Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Easy Tips To Save Money While Raising Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to parent without going broke.

One of the greatest things I have ever done in this life is becoming a parent. There is nothing that makes me happier than to spend time with my three kids and guide them through life. Unfortunately, parenting also comes with a lot of expenses, like SO many expenses! I do have good news though. There are some tips to save money while raising kids that can be super helpful!

We can give our kids a wonderful, happy, joy filled life….without having to spend a fortune! In this article I’ll share a few tips for saving money on kids clothing, toys, and activities, so that you can parent without going broke.

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How To Save Money On Kids Clothes

I know that it can be so tempting to buy all of the cute, fresh and trendy kids clothing, but I promise, with a little work and practice you can find JUST as cute clothing, for a fraction of the price.  Here’s how!

1.  Buy Gently Used Clothing

Gone are the days where the only place to get gently used clothing is from your Great Aunt Lucy’s attic.  Now, we are so lucky to have many, many options to purchase used kids clothing.

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for preowned kids clothing:

Garage Sales

Garage sales are one of my favorite places to buy used clothing for my kids.  They seem to always have the lowest prices, I can easily walk away with a huge bag of kids clothing for less than $10.

Here are a few tips for buying kids clothing at garage sales:

  • Search Facebook Marketplace the night before you want to visit the yard sales (usually Thursday night or Friday night) to find a few listings that are advertising kids clothing.  Only stop at the houses that have said they have kids clothes for sale.
  • Make a plan and map out which sales you want to go to first, and in which order.
  • Leave first thing in the morning to start yard sale shopping.  A good rule of thumb is to get to your first stop 5-10 minutes BEFORE it was advertised to open.  This gives you first pick of the clothing, which will also be the best quality!
  • Clothing at yard sales are negotiable.  Never be afraid to offer a lower price than marked.  The worst thing that can happen is they will say, “No”, but they almost always say “yes”.

Thrift Stores

Another great place to purchase preowned children’s clothing is at kids thrift stores.  These stores are picky about what items they purchase, meaning that you can feel confident you will be buying high quality clothing for a fraction of the price.

My favorite children’s thrift stores are Kid To Kid and Once Upon A Child.  Bonus!  You can sell your used kids clothing to these stores to earn money!

In addition to the kids thrift stores you can find some great deals at multi-purpose thrift stores such as, GoodWill, Deseret Industries, and Savers.

Facebook Marketplace

You can also find some great deals on used clothing on Facebook Marketplace.  It’s so easy to search for the exact size and gender you are looking for on Facebook Marketplace with their search and filter options.  If you don’t find what you are looking for when you first check, make sure to set up a notification so you can be alerted when it is listed.

2.  Host A Kids Clothing Swap

Most moms are looking for a cheaper option for kids clothing.  Find a group of moms, such as in your community, school, church, neighborhood, etc. and organize a Kids Clothing Swap together.  This way everybody wins!

I’ve participated in a few of these before and love the concept so much!

Here’s how it works:

  • Invite moms to join you for a Kids Clothing Swap.
  • Plan a day and time that will work for most people.
  • Everyone brings any used kids clothing that they want to swap.
  • Organize the clothing by sizes and gender.
  • Let everyone pick a few new-to-them pieces of clothing to take home.

Learn more about hosting a clothing swap here!

3.  Never Pay Full Price

Make a habit of only buying clothing if it’s on sale or discounted.  Here are a few tips for shopping clothing sales:

Sign Up For Store Emails

Sign up for store emails so that you will be the first one alerted to the current sales.  I am very picky about who I hand my email out to.  But, I have signed up for emails at just a few of my favorite kids clothing stores (Target, Children’s Place, Old Navy) because their sale emails have been so helpful in knowing when the sales are happening.

Shop Off Season

Like I mentioned earlier, shopping off season is a great way to get brand new clothing for a fraction of the price.  In spring, buy winter clothing for your kids to wear the next year and in the fall buy summer clothing.

Use Store Reward Programs/Cards

Many stores will offer points on purchases made through their store reward programs.  My favorite store reward programs are:

  • Target:  Sign up for their red card and get 5% off of each purchase made.  This makes for an even greater deal when you use the card on clearance items!
  • Kohls:  When you make purchases using your Kohls card you will be given 5% in rewards.  These rewards will then be turned into Kohls Cash to spend at the store.  You can use your Kohls cash with clearance items and coupons!
  • Children’s Place:  Another great store rewards program is Children’s Place.  When you sign up for the program you will begin receiving points each time you make a purchase.  These points can be redeemed for cash rewards that you can spend at the store.  Plus, they send out a birthday coupon each year!

Shop Online Deal Sites

You can find great deals on kids clothing when you shop at online deal websites.  A couple of my favorite sites for cute clothes and good discounts are Jane, Zulily, and Burkes Outlet.

Saving Money On Kids Toys

Kids want all the toys, and parents naturally want to give our kids everything that they want. I honestly remember buying my oldest a toy just because my husband and I thought it looked fun for US to play with….not because she actually needed it…..

Now, there isn’t anything wrong with buying a few toys to keep your kids entertained and to stimulate their minds and encourage imagination. But, try to shop using these tips to save money on kids toys.

1. Buy Quality Not Quantity

I know it can be tempting to always purchase the cheapest toy you can find. I’ve spent way to many shopping trips wandering through the Dollar Tree aisles grabbing a few $1 (remember those days….) toys and thinking we were all set for only a few dollars.

Unfortunately, those toys often broke quickly and the excitement of them wore off fast.

I’ve found that if you are willing to spend a little extra money on a quality toy then it will last much longer, and in the long run you won’t be spending as much money.

I suggest investing in some high quality wooden blocks, puzzles, and legos. These will last for years!

2. Rotate Toys

Another tip to save money on toys while raising kids is to rotate their toys.

Try to set up a system where certain toys only come out at certain times of the year.

For example, you could get four different storage bins and label them each for different months of the year; January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December.

Load each of your four storage bins with a variety of toys and then stash three of them away, but keep one out. Let your kids play with the toys in that bin for three months, until it’s time to stash those toys away and get out the next bin.

With every toy rotation your kids will have new toys that they had forgotten about to enjoy and play with!

3. Thrift Toys

Check Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and garage sales for gently used toys. Kids grow out of toys so quickly, you can often find great condition like new toys for a fraction of the price. Sometimes all they need is a little hand washing to be bright as new again!

4. Get Creative With DIY Toys

Use items that you have around your house to DIY toys! Kids can have so much fun using items you already have laying around the house.

I have a few ideas listed below:

  • You could turn a large empty box into a fort, a car, or just let them draw all over it!
  • Let your kids play with your pots and pans and form a marching bad.
  • Make homemade playdough or this edible peanut butter playdough for your kids to smash and create with.
  • Fill your sink with water and bubbles and let your kids play in the bubbles with plastic dishes.
  • Use toilet paper tubes to make binoculars or other fun activities. I have an entire list of things you can make with toilet paper tubes here!
  • Let your kids dress up in your clothes and play make believe!

There are so many things laying around your house that can be turned into a fun toy or activity for your kids! This is such a great tip for saving money when raising kids.

Saving Money On Kids Activities and Entertainment

A big part of raising kids is building family memories, and giving your children meaningful experiences. I know this has been something important to me and my husband as we have raised our family.

These type of activities can get very expensive. But, there are many things we can do to to make the best family memories while on a budget.

1. Take advantage of free community resources

Did you know that your community has loads of free activities and resources for your family? They do! A few of my favorites are:

  • Library. The public library is one of my favorite free community resources. They offer more than just books! Take a minute to check out your library and take advantage of all the free things they have available.
  • Parks. Take your family to the parks for picnics, to play on the playground, or for a fun family game of kickball.
  • Farmers Market. Take your kids for a stroll around your communities farmers market. They often have live music and free food samples, and just a lot of fun things to see.
  • Splash Pads. My city has a few free splash pads and my preschool and toddler aged kids loved them! It was a fun free family activity to help us get out of the house and make memories.
  • Free Museum/Zoo Days. Many museums or zoos will offer free or discounted days. Try to watch for those discounts days!

2. Invest In a Get Out Pass

A few years ago I was looking for ways that my family could affordably get out and enjoy local attractions, while also being able to stick to our budget. My oldest was just a couple of years away from graduating high school, and I knew she would be moving out and on her own soon.

I then learned about the Get Out Pass. Get Out Pass is an annual subscription service that gives you free access to a huge variety of fun local attractions.

You pay a one time yearly fee to get access to their user friendly app. Within the Get Out Pass app you can search through all of the attractions offered in your area. Choose where you want to go, show the pass in your app at the ticket counter, and you are let in for free! You can learn more about my experience with Get Out Pass here.

This app has been such a great way for my family to make more memories, and enjoy fun outings without having to pay full price for anything! We only have to go to one amusement park to get out moneys worth out of the app. It is a GREAT resource!

3. Be Frugal With Kids Sports

If your child wants to participate in sports, it can get very expensive fast. Here are a few tips to help you save money on kids sports, so they can still be apart of it without the huge price tag.

  • Shop thrift stores for sports equipment.
  • Try different leagues, some will be cheaper than others.
  • Carpool to practice, games and tournaments.
  • Volunteer in the league for a discount.

In Conclusion

You don’t need to spend a fortune to raise happy, thriving kids. I hope these tips to save money while raising kids will help you save money on clothes, toys and activities. Parenting on a budget is possible! Prioritize your spending, get creative, and stick to your budget! You got this!

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I hope these were helpful tips for saving money while raising kids!

