Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Frugal Fashion: How to Look Stylish Without Overspending

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Stay trendy without having to spend a lot of money on clothes

You don’t need a designer wardrobe—or a huge budget—to look stylish. With the right mindset and a few smart tricks, you can create outfits that look polished, trendy, and totally “you,” all while sticking to your frugal values. Fashion on a budget isn’t about settling for less; it’s about being creative, intentional, and confident in your choices.

Here’s a few ideas about how to look stylish without overspending.

1. Start With What You Already Have

Before buying anything new, take a good look at what’s already in your closet. Most of us wear only a small percentage of our clothes regularly. To stay trendy while on a budget, try pulling all of your clothes out of your closet, try everything on and then mix and match a few items to make some new outfits.

Pro tip: Look for new outfit combinations you’ve never tried—layering, tucking, or adding accessories can make old pieces feel brand new.

2. Build a Capsule Wardrobe

Have you tried a capsule wardrobe? It is one of the best frugal fashion tips out there!

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of versatile, mix-and-match pieces you love and actually wear. Choose neutral basics—like jeans, white tees, and black pants—and add a few statement pieces that show your personality.

Building a capsule wardrobe saves you from having to buy a lot of unnecessary clothing, but gives you enough trendy outfits that mix and match well to keep your clothing feel fresh and new.

When your clothes all work together, you’ll feel like you have more outfits with less clothing.

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3. Shop Secondhand (It’s the Secret Weapon of Frugal Fashionistas)

It’s no secret that I love me a good thrift run.

Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online resale apps like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Mercari are gold mines for quality clothing at a fraction of retail prices.

You can find brand-name jeans, jackets, and even designer handbags for a small portion of what they cost new. And when you thrift, you’re helping the planet too—win-win!

Just remember not to get frustrated if you stop by a thrift store and can’t find anything that matches your style. That’s normal!

Thrifting takes a lot of time and patience. It’s very hit or miss. Keep checking the second hand stores regularly. You’ll find some treasures if you keep looking!

4. Learn the Art of Timing Sales

If you prefer to only buy new clothing, no worries! There’s still some ways to stay trendy and frugal.

I highly suggest to plan your clothing purchases around sales cycles. Most retailers have predictable markdown schedules, some of the best times to buy new clothing for a discount is during end of season, holidays, and especially January and July clearance events.

Tip: Add items to your online cart and wait a few days—many stores will send you a discount code to encourage you to check out.

5. Invest in Quality Basics

Something important to remember is that being frugal doesn’t mean always buying the cheapest item. A $15 pair of jeans that wears out in three months isn’t going to be the best bargain. Focus your spending on classic, well-made basics that last—like good jeans, solid shoes, and a timeless jacket.

These staples form the foundation of your wardrobe, so everything else can be swapped in and out more easily.

6. Accessorize to Refresh Your Look

Another great way to stay fashionable on a budget is to accessorize!

Accessories are the easiest way to update your style without buying new clothes. A scarf, belt, hat, or bold necklace can instantly change the vibe of an outfit, making you feel like you’re wearing a completely new outfit-without having to spend the money for it!

Frugal tip: Rotate accessories seasonally—pack away winter scarves when summer hits so you appreciate them again next year.

7. DIY and Upcycle

If you’re crafty (or even a little bit adventurous), try repurposing older clothes. You could cut jeans into shorts, crop a sweatshirt, or dye a faded shirt a new color. You’ll have a whole new wardrobe for completely free! And we love free!

There are endless tutorials online for easy fashion DIY projects that cost almost nothing but make your wardrobe feel fresh again.

8. Follow Fashion Creators Who Focus on Realistic Style

Social media can inspire you—or make you feel like you need a whole new wardrobe every season. Follow creators who focus on budget-friendly fashion, thrifting hauls, or capsule wardrobes. They’ll give you outfit ideas you can recreate with what you already have. I personally love Penny Pincher Fashion and Looking Fly on a Dime.

And on that same note, don’t be afraid of unfollowing creators that tempt you to spend more money.

9. Take Care of What You Own

Extending the life of your clothing will make it so that you don’t have to buy new clothing as often. The more you care for your clothes, the longer they will last. Remember to wash your clothing in cold water, air dry as much as possible, and store items properly. Even simple habits like folding sweaters instead of hanging them can make a big difference.

10. Get Cashback When Shopping Online

If you are going to buy clothing online, make sure to do it through the Rakuten app. Rakuten gives cashback on purchases you make online. Most online stores are available through the Rakuten app, and the amount of cashback can vary from 1% all the way up to 15% or more!

My rule of thumb is that if you are going to spend money on something anyways, than you might as well be earning a little extra cash while you’re at it!

Rakuten has an amazing new member incentive! You will receive a bonus $30 cashback after you spend your first $30 through the app!

11. Confidence Is the Best Accessory

At the end of the day, the most stylish people aren’t always the ones wearing the most expensive clothes—they’re the ones who wear their outfits with confidence. Own your look, and you’ll always appear put together, no matter what’s on the price tag.

In Conclusion

Frugal fashion isn’t about giving up style—it’s about being smart, resourceful, and creative. When you mix secondhand finds, thoughtful basics, and confidence, you can build a wardrobe you love without spending a fortune.

So next time you feel tempted to splurge on the latest trend, remember: true style isn’t about money—it’s about making what you have look and feel like you. You’ve got this!

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It’s totally possible to be frugal and fashionable!

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!

Ways You Are Wasting Money Without Realizing It

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Little ways you might accidentally be spending money

Do you ever look at your bank account at the end of a month and wonder, where did all of my hard earned money go?? You know you’ve been working hard all month, but somehow all of that money seems to fly out the window. It happens to most of us from time to time! Keep reading to learn a few ways you are wasting money, without even realizing it!

1. Using Plastic Bags

Do you have a habit of using plastic bags regularly? This can be a quick way to save leftovers, pack a lunch, or store random items.

However, those baggies can start to add up to some big spending. A cheaper option would be to use some tupperware or a reusable bag. True, the initial investment will be more pricey than your typical plastic bag, but the savings will add up over time. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s also good for your wallet!

2. Forgotten Subscriptions

It’s far to easy to sign up for subscriptions these days. There are just so many options, such as a new app or a few streaming services. With a simple click of a button we can have so many fun things at our disposal!

Unfortunately, it’s much easier to sign up for subscriptions than it is to cancel those same subscriptions! And the expenses can add up quickly!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through your expenses and find a few subscriptions to cancel. I’m betting that you can find a few that you don’t use very often.

3. Keeping Devices Plugged In

Did you know that keeping unused devices plugged in will cost you extra money in the long run?? It’s true! Even if you aren’t using a device, if it is plugged in it is still using phantom energy, and this costs you money. Try getting into the habit of unplugging anything and everything that you aren’t using, including phones, toasters, and all electronics.

4. Throwing Away Containers Before Emptying Them

We’ve all done it. We use up most (but not all) of what’s left in a ketchup bottle, or yogurt container, and then toss the container into the trash without a second thought.

