Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Free Mothers Day Gifts

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Mothers day gift ideas that are completely free!

Isn’t Mothers Day the best???  It’s one of my favorite days of the year.  I love being showered by my kids and husband with thoughtful gifts and notes.  I love celebrating all moms out there for the love and work they do every day of their lives.  Being a mom is without a doubt the most difficult, yet most beautiful thing I have ever done.  It is my favorite title and the thing that brings the absolute most joy into my life.  Because of this special job we all want to show our moms that we appreciate everything they have done for us.  And you know what!  Gifts do not need to cost any money!  I believe that some of the best gifts are free!  The most important thing with gift giving is that it comes from the heart.  Check out this list of Free Mothers Day Gifts.

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Free Mothers Day Gifts

 1.  Write a Sweet Note

Write your mother a sweet note to tell her what you love and admire about her.  Let her know the impact she has made on your life.  You could make a card by hand, just use lined paper, or buy a pack of cards from the dollar store.

My love language is words of affirmation, and nothing means more to me than receiving a kind and genuine note of love.  This is my favorite gift ever to receive!

2.  A Bouquet of Fresh Flowers

Give your mom a bouquet of fresh, spring flowers!  You could pick flowers from your own yard, or find some wildflowers.  Put your flowers in a mason jar or tin can, tie a pretty ribbon around it, and you have a beautiful gift!

I had a friend pick sunflowers for me off the side of the highway and it brightened my day so much!  Plus, it didn’t cost her a thing!

3.  Make Her Dinner

Your mom would love a break from cooking!  Why not offer to make her dinner??  If she refuses, make it anyway!  You could invite her over to your house for a nice dinner together or bring it to her home.  Make sure to include a few of her favorite foods!

4.  Mom and Daughter Book Club

Does your mom love to read?  Invite her to have a book club, just the two of you!

Check out two copies of the same book from your local public library.  Tell her you will both read the book and get together every week to discuss it.  She will love having a mini book club with her daughter (or son!).  A good book club always includes treats (at least for me they do…. ;) )!

5.  DIY Hand Sugar Scrub

Give your mom some pampering with a homemade Hand Sugar Scrub!  All you need to do is mix 1/2 cup coconut oil with 1 cup white sugar.  Add a few drops of essential oil (I love lavender oil!).  Mix it all together and you’ve made your own sugar scrub!  Put it in a mason jar, tie a cute bow around it and you have the perfect gift!

6.  Make a Top Ten List

Show your mom some extra love and attention with a Top Ten List!  This is easy, just list the Top Ten things you love about your mom.  Be sure to use some cute scrapbook paper or fancy fonts to give the list a little extra flare.

7.  Favorite Memories E-Mail

Send mom an e-mail with a few pictures of the favorite memories you have together.  Explain to her why those moments are so special to you.

You could even make it a little more fancy with a video montage, complete with pictures and music.  This is something your mom could watch over and over again.  It’s sure to bring a few tears!

8.  Weed Her Flowerbeds

When spring comes, so do the weeds (unfortunately!).  Give your mom the gift of service by weeding her flowerbeds.  Moms deserve a little break every now and then!

Don’t ask for her permission to do this!  Just show up one day, and start weeding!

9.  Homemade Cookies

Does your mom have a favorite cookie or treat?  Make it for her!  My dad loves homemade snicker doodle cookies, so we make those for him a lot.  Try to think of a yummy treat your mom would enjoy.  Remember to wrap it up in some saran wrap and a pretty bow.

10.  Wash Her Car

Maybe surprise mom with a car wash.  Show up at her house one day ready to wash her car.

You can even go the extra mile by dusting and vacuuming the inside.

11.  Gift of Time

What better way to show your mom that you care than to spend special one on one time together.  Invite your mom to do something just the two of you.  This could be by going on a walk, playing a game, doing a craft, or attending a free community event.