How To Save Money Without Feeling Deprived

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips To Cutting Expenses Without Cutting Your Happiness

When I tell people that I stick to a budget and like to be frugal, a negative reaction is fairly common. Many people view frugal living as an endless sacrifice and a million “no’s”, they often feel that it leads to a boring and unfulfilled life. I’m here to tell you that you CAN budget, save money and live frugally, while still living a life that makes you happy! Today I will tell you exactly how to save money without feeling deprived.

Step 1: Track Spending With Zero Judgement

The first step to living a frugal life while staying happy is to track your spending…..without judging yourself.

For one entire month you should write down every single thing that you spend money on. Big or small, write it down! Don’t try to change (this is where the no judging part comes in) your habits to make them look better on paper. We want an accurate representation of how you truly spend money.

If you would like a free spending tracker, grab it in my Free Budgeting Worksheets Bundle.

Step 2: Rate Your Spending On A Happiness Scale

Once the month is done, and you have written down everything that you bought it’s time for a quick Joy Audit.

This can be done by taking your list of expenses and rating everything you bought based on the level of happiness each purchase brought you. I recommend using a scale of 1 to 10.

Items on the lower end of the scale, such as #1, would be “why did I even buy this?” These would be purchases that you never really used after buying, or things didn’t add any value to your life.

The purchases on the higher end of the scale, would items that make your life better and happy and is used and enjoyed to the fullest! Personally, my Friday date nights would be a fit in this category!

Remember, this is a no guilt scale! We are just trying to reflect on spending and your own personal happiness levels.

Step 3: Cut Expenses With A Low Happiness Rating

Now that your Joy Audit is done, it’s time to start saving money without depriving ourselves of happiness!

In the frugal living world we talk a lot about cutting “non-essential” spending. But, if we focus on only our non-essential spending, it can often lead to cutting out a lot of purchases that bring us immense joy. Your happiness is important! Step 3 focuses on saving money while also staying happy.

Look through your tracked expenses and take note of all the non-essential purchases that ranked low on your happiness scale. I recommend anything that ranked between a 3-1. Now, make a decision to cut those low ranking purchases out of your budget moving forward.

Step 4: Find A Place For Your Extra Money

Now that you have found some extra cash in your budget, it’s time to use that money for something even more important……SAVINGS! I mean, that’s what I’m here for right? To help you save more money! So, this is how we are going to do it.

Look through some of your future saving goals, and current financial needs. Try to find somewhere in your budget that you could put the extra money you now have.

A few ways you might want to use your extra money could be:

  • Paying off debt: If you have debt that you’ve been trying to pay off, use this extra money to put towards that debt payment so that you can get it paid off sooner rather than later. Not sure how to start paying off your debt? Check out this article: How To Pay Off Debt With The Debt Snowball.
  • Growing your emergency fund: Do you have a fully funded emergency fund? If not, this extra money gives you the perfect opportunity to get one. Funnel your new found savings into your emergency fund, so that if anything unexpected occurs you won’t have to stress financially.
  • Saving for a big expense: You could also use this extra money to save for an upcoming big expense, such as buying a house, a car, or going on a vacation.

Your money goals will be unique to you and your situation! As long as it will help you progress further, and keep you happy, that’s what we are about!

Step 5: Make It A Habit

Let’s rehash shall we?

First we found some extra cash in your budget, and we didn’t have to sacrifice any of the things that make you most happy. Yay for that!

Next, we found some areas in our budget that we could use this extra cash for. Areas that will really help us prepare for our future and live a debt free life.

So, what’s next?

Well, now it’s time to make this new way of spending a habit! Personally, I’ve found that it’s really easy to start off strong in a new savings goal….but then slowly go back to my old habits.

I don’t want that to happen to you! To keep up with your new budget, I recommend going through this same process every 2-3 months. Continually looking through your expenses and ranking them on a happiness scale will help this mindset to stay in the forefront of your thoughts.

In Conclusion

I hope that this article was able to help you find some ways to save money without feeling deprived.

Remember, frugal living isn’t about living with less – it’s about living with more of what you love and less of what you don’t.

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You can save money without feeling deprived of your joy!

Cheap Staycation Ideas

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Fun Staycation Activities For Families

I can’t wait to share my favorite cheap staycation ideas with all of you!

It’s no secret that I love to travel…..I mean my very favorite sinking fund category ( by far!) is my vacation fund.  However, as we all know, traveling can get expensive….very expensive.

Once you add up the prices for flights, gas, hotels, restaurants, etc there is hardly any money left for the activities!  And we all want the activities!

Which is why I am SO happy that fun staycations are becoming more normalized.

What is a staycation?

A staycation is a vacation where you don’t leave your city, and in many cases you don’t even leave your house!  Instead of traveling to a new location you stay home and take a break from your regular day to day routine, no going to school or work or anything typical.  Instead you will spend your time relaxing, exploring your city, and doing fun activities you never seem to have the time for.

Vacationing the staycation way gives you the opportunity to have a vacation….frugally!  You won’t need to spend money on flights, hotels, and every meal.  Instead you can save that money for something more important (debt payoff maybe???) and enjoy all of the many fun things to do and see right in your own hometown!

cheap staycation ideas - how to have a cheap at home vacation

 

Cheap Staycation Ideas

So, without any further ado!  Here is my master list of the BEST cheap staycation ideas for families!  I hope you are able to find the perfect activity to help you relax, have fun and make memories!

At Home Family Staycation Ideas

Let’s start with my at home staycation ideas.  Some of the best family activities can be enjoyed right in the comfort of your own home!

1.  Movie Marathon

If you are looking for a relaxing and cheap staycation idea you just might love having a movie marathon.  Choose one of your favorites tv or movie series and spend a few days binge watching!  Of course you should add in some popcorn and your favorite movie treats.

You can find some great deals on streaming services if you know where to look!  Shop around and see if you can sign up for a few new ones to enjoy over your movie weekend.

2.  Play Board Games

My family loves playing board games.  It’s a fun way for us to spend time together, laugh, stretch our brains and make memories.  Spending a day playing board games is the perfect staycation idea for families.

Board games can be expensive to buy brand new, but don’t let that deter you!  There are so many budget board games that are perfect for families check out my list of favorites here!  Instead of buying new you could borrow a few games from a friend, or buy some games from the thrift store (my fave place to purchase games).

3.  Have A Spa Day

The entire family can join in on an at home spa day.  Take some individual bubble baths, put on face masks, paint each other nails, and enjoy some R&R together as a family. 

If you are looking for a cheap way for at home salon quality nails, my daughter loves this gel nails system!

Want to spend a little extra money on your spa day?  Try a spa day out!  Take the family to a local spa and enjoy some pampering for the day!

4.  Learn A New Hobby

A staycation is the perfect time to learn a new hobby or work on perfecting one you already have!

You could use this time to take a cake decorating class, paint (my family loves to paint along with the Bob Ross YouTube Videos), learn to sew, sign up for a photography class, or anything else that sounds fun to you!

5.  Yard Games

I am such a sucker for yard games!  I love being outside with my family and yard games are the prefect way to make that happen.

One of my favorite things about yard games is that everyone can play.  I’m not atheltic….so I always feel a little odd when I join in a game of softball, however a yard game….now that is something I can participate in confidently!

A few of my favorite yard games are:

6.  Update A Room In Your House

Do you have a few house projects that you have been putting off?  Use your staycation free time to get those projects done!

Maybe you are wanting to redecorate a room, update a bathroom, or organize a closet.  It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, just as long as it gets done!

7.  Put Together A Puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to relax and keep your mind sharp.  I love setting out a puzzle on our kitchen table for my family to work on during long weekends at home.  My favorite brand of puzzles are Dowdle!

8.  Get Some R&R

One of my favorite cheap staycation idea is to rest and relax!  The busy hustle and bustle of every day life can wear out anyone and everyone!  You might enjoy using your time off of work to get some much needed rest!  Spend the day in bed catching up on your sleep, there is no harm in that!

9.  Backyard Campout

Have a campout in your own backyard.  You could lay out blankets right under the stars on your trampoline or a cot, or set up a tent with the kids.  

If you happen to have a backyard firepit, try making dinner over the fire.  We LOVE these tin foil dinners.  Trust me, they aren’t your typical tin foil dinner…they are SO much better!  Don’t forget to make the backyard campout extra special with some homemade smores!

10.  Make A Craft

Use your staycation time to make a craft, or two or three!

Here are a few fun crafting ideas for the whole family:

frugal staycation ideas for families - at home vacation ideas

 

Staycation Ideas You Can Do Around Your Town

There are so many fun activities you can do right in your own hometown!  It’s easy to get use to living in the same place, becoming consumed with the day to day life and forgetting to enjoy all the fun experiences right in front of you.

One thing that has helped our family participate in more activities within our hometown is by using out Get Out Pass.

The Get Out Pass is an annual subscription that lets you visit attractions in your area for free!  Last night my family went ax throwing, which is something we never would have tried without the Get Out Pass!  It was so much fun to try something new right in our own city!

When buying your pass be sure to use my coupon code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the best discount on your pass (promise, it’s always cheaper than the current deal).

Many of the things I will mention below are places that are included in most Get Out Passes.  

1.  Tour Your City

Try being a tourist in your own town!  It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or small town, there will always be something new to see or do!  

You could try a new walking path, go window shopping in a different part of town, or try a new restaurant.  Look at your city’s visitor website for ideas, or better yet. use the Get Out Pass to help you find new and fun things to do around town.

2.  Rent Scooters To Tour Your Town

Over the past few years my city has been acquiring more and more Bird Scooters for the community to use.  They are so much fun!  You just download the app onto your phone, scan the scooter you want to rent and enjoy it for as long as you want!  This could make for a very fun family staycation.