A few years ago I made a goal to stop throwing away my *almost* empty containers. Honestly, I was shocked at how much food and product I had been wasting. When I started trying to use every last drop, the item was able to last so much longer than I had imagined.

Here are a few things that have helped me use every last drop:

  • Using a mini spatula to scrape out anything leftover in a container. These work great for scraping out leftovers in makeup or food jars! I use one regularly for my foundation and it lasts me an extra month than I had planned on!
  • Freezing leftover food in ice cube trays to pull out when needing a small amount.

5. Letting Food Expire

I honestly don’t want to admit the amount of food I regularly find hiding in the back of my fridge growing mold….it happens much more often then it should.

Allowing food to expire is another way that many of us (me included) lets money go down the drain.

According to a study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the average American household throws away approximately $1,866 amount of food each year. That’s a lot of money!

To prevent food waste try a few of the tips below:

  • Make a meal plan that revolves around ingredients you already have at home
  • Include a few meals in your meal plan that focuses on eating leftovers
  • Freeze your leftovers to reuse for another meal. Not sure what food can be frozen? Read this article: 19 Foods You Didn’t Know Could Be Frozen
  • Buy what you need and what you know you’ll eat, not what you “hope” you’ll eat
  • Check expiration dates regularly to make sure you use it up before it goes bad

6. Replacing an Item When It Breaks, Instead of Repairing It

Learning to make repairs on items something when they break, rather than immediately buying something new to replace it, will save you so much money throughout your life.

Here’s a list of things you could try to repair, instead of replace:

  • Socks
  • Sweaters
  • Window Screens
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Appliances
  • Power Tools
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Furniture

Obviously, there is so much more we could add to the list! But, hopefully these ideas will get you started. I love to watch YouTube videos to help me learn all the tips for making repairs.

7. Being A Name Brand Snob

Alright, I’ll admit it. I was once a name brand snob. I truly thought that i would only be happy with name brand purchases. That is, until I realized how much money I was wasting each and every day.

I slowly started branching out to more off brand items and realized that most of them taste just as good as the name brand version! Now, most of what I buy are off brand, and I have never looked back!

You will save so much money, and get just as good of product simply by switching the brand you are trying.

Not sure where to start, read my article: Off Brand Items That Are Just As Good As The Name Brand.

8. Paying For Convenience

Convenience is a slippery slope in the budget world. Paying for a little convenience here and there might look like small fees, but those small fees will add up over time and are a fast way to waste money without realizing you’re doing it.

A few examples of convenience fees you might be paying for are:

  • Pre cut produce at the grocery store
  • Grocery Delivery
  • DoorDash
  • Yard Work
  • Professional Cleaners
  • Meal Subscription Boxes

The next time you are tempted to spend a little extra on convenience, stop and ask yourself if it’s really worth the extra money, or if you have the time and ability to do the extra work yourself.

9. Ignoring Energy Usage

How close of attention do you pay to lights being left on in your home? I know at my house my kids LOVE to leave the basement light on when they leave for school, it feels like I’m constantly reminding them to turn off the lights. My kids don’t realize this, but every second the lights are on, we are spending money.

What about the heating and cooling of your house? Do you set the thermometer where it feels most comfortable and then forget about it? Or do you make the effort to adjust it for when you’ll be out of town, at night time in an effort to save money.

One of the more common ways we are all wasting our hard earned money is by ignoring our energy usage. All it takes is being diligent about turning lights off when not in use, adjusting your thermostat at night time or when you are out of town, and you will begin to see more money in your budget.

10. Using Paper Towels

Using paper towels to mop up spills is a quick way to waste money. Instead of grabbing a paper towel, try using a reusable dish cloth or rag. The savings in the long run is huge! And it’s better for the environment! Win! Win!

11. Ignoring Freebies

Do you know of all the freebies out there? Cause there are TONS! So we all better be using them! When you ignore freebies you are wasting a chance at saving some money and falling into the trap of wasting money without realizing it.

You can find a plethora of freebies a lot of different ways, here are just a few places I suggest looking:

  • Public Library ( yes, they have more than books you can check out!): 10 Free Things At The Library
  • Birthday Freebies (get free stuff every year for your bday!): How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday
  • Community Events: look for free concerts and events around town for free entertainment
  • Join a Freecycle Facebook Group to get things that others are giving away for free
  • Email your favorite companies and ask for coupons (yes this works!)

12. Overusing Laundry Detergent

I feel pretty confident making the assumption that that you are using more laundry detergent in your washing machine then you need to. Truth is, I think I use to much! Make sure you thoroughly read the instructions on your detergent to learn how much is actually needed. You just might might be surprised at how little your washing machine actually needs. The less you use, the less money you waste! Yay!

13. Using Incandescent Lightbulbs

The next way you are probably wasting money without realizing it is by buying the old fashioned incandescent lightbulbs. Yes, the price is cheaper up front, but these type of lightbulbs are making your electricity bill so much more expensive.

LED light bulbs last longer and uses less electricity than a traditional light bulb. Check out this Light Bulb Showdown article to see the huge life time savings in this one simple change.

14. Overpaying On Your Bills

Yes, we all have to pay our bills. And, at first glance those bills might feel set in stone. However, I’m here to tell you that many of them are actually negotiable!

That’s right! You can call up your service providers and ask them right out if they can offer you a lower rate than what you have been paying.

Not sure how to do that? I explain it all here: How To Negotiate Your Bills. I’ve heard so many success stories from this!

15. You Always Fill Up At The Same Gas Station

I’ll be the first to admit that I frequent my neighborhood gas station regularly, it’s just quick and convenient!

However, I have learned that over the years that I will save much more money if I shop around for gas, instead of filling up where it’s quick and convenient.

Make sur to check out gas buddy and Upside when trying to find the gas station with the best price on gasoline.

16. Buying Precut and Prepackaged Groceries

I love convenience as much as the next person, however when it comes to cutting costs at the grocery store, the first place you should look at is the convenience foods you are buying.

Do you spend money on pre-portioned snack items, such as buying small bags of chips instead of one large bag? Or maybe you buy premade salads or precut produce?

These types of purchases will run your grocery bill up fast! You will spend less if you begin buying the whole foods and cutting/portioning them out yourself.

17. Buying Everything New

Speaking of convenience, it is so easy to run to your local Walmart or scroll on Amazon for anything and everything. But, there are so many high quality items available for a fraction of the cost, you just have to be willing to be something gently used.

Rather than immediately turning to the flashy new store to buy a never before used item for top dollar, start browsing thrift stores, garage sales, and Facebook marketplace for gently used items at a fraction of the cost.

We have bought everything and anything used including, furniture, clothing, lawn mowers, toys, christmas presents, home decor, appliances, and more! If you are willing to make the time and effort to browse a few thrifting options, than you will save yourself a lot of money!

In Conclusion

These are just a few of the many ways you might be wasting money without even realizing it! If you can relate to any of these, don’t worry, you’re not a lone! Everyone succumbs to the ease and temptation of tossing money out the window every now and then. But, fortunately, we can all recognize our mistakes and try again!

