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 Grocery Shop Smarter: Buying Groceries On a Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy Ways To Save Money On Groceries

If it feels like your grocery bill keeps climbing no matter what you do, you’re not alone. I feel this too! It’s no secret that food prices have gone up and continue to rise. This can feel discouraging, especially when you are buying groceries while on a budget. The good news is that you can still take control of your grocery spending with some simple frugal habits. Here are some easy ways to save money on groceries, and still eat well.

1. Make A Plan

Impulse shopping is one of the biggest grocery budget busters. This is why it’s so important that before you go to the store, you make a meal plan for the week and write down exactly what you need to buy. A grocery trip without a plan and a list is a recipe for overspending.

When making your meal plan, I highly recommend shopping your pantry first. This is easily done by browsing your pantry, cupboards and fridge and planning your meals based on items you already have at home.

2. Embrace Store Brands

Do not be afraid of buying store brand items. They usually come from the same manufacturers as name brands, just without the fancy packaging. Swapping even half of your cart for store brand foods can easily shave $20 off your weekly bill.

3. Buy In Bulk (Smartly)

Buying groceries in bulk can save a lot of money, when it’s done correctly. Buying bulk non perishables can be a great way to stock up your pantry for cheap. But remember that just because an item is in bulk, doesn’t always mean it will be the cheapest price. Make sure to calculate the price/unit before making a purchase, so you can be confident that you are getting the best price.

4. Shop The Sales

Instead of planning meals and then shopping, try shopping what’s on sale first. Stock up on meat, pantry staples, or frozen goods when they are at their lowest prices, and then plan your meals around those items.

Not sure when things go on sale? Be sure to check the weekly deals by using the free Flipp app. You can also plan ahead by knowing the sales cycles.

5. Use Digital Coupons and Cashback Apps

Long gone are the days when you have to spend hours looking through newspapers and cutting out coupons. Now, most grocery stores offer digital coupons right through their apps.

Make sure to pair those coupons with cashback apps like Ibotta to get an even bigger savings!

6. Rethink Convenience Foods

When you are buying groceries on a budget you really need to rethink the amount of convenience foods you are purchasing. Pre-cut fruit, bagged salads, shredded cheese, and single-serve snacks cost more per ounce. If you’re willing to do a little extra prep at home, you’ll save significantly. For example, shredding your own block of cheese can save $1-$2 every single time. This is big savings and will add up quickly!

7. Eat More Plant-Based Meals

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to eat more plant based meals. Try swapping a couple of meat-heavy meals for bean, lentil, or veggie based recipes, and you will begin to save money on groceries. Some good options to try are meals like chili, stir-fry, or pasta with beans; these are all hearty, healthy and cheap meals.

8. Watch The Price Per Unit

Like I mentioned earlier when talking about buying in bulk, that giant box of cereal may not be the best deal if you look at the price per ounce. Stores list unit prices on the shelf tags-use them to compare products and sizes. Sometimes the smaller package is actually cheaper!

9. Shop Seasonal and Local Produce

Strawberries in December will cost a fortune, but apples in the fall are abundant and cheap. Buy produce when it’s in season, and consider shopping local farmers’ markets for better prices (especially at the end of the day, when sellers discount leftovers).

10. Don’t Shop Hungry

I know this sounds simple, but it truly can make a big difference. Shopping while hungry can lead to impulse purchases, especially of expensive items like snacks and ready-to-eat foods. Make sure you eat before you shop and your wallet will be much happier!

In Conclusion

Buying groceries while on a budget is doable! With a little planning, smart substitutions, and mindful shopping habits, you can cut costs without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. Start with just one or two of these frugal hacks, and you’ll see your grocery bill shrink–giving you more breathing room in your budget.

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It is possible to buy groceries while on a budget!

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!

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!

Related Articles

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Now you can stop wasting money without realizing it!