3.  Visit Your Local Library

My family all loves to read, so a visit to the library to get new books is always a highlight in our housel!  However, libraries offer SO much more than just books.  Many libraries will loan national park passes, baking pans, board games, movies, and more!

Use some time during your next frugal staycation to see what all your library has to offer!

4.  Visit A Local Museum

Spend an afternoon at one of your local museums.  I just took my kids to the Idaho Potato Museum for free using our Get Out Passes.  It was small and quick, but fun to get out of the house and to learn more about our states famous potatoes.

6.  Restaurant Tour

Are there some restaurants in your city that you’ve been wanting to try?  A family staycation is the perfect time to try them!  Use some of your budgeted money to take a little restaurant tour right in your town!  

Spend a day or two visiting some of the top local restaurants.  You could go out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert…..or all of the above!  You might just find a new family favorite!

6.  Listen To Live Music

Many towns will have live music events throughout the week, especially during the summertime.  We love sitting outside on a summer evening listening to free live music.  Look on your city’s website to find any local live music events in your area.

7.  Go To A Sporting Event

If you have a sports team in your town, a fun staycation idea would be to go to one of their home games.  Sure, it might be a little pricy, depending on the league, but it’s much cheaper than a vacation out of the country!

Our Get Out Pass gives us a free pass to attend one minor league baseball game each year.  It makes attending sporting events much cheaper and we look forward to it every year.

8.  Have A Pool Day

My family insists that a pool must be apart of any sort of vacation….and I’m not arguing!

Consider adding a pool day to your frugal staycation plan!  Spending a day at the pool makes for a great family friendly staycation!  You could even pool hop, trying a different pool every day!  

9.  Attend A Paint Night

Check to see if your city has any paint studios.  These are so fun and make planning a paint night easy.  All you have to do is show up and then you’ll be taught how to paint a beautiful portrait!  It’s a fun night out with friends or family.

If you are looking for something even cheaper, consider an at home paint night!  We love these paint by number kits for at home paint nights.

10.  Go To The Theater

Get dressed up for the evening and head to a local theater to see a new play, concert or comedian.  Community theater can deliver some amazing shows and I love being able to support them whenever I can.

11.  Go To The Zoo or Aquarium

Visit the animals living in your city with a trip to the zoo or aquarium…or both!

If you happen to have a Get Out Pass, there’s a good chance they include a free visit to your local zoo and or aquarium.  We love using our passes each year to visit these attractions!

Don’t forget that if you purchase a Get Out Pass to use my code: SWEETFRUGALLIFE (code currently only available for Idaho, Utah, North California, North Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Washington and Colorado passes) for the cheapest price!

 

Fun Outdoor Staycation Activities For Families

Looking for some fun activities your family can do together in the great outdoors??  Check out some of the following ideas.

1.  Go On A Picnic

Pack up a picnic lunch and go spend the day outside.  You could picnic up in the mountains and take time exploring the forest.  Or, maybe you would prefer a picnic at the beach playing in the waves and soaking up the sun.  Another fun picnic place is a local park.  Make sure to pack a few frisbees and spend time playing together as a family.

2.  Go To The Beach

I do not live near a beach….but if I did it would be my first staycation activity!

Pack a beach bag full of food and sand toys and enjoy a beach day together as a family.  You might enjoy exploring a few different beaches, maybe a new beach each day of your staycation….or just stick to your favorite!  The joy of planning your staycation is that the choice is always yours!

3.  Go On A Bike Ride

If your family owns bikes, going on a few bike rides is the perfect cheap staycation idea.  Make a day out of it by packing a picnic and trying out a few new trails.

You could also rent some bikes if you don’t own any.  The bike rental shop should have some recommendations of good bike trails to try!  It’s always fun to try something new!

4.  Take A Day Trip

I love to see new places, so a fun day trip is right up my alley.  Try taking a day to explore a few nearby towns.  You can try out a few restaurants and enjoy some of the activities the town has to offer.

5.  Visit a U-Pick Farm

Take your family to a local U-Pick farm and enjoy the fresh grown produce.  After you are done picking, bring it home and, depending on what you picked, you can can it, freeze it, or make some homemade treats!

My family loves driving up the mountains every summer and picking huckleberries.  We always bring them home and make huckleberry pancakes for dinner!

6.  Have A Lake Day

Another cheap staycation idea is to enjoy a day with your family at the lake.  You could rent a few kayaks, pack a picnic and enjoy relaxing in nature!

7.  Go Hiking

Hiking is a great way to disconnect from life (including phones!) and spend time connecting with each other.  It gives you the time to talk, share stories, and make memories.  I love taking my family into nature to teach them a different way to relax and relieve stress.

8.  Spend A Day At A National Park

I’ve lived within 2 hours of Yellowstone National Park for the majority of my life…..but I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t go to the park as often as I should.

If you are like me and live within driving distance of a National Park you might enjoy using your staycation time to finally go enjoy it for all it’s glory.

National Parks allow free entry to everyone about 4 days each year.  They also have a pass for 4th graders to get in free.  Make sure to look up details about both of these awesome opportunities to make your cheap staycation even better!

9.  Play Your Favorite Sport

My family loves going outside and playing a sport together.  Honestly, none of us are all that athletic, but we just enjoy being active and having fun together.  

We love to play about anything!  But our favorites are soccer, baseball and kickball.

Playing a sport together as a family is the perfect cheap staycation idea.

10.  Go Bird Watching

Help your kids learn more about birds through a bird watching activity.  Get a bird watchers book for the library, or this one from Amazon and learn all about birds!

Afterwards you could come home and play my favorite boardgame, Wingspan.  It will add to the bird watching theme day!

 

Nothing Wrong With Cheap Staycations

I want to stress that there is nothing wrong with taking your kids on a staycation.  I know that the flashy vacations you see on instagram look like the ideal family time….and those are great!  But really, the most important things is spending time together as a family.

Don’t feel guilty if all you can afford is a budget friendly staycation….feel proud that you are taking the time to plan special memories for your kids.

 

 

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cheap staycation ideas - how to vacation at home

 

I hope your family enjoys these cheap staycation ideas!

Cheap Snack Ideas For Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Snack Ideas Kids Will Love

If your kids are anything like my kids, than they seem to always be hungry.  My kids can eat through a pantry of snacks quicker than I can count to ten!  Over the years I have started brainstorming cheap snack ideas for kids so that they can fill up their ever growing bodies, be (somewhat) nutritious, and also won’t cost me an arm and a leg.  

Below you will find a few of the best frugal snack ideas for kids.  These snacks are perfect for on the go, after school, or everywhere in between.  Budget friendly and parent approved!  Yay!

cheap snack ideas for kids - budget friendly snacks

 

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Homemade Cheap Snack Ideas For Kids

These frugal snack ideas will require a little bit of preplanning and effort in the kitchen.  But I promise the result is worth the extra time!

Homemade Graham Crackers

My kids love when I make these homemade graham crackers.  They are easy, delicious and fun to customize the shape depending on the season!

Muffins

Muffins make for great snacks and are super quick and easy to whip up.  There are so many different types of muffins, a couple of our favorites are this Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate chip muffin recipe, and this Huckleberry Muffin Recipe.

Banana Bread

Don’t throw away bananas that are overripe, instead use them to make this quick banana bread recipe.  This recipe is so moist and easy.  It’s been a favorite in my family for a few generations!

Homemade Popsicles

Homemade popsicles aren’t just for summer, they make a great treat for all year round!  We love to make popsicles with juice, leftover smoothies, or pureed fruit, it really just depends on what we food we have in the fridge. 

Smoothies are also a great way to use up any extra produce before it goes bad.   We freeze our popsicles in popsicle molds bought from Amazon!

Cake Mix Cookies

Stock up on box cake mix when it goes on sale and use it to make these 3 ingredient cake mix cookies.  They are easy to customize to meet your current craving, and super easy to throw together.

 

 

Partly Homemade Snacks For Kids

If you don’t have the time or energy to make homemade snacks from scratch, you might want to try some of these partly homemade snack ideas.  They will require a little bit of effort to throw together, but not as much as the ideas above.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a staple at my house.  It’s cheap, quick to prepare, and somewhat healthy.  I like to buy popcorn kernels and pop them over the stove in a little bit of oil, or you could buy a popcorn maker from Amazon for a decent price.

You can even change up the flavor by sprinkling on some yummy seasonings.  My kids especially love using parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder or seasoning salt.

Cinnamon Toast

I learned about cinnamon toast from my husbands family and I’ve loved it ever since.  It’s super simple and the kids love it!

All you have to do is butter a slice of bread, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top and then bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until toasted.  It’s so good!

Cheese Quesadilla

Cheese Quesadillas are another cheap snack idea you can easily make at home.  They are delicious and quick to throw together for after school or when you’re rushing out the door.  Tortillas are fairly cheap to buy at the store, and even cheaper to make yourself.  

Smoothies

I love stocking up on fresh fruit when it’s in season and then freezing  it in bulk.  The frozen fruit is perfect for making budget friendly smoothies.  

Frugal bonus tip:  Pour any extra smoothie into a freezer container and store it in the freezer.  The frozen smoothie can be put into your kids lunchboxes for a quick and easy school lunch treat.  These are a huge hit with my kids!

Ants On A Log

Ants on a log is a fun and quick snack.  It’s made by spreading peanut butter on top of celery and then adding a few raisins!  Easy peasy!

Yogurt Parfaits

Making a yogurt parfait is easy.  Just layer yogurt with berries and then top it off with granola.  You could even try making your own yogurt (something I haven’t tried yet….) for even more savings!

Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas

Another quick to fix snack for kids is cinnamon sugar tortillas.  All you have to do is spread butter over the top of a flour tortilla and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake the tortilla in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.  Lastly, cut it into triangles using a pizza cutter and enjoy!  It’s one of my kids favorite after school snacks.

 

 

Grab and Go Snack Ideas For Kids

If you are in a hurry, or just don’t feel like cooking, try a few of these grab and go cheap snacks for kids.  They require little/none preparation and are tasty, but frugal!

Frozen Grapes

Have you ever tried frozen grapes?  They are so so SO delicious!  I love to stock up on grapes when they go on sale, and then freeze them in a freezer bag.  They taste like a yummy popsicle and are the perfect cheap snack for kids.

Fresh Fruit

One of our favorite frugal snacks is fresh fruit.  I like to watch sales at local grocery stores and buy whatever fruit in on sale.  I’ve learned that if I set fruit out on the counter, my kids are much more likely to grab it when they are looking for a snack.

Cheese & Crackers

Who doesn’t love cheese and crackers???  It’s a classic cheap snack and for good reason!  Stock up on crackers when they go on sale so you can help your kids enjoy cheese and crackers for an easy and frugal afternoon snack.

Raisins

Raisins are great to grab and eat on their own, or you can mix them with some nuts and chocolate chips for a cheap trail mix snack.  Make sure to buy the raisins in bulk for the best value.

Apples and Peanut Butter

We love the delicious apples and peanut butter snack at our house.  You can serve the peanut butter as an apple dip, or our favorite thing to do is slice the apples with a mandolin and top each slice with peanut butter and chocolate chips!  So yummy!!!

Cheerios

Ok, I know it’s basic, but cheerios is one of the best cheap snack ideas for kids because it’s not only frugal, it’s also quick, easy and loved by all!  Basically a win all around!  Make sure to watch grocery sales because cheerios are often marked down and available as a rebate with many cashback apps.  

Cheese

Cheese is the perfect quick snack!  I like to buy a large block of cheese (Costco usually has the best prices) and cut it into individual slices/cubes for even more convenient snacking.

Applesauce

I love canning jars and jars of applesauce every fall.  I try to buy a couple of boxes of apples when the price drops to 50 cents/lb and turn them all into applesauce. 

It’s true that not everyone loves to can, and that’s fine!  You can buy applesauce and it is still a frugal snack.

Pretzels

Pretzels are another cheap snack idea for kids.  They are perfect for a quick grab and go snack or as a lunchbox filler.  Pretzels are consistently one of the cheaper snack options in the grocery store, and almost always kid approved!  Yay!

 

Best Frugal Snacks

There are so many options when searching for the best frugal snacks!  We can feed our kids and their love for snacks without having to hurt our grocery budget.

 

Related Articles:

What To Do When Grocery Prices Rise

Easy After School Snack Ideas

Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book

 

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What are your favorite cheap snack ideas for kids?

DIY Decor On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Frugal Decoration Ideas You Can DIY

I don’t know if this is just me…but I seem to always feel like my home needs an update.  I get one room looking just right, and then I notice another room is outdated.  I love giving my home a new look….but it can get so expensive!  Which is why I do a lot of DIY decor on a budget.  It’s the best way to give a home a fresh new look, without breaking the bank! 

If you are like me and wanting to makeover your home, but also on a budget, make sure to try some of these easy ideas listed below!

Dollar Tree Tiered Tray

Frugal and Dollar Tree just belong in the same sentence, don’t you think????  Which is exactly why I love this Dollar Tree Tiered Tray.  It’s the absolute cutest craft and will only take a few hours and a few dollars to throw together.  Plus, it’s something that anyone could make, whether you deem yourself “crafty” or not!  Whooo-hooo!

 

Custom Painted DIY Doormat

It’s always fun to get a fresh new door mat, but what’s even more fun is getting a fresh new door mat for a cheap price!  Am I right or am I right????  

This cute Custom Painted DIY Doormat is the perfect way to update your front porch while on a tight budget.

Finished doormat on front porch.

 

Related:  Cheap Farmhouse Decorations

 

DIY Dollar Tree Wreath

Here’s another fun and easy project made from supplies found at Dollar Tree.

This DIY Dollar Tree Wreath would make a cute addition to your indoor or outdoor decor.  And it’s easy to customize just by changing up the flowers to match your favorite look!

completed diy wreath

 

 

 

Upcycled Succulent Planter

Quit tossing your used cans away and turn them into an adorable farmhouse style planter instead!  Here’s an easy tutorial you can follow to make your own upcycled succulent planter.  You will only need a few supplies (and you probably already have some of them in your home!).

Succulent Planter Craft Project

 

Driftwood Clock

I love crafts that you can make out of things that would typically be tossed aside.  It’s so beautiful to give something that has been forgotten a new life and purpose!

That’s the reason why I love this DIY Driftwood Clock.  You take a piece of driftwood, clean it up a bit, attach a clock kit…and wah-lah…..you have a beautiful clock!  It really is the perfect DIY decor on a budget!

How to make a driftwood clock

 

China Cabinet Makeover

Do you have a china cabinet in your home?  It might be fun to give it a new look with this quick and easy makeover!  All you need is some wallpaper and a few supplies to give the china cabinet a fresh look!

Photo of empty cabinet with the wall paper on the back of the hutch. The wallpaper has branches with light green leaves and gray owls perched on the branches. the background of the paper is cream colored.

 

 

Burlap Planter

If you know basic sewing then you can whip up this darling DIY Burlap Planter.  The directions are very simple to follow and makes for such a cute and fun way to store your house plants.

burlap basket pot cover free sewing pattern completed

 

Vase Makeover

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to display expensive looking items in your home, and that’s exactly what I love about this tutorial.  It shows you how easy it can be to turn an ordinary Dollar Tree vase into a beautiful expensive looking vase.

Acrylic painted vases that look like terracotta

 

Colorful Wreath

A homemade wreath is the perfect DIY decoration on a budget.  They are always so easy to make, and beautiful to display!

I just love this colorful floral and burlap wreath.  It’s made using a pool noodle, which you can get at the Dollar Tree for super cheap!  I never would have guessed!

Colorful Summer Wreath

 

Burlap Garland

Garlands are such a fun way to dress up a fireplace mantle, or an entry table.  Make sure you check out this Burlap Garland tutorial to learn how to make this cute and cheap decoration!

burlap garland

 

 

 

Planter Box

Give your front porch a makeover with this DIY Modern Planter Box tutorial.  It’s the perfect project for someone who is new to power tools.  Your porch will look fresh and new with these planter boxes up front!

Super Easy DIY Modern Planter Boxes

 

Crushed Tin Can Pocket Planter

I’m always amazed at what can be done with a little creativity and modge podge.  Mixed Kreations shows us how she took a tin can, a napkin, and some modge podge to make this beautiful tin can pocket planter.  It makes a beautiful gift or keep it for yourself for a fun DIY decoration on a budget.

crushed tin can pocket

 

DIY Faux Ceramic Vases

I am seriously obsessed with these Faux Ceramic Vases!  I had no idea you could make a faux ceramic paint with baking soda!  The finished look is so beautiful and expensive looking!  I’m seriously going to paint everything in my home using this tutorial!

faux ceramic projects are lined up on display with dried florals

 

 

Paint Cabinet Hardware

Make your cabinets look brand new simply by painting the cabinet hardware, it’s so genius!  This is one of the easiest ways to update your home while sticking to a tight budget!  

image of before painted hardware on cabinets with arrow pointing to after laundry room cabinets with black painted hardware.

 

DIY Pillow Covers

Give your throw pillows a whole new look with this easy DIY pillow cover tutorial!  The pillow covers have a cute decorative edge to help them stand out, and it will be easy to customize them to your home vibe by the material you choose.

 

DIY Decor On a Budget

I hope this article helped you to find a few….or many easy ideas for frugal decorating!  Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity and time to transform a room!

 

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Enjoy these DIY decor on a budget ideas!

Road Trip On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to save money on a family road trip.

My family and I are currently in the process of preparing for a spring break road trip.  We are so excited to spend quality time together and look forward to visiting a few sights, like the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and more!  Traveling by car can be a very frugal way to sight see, but like any vacation, expenses will add up quickly.  Today I’m sharing a few tips to help you road trip on a budget.

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Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

I am a huge proponent of the fact that you can still have FUN, enjoy life, and live on a BUDGET.  It’s possible!!  Planning a vacation around a road trip is a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money.  However, expenses can add up on, even when traveling by vehicle. 

So, here are a few ways you can save money on a family road trip…so that you can spend your hard earned money in other ways.

1.  Plan Ahead

One of the most important parts of road tripping on a budget is to plan ahead.  I suggest planning for your road trip a few months in advance (or as soon as you decide to travel).  There are a lot of factors to consider when making a good road trip plan.  Don’t forget to include: 

  • Making a budget (don’t forget to include gas, food, attractions, and miscellaneous)
  • Researching/planning places to eat, sleep and things to do
  • Meal planning/prep for foods you will pack and make yourself
  • Looking over the best route for driving

As you are making your road trip plan be sure you plan as frugally as possible using the tips below.  Give yourself enough time to research and plan ahead so that you will be able to find the most affordable options and frugal hacks.

How To Save Money on Road Trip Food

There are many ways to save money on road trip food.  Below are a few of my favorite hacks!

2.  Pack Your Own Food

One of my favorite parts of road tripping is the food.  There is just nothing better than munching on snacks, while listening to a good audiobook, and watching the scenery go by!  To save money on road trip food is important to pack as much as you can from home.

