting back on how much you use and be aware of when you think you are using too much. I recently had to show my son how much shampoo he should be using!
There are so many different great ways to save and be frugal. As you are sitting here reading these, I bet you’re thinking of even better ways to save money! Let us know, these are hard times and its a great way to help out other people!
My Budget Family 