19 Ridiculously Easy Foods To Freeze – You Probably Didn’t Know About

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How To Freeze Foods To Reduce Kitchen Waste

Have you ever wondered what foods you can freeze??  There are many foods that freeze well, but today I want to share about a few food items you probably didn’t know you could freeze!  Knowing how to freeze these foods will help you save money and prevent kitchen waste.

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies Needed to Freeze Food

There are a few supplies you will need to help you freeze food.  I promise, the initial investment is well worth the amount of money you will save!

I use each of these products when freezing food, and they all work great!  A vacuum sealer does the best job of getting all air out of the bag, which is important!  So if you will be doing a lot of freezing, I do recommend getting the vacuum sealer.  But, each of these products will work.

Frozen foods in freezer

Benefits of Freezing Food

You might be wondering why it’s important to know how and what foods to freeze.  Well, I’ll tell you!

Not only is freezing food a great way to save money on groceries, it’s also a fabulous way to prevent excess food waste in the kitchen.

Here are three of the most common times I freeze food to save money:

1.  Freezing Leftovers

Have you ever had to throw out food from your fridge or pantry because it had gone past it’s expired date before you could use it?!?!?

This happens to me All.The.Time!

The trick????  I’ve learned to freeze my leftovers, rather than storing them in the refrigerator.  This one simple change has saved me so much money and has prevented a lot of waste in the kitchen.  Win, win!

You can easily freeze leftovers by putting them into a freezer ziplock bag or container and tossing them into the freezer!  Most leftovers will stay good in the freezer for 3 months.  These frozen leftovers are perfect for a quick meal on busy days.

2.  Freezing Sale Items

Another reason to freeze food items is to stock up on sale prices.  When I find a great sale on perishable foods, I stock up on multiples and freeze most of it to use for later.  I just really love not having to pay full price for groceries (or really for anything!).

To find grocery items on sale in your area I recommend downloading the free Flipp app.  This awesome app scans all of the local grocery sale ads so you can easily see what’s on sale each week.

When you find a good deal, stock up and freeze the excess!  

3.  Freezing Foods Before They Expire

If you have items in your pantry that are close to reaching their expiration date, you might want to stick these items in the freezer!  The freezer will prolong their shelf date and give you more time to using it, preventing you from having to throw it away. Because, as I like to remind my kids, when you throw food away, it’s the same thing as throwing your hard earned money away. You spent money on that food! Freeze it!

Foods You Didn’t Know You Can Freeze

Alright, now let’s get to the fun part!  Most people know that you can freeze strawberries, onions, chicken, etc.  Today’s article is all about foods you probably didn’t know that you can freeze.

1.  Butter

Butter is a great item to buy on sale and freeze for later use.

How To Freeze:

To keep butter fresh for a few months you can easily freeze it in it’s original packaging.  If you are wanting to store it in the freezer for longer, I would put the butter in a freezer bag.

Use the butter within 4 months for best results.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost butter in the refrigerator overnight, or set it on the countertop to let it thaw at room temperature.

2.  Flour

Another great item to buy on sale and freeze for later is flour.

How To Freeze:

To freeze flour put it in an airtight container, like a freezer bag, or one of these storage containers.  Fill the container as full as possible, the less air the better!  

You can keep flour in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Let flour thaw at room temperature before using.

3.  Eggs

Most people are shocked when I tell them that eggs are freezable!  But, it’s true!!!  You can freeze eggs.

How To Freeze:

To freeze eggs, just crack them into a bowl and whisk together with a fork.  Next, you will pour the eggs into a freezer bag or container, get out as much air from the bag as possible and put them in your freezer.  So easy, right?!?!

Eggs will stay good in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Thaw eggs in the refrigerator and then use them to make scrambled eggs, omelets, or in baking.

4.  Avocados

Another great food to freeze is avocados!  Frozen avocados can be used in dips, baking, or I like to put ours in smoothies.

How To Freeze:

You can freeze avocados by chopping them into small pieces and placing the pieces into a freezer bag or freezer container, and then putting the bag into the freezer.

