Money-Saving Tips
These are some of my favorite and most fruitful money-saving tips, enjoy!
If you need to stretch your grocery budget or have last minute guests that show up, mix in some veggies. A bag of frozen peas, some diced squash or anything else that will cook relatively quickly and goes with the dish. Bags of broccoli were a favorite of my husband and I when we were under financial strain.
You need only about 1/3 the recommended amount of toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, detergent, etc. Cut back on how much you squeeze out and you’ll squeeze more use out of your money AND your clothes will be cleaner. I have it on very good authority that using less detergent will get your clothes cleaner. Try it, it works!
Instead of paper towels buy a package of shop towels to use in the kitchen and to clean up spills. They’re cheap, so if you stain one you can toss it out, but they’ll last longer than a paper towel will and that’s better for your wallet and the environment.
Are you in need of something relatively expensive but can’t afford it? Post on your local freecycle and craigslist communities and ask! My husband and I received a 55 gallon aquarium in excellent condition for nothing after I posted a desperate plea for an inexpensive one for our turtle who needed a larger enclosure.
Trade coupons with a friend! My sister and I trade coupons out. She has small children so I give her the kid coupons. My husband I buy a lot of specialty foods so she saves those coupons for me. This way we both win! If you don’t have someone nearby you can trade with consider joining a coupon trading group. Check ‘mom’ boards, they often have links to such groups.
Ditch the soda! Not only is it expensive but it’s not a good thing to consume in mass quantities. Switch to water, or, if you’re like me and can’t stomach plain water, switch to iced tea or sugar free lemonade. It’s much cheaper and better for you!
Check your local thrift stores. Especially those in the nicer parts of town. Oftentimes you can find some incredible bargains there. Even if it’s not something you can use yourself you may find something you can clean up and sell.
Grow your own veggies and herbs! Not only will you have fresh food, but it’ll save you some money and you get the therapeutic benefits of gardening and working outside. If you think you don’t have space consider a container garden. You can grow herbs, tomatoes, bell peppers and zucchini in nearly anything.
Learn how to can your own veggies and fruits. When produce is in season you can buy it cheaply, preserve it and use it when it’s not in season. Plus you’ll always have a ready side dish.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Not only will you save a bundle on energy bills and help the environment, but your clothes will last much, much longer so you’ll save on wardrobe too.
Need new clothes, but don’t want to spend much? Frequent discount stores with constantly rotating stock and scour the clearance racks. I haven’t spent more than 20.00 on an outfit in years thanks to places like this. Don’t forget to check thrift stores. One of my favorite and most unique pieces of clothing was a thrift store find. I spent $1.50 and have gotten much wear out of it. In the nicer parts of town you can find designer labels, some with the tags still on them, for next to nothing! Even if you don’t wear them you can buy them and resell them to produce some extra income. To save even more money learn to sew (used mechanical sewing machines can be had for little money) and sew your own clothes. Once you learn the basics you really don’t need a pattern. Do searches online for modified clothing. You’d be amazed at the incredibly nice and fashionable clothing that can be made from patterned bed sheets or even several pieces of used clothing.