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Now you can stop wasting money without realizing it!

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:

Purpose of a Budget

How To Stop Emotional Shopping

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

 

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how to stop spending money - frugal living tips to save money

 

Make sure you ask yourself these questions before spending money!

 

 

 

The Best Deals At Dollar Tree

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

The best things to buy at the Dollar Tree.

I love shopping at my local Dollar Tree.  Not only are the items all affordable ($1.25???  yes please!), but they also have quality products!  However, the truth is that not all items sold at your local dollar store is a good deal.  We are often led to believe that because something is sold at the Dollar Tree, it MUST be the best price in town, right???  Well, this is not always the case!  Today I am going to share the best deals at Dollar Tree.  These are the items that you can always count on to be a better price than you can buy anywhere else.

Best Deals At Dollar Tree

The next time you are shopping at Dollar Tree, make sure to look for these amazing deals!

1.  Pregnancy Test

There is no need to spend a lot of money on pregnancy tests!  Just hop on over to your local Dollar Tree and pick up one of these tests for just $1.25.  They are just as accurate as the tests you can buy at the grocery store, but for only half the price!  Yay!

 

2.  Ovulation Predictor

Another great buy in the pregnancy sectioin is an Ovulation Predictor.  You can buy a big pack of these at Walmart for a good price, but the ones at Dollar Tree are still cheaper!

 

3.  Hair Scrunchies/Hair Ties

The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy hair scrunchies and hair ties!  They are not only affordable, but also super cute!  I love the huge selection available!

 

4.  Bleach

One of the best deals at Dollar Tree is their bleach.  For only $1.25 you can get a 96 oz. container of bleach!  That is a great price and I haven’t been able to find it cheaper anywhere else.

 

5.  Bandaids

If your kids are anything like my kids you probably go through a lot of bandaids.  Fortunately, you can buy them for a great price at Dollar Tree!

 

6.  Flip Flops

I love grabbing a few pairs of flip flops at the Dollar Tree every summer.  They are super cute and comfortable, plus it doesn’t matter if they break or get lost….because I spent less than $1.50 on them!

 

7.  Candles/Wax Melts

You really can’t beat paying less than $2 for a candle and a carton of candle wax melts.  Whenever you need to buy a candle, make sure to buy it at the Dollar Tree.

 

8.  Coloring/Activity Books

Dollar Tree has a huge selection of coloring and activity books perfect for kids.  I love to buy a few at the beginning of each summer to keep my kids entertained for the next few months.  The books are constantly changing and I love looking through the new selection regularly.

 

9.  Seasonal Items

Another great buy at Dollar Tree are the seasonal items.  Dollar Tree is wonderful at rotating through a large supply of seasonal toys, decorations, food and more.  It’s a great place to stock up on summer fun activities or stocking stuffers….and everything in between!

 

10.  Greeting Cards

The cheapest place to buy greeting cards is always at the Dollar Tree!  For only $1 you can get TWO greeting cards to give to your loved ones.  This is a great buy!

I also love to buy a package of blank note cards.  For $1 you get 6 blank cards, and can use them for any occasion!

 

11.  Gift Bags

The next time you are at Dollar Tree make sure to stock up on gift bags.  They are a fantastic deal and come in so many designs and sizes.

Want to know the best part of buying a gift bag???  It’s reusable, so the one time purchase can be used again and again!

12.  Sticky Notes

Another great buy at the Dollar Tree is the sticky notes.  I love using sticky notes for weekly planning and list making, so I always buy a package or two!

 

13.  LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are expensive, buy can save you a lot of money in the long run!  Buy your LED lights at Dollar Tree so that you can still get the long term rewards, without the high price tag.

 

14.  Nail Polish

I have two girls in my home who LOVE doing their nails.  They buy a lot of their nail polish at Dollar Tree because the prices are MUCH lower than at other stores.

 

15.  Picture Frames

Did you know that you can even buy picture frames at Dollar Tree?  Because you totally can!  I love buying picture frames at Dollar Tree because they are so cheap, and have a lot of different styles and sizes to choose from!  Yay!

 

In Conclusion

The Dollar Tree has so many great deals, especially the ones listed above!  I have been able to save my family a lot of money by buying each of these things at Dollar Tree, and I hope this article will help your family save money too!  That’s what I’m here for after all!

 

Related Articles:

Dollar Tree Pantry Organization Tips

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

How To Save Money On Diapers

 

Pin For Future Reference:

best deals at dollar tree - what to buy at dollar tree

dollar tree deals - must buys at dollar tree

 

I hope you enjoy the best deals at Dollar Tree!

 

Seasonal Sales Cycles: What To Buy Each Month For The Best Deal

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Time To Buy Everything Month By Month

Ok. I want to let you in on a little secret…..are you ready for it????  Here goes!  

Shopping seasonal sales will change your finances.

There, I said it!

Will this one little hack change your finances drastically????  No!

But, will it help you to have more money?  Absolutely!

 

What is a sales cycle?

A sales cycle, also called seasonal sales, is when certain products are put on sale at specific times during the year.  These are usually the times when the products will be priced at their lowest, so if it’s an item you like to buy frequently, you should buy it during that time.

Learning the cycle of seasonal sales is one of the best ways to cut down your regular spending.  I like to wait to buy some of my fave products until I know the sale is likely coming, and then I can confidently buy it at the low price.

What stores have seasonal sales?

Are you wondering what stores have seasonal sales cycles?  Well, you’re in luck because all of them do!  Seriously!  Or at least at MOST stores.   You should be able to find a rotation of sales at clothing, grocery, furniture, hardware stores and more!

Items go on sale in cycles, typically the same products will be on sale the same time of year each year.  Keep reading to find out exactly what goes on sale and when.

 

What’s on Sale in January?

Bedding and Towels:  Many department stores will have sales on their bedding, towels and sheets during January as part of their “white sales.”

Holiday Decorations:  As Christmas ends, you will find huge discounts on all things holiday.  These usually begin right at the end of December/beginning of January.  But make sure to be quick shopping for all things Christmas, as these items will go fast!

Gym Memberships and Equipment:  With the turn of the New Years comes New Years Resolutions, and many goals revolve around fitness.  Because of these goals retailers commonly mark down their gym memberships and fitness equipment.

Calendars and Planners:  If you wait until after January 1 you will be able to get a cheaper price on calendars and planners for the upcoming year.

Toys:  Another great seasonal sales cycle that comes in January is toys!  You should be able to find markdowns on many toys as retailers are trying to decrease their stock of Christmas toys.  This is a good time to stock up for next year or for birthdays!

Grocery Sales in January

Oatmeal Products:  January is National Oatmeal Month, which means grocery stores will put their oatmeal products on sale.  The sales will include granola bars, instant oatmeal, and oat cereal.

Diet Foods:  As mentioned above, January is a popular month for dieting.  A lot of stores take advantage of these new years goals by putting their diet foods on sale.