Buying food from gas stations and restaurants will get expensive fast.  And most tourist grocery stores will have higher prices than your local grocery store.  However, if you plan ahead (remember that little planning tip we already talked about 😉 ) and pack your own food in the car, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Here are a few of our favorite food to pack on a road trip:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Carrot sticks
  • Deli sandwiches
  • Bagels with cream cheese
  • Peanut butter sandwich
  • Granola bars
  • Muffins
  • Pita wraps
  • Nuts
  • Jerky
  • Popcorn
  • Pretzels
  • Yogurt
  • Salad

3.  Skip Restaurants & Eat At The Grocery Store

Ok, hear me out on this one!

If you don’t love the idea of packing your own food for your budget friendly road trip, then consider stopping at grocery stores along the way to eat your meals, rather than stopping at restaurants to eat.

You can get delicious, high quality food at grocery stores, with much lower prices than you would spend at a restaurant.  We love stopping at grocery stores for foods like deli sandwiches, friend chicken, fresh fruit and salads.  Try it, you just might like it!

4.  Stay At An Airbnb

Staying at an Airbnb is an easy way to save money on food expenses.  Most Airbnbs will give you access to a full kitchen, making it possible to cook all of your own meals, instead of eating out.

However, make sure to look at all of the hidden costs when booking an Airbnb to ensure that you really will be saving money.  The cleaning and extra fees can really add up, which means that sometimes it isn’t always the cheapest option!

5.  Stay In A Hotel With A Microwave/Fridge

You don’t have to book accommodations with a full kitchen to cook your own meals.  A hotel room with a microwave and fridge will provide all that you need to whip up a few easy meals.

Here are a some of the meals my family likes to eat in our kitchenette hotel room:

Breakfast:

  • Muffins
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Fruit
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal

Lunch & Dinner:

  • Mac and Cheese
  • Sandwiches
  • Bagels with Cream Cheese
  • Fruit
  • Protein Drink
  • Salad
  • Cup of Noodles

6.  Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Avoid spending money on water bottles by packing your own reusable water bottle and filling it up with free water where available! 

I personally love this Stanley dupe water bottle.  It has a lot of really cute colors and great reviews.

7.  Eat Out For Lunch Instead of Dinner

If you do decide to go out to eat for a few meals, make sure to eat out for lunch instead of dinner.  Most restaurants will offer a cheaper menu during lunch hours, so that you can get the same product for a better price.

8.  Stay somewhere with a free breakfast

Make sure to always book a hotel that offers a free breakfast.  A free breakfast will give you one less meal you’ll have to pay for during the day.  Take advantage of the free breakfast by filling up so you can eat lighter for your other meals.

9.  Split A Meal

A great restaurant hack to save extra money is to order one meal and split it between two people!  This gives you two meals for the price of one!  You could even decide to eat half of your meal and then save the other half for lunch the next day!

10.  Take Advantage of Happy Hour

Many restaurants offer discount prices during happy hour.  It’s easy to do a quick google search to find restaurants nearby that participate in happy hour.  Plan your meals around those times and restaurants for the best discounts.

 

How to Save Money On Sleeping Accommodations

Taking your time and using patience is the best way to book budget friendly sleeping accommodations.  There are deals available…but it takes a little bit of searching and research!

11.  Shop Around For Sleeping Accommodations

Prices for the same hotel can differ on each website.  Make sure to take your time comparing multiple websites to find the best deal.

Next, call the hotel directly to ask if they can offer you an even lower price than what you found on the website.  Often if you call the hotel directly they will give you an even better deal than you found online.

Another option for finding good hotel deals is to use a bidding website, such as Priceline.  We used Priceline when booking a hotel for our trip to New York City and ended up staying in a beautiful hotel, with a fantastic room and in the perfect location….and it was a great price!

Make sure to book your hotel using the Rakuten cashback app!  It will often give you an extra 1-10% cashback on your hotel stay.

12.  Consider Camping

If you are really wanting to save money on overnight stays, you might want to consider camping somewhere.  Camping can be a much cheaper than a hotel room, especially if you already have your own camping equipment.

You could camp while sleeping in your car, or pack along a tent and sleeping bag to set up.  My kids love to camp and any chance we get to do it into a fun family adventure.  Camping is a great way to see new places while enjoying the fresh air.

13.  Stay With Friends Or Family

Another super cheap way to save money on lodging is to ask friends or family if you could stay with them for a night.  They will love being able to catch up and host their loved ones!  

Make sure to bring a nice thank you card or fresh flowers to show your gratitude!

 

How To Save Money On Entertainment

Try to have some fun while on your road trip!  My family loves getting to enjoy some of the fun things each of our destinations has to offer.  Fortunately, there are so many fun and free things you can do while traveling which makes frugality easy!  I’ve listed a few ideas below for your road trip on a budget!

14.  Visit Free Attractions

Road trips are a great way to see more of the world, and a lot of that can be done for free!  Look for free museums, zoos, or road side attractions that you can stop and visit.  Your family might also enjoy going on a hike, picnic, or playing in a nearby lake.

Talk to locals, and do some online research to find the best free attractions in the places you’ll be visiting.  You just might be surprised at how many you find!

15.  Get A National Parks Pass

An annual National Parks Pass is only $80!  There are so many fun and interesting things to see and do in our national parks, that $80 investment can bring a lot of fun and memories to your road trip.

There are also a few frugal hacks to purchasing a national parks pass, you can read all about them here.

16.  Use Coupons

When planning activities for your road trip, be sure to look into any coupons available.  I like to find coupons using Groupon, searching on google, or checking local facebook groups.

17.  Free Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks is a great way to pass time while driving.  And guess what?!?!  You don’t have to spend any money to listen to audiobooks!  There are so many free resources out there for your enjoyment!  Be sure to check out my full list here:  Free Audiobook Resources.

 

How To Save Money On Gasoline When Road Tripping

One of the bigger expenses when it comes to a road trip is paying for gas.  As fuel prices keep climbing, consumers continue to look for new ways to save money.  Here are a few tips that might help.

18.  Drive Smart

The first way to save money on fuel is to drive smart!  Smart driving will help you get the most out of your car mileage.

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption.  Slamming on your breaks or speeding up quickly will hurt your gas mileage.  Instead, try to get into the habit of accelerating and braking slowly and gradually.  It really does make a difference!

You’ll also find yourself saving money by driving at a decreased speed.  Driving at a speed of 65 mph is a good rule of thumb to get the best gas mileage.

19.  Use Upside Cashback App When Getting Gas

I’ve recently started using the free GetUpside app and loving it!  All you have to do is download the app and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area.  Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the GetUpside app.  It’s all really easy!  I’ve been using it for about a month and have earned $10 already!  Yay!

20.  Use the Gas Buddy App

The best way to find which gas station will be the best deal is to download and start using the free Gas Buddy app to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

It’s really easy to use!  Just download the app and enter in your location.  The app will then search to find the gas prices near you.  Scroll through your options until you find the best deal and use that station to fill up!

The prices will change and vary day to day, so check the app each time you need gas.

Other Ways To Save Money On Your Road Trip

Here are a few other ways you can cut costs on your next family road trip.

21.  Avoid Traveling During Holidays

Holiday travel tends to make prices in all areas increase.  If you can, try to plan your trips over non-holiday weekends.  This will save you money on gas, activities, and lodging.

22.  Pack instead of buy

Reduce the amount of items you will have to buy on your road trip by planning ahead and packing as much as you can.  Don’t forget to pack medication, band aids, all of the shoes you will need, jackets, and any other gear you think will be useful.

There is nothing worst than getting to your destination to realize you have to go to the store and buy something that you forgot to pack.

23.  Avoid Toll Roads

Toll roads are often an unexpected expense.  Make sure to plan your driving route to avoid having to pay these tolls. 

Use google maps to find the best non-toll road route.  This is easily done by clicking on the “avoid tolls” button in the “plan route” section.

24.  Invite A Friend

Inviting a friend on your frugal road trip is another great way to reduce costs.  Together you can split the cost of gasoline, lodging, and even meals at restaurants!  Plus, you’ll make countless memories!

 

 

In Conclusion

Don’t let frugality stop you from exploring and having fun.  Instead, have fun in a frugal way!  I hope these ideas help you to have an incredibly fun road trip on a budget!

 

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A road trip on a budget is possible!

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Spending Money

By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

Stop spending money by asking yourself these important questions.

You may or may not believe this, but….it’s true….I am a recovered shopaholic.  I use to go shopping every single day, buying everything and anything that caught my eye.  After years of money mistakes, I finally began to change my ways.  It took time, a lot of ups and downs, but I was able to overcome that shopping addiction.  A lot of the change came from learning to ask myself some important questions before spending any money.  These questions have made a huge impact on my life and spending habits, and I think they can help you too!

Asking yourself these important questions before spending money gives you time to pause and reflect so that you can make the best decisions for you and your finances.

Below are the questions I recommend you ask yourself before making a purchase.  Let me know if there are any other questions that you would add to this list!

1.  Do I need this?

The first question you should always ask yourself before making a purchase is, “Do I need this?”  Now, keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with buying things that we want, as a matter of fact it’s healthy to buy your wants occasionally.  But, if you are trying to cut back on spending money, it’s important to truly focus on buying your needs.

So, what is a need?

Needs are the items you absolutely have to have in order to live and survive each day.  Things like, shelter, food, transportation, etc. will usually fall under the need category.

If you determine that you don’t need the item, maybe consider starting a sinking fund so that you can come back and by it another time.

2.  Can I afford this?

The next question to ask yourself before spending money is, “Can I afford this?”  Look through your budget to determine if you have enough money saved and available to make the purchase.  If you will have to make the purchase using a credit card, then it is probably not a wise time to buy it.