Use your frozen avocados sometime between 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Let the frozen avocados sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

5.  Cream

Many recipes call for a small amount of cream, which is great except for it leaves us with a large container of leftover cream.  Save this excess in the freezer to use at a different date.

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze cream using an ice cube tray.  It makes it easy to pull out a few tablespoons for recipes!  Learn exactly how to freeze cream using an ice cube tray here.

Frozen cream cubes will stay fresh for 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can pull your cream cubes straight from the freezer and directly into your soups or recipes.  They can also be defrosted by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

pouring milk into a cube tray

6.  Bread

Buy bread when it is on sale, and then freeze it to use for later! We have a “day old bread store” in my city that sales loaves of bread that are close to their expiration dates. I love to go every few weeks and buy a few loaves to stick in my freezer and use from time to time.

How To Freeze:

Bread is one of the easiest thing to freeze!  All you have to do is put it in the freezer, and done!

The packaging the bread comes in from the store is enough to keep the bread fresh for a few months!  See how easy?!?! 

Bread can stay in the freezer for 3 months before using.

How To Defrost:

Your bread will taste best if you defrost it in the oven.  Just warm your oven to 325 degrees, remove bread from packaging, and let it sit in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

7.  Grated Cheese

Cheese is a great item to buy on sale, or in bulk and then grate to freeze for later.  Cheese can turn a little crumbly when frozen, so it works best to grate it first and then freeze.

How To Freeze:

After grating your cheese, simply put it in a freezer bag, remove all of the air, and place it in the freezer.

You can keep frozen cheese in the freezer for 6-9 months for best results.

How To Defrost:

Let the cheese defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.

8.  Milk

Yes!  You can freeze milk!  Shocked???  I was too!

How To Freeze:

You shouldn’t freeze a milk carton that’s completely full.  So, use about 3/4 of a cup from the carton before freezing.  This allows room for expansion.

Once you have a small amount of milk out of the carton, you can stick it in the freezer.  That’s it!

Milk will stay good in the freezer for 6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost milk in the refrigerator overnight before using.

9.  Chips

Found a deal on chips?  Buy a few and throw them into your freezer to save for your next party (or midnight snacking if you’re like me….).

How To Freeze:

Chips can be frozen in the sealed bag they came in.  All you have to do is toss them into the freezer, bag and all!

Make sure to use your frozen chips within three months of freezing. 

How To Defrost:

To use, just thaw them at room temperature!  Easy peasy!

10.  Pizza Dough

When I make our Friday Night Pizza Dough I always double the recipe and freeze half for the next Friday.  This gives me something easy to pull out and use for a quick dinner (and it totally looks like I spent all day making it….when I really just got it from the freezer, win!).

How To Freeze:

To freeze pizza dough you need to put it in a freezer bag, get all of the air out, seal tightly, and freeze.

Use your frozen dough within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

When you are ready to use your frozen pizza dough, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight.  

pizza dough on floured surface

11.  Cooked Pasta

Freezing cooked pasta is a great way to preserve any pasta leftovers you might have from dinner.  You can freeze spaghetti, rotini, fettuccini noodles, and more!  As long as they don’t have the sauce on top, they can be frozen.

How To Freeze:

To freeze cooked pasta, you will first need to let it cool completely and then lightly toss the pasta with olive oil.

Next, lay the pasta in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  This doesn’t need to be perfect, but flash freezing does help prevent the pasta from clumping together in the freezer.

Stick the cookie sheet in the freezer and let the pasta freeze for about 1-2 hours (this is called flash freezing).

Once frozen, scoop the pasta off of the cookie sheet and put it in a freezer bag or a freezer container.

Place in the freezer and use within 3 months. 

How To Defrost:

You can reheat your frozen pasta in the microwave or by boiling it in hot water.

12.  Sauce

While freezing pasta, you might as well freeze some sauces too!  Right???  Right!

You can freeze almost any sauce, including:  spaghetti sauce, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and more!