Party Foods:  Towards the end of January, as the Super Bowl gets closer, you will be able to find markdowns on party foods.  Look for deals on crackers, pizza, wings, chips, dips, soda etc.

In Season Produce:  This month the cheapest produce to buy will be:  apples, grapefruits, kiwi, lemons, clementine’s, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels spouts, celery, and leeks.

 

 

What’s on Sale in February?

Winter Clothing:  February is a great time to stock up on cold weather clothing, such as clothes, gloves, hats, etc.  Many stores are trying to get rid of their supply to make room for summer/spring clothing.

TVs:  The beginning of February is one of the best times (excluding Black Friday) to buy a new TV.  The prices are heavily discounted right before Super Bowl week.

Furniture:  If you are in the market for new furniture/mattresses, Presidents Day is usually a great time to buy these items!

Video Games:  New video games are commonly released in November, right before the holidays.  If you wait until February to buy these new games you will most likely get them on a discount!

Grocery Sales in February

Chocolate:  Chocolate is heavily discounted after Valentines Day.  Stock up for birthday gifts or yummy snacking!

Canned Food:  February is National Canned Food month making it the perfect time of year to stock up on all the canned goods.  Most grocery stores will be having sales on canned foods including beans, tomatoes, soup, fruit, etc.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce in February includes asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, kiwi, avocados, lemons and grapefruit.

 

 

What’s On Sale in March?

Luggage:  Luggage typically goes on sale during March, so if you are in need of a new suitcase, this is your month!

Craft Supplies:  March is National Craft Month!  Look for deals on all things craft supplies this month.

Winter Sports Gear:  Now that spring is coming it is a perfect time to buy winter sports gear.  Items like skis and snowshoes will be discounted at many sporting good stores.

Cleaning Supplies:  Spring cleaning is just around the corner and many retailers will start discounting their cleaning supplies in March.

Grocery Sales in March

Frozen Foods:  National Frozen Food Month is in March, meaning many grocers offer deals on all things frozen foods.  It’s the perfect time to stock up on ice cream, frozen veggies, pizza and more.

Breakfast Cereals:  March 7th is National Cereal Day and with that comes discounts on both cold and hot cereals.

In Season Produce:  This month is also a great time to buy broccoli, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries.

 

What’s On Sale in April?

Easter:  Stock up on all things Easter after the holiday is over.  You will be able to find deals on Easter baskets, eggs, candy, stuffed animals, and decorations.

Vacuums:  New vacuum models are typically released in April, and the older models will go on sale, just in time for spring cleaning.

Snow Blowers:  April is not the month when most people have snow blowers on their mind, but it is the perfect time to buy one for a discounted price!

Cookware Sets:  With graduation and wedding season approaching many department stores start discounting their cookware sets (which make perfect gifts)!

Grocery Sales in April

Ham:  Many foods will be marked down immediately after Easter, including ham!  It’s a great time to get a deal on this expensive meat.

Baking Items:  You can usually find some good deals on baking items throughout the month of April.

Easter Candy:  Make sure to stock up on Easter candy after the holiday is over.

In Season Produce:  The produce in season during the month of April is:  artichokes, beets, zucchini, peas, mushrooms, onion, avocado, and mangos.

 

What’s On Sale in May?

Furniture:  Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy furniture.  If you are needing any indoor furniture or mattresses, this is the month to do so!

Small Kitchen Appliances:  May is the perfect time to get deals on small kitchen appliances as retailers mark them down for graduation and wedding season.  

Paper Products:  A lot of grilling/picnic items go on sale right before Memorial Day weekend, including paper products like plates, napkins, etc.

Grocery Sales in May

Cinco De Mayo:  Cinco De Mayo is on May 5th which brings a lot of celebrations, and a few deals!  At the beginning of the month look for sales on salsa, tortillas, and other Mexican foods.

Grilling Items:  Condiments, hamburger buns, hot dogs and other grilling foods are commonly put on sale during May in preparation for Memorial Day BBQs.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to look for these seasonal produce items:  apricots, artichokes, beets, blackberries, carrots, cantaloupe, peas, radish, strawberries and watermelon.

 

 

What’s On Sale in June?

Bath and Body Products:  Bath and Body Works always has their semi annual sale in June with fantastic markdowns!  This is a great time to stock up on your favorite bath and body products, I also like to buy a few to gift as Christmas presents!  This is one of my favorite seasonal sales cycles!

Tools:  With Fathers Day in the middle of June, you will find prices on tools dropping.  These make great gifts for Fathers Day, but you can also plan ahead for Christmas!

Workout Clothing:  Many retailers put their workout clothing on sale in June as people tend to get more active during the summer months.  This is a good time to get a deal on clothes for exercising or outdoor adventures.

Spring Clothing:  June is a great month for shopping clothing clearance racks.  Most of the spring clothes are put on sale to make room for all of the summer items.

Pain Killers:  Did you know that June is National Headache Month (yes, this is a real thing!)?  You can usually find a few deals on pain killers, sinus medications, aspirin, etc.  

Grocery Sales in June

Dairy Foods:  June is National Dairy Month and with it brings grocery deals on all things dairy, including milk, yogurt, eggs, ice cream and cheese.

Grilling Items:  Like May you can find a lot of deals on foods for grilling, such as meats, condiments, buns, etc.

In Season Produce:  Here are a few of the produce items that are in season this month:  corn, cucumbers, squash, apricots, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in July?

Patriotic Items:  Immediately after the 4th of July is the best time of year to stock up on supplies, decorations and clothing for next years celebrations.  These sales will begin right before the holiday, but if you wait and buy after the 4th, the discount will be even greater.

Paint:  Lowes and Home Depot typically have paint sales in July.  If you’ve been wanting to paint a room in your house, this is a great month to do it!

Swimsuits:  Near the end of the month you will start seeing discounts on swimsuits, stock up now before they get picked over!

Grocery Sales in July

Ice Cream:  July is National Ice Cream Month (AKA:  the best holiday ever!).  Grocery stores will be having sales on ice cream, so be on the lookout for those throughout the month!

Hot Dogs:  In addition to ice cream, July is also National Hot Dog Month!  You will be able to find deals on hot dogs, buns and condiments.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce this month include blueberries, watermelon, green beans, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

 

What’s On Sale in August?

School/Office Supplies:  August is a popular time for retailers to mark down their school and office supplies in preparation for back to school time.  Stock up now and be prepared all year.

Patio Furniture:  As summer comes to an end, you will be able to find good deals on outdoor patio furniture.  It’s a great time to buy ahead to use for next year!

Yard Care Supplies:  This is the perfect month for buying garden supplies, lawn mowers and other yard care items.  Retailers are marking down yard care supplies to clear them out before winter comes.

Grocery Sales In August

Breakfast Foods:  The first day of school will be starting soon, and typically the seasonal sales cycles include deals on easy foods for parents and kids.  Breakfasts items is one of those foods.  You should see sales on cereal, juice, and frozen waffles.