Instead, make a sinking fund (which is like a savings plan) in your budget so that you can save up enough cash to purchase the item down the road.  Saying “no” in the moment, doesn’t always mean saying “no” forever.

3.  Will I love/use this for years?

Always consider the long term investment when you are spending money, if you are going to spend money on something, it should be something that you will love and use for years to come.  

True, most purchases will bring instant joy, but not all of them will keep you happy for much longer than that.

I’ve found that when I stop and think about how long I will actually enjoy something, I’m able to make much better spending decisions.

4.  Will buying this bring me closer to or further away from my big goals?

One of the questions that helps me the very most when I’m considering whether to make a purchase or not is to ask myself if buying the item will bring me closer to my big life goals or further away from my big goals.

I have big goals for my future, like I’m sure you do as well.  I want to help my husband retire early, pay cash for my kids to go to college, and provide an inheritance to my children.

When I am considering buying something I will usually ask myself something like, “Would I rather buy this TV or use that money to help me get closer to my goals?”  This question always helps me remember the big picture and puts everything into perspective.

Sometimes, you might rather buy the TV (or whatever it might be), and that’s ok!  But, always give yourself that moment to reflect on your goals before spending money.

5.  Could I buy this item for a lower price?

Maybe you have found something that you truly need/want/love more than anything, and are positive that you want to buy it.  Ok!  Go for it (as long as it’s in budget!)  But, before buying, take a few minutes to brainstorm some ways that you could buy that same product for less (because we all like more for less….right???).  For example, you might be able to:

  • Buy it cheaper at a different store
  • Barter for the item to get the price lowered
  • Borrow something similar from a friend
  • Buy it gently used on Facebook marketplace or a thrift store
  • Use a cashback app or store rewards program
  • Wait to purchase it when it goes on sale
  • Repurpose something you already own to be similar

The extra work it will take to find a lower price is always worth the extra effort for me!

6.  How often will I use this?

Be honest with yourself about how often you will actually use the item you want to buy.  Will it only be used a couple of times and then sit at the bottom of your closet?  Or will it be pulled out over and over for many years to come?

A few years ago I was POSITIVE that I wanted to buy a rice cooker.  We eat a lot of rice, so I thought if I had a fancy-schmancy cooker then it would make my life much easier.

Well.  I was wrong.

As it turns out, I like the rice cooked over the stove much more than rice from a rice cooker (whodathunk!?).

So, the rice cooker sat in my pantry for years, until I finally donated it.

If I would have taken a little bit more time to think about whether I would actually change my regular routine and get out an extra appliance to make rice, I probably would have realized that this is an item that wouldn’t be used very often.  And, I would have saved myself some money.

7.  How am I feeling right now?

Take a minute to reflect on what emotions you are feeling in the moment.  Try to determine if any of those emotions are the cause of you wanting to spend money.  Many times we will spend money because we are bored, hungry, stressed, or anything in between.

If you emotional spending is a common occurrence in your life, make sure to read my article:  How To Stop Emotional Spending for a few tips on overcoming this problem!

Once you focus on the emotion you are feeling in that moment, you will be able to decide if it’s your emotions telling you to make the purchase….or your logic.  I recommend making purchases based on logic!

8.  Could I use this money for something else?

Another important question to ask before spending money is, “Could I use this money for something else?”  It’s always important to be aware of your current needs so that you will know if you need to be spending your money on something else.   

For example:

  • Do you have debt you need to pay off?
  • Have you been contributing to retirement?
  • Are your sinking funds full?

These might (not always, but might) be better uses for that money….rather than what you want to buy at the store.

 

In Conclusion

Taking the extra time to ask yourself a few questions, instead of instantly buying the first thing that catches your eye will save you a lot of money.  I know it has saved me time and time again!  Be thoughtful with your spending, consider each purchase, and make the decisions that will best help you now and in the future.

 

 

Related Articles:

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How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

 

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Make sure you ask yourself these questions before spending money!

 

 

 

Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best money saving tips we can learn from our grandparents.

I have many fond memories of sitting in my great grandmothers home while she shared stories with my family about living during the great depression.  She explained that growing up during this time taught her to always be frugal, even if it isn’t always necessary, it’s still a wonderful way to live.  Her example taught me so much about mindful spending, and I think everyone can learn many frugal living tips from the great depression.

I admire everyone who went through the depression, it was such a hard and difficult time for many people.  But, through that process they learned how to be creative with the things they owned, resourceful with their belongings, and prudent with their earnings.  They learned to never waste, and to always think long and hard before spending any money.

Today I’m sharing a few of their frugal tips, and I hope these tips can help you live frugally and save more money.  We can all be a little more frugal…even if it isn’t a necessity!

1.  Make Your Own Household Cleaners

It was almost unheard of to buy a household cleaning product at the store during the depression era.  Most households knew the basic ingredients to whip up their own cleaning recipe, they saved a lot of money simply by making their own.

The best part is that you probably already have every ingredient you need to make your own household cleaners. 

Check out a few of my favorite recipes:  Homemade Household Cleaning Recipes.

2.  Repurpose Materials

With money scarce during the great depression, most people tried to figure out ways to repurpose items they already owned, rather than tossing them aside.  

We can easily repurpose as well!  Here are a few suggestions of things in your home you can repurpose to use again:

  • Empty Milk Carton:  Clean out your milk cartons and reuse them to store water or as a mini garden greenhouse.
  • Egg Cartons:  Egg cartons are easy to repurpose as a planter for starting seeds, or as a way to organize beads or any other small items in the home.
  • Toilet Paper Rolls:  Toilet paper rolls make great crafts!  Check out these easy toilet paper roll crafts for some great ideas.
  • Glass/Plastic Containers:  Reuse your sour cream containers, mayo jars, and everything else in between for storing small objects.
  • Grocery Bags:  Turn your plastic grocery bags into trash liners for the small trash cans in your restroom.
  • Clothing/Bedding:  Don’t let your worn clothing or bedding to go to waste.  All you have to do is cut the cloth into small pieces and use them for rags!

3.  Eat At Home

Families rarely, if ever, went out to eat during the depression.  Money was just to tight to spend it on a night out.  Every meal was spent together, at home, enjoying food made from scratch. 

Cooking at home will make a huge difference in your budget each month.  Make sure to check out some of my quick, family friendly dinner ideas here.

 

4.  Trade Skills

Another common frugal living tip from the great depression is to trade skills with each other.  During the depression era, neighbors, friends and acquaintances were often bartering their skills with each other in an attempt to save money.

We can still follow this example today.  If you are great at photography, you could offer to take your neighbors pictures and in return they could donate a service to you, like teaching your kids a musical instrument, cutting your hair, or anything else you need that they can do.

5.  Make Do With What You Have

Something breaks? You don’t have the exact ingredient that you need?  Make it do!

If you can be content with what you already have, you will be much more likely to make it do, rather than spending on the “next big thing!”  I have two personal examples for you.

Example 1:

We spent years watching “everyone” around us switching from flip phones to smart phones. I would be asked regularly why I still used such an “old fashioned phone”. My answer? “Because this one still works fine.”

Of course I would have RATHER of been using a flashy smart phone with all those cool apps and emojis….but I was on a small budget, so the flip phone was all I needed.

Now, I’m not saying that you should get rid of your smart phones. What I am SAYING is that I want you tostart looking at what you have in your home differently.

Example 2:

Last year we wanted to update my 13 year olds bedroom, to give her more of a teenage room, and less of a young girl room. She had requested more coral and less yellow.

Our goal was to only use what we already had around the house all while giving her room a completely new look.

We made a tassel garland out of scrap fabric. She searched through old decorations that we had put in the storage room to find pieces she liked. We decided to paint over a yellow sign, but didn’t have any coral paint. So, we mixed pink with orange and came up with the perfect coral color.

Long story short: we MADE IT WORK! And, she now has a teenage room that she loves.

5 Ways to Make It Do

  1. Take good care of what you already own. Make rules like no shoes in the house, no jumping on the furniture, etc.
  2. Rearrange your furniture for a new look. Swap decor amongst different rooms to switch things up!
  3. Set a grocery budget and stick to it, no matter what. Make whatever you have in your pantry and fridge last for as long as you need to. 
  4. Keep your electronics in good condition and use them until they break, even if they are old and uncool.
  5. Stretch your meat further by using 1/2 the meat called in your recipe and substituting it with beans.

6.  Learn How To Sew

Sewing clothes was very common during the depression.  While, I’m not suggesting you need to start making all of your own clothes, I do recommend that everyone learns a few basic sewing skills.

Being able to sew on a button, hem a dress, or mend a rip will save you a lot of money and help you prevent waste.

7.  Have Fun For Free

I am so passionate about the ability to enjoy life, have fun, and make memories without spending any money.  Our great grandparents were excellent at this skill!

Here are a few ways you can have fun for free:

  • Play games (we love fish bowl)
  • Go for a walk
  • Read books from the library
  • Listen to music

Remember to be creative when trying to find cheap fun.  It’s out there!

8.  Hang Your Laundry To Dry

You will save a lot of money on electricity just by simply using your dryer less and hanging your clothes to dry instead.  An outdoor clothes line is the most traditional method to drying clothes.  However, you could also dry them in your house.  I really like this foldable laundry rack and I personally have this wall mounted drying rack in my laundry room.  It works great during the cold winter months.

9.  Learn To DIY

Another way to a lot of money is by learning to DIY.

I know the phrase DIY brings out a lot of different feelings to different people. Some feel excited and motivated (yay! hand me a hammer, I’ll show you how it’s done!). Others might feel a sense of panic and worry (what!?!? I’m not handy….I don’t know how to DIY!).

Do you WANT to learn more DIY but feel stuck or confused about where to start??? I understand! And guess what, learning to DIY is actually incredibly easy!