How To Freeze:

To freeze sauce just put it into a freezer bag or container, get all of the air out, and seal tightly.

Use your frozen sauces within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost sauces by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

frozen pasta in freezer

13.  Herbs

Herbs are definitely freezable!  If you enjoy gardening (like I do!) freezing your home grown herbs is a great way to save money!

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze my garden herbs in an ice cube tray.  This gives me quick access to them when I need them.

To do this you will need to fill an ice cube tray cube with herbs to about 3/4 full, next add olive oil until the cube is full and freeze.

Once frozen, take the individual cubes out of the tray and place them into a freezer bag.  

For best results use frozen herbs within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can put the frozen herb cubes straight from the bag into soups and stews.

14.  Pancakes

Pancakes are my busy mom hack to less stressful mornings! They are so easy to double your favorite pancake recipe, pop half of them in the freezer, and then pull them out for breakfast when you just don’t have time to cook anything else!

How To Freeze:

Check out this article for all the details on freezing pancakes.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost your pancakes using the microwave, which is great because the kids can do it themselves if they need to!

15.  Sandwiches

I first heard about freezing sandwiches from Fun Cheap or Free!  This is a great way to save your kids uneaten sandwiches, or to prepare for an upcoming busy day.

Be sure to check out their freezing sandwiches article here for all of the details!

16.  Grapes

Frozen grapes are one of our very favorite snacks.  They are juicy and delicious!  My kids claim (and I have to agree!) that frozen grapes taste just like a grape snow cone!  You must try this!  When you find grapes on sale, buy a few extra bags to freeze. 

How To Freeze:

The first step to freezing grapes is to wash them and then let them dry thoroughly.  Once the grapes are dry place them into a freezer bag, take out all air, seal tightly and then place in the freezer.

Use within 3 months.

How To Defrost:

Don’t defrost your frozen grapes!  Eat the grapes straight out of the bag for a delicious snack!

red grapes

17.  Nuts

To keep your nuts fresh for longer, freeze them! 

How To Freeze:

Nuts are easy to freeze!  Just put them into a freezer bag, get out all of the air, and seal tightly.

Frozen nuts should be used within 6 months. 

How To Defrost:

Let your frozen nuts sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost and then use.

18.  Mashed Potatoes

I grew up on an Idaho potato farm, so I am alllll about the potatoes!  My husband loves to make mashed potatoes at our house, but he always tends to make more than we eat (eyes bigger than the stomach thing…..).

Instead of throwing these extra potatoes away, we freeze them to use for another day!

How To Freeze:

Freeze your mashed potatoes in a freezer bag or freezer container.  Remove as much air as possible, seal tight and put into the freezer.

How To Defrost:

To use frozen mashed potatoes, let them thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in a small pot over the stove.  While heating on stove add a couple of tablespoons of sour cream.  This will give them a yummy and creamy consistency.

19.  Frosting

Yep!  You can even freeze frosting!  And it’s very easy to do!

How To Freeze:

Just scoop the frosting into a freezer bag, get all of the air out and seal tightly.   Done and done!

The bag can then be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

How To Defrost:

To thaw frosting, let it sit in the refrigerator over night and then it’s ready to use!

In Conclusion

These are just a few suggestions of the many, many foods available to freeze.  I encourage you to start trying to focus on stocking up when you find a good grocery sale, and freezing it all for for later. It’s so fun to have a freezer full of budget friendly foods!

You will begin to see a huge savings in the amount of money you are spending on food if you start using your freezer more!

You Might Enjoy These Related Articles:

How to Freeze Raspberries

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

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I hope this helped you learn what foods you can freeze!

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

 

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

 

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?

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.

easy ways to save money on a road trip - cheap road trip ideas

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:

Purpose of a Budget

How To Stop Emotional Shopping

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

 

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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.

 

Related Articles:

How To Live Frugally

Things Frugal People Dont Do

Free Self Care Ideas

 

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

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