Cold Lunch Foods:  In addition to breakfast, food items for cold lunch will also be going on sale.  Make sure to stock up on fruit cups, lunch meat, lunchables, crackers and peanut butter.

In Season Produce:  Stock up on these produce items in August:  peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, raspberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in September?

Summer Clothing:  September is the perfect month to stock up on warm weather clothing to use for next year.  You will find big discounts at most clothing stores.

Luggage:  Labor Day weekend typically brings great sales on luggage.  Make sure to buy any suitcases you will need during the first weekend of September.

Grills:  This is the perfect month to buy that new grill you’ve been eyeing.  They will be marked down as part of the end of summer clearance sales.

Mattresses:  Another popular Labor Day weekend sale is on mattresses.  Check your local furniture store for this great seasonal sale cycle deal!

Grocery Sales in September

Canned Soup:  Fall is just around the corner and you’ll begin seeing markdowns on fall comfort foods, such as canned soups.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to watch out for good deals on these September produce items:  apples, green beans, cantaloupe, beets, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes and pears.

 

 

What’s On Sale in October?

Jeans:  October is one of the best times of the year to buy jeans.  They are commonly marked down as back to school season ends.

Camping Gear:  If you like to camp, or want to start camping, October is the perfect month to stock up on new supplies.  The discounts are heavy now that summer is officially over!

Grocery Sales in October

Seafood:  October is National Seafood Month and grocers will offer sales on seafood throughout the month to celebrate.

Baking Sales:  The fall baking sales are prevalent during October.  You should be able to find many baking items on sale including canned pumpkin, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, flour, sugar, etc.

In Season Produce:  You’ll find the best deals on these produce items during October:  apples, potatoes, cranberries, grapes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cabbage.

 

What’s On Sale in November?

Halloween Costumes:  Head into the store the first couple of days after Halloween to stock up on Halloween costumes.  These are great to keep around for next years Halloween or for your kids to use when playing dress up.

Electronics:  November is the best month of the year to buy electronics, especially during Black Friday sales.  This is a great time of year to buy TVs, laptops, and other electronics.

Beauty Products:  Black Friday is also a great time to buy beauty products like makeup and hair tools.  Most beauty stores will have big sales all weekend.

Appliances:  Appliances are traditionally included in the November Black Friday deals.  You should find some of the lowest prices on refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc. this month.

Grocery Sales in November

Canned Food:  Thanksgiving pantry staples will be on sale this month, so look for deals on canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, sweetened condensed milk and canned vegetables.

Halloween Candy:  All Halloween candy will go on sale the first week of November.  You can stock up on candy to use for Christmas or other events throughout the year (or just to eat yourself….).

In Season Produce:  Be sure to shop this months in season produce:  beets, broccoli, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, kiwis, oranges, potatoes and pomegranates.

 

What’s On Sale in December?

Gift Cards:  Gift cards will be on sale throughout the month of December.  This is the perfect time to buy gift cards to give as presents or to use throughout the next year.  Look for gift card sales from retailers and restaurants.  Last year I bought a few Target gift cards for 10% off!

Vehicles:  December is a great time to buy a new vehicle.  Many dealerships are more willing to negotiate at the end of the year to clear the lot for newer models.

Christmas Decorations/Wrapping Paper:  Wait until after Christmas to shop for new holiday decorations and wrapping paper.  They will be heavily discounted at the end of the month.  I always like to stock up to save for the next year.

Grocery Sales in December

Baking Goods:  Baking items continue to be on sale throughout the holidays.  Watch for deals on items like flour, sugar, pie crusts, and whipped cream.

Party Foods:  As the end of the month nears take advantage of grocery sales on party foods such as veggie trays, crackers and dips.

In Season Produce:  Winter produce will be priced right this month, stock up on items like:  pears, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, oranges, and spinach.

 

Shop Smart

If you regularly shop the seasonal sales cycles you will begin to see a decrease in your spending (which in turn increases the amount of money in your pocket!).  It requires some patience and effort, but it’s worth the wait to score good deals on items you need and want!

 

Here are a few other articles to help you save more money:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

 

Pin For Future Reference:

month to month sales cycles - when do things go on sale

how to buy everything on sale - grocery sales cycles tips

Enjoy shopping the seasonal sales cycles now that you know what to buy each month for the best deal. 

 

What To Do When Grocery Prices Rise

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to handle the rising price of food.

I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that grocery prices are increasing.  All it takes is one quick trip to the grocery store to see that food costs are much higher then they were a year ago.  According the the USDA, grocery prices in September 2021 were 4.6 percent higher then the previous September.  Which is a huge increase!  Unfortunately, the experts are warning that grocery prices are only going to continue to grow.  But, not to worry!  There are a few tricks you can do when grocery prices rise.

This article contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated from purchases made from links in this post.

 

grocery prices increasing - how to save money on groceries

1.  Adjust Your Budget

If you are currently budgeting (which I recommend) now is probably a good time to adjust your grocery budget a little.  Your budget is fluid for a reason, to be adjusted when needed.  And grocery prices rising is definitely a time when your budget needs an update.  I know that this sounds contradictory, but inflation is real, and you still have to eat.  I would rather your grocery budget be higher and you stick to the budget then have it be lower and you constantly over spend.

If you are new to budgeting make sure to grab my free budgeting cheatsheets below to help you get started!

Two years ago my family had a very consistent $100/week grocery budget.  We were eating well, feeling content and happy with our budgeted amount.

Now?  We are spending $150/week on groceries.  Do I love that we are spending so much more?  Not at all!  But, I know that my budget needs to be realistic for my needs, otherwise I will constantly be overspending, and that is not good for my budget or wallet!

Take a minute one day to sit down and really look at exactly how much money you’ve been spending on groceries over the past few months.  Use those numbers as a guideline to help you set your new grocery budget.  Be realistic, but also frugal when making your budget!

2.  Change Your Eating Habits

This might be a good time to change some of your eating habits, which I KNOW is not easy (trust me, I tooootally get it!).  Take a look at what you eat regularly and really ask yourself some hard questions.  Such as, is everything on your grocery receipt absolutely necessary?  What food could you quit buying to save a little bit of money? (I finally decided to quit buying my chocolate fudge pops to cut down my grocery bill!)  Is there some cheaper alternatives you could buy to replace the expensive items in your cart?

For Example:

  • If you consistently buy pre cut fruits and vegetables, start buying them whole instead and cutting them yourself (it really only takes a few minutes to do!).
  • Instead of buying disposable water bottles, buy one reusable water bottle you can use again and again.
  • Quit buying premade granola and make your own instead!  I love this homemade granola recipe.
  • Another tip is to avoid buying prepackaged snacks.  Buy the snack in bulk and use a tupperware container to portion out smaller sizes.

These are just a few suggestions, but there are many other easy alternatives to replacing items you eat regularly, with more affordable alternatives.  Get creative and be honest with yourself about your needs.

3.  Shop Sales

One of the quickest ways to see your grocery bill drop is to start shopping sales.  Every week grocery stores come out with a new ad highlighting the grocery deals for that current week.  