All it takes is a quick search on google, and a few minutes reading blog tutorials and watching YouTube videos.  That’s really it! It’s exactly how my husband and I have been able to successfully complete dozens of our very DIY projects.

Start small, go slow, and ask questions. You just might surprise yourself with a few new talents and a big savings in your budget.

10.  Grow Your Own Food

During the great depression it was common for everyone to have large gardens.  Not only was it necessary to grow your own food, it was also the way of life.

I believe that it is just as important to grow our own food today as it was back then.

We don’t have any control over grocery prices (and they just keeeeep on raising), so the more we can do to save money in the kitchen- the better!

If gardening scares you, don’t worry!  You don’t need to grow a lot of food to begin saving money.  Even a small window garden will help you lower grocery costs.  Here are a few of the easiest things to grow in your first garden.

11.  Preserve Garden Produce

Speaking of growing your own food, it’s equally important to understand how to preserve the food that you grow.  A freezer/pantry full of preserved garden produce is one of the best ways to save money all year long.

I taught myself everything that I know about canning and preserving using the Ball Book Of Canning and Preserving.  It is an amazing guide and resource and recommend it to everyone!

 

While you will need to spend money to buy canning supplies, this initial investment has paid off over and over for my family.

12.  Save Leftovers

I have to admit something to you.  I use to throw away all of my leftovers…..every last crumb.  When I first started dating my husband he would watch me in complete disbelief as I chucked my uneaten food down the drain.  “I don’t like leftovers,” I would casually say to him.

Well, I have learned a lot since then….much to the example of my husband.

Now, when I see leftovers I see the money that I spent buying that food…..and there is no way I am going to throw my hard earned money down the drain.

Be like new me, not old me and save your leftovers to use again!  

Leftovers can be:

I also love to freeze a lot of my leftovers in an ice cube tray for easy use later.  Try it!

13.  Cook From Scratch

Our great grandparents cooked almost everything they ate from scratch.  They avoided buying preprepared foods as much as possible, because they knew that they could make it for much less money.

We can follow this example by making our own bread, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, salad dressing, granola, pizza, lasagna, pancakes, tortillas, yogurt, coutons, muffins, BBQ sauce, and so much more!  The list is never ending.

If cooking is not something you feel comfortable and confident with, then start small.  Making pancakes in the morning is really easy!  Then work up to more difficult things….like baking bread.  

Also, keep in mind that you do not have to make every single thing from scratch to save money.  Choose a few staples you like to make, and be consistent with them.  Every little bit of frugal living will add up and save you money.

14.  Stretch Your Meals

Another important frugal living tip from the great depression is to be intentional about stretching your meals.  Sometimes all it takes is adding a can of beans to make one meal turn into two meals.  

Using simple methods to stretch your meals is a great way to cut your grocery costs.  Click here for more easy to follow tips to help your meals stretch further.

15.  Be Your Own Handyman

Skip hiring someone to do simple repairs and household maintenance.  Watch a few YouTube channels and learn how to fix it yourself!

Keep in mind that you won’t save money if the repair is done wrong, in those circumstances you might end up having to pay more to get it fixed.  So, do thorough research before starting any repairs/home maintenance yourself.

Here are a few fairly easy household maintenance ideas that I think *most* people can easily do themselves:

  • Paint walls
  • Patch drywall holes
  • Unclog drains
  • Change oil in car
  • Fertilize yard

The next time you are tempted to call a handyman, pause and ask yourself if this is something you can learn to fix yourself!  I bet you can!

16.  Give Something Homemade

During the great depression, most people didn’t have any extra money to spend on birthday or holiday gifts.  So, they made most of the gifts they gave to others.  I truly believe it is the thought behind a gift that means the most….and homemade gifts are my favorite because they take a lot of thought, time and love.

Check out this list of homemade Christmas gift ideas to help you get started!

17.  Ignore Fads

Our grandparents knew to ignore any trends/fads that would cause them to spend unnecessarily.  The fads come and go, and once they are gone all you’ll be left with is a pile of stuff you don’t need anymore and less money in your bank account (anyone remember the Beanie Baby era???).

Be mindful when you are spending your money and ask yourself if you are buying something just because everyone else is buying it….or if it’s something you will actually use, love and value for years to come.

 

 

18.  Use Electricity Sparingly

Did anyone else grow up with parents who were constantly reminding them to turn off the light???  It wasn’t just me was it????

Our parents learned from their parents that the more electricity you use, the more money you will spend.

Turning off unused lights is one way to conserve electricity.  You can also:

  • Unplug appliances when not in use
  • Use LED lightbulbs
  • Lower your thermostat
  • Seal leaks around windows and doors

There are so many ways to save money simply by changing the way you use electricity.  For more ideas check out these two articles:  How To Save Money On Electricity During Winter and How To Save Money On Electricity During Summer.

19.  Use It up

During the depression families learned to use everything up, rather than letting it go to waste.  If they had a small amount of ketchup left in the bottle, they would use a small spatula or knife to get it out and use it.

Be mindful of not throwing away small amounts of condiments, shampoo, soap, milk, etc.  Find ways to open up the container and use every last drop.

20.  Avoid Disposable Products

Disposable products have become more popular over the years, but they are not great for the wallet (or the environment!).

Try to buy products that can be used over and over again and skip purchasing anything that only has a one time use. 

A few examples of this are to buy:

  • Hand towels instead of paper towels
  • Tupperware instead of sandwich bags
  • Dishes instead of paper plates

You will have to spend slightly more money to begin with….but it will save you big over time.

21.  Forage

Yes!  You read that right, foraging is a great way to save money on food.  And, it’s actually really fun too!

Scout out areas in your community or nearby that has wild berries or other plants growing and go forage.  Every summer my family drives to a nearby spot and spends a day picking huckleberries.  We freeze these huckleberries and use them all year.  

22.  Turn Off The Air Conditioner

I know this is a tough one….but most homes did not have air conditioners during the depression years….and they survived.  I’m sure it wasn’t easy…but they survived.

Try to keep cool instead by using fans, sitting outside in the shade, using cool washcloths, and keeping blinds closed during the hot part of the day.

If turning the air conditioner off completely feels to much for you, then try to increase the thermostat a few degrees so that you are using it less often.

23.  Conserve Water

And my last frugal living tip from the great depression is to conserve water.  You can conserve water by:

  • Wearing clothes multiple days (as long as they are clean!)
  • Follow the mantra:  “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.”
  • Brush your teeth in the shower
  • Take short showers
  • Fix leaky faucets

Sometimes all it takes is a few simple changes to start saving money.

In Conclusion

Who’s ready to implement these frugal tips from the great depression!  I know I am!  Pick one or two new money saving tips to start saving more money today.

 

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I hope these frugal tips from the great depression help you save more money.

Purpose of a Budget…and why you need one!

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

All of the reasons you should make a budget.

If you’ve been following here for a while you know that I preach budgeting to everyone and anyone who will listen!  I truly believe that every single person should have a budget, regardless of how much or how little money you earn.  Not sure what the purpose of a budget is???  Well I’ll tell you today, so keep reading!

reasons to budget - why you should make a budget

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The Purpose Of Budgeting

I’ll be honest with you….years ago I did not believe in budgeting.  I felt like it was something that was only for families that were pinching pennies….and my family seemed to be getting by just fine without a budget.

But then my entire thought process changed after I randomly picked up Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover in the library one day.  This book opened my eyes to how our finances could be, if we only adjusted some of our habits….so we started budgeting.

It honestly took about 5 years of trying, failing, giving up, trying again, etc. until we got to a comfortable/confident place when it comes to the budget.

One of the things I learned through this experience is just how much a budget can change your finances.  Before we started budgeting, I really thought that we were fine the way we were spending, but once I had that budget to hold me accountable we were able to find so much extra money….and instead of spending that money on stuff (like the pre budget days) we were able to spend it on things that were much more important to us, like travel, retirement, saving for a car, etc.

If I can change my stubborn ways, anyone can!

1.  A Budget Prevents Overspending

One of the most important purposes of a budget is that it prevents overspending.

If you take the time to make a budget and give every dollar a job, a category, then you will be much less likely to impulse shop and buy things just because they caught your eye (may or may not be talking about myself here….).

Try to get into the habit of checking in with your budget daily.  This daily check in is so important to make sure you are staying on track, and to remind yourself of your money goals.

The days I don’t check in with my budget are the days I tend to impulse buy, because I convince myself we have enough money in the budget.  However, if I take the time to look at the budget then I am more aware of my spending and am able to control my overspending impulses.

2.  Budgeting Reduces Stress

It’s true!  A budget can/will ease your financial worries resulting in a less stressful life.  If you are budgeting with sinking funds (which I recommend!) then you will always be prepared for what’s to come, resulting in less stress.

For example, every year I make a sinking fund for Christmas expenses.  I save into that sinking fund with each paycheck, then when the holidays come along I can buy Christmas presents, Christmas decor, and any other items I need/want for the holidays using the money I have already saved, which completely eliminates financial stress during the Christmas season!

3.  A Budget Helps You Reach Your Goals

Another important purpose of a budget is that it will help you reach your money and savings goals. 

Want to save for a vacation, but money keeps flying out the window???  Make a budget!  Calculate how much you are spending in each area, look at the ways you can cut those costs, and then budget a sinking fund for vacation!  Yay!

Yes, making a budget and cutting expenses will require some sacrifice on your part, but with consistency you will be able to reach those important goals. Budgeting has a way of helping you focus on your priorities.