12.  Give Her a Pedicure

Give your mom a pedicure!  Bring your nail polish over to moms house and paint her toes and fingernails.  She will love having the extra bonding girl time.

13.  Make a Quote Jar

Does your mom enjoy motivational quotes?  Cut out a bunch of your favorite inspirational quotes and put them in a mason jar.  Tell her she can pull out a quote each day to help her feel loved and inspired.

If you’re feeling crafty, give the jar some cute decorations!

14.  Crafty Gift

Do you like to craft?  Find an easy craft you could make for mom.  This might be a decoration for her home, an accessory to wear, or something else you think she will enjoy.  Try to only use materials you already own!

15.  Be There for Her

Take the entire day off from other commitments and just be there for your mom.  Spend the entire day with her.  Help her around the house, share inside jokes, and show her you care making her your priority for a day.

 

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What are some other Free Mothers Day Gifts?

 

What To Do If You Lose Your Job

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The first steps to take after becoming unemployed.

I know how you’re feeling, I have been there.  It wasn’t me personally who lost my job (I am a stay at home mom), but it was my husband.  Within a heartbeat our only source of income vanished.  The financial security blanket for me, our three children and my husband was yanked out of our hands and our world was turned completely upside down.  We had the same questions you are probably asking; “Why me?”  “What now?” “Where do I begin?” and “How will we survive?”  I want you to know, that it WILL all be ok!  I have been through it and never thought we would survive, but we did, and you will too!!  This article is to help you know exactly what to do if you lose your job.

what you should do if you are unemployed

Take a Breath

First, take a long deep breath.  You need to take a moment to just be still.  If you enjoy meditating…meditate.  If you believe in prayer, pray.  No doubt you have a million thoughts and emotions running through your head.  You have a long road ahead of you, and you will need to be in the best state of mind as possible.

Apply for Unemployment

One of the very first things you should do when you lose your job is to apply for unemployment benefits.  The process for unemployment will vary from state to state.  Call, or better yet, stop by your local Unemployment Office to fill out the application and ask any and all questions you have.

The process is fairly straightforward and easy.  The sooner you apply the quicker you will begin receiving benefits, so do this step ASAP!

Don’t let pride get in the way of applying for unemployment, we dragged out feet a little bit because we were to proud, and that was the wrong decision.  Remember, this is a temporary situation and you’ll get right back on your feet again, it’s OK to have some help to keep you going.

Look Into Healthcare Options

Unfortunately, losing a job often means losing your health care plan as well.  The good news is that there are options available for those out of work!

1.COBRA

COBRA is a great health care option to look into.  In short COBRA allows the unemployed to stay on their current employers coverage for a limited amount of time.

It’s important to remember that not everyone will qualify for COBRA and there are some pros and cons to this plan.  I suggest doing some thorough research to help you decide if this is the right option for you.  I found this this informative article you might want to look at for more details about health care through COBRA.

2. Marketplace Health Insurance (“Obamacare”)

The government health care marketplace, also known as Obamacare was introduced in 2010.   This is a fantastic option when unemployed.  You are able to buy a plan immediately after losing a job, no matter the circumstances.  There are no rules or limitations!  Be sure to enroll during the special enrollment period, 60 days after losing your employers health coverage.

3. Private Health Insurance

Another, usually more expensive option, is to buy a plan from Private Health insurance.  I recommend a high deductible plan, which will give you lower monthly payments.

4. Medicaid

Medicaid offers financial assistance to low income individuals who are disabled, elderly, pregnant women, children and families.  This service is not dependent on your job status, but your income and size of household.  If you are unsure if you qualify or not, call your local Medicaid office and they can help you.

Decide What To Do With Your 401K

The next thing you need to do is decide what you want to do with your 401K.  Here are a few suggestions of what you should do with this account:

1. Roll It Over

I highly recommend rolling your 401k account into a different retirement account.  We prefer putting it into our IRA, because it gives us more investing options.

2. Leave It Alone

If you don’t want to roll it over to a