Look through these weekly ads using the free Flipp app, and then plan your grocery list and weekly menu around what’s on sale.  This might mean that you will have to go to multiple grocery stores for your weekly shopping trip, I get this is time consuming, but shopping sales is a huge savings and usually worth the hassle!

When you find those great deals, make sure to stock up to have them on hand until the next sale comes around!  Not sure what a good price is?  Grab my Stock Up Price Guide here!

4.  Use Coupons and Rebate Offers

I’ll be the first to admit that couponing isn’t as amazing as it once was ten years ago, but coupons are still a valuable way to save some extra cash when grocery prices rise.

One of the hardest parts of using coupons, is finding them!  Here are a few places I like to get my coupons from:

Another easy way to alleviate grocery costs is to use rebate offers.  Rebates are similar to coupons, but instead of getting money of the purchase price, you are giving cash back after making your purchase.  This is a great way to earn a little extra money while buying items you would be buying anyways.  My favorite rebate apps are:

My favorite way to coupon is to match a coupon with a sale and/or rebate offer.  That is when the BIG savings happens!

5.  Try Substituting Expensive Foods For Cheaper Options

Another trick to saving money on groceries is to use substitutions in recipes.  You don’t have to follow each recipe exactly!  Some recipes have a lot of expensive ingredients, which you can easily substitute for something cheaper!

For example:  if a recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk, don’t buy the buttermilk and mix 1 cup of milk with 1 Tablespoon of vinegar instead!  It’s cheaper and so easy!  There are many other budget friendly substitutions you can try, check them out here: Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money here.

6.  Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat

When it comes to grocery prices increasing, meat is at the top of the list!  Currently it is hard to find some of our favorite meats for a low price.

If you can relate, I recommend you start trying a few cheaper cuts of meat.  They still taste just as good, but are much better for your wallet.  Here are some of our favorite frugal meats:

  • Chicken Thighs
  • Pork Shoulder
  • Ground Turkey
  • Bone In Pork Chops

7.  Buy Generic

Honestly, I love buying name brand when it’s on sale.  Sale prices on name brand groceries are usually much lower then generic.  But!  When you can’t find a good sale on name brand groceries (it happens!), buy generic instead (trust me!).

I use to turn my nose up to generic brand groceries, but I was so wrong!!  Many generic grocery items are even better then the store bought, but they are so much cheaper!

If you are feeling unsure of trying generic groceries, check out my list of some of my favorite generic groceries.  These all taste just as good as name brand and are a great place to start.

Even More Ways To Save Money On Groceries

If you are looking for even more tricks to save money on rising grocery prices be sure to check out Crystal Paines Slash Your Grocery Bill eBook where she shares 25 tried and true ways to spend less at the grocery store.

It’s so hard to know what to do when grocery prices rise, but these strategies should help you save more money this year.  They have all helped my family, and I know they can help yours too!

 

 

 

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Pantry Challenge Tips to Save Money on Groceries

10 Incredibly Easy Ways to Stretch Meals

 

Pin For Future Reference:

rising food costs - how to handle grocery prices increasing

 

I hope these tip will help you know what to do when grocery prices rise.

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to not live paycheck to paycheck anymore.

Are you tired of feeling like there is never enough money?  Are you ready to learn how to stop living paycheck to paycheck?  It IS possible and I’m here to tell you how!

Why Do I Need To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

I had someone ask me this question a few months ago.  It all started when I was encouraging my readers to save more money each paycheck, and someone asked me, “Why?  What’s wrong with living paycheck to paycheck?”  I understand this reasoning and think it’s a very valid question!  So, today I’m going to explain exactly why it’s important.

Here are a few benefits of having some extra cash every pay period:

  • Less Stress.  If you have extra money each pay period you will no longer be having to worry during those last few days before you get paid.  You won’t have to wonder whether you will have enough money to get you through to the next payday.
  • Prevent Debt.  Emergencies come up.  Unexpected expenses arise.  This is just a simple fact of life.  If you are able to save a little bit each pay period you will have the cash needed to pay for these emergencies, rather than putting it on a credit card.
  • Save For Your Future.  More money means more opportunities to save for the future.  This might mean being able to save for retirement or grow a sinking fund for a fun purchase.

Follow the easy steps below and you will have more money in your budget, and more importantly, more money in your bank account.

Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Step #1:  Make A Zero Based Budget

The very first thing you need to do to stretch your paycheck is to make a budget.  I highly recommend using a Zero Based Budget.

A zero based budget is when you budget every penny of your paycheck so that your income and expenses are the same amount.  This does NOT mean you spend all of your income.  It simply means that every dollar has a place and a purpose within your budget.

To make a zero based budget you will need to first write down the amount of money you expect to earn this pay period.

Next, write down all of your expected expenses, don’t forget contributions to sinking funds, retirement, etc.

Your goal will be to get your expenses to equal your income.  For a full tutorial on making a zero based budget check out this article.

There are many different ways to budget!  We prefer the You Need a Budget software.  You can also use just plain ol paper and pen. feel free to download my budget worksheet below.  This is a great place to get you started!

Step #2:  Track Your Spending

Now that you have made your budget it’s time to track your spending.  And, when I say track your spending I literally mean to track every.single.penny. you earn.

It’s easy to track your spending, but it does take time.  You will need to write down everything that you buy and what budget category that item falls under.  If you buy a 50 cent candy bar, write it down under the “Food” category.

This exercise gives you a huge amount of insight into how you are spending and exactly where your money is going.  Sometimes, we don’t realize how much a few bucks here or there add up, but they do!

While you are writing down your expenses, look for trends in your spending and evaluate how you could change some of these habits. 

Maybe you tend to always buy items on a stressful day, could you find a new way to deal with stress?

Or perhaps you are constantly picking up a Starbucks on your way to work, could you limit yourself to just one Starbucks a week?

Remember, it’s OK to spend money!  But, if you are wanting to save a little more, you will need to find some ways to cut back.  Tracking expenses is a great way for you to figure out just how to do that.

Step #3:  Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

The third step when learning how to stop living paycheck to paycheck is to cut out all unnecessary expenses.  Look through your spending tracker and pick out a few items that you could cut out of your budget.  This might be eating out, going to movies, cable TV, daily coffees, etc.

Need some inspiration about what to cut?  Be sure to check out these articles:

How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

What we cut from our budget to save over $2500 a year

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

Don’t forget to look at the expenses that you can minimize on, rather than cutting out completely.  Perhaps you spend $150 a week on groceries, could you reduce that to $130 a week?  That would be an extra $80 a month or $960 a month.

Step #4:  Save Your Bonus

Whenever you are offered a bonus or raise at work, save it!  I know the temptation when getting these raises is to “treat yo self”, but you are already use to living on less.  Use that raise to bump up your savings account, or other finance goals.  I promise it’s worth it!

For example, if you are offered a 5% raise, put that extra 5% into your savings each paycheck.  This is one of the easiest ways to save more without having to sacrifice the life you are use to.