4.  Budgeting Helps You Spend Money Guilt Free

Most of us like to spend money….but we don’t like the guilt that often comes after spending money.  And this is exactly why I love a budget!  A budget gives you permission to spend money, guilt free!

Don’t believe me yet?  Check out these two scenarios:

Scenario A:

Allie wants new living room furniture.  She has her eye on a couch at a local furniture store and notices it goes on sale one weekend.  Allie excitedly runs to the furniture store to buy the couch.

She doesn’t have enough money to pay for the couch in full, but the store offers her to make monthly payments for a year to be able to buy it.  Allie buys the couch and has it delivered.

The monthly couch bill begins arriving and Allie starts to panic.  She didn’t realize how tight the monthly payments would make her finances.  The stress of paying this bill, along with all of her other expenses begins to set in and she feels guilty for making this purchase in the first place.  She realizes she acted on impulse, and doesn’t quit have the funds available.

Scenario B:

Brooke also wants new living room furniture.  She looks at a few different pieces of furniture at multiple stores and writes down their averages prices.  Brooke then makes a sinking fund category in her budget to help her slowly save the money she needs to buy her new couch.

Over the course of 6 months Brooke deposits money into that sinking fund, using her budget.  After 6 months her sinking fund is fully funded and she excitedly goes into the furniture store to purchase her new couch.  She is so excited to purchase the couch with cash, and pay in full.

The couch is delivered and Brooke is able to enjoy it for many years.  Brooke has zero guilt about this purchase because she knew she already had the money saved in her budget, and there are no surprise bills.

Do you notice in these two scenarios how they both have the same goal, and they both were able to achieve that goal, but one came with guilt and stress, and the other only came with joy??  A budget is so freeing!

5.  A Budget Helps You Get Out Of Debt And Stay Out Of Debt

One of my favorite things about my little ol blog is getting to cheer you on as you reach your debt freedom goals.  There is nothing I love more than receiving a message from a reader telling me how proud they are of themselves for being able to pay off their debt thanks to making a budget.

Budgeting helps you plan your finances in a way that makes debt pay off a priority.  Being mindful of your spending, and prioritizing how each paycheck is spent is one of the most important steps to paying off debt. 

If you are wanting to pay off debt, I recommend making a budget and also reading my article How To Pay Off Debt With The Debt Snowball.

 

6.  Budgeting Helps You Understand Your Spending Habits

One of the most important parts of frugal living is being able to understand your spending habits, and a budget will show you exactly how you spend your money; including the good and the bad.  

When you sit down to budget each week you will be forced to see the categories you consistently overspend in.  Having this knowledge will give you the tools and motivation you need to reduce your spending in these areas.

When I first started budgeting I had convinced myself I was spending a certain amount of money on groceries each week.  But, after making a budget, I realized the cold hard truth.  I was spending so much more than I had realized.  Once I knew that this was a category I was overspending in, I was able to teach myself some new skills to reduce our grocery spending.

7.  A Budget Gives You Control Over Your Money

Do you ever get to the end of the month (or week) and wonder, “What happened to my huge paycheck I just got???  Where did all of my hard earned money go so quickly”?

I’ve had that thought, and it’s not a great feeling!

Do you want to know what my solution was?  Yep!  You guessed it, I needed to make a budget.

A big purpose of a budget is to help you have more control over your money, so that you don’t have to wonder where it all went at the end of each month.  You’ll know exactly where every dollar was spent, because you made a plan for those dollars and you stuck to the plan.

Want To Start Budgeting?

Have I convinced you yet that a budget is life changing (cause it totally is!).  

If you are ready to make the jump into budgeting, but aren’t sure how to start…..don’t worry!  I have you covered!  First, I recommend you check out my full budgeting tutorial here:  Zero Based Budget.

And then download my free budgeting cheat sheets.  They will walk you through everything you need to know to be able to make your first budget.  You got this!!!

  

 

 

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Now you know the purpose of a budget!

How To Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to stretch your meals so you can spend less on groceries.

One of the biggest budget busters in most households is the grocery budget.  There is no denying the fact that food is expensive.  However, there is good news!  Groceries is one category in your budget that you can lower!  It definitely takes a little bit of extra work and effort, but it can be done.  There are a few different ways to lower your grocery expenses, and one of my favorites is learning how to stretch meals.

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

Stretching meals simply means to make the food that you have last longer, feed more people and prevent waste.  It’s really easy to do too!  All it takes is a little more planning and creativity, but each of the following tips are so easy!

Here are 10 ways you can stretch meals so you can save more money.

stretch meals save money - how to cut the grocery budget

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1.  Meal Plan

A smart meal plan is the first step to stretching meals.  When you make a meal plan, try to plan meals that will use the same ingredients.  This is an easy way to reuse ingredients before they go bad.

For Example:  Buy one head of lettuce and plan three meals that week you can use the lettuce for.  Or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and meal plan several meals for chicken, like I did here.  These meals might be Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, etc.  Here’s how I use one Roast Beef for three meals.  It follow the same plan, buy once and use three times so it doesn’t go to waste.

2.  Use Less Meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts of the meal.  Stretch the meat out for more meals by using less than the recipe calls for.

For Example:  If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 lb. of hamburger meat, use 3/4 lb. instead.  You probably won’t even notice the difference in your meal.  You can then use that extra 1/4 lb. hamburger for another meal.

3.  Souper Tuesday

Soup is so cheap to make and an easy meal to stretch!  I love making a huge pot of soup when I feed large groups or as a way to feed our family for several meals.

Consider turning Tuesday dinner into, “Souper Tuesday.”  This will be the day each week when you will make soup for dinner.  The pot of soup that you make should last your family for several meals.  You can even freeze the leftover soup to use for a later meal.  Just make sure to use it within the next 3 months.

  • Freezing Tip:  Freeze broth based soups simply by pouring it into a Ziploc freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air, seal tight and place in your freezer.  This will stay fresh for 3-6 months.  To thaw:  place frozen soup in fridge and let it defrost overnight.  Warm it up over the stove and enjoy!

Get creative with your soups!  Most soups can be made just by tossing together a few ingredients you already have in your pantry.  A little bit of chicken, broth and veggies will make a fantastic soup!

4.  Include More Side Dishes

Usually the main dish is the most expensive.  You can stretch the main dish out by adding more sides to your meal.

Try using a variety of side dishes and mix it up daily to keep the meals more interesting.

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

Each of these ideas are budget friendly (especially if you shop sales) and very filling.  Encourage your family to take a few sides along with the main meal.  This will fill the family up quicker, making you able to use your main dish for a few other meals throughout the week.

5.  Use a Filler

Try adding a “filler” ingredient to your recipes.  A “filler” is just a cheaper ingredient, one that the recipe doesn’t call for, that you add to a meal to make it more filling and bigger.

A few of our favorite fillers are: pasta, rice and beans.

Beans

A can of beans is one of the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add to recipes as a filler.  All it takes is opening up a can!

You can use any of your favorite kind of beans, we prefer black beans, pinto beans or refried beans.

These can be added to a wide variety of meals including:  enchiladas, soups, or tacos.

Pasta

Pasta is cheap and filling.  You can easily add it to soups to make them more filling.

Rice

Rice can be mixed with beans or meat to use in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.  This is also a great filler for soups!

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

Try incorporating less meat into your meals.  We do this by having Meatless Monday each week.  This is one day of the week when I prepare something, well, meatless!

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Homemade Mac n Cheese
  • Bean Burritos
  • Pasta Bake
  • Spaghetti

Grab a few of these recipes in Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book!

7.  Appropriate Servings

Many of us (definitely me!) eat larger servings than is necessary.  Stretch your meals by eating smaller portions.  It’s important to eat enough, just focus on not over eating and this will help you save more for the next meal.

Our eyes might want two large spoonfuls, but remind yourself that one large spoonful will be enough to fill your hunger.

  • Tip:  Eat on smaller plates to help keep the portions smaller!

8.  Meal Prep

Meal prepping in advance is an easy way to ensure you have smart portions for every meal.

I like to set one day aside each week as my Meal Prep day.  This is the day when you will cook your meat, chop your vegetables, and separate all the ingredients into daily meals.

When we prepare the food in advance it’s much easier to plan out the servings and ensure nothing goes to waste.

Store your dinner portions in Tupperware, Ziploc bags or, I really like these containers.

9.  Add Water

Stretch meals by adding water to the recipe.  Water is FREE, making it the cheapest ingredient you own!

You can add extra water to soups or stews to stretch the broth a little further.  Your family won’t even notice the difference, and your soup will last much longer!


 

10.  Save All Leftovers

All food can be reused!  Try to get into the habit of saving any and all leftovers from each meal.  This food can all be used for a different meal in different ways.

Freeze It

If you don’t think you will be able to use up the leftovers within the next few days you can easily freeze it for later.  Just let the food come to room temperature, put it in a Ziploc bag, get out all of the air, and toss it in the freezer.

For a full list of what can be frozen check out this list from Lauren Greutman.

Reuse It

If you have enough leftovers for another meal, consider saving it to eat the next day.  We love to have leftovers for lunch, and sometimes even dinner.

Re-purpose It

If you don’t have enough extra food for an entire meal, add the leftovers with some other ingredients to make a complete dinner.  You can turn most leftovers into a soup or casserole, simply by mixing it with something else!

We love to use leftover taco meat for soup the next day.  I just mix the taco meat with some cans of beans, tomatoes and water and wah-lah-Taco Soup!

 

In Conclusion

Try think outside the box when you are stretching meals.  There are so many different ways you can save money on groceries and make the food you have at home last longer!  You can do it!

 

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Stretch food to last longer - how to save money on groceries

prevent kitchen waste and make food last longer

Stretch meals and prevent waste with these easy grocery saving tips.

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