Times are tough, and if you haven’t already started to tighten your belt, today’s economy may be just the incentive you need.
Most households have a lot of waste, and with just a little bit of thought and a small exertion of energy, many small economies can add up to big savings.
Feeding your family:
- Make coffee at home and bring it with you. This can save up to $30 per week.
- Make lunch at home and bring it with you. At least $7 a day for sandwich and a drink.
- Shop sales and use coupons. A combination of sales and clipped coupons adds up.
- Don’t shop when you are hungry. Impulse buying can be budget shattering.
- Don’t shop with children. It’s easier than arguing over junk food.
- Cook at home and save on fast foods. You can make your own pizza and hamburgers.
- Cook large meals so oven is used less often; serve two times. Saves on fuel and you have few dishes to wash up.
- Install a water filter on the sink instead of buying bottled water. Pour it in a designer water bottle if it makes you feel better.
- Buy snacks in bulk and put in small bags. This will save you calories as well.
Around the house:
- Turn the thermostat down 5 degrees and put on an extra layer of clothes. You’ll get used to it.
- Don’t run the water when you are brushing your teeth. Once you start turning the water off while you’re brushing, you won’t even have to think about it.
- Use store plastic bags as garbage bags instead of buying new bags to throw away. It really doesn’t make sense to buy bags to put in the garbage.
- Wash delicates by hand instead of using dry cleaners. Most sweaters can be hand washed.
- Turn off lights, T.V.s and radios when you are not in the room. Once again, once it becomes a habit, it is easy.
- Put in light sensors instead of leaving outside lights on all the time. Why light up the neighborhood if you don’t have to?
Out and about:
- Car pool. Work, school, the gym, shopping: just about any trip can be organized.
- Organize your errands and make one trip. Make a list; put all items related to the trip in one place. Number your stops so you do not backtrack.
- Exchange baby sitting services. Exchange date nights with friends and save at least $20 each time you go out.
Entertainment:
- Bike ride, picnic, visit local parks and other natural sites. Healthy as well as cheap.
- Have a movie exchange with other parents. If the kids are the same in age, they have the same type movies.
These kinds of ideas may just be the kindling that you need to stir yourself and your family to think of other simple, easy and relatively painless ways to save money right now!
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Hi, I’m Cathy! I’m a former career-driven professional turned stay-at-home mom. Living on one salary has its challenges, but it is possible to live the good life while spending less. Cool to be Frugal is all about how we’re thriving, not just surviving, on a single income.
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All great tips! I always try to drink coffee at home, but I’m lucky in that I’ve never really been a Starbucks fan.
Great site and great tips, just my topic saving money
Personally I have found a few “green” ways to save big green, I grow both my own 100% organic vegetables, Fish, and shrimp, with Aquaponics, I raise chickens for eggs, I’ve even managed to fabricate my own solar panels. Not only do I save money by providing most of my own food, but I save money on gas Oh, my wife is also an extreme couponer, and I am currently building my own “Solar Hot Water heater”
It’s just like you say ” with just a little bit of thought and a small exertion of energy, many small economies can add up to big savings.” but knowing where to get the proper knowledge does help tremendously
I also manage to make a few bucks by showing people how to save thousands a year by embracing the “Sustainable lifestyle”
Sustainalbe living DIY Projects