If you truly do not want to save all of your raise, maybe just save part of it.  Put 90% of your raise into a savings account, and use the other 10% for spending.

more money

Step #5:  Automate Your Savings

Set your checking account to automatically take a certain amount of money each month and deposit this into your savings account.  This is an easy way to save for retirement, emergency fund, or anything else you need, without having to actually do it yourself!

When your savings is automatic you don’t ever have to make the choice whether to save or spend on something else, that decision has already been made for you!  You’re saving it.

My husband and I made all of our savings automatic years ago and it has made a world of difference in the amount of money we are able to save each month.  This money doesn’t even feel like it belongs to me, because it goes straight to savings.  It feels amazing to be able to watch that saving account grow regularly and consistently.

Step #6:  Make More Money Through Side Hustles

Last, but certainly not least is to find a way to make more money.  If you would really like to save more each month, you might need to find a way to increase your income.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get a second full time job.

All you need is a few extra hours each week to devote to a side hustle.  If you are struggling finding that extra time, try to give up one thing in your life and use that extra time for side hustling.  This might be your nightly 30 minute TV time, or maybe those few hours you sleep in on Saturdays.

When choosing your side hustle, be creative!  There are so many possibilities!  Look at your talents and interests first to find the perfect fit for you.

Are you crafty?  Perhaps you could make crafts to sell on Etsy.  Do you like to write?  Consider starting a blog!  Maybe you enjoy teaching?  Look into teaching kids in China (all from home)!

If there’s a will, there’s a way!

If you are really wanting to stop living paycheck to paycheck, it is going to require some sacrifice and effort.

I truly believe if you follow the six steps I shared today you will be able to find more room in your budget and you will be able to save more money each month.

Here is your friendly reminder that these steps aren’t easy!  Nothing good in life is easy!  Cutting expenses and finding extra money will take some time and sacrifice on your part.

But, I can also promise you that if you are willing to put in the work and the dedication you will find extra money in your budget each paycheck, and this can change your life!

 

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Have more money this month by following this simple 6 step plan so you can stop living paycheck to paycheck today.

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Items Worth Purchasing To Save More Money In The Long Run

If you are a long time reader, you know I am ALL about looking for ways to cut expenses, spend less and save a few bucks.  However, there are times when SPENDING money is actually the best way to be frugal.  Today I am going to share some of my favorite products worth buying to save money.

How Can Spending Money On A Product Save Money?

I know it doesn’t really make sense!  Spend money to save money!  But with some products it actually really really works!  I like investing in quality products that will:

  • Reduce the cost of a bill or budget category I already spend money on.
  • Last a long time without needing to be replaced.
  • Reduce the amount of reusable products I already regularly buy.

If the one time expense will continually reduce my regular expenses for years to come, it is worth the money for me.  Below are some of the products I recommend buying to help save money in the long run.

products to buy to save money - items that will save you money in the long run

Products Worth Buying To Save More Money

1.  Tempered Glass Screen Protector

One of my very favorite purchases ever has been my tempered glass screen protector for my cell phone.  It is worth every penny and then some!

Our cell phones go almost everywhere with us!  Which is great, but also a little risky that they will break.!  Cell phones are expensive and cost a lot of money to be fixed.

If you cover your screen with a tempered glass screen protector all you will have to place is the protector instead of the entire phone, saving you huge bucks if your screen ever cracks (which let’s be honest…..happens).

2.  Rechargeable Battery Charger

Investing in a rechargeable battery charger is a great way to save money on batteries. 

When we bought a Wii years and years ago for our kids, we bought a rechargeable battery charger and batteries to go with it.  We have used those batteries so many times for Wii remotes, the cost was well worth it!

3.  Makeup Eraser

My friend gifted me a makeup eraser a couple of years ago, and I have never looked back since!  These microfiber cloths easily clean off your daily makeup with only the help of some warm water.  I no longer have to buy disposable makeup remover cloths or products.  Yay!

The best part?  It’s reusable!  So, wash your cloth and reuse again and again.  Great for the environment, and your pocket book!

4.  Drying Rack

A drying rack is another smart purchase to save money in the long run.  Air drying clothes will extend the life of your clothing and it saves you money on electricity bills by not having to run your dryer as often. 

Consider purchase an indoor drying rack that can be easily tucked away, or an outdoor retractable clothesline (I’ve had my eye on this one for a while now!).

5.  Reusable Sandwich Bags

Rather than buying disposable ziplock bags over and over again, consider buying resusable sandwich bags instead!  You can use them to pack lunch boxes, or to freeze leftovers for another meal.  That’s right, they are even freezer safe!  These are a great product to help you save more and spend less!

6.  Produce Storage Containers

One of the most important ways to save money on groceries is to prevent food waste.  Spending a little bit of money on high quality produce storage containers will help produce to last longer so that you won’t be throwing away food that you spent your hard earned dollars on. 

7.  Dryer Balls

I recently switched from dryer sheets to dryer balls and I keep wondering why I didn’t make the switch sooner!  They have been so efficient in keeping my clothing soft and static free.

Dryer balls can be used over and over again, cutting out the need to buy dryer sheets!  Plus, dryer balls helps dry your clothes faster and more efficiently which will save you in high energy costs.  Try them and let me know what you think!

8.  Hair Clippers

When my husband and I first got married many many many years ago I bought a $15 set of hair clippers.  Over the next ten years those $15 hair clippers have saved us roughly $750 on hair cuts!

I am NOT a professional hair cutter.  As a matter of fact, I’m really not that good at cutting hair.  But, I kept practicing, trying and watching YouTube videos until I became more confident in my abilities.  

This small investment has been a huge money saver to our family.  Here is a similar pair of clippers with great reviews.

9.  LED Light Bulbs

As your old incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with LED light bulbs.  The cost upfront is more expensive, but so worth it in the long run.  LED light bulbs last longer and uses less electricity than a traditional light bulb.  Check out this Light Bulb Showdown article to see the huge life time savings in this one simple change.

10.  Reusable Water Bottle

We all know that drinking water is great for our health.  But, buying disposable water bottles again and again costs a lot of money.  Fortunately, we can drink water without having to buy disposable water bottles!

Instead of wasting plastic and money, invest in a reusable water bottle and fill it up with water from home!  I love buying items that I know I can use over and over again, for, well, forever!  Here is a great priced insulated water bottle with fabulous reviews!

11.  Menstrual Cup

Alright ladies, this ones for you!  Quit wasting your money on disposable feminine care and invest in a menstrual cup! 

This DivaCup is reusable and has FANTASTIC reviews.  I know it might feel a little different at first, but I recommend you try it!  You might like it more than you think!  And it will save you money in the long run!

12.  Digital Antennae

One of the best things we did for our budget was to cancel our cable TV and buy a digital antennae.  A digital antennae is a one time cost for free monthly TV. 

True, it doesn’t have as many channels as cable TV does, but it gives you access to your local television channels for free!  Which means you won’t miss the news, big sporting events or the popular current TV shows.

 

Spending Money To Save Money

Sometimes you have to spend a little bit of money to save money!  These are all products worth buying to save money, but I might have missed a few!  What else would you add to this list?

 

Related Articles:

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Products Worth Buying To Save Money

Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Here are a few easy food substitutions to help you save money on groceries and prevent extra grocery trips.

Have you ever been in this situation:  start cooking dinner, get half way through the recipe, and then realize you are missing ONE important ingredient???  Now you are stuck with the dilemma of trying to decide if you should take the time to go to the grocery store for that one item or switch dinner plans last minute.  This situation has happened to me more times than I can count, and I feel like either decision I make ends up costing me money.  If I go to the store I always buy more than that one item, but if I switch dinner plans last minute there is a lot of food that goes to waste.  This is where easy food substitutions can be a huge game saver!  Here are some easy food substitutions to save money.

 

Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money

Here are a few of my favorite food substitutions to help you save money, time and headaches!  😉  Let me know what (if any) you would add to this list!

1.  Buttermilk

A few of my very favorite recipes call for buttermilk, like my fluffy pancakes recipe here.  But, do you want to know a little secret?  I have never once bought buttermilk from the store to make them!

Instead, I just make my own buttermilk substitute.  It is so quick, easy and I always have the ingredients on hand!

To make your own buttermilk just add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of milk and stir.  Let it sit for a few minutes, and then it’s ready to use!  So easy!

*I have also heard you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar, but vinegar is cheaper, so that’s what I use!

2.  Lemon Zest

Honestly, I really don’t like zesting lemons.  It’s a bit of a hassle, and I never have lemons around anyways.

So, I started substituting lemon juice for lemon zest and it works wonderfully!

You can use 2 Tbsp of lemon juice to replace 1 tsp of lemon zest in recipes.

3.  Fresh Lemon Juice

Speaking of lemons, another great lemon substitute is to use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice.  I always have bottled lemon juice stocked, but I rarely buy lemons.  This substitute is perfect to save me a trip to the grocery store.

Use 2-3 Tbsps of lemon juice in place of the juice of one lemon.

4.  Ground Beef

Meat is one of the most expensive items at the grocery store.  If you’re wanting to save money on groceries I recommend planning a few meatless meals each week.

However, if you’re wanting to cook with meat, specifically ground beef, you can substitute some of the meat for black beans, which will also save you money!

Just mash the beans up and add them to your ground beef while it’s browning.  This is also a great trick for stretching dinners a little further, without having to spend a lot of extra money.

5.  Greek Yogurt

If you have any baking recipes that call for Greek yogurt, there is a very easy substitute!  All you have to do is replace the yogurt with sour cream!

You can use a 1:1 ratio, meaning use the exact same amount of sour cream that the recipe needed of Greek Yogurt.

6.  Self Rising Flour

When baking you might come across a few recipes that call for Self Rising Flour.  Rather than going out and buying flour for that specific recipe, just make your own using items you probably already have in your pantry!

To make 1 cup of self rising flour mix together:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda

That’s it!  You’ve just made your own self rising flour for pennies!

7.  Half and Half

A cheap and easy substitute for half and half is milk.  True, milk won’t be as rich as using half and half, but I make this easy substitute all of the time and hardly notice a difference. 

If you are really wanting a flavor more similar to half and half, just add 1 Tbsp of melted butter to a cup of milk and use to replace 1 cup of half and half.

8.  Vanilla

Vanilla extract can be a very expensive ingredient to keep stocked up in your pantry.  But, fortunately there is a cheaper substitute you can try!  Yay!

My favorite substitution for vanilla is maple syrup.  Just use a 1:1 ratio when replacing vanilla extract with maple syrup, making it quick and easy to remember, just the way we like it!

9.  Allspice

Do you have a recipe that calls for allspice, but you don’t want to buy an ingredient to only use 1/4 tsp?!?  I get it, I’ve been there too!  Just make your own allspice instead!

To make allspice mix together 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground cloves.  This will make the equivalent of 1 tsp Allspice.

10.  Breadcrumbs

Save yourself some money and make your own breadcrumbs at home rather than purchasing them at the store!  Breadcrumbs are so easy to make and a great way to use up a loaf of bread before it goes bad.

To make homemade breadcrumbs:

  • Place 4-6 bread slices on a cookie sheet.
  • Put cookie sheet in a 300 degree oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bread is hard and dry.
  • Let bread cool.
  • Once cool, put bread into a food processor and pulse until the bread has turned into fine bread crumbs.

That’s it!  You will now have breadcrumbs to use however your recipe calls for them!  Enjoy!

11.  Eggs

If you run out of eggs right in the middle of baking, no worries!  You can easily substitute mayo (yes, mayo!) for eggs.

Just use 3 Tbsp of mayo to replace each egg called for in the recipe.

12.  Corn Syrup

Every time I buy corn syrup for a recipe, it ends up sitting in my cupboard untouched for months and months.  I just don’t cook with it enough to make the cost worth it!

So, I’ve started making my own and haven’t looked back since.  It is MUCH cheaper than buying the real thing!

To make your own corn syrup mix together:

  • 1 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup water

This will make one cup of corn syrup substitute!  Enjoy!

13.  Cream Of Chicken Soup

Another easy ingredient to make yourself is Condensed Cream Of Chicken Soup mix.  You can whip up a big jar of this every few months, leave it sitting on your shelf and then use when needed.  It’s so cheap and quick to make!

Check out my recipe here:  Cream of Chicken Soup Mix recipe.  Let me know if you have any questions about it!

14.  Garlic

Honestly, I never ever buy garlic.  I told my friend this once and she thought I was crazy!  It’s just not a priority in my kitchen.

But, when I do have a recipe that calls for one garlic clove I will substitute 1/8 tsp garlic powder instead.  It works like a charm!

15.  Evaporated Milk

If you are in a pinch needing a can of evaporated milk, just grab a jug of regular cows milk from your refrigerator.

Simmer 2 1/4 cups milk on the stove in a sauce pan.  Stir and simmer until the milk goes down to one cup.  This should make 1 cup of evaporated milk.

16.  Sour Cream

Sour cream (for baking) is another ingredient that has an easy swap!  You can substitute 1 cup of plain yogurt for 1 cup of sour cream.  And, if you remember from earlier in the article, this substitute works both ways!

If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 cup of plain yogurt and you don’t have any, just use 1 cup of sour cream instead!  Easy peasy!

17.  Tomato Sauce

If you are needing a can of tomato sauce, but don’t have any on hand, use tomato paste instead! 

All you have to do is mix 3/4 cup tomato paste with 1 cup water and you will have the perfect substitute for 2 cups tomato sauce.  I love using this substitution when making soups or stews.

 

In Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to get creative when cooking in the kitchen.  My first instinct when I am missing an ingredient is to run to the store and buy it.  However, if I stop and take a minute to find an easy alternative I have found that I can save a lot of time and money.  I promise, if I can do it, so can you!

What easy food substitution would you add to this list?  I would love more suggestions!

 

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I hope this article gave you some good suggestions of easy food substitutions to save money.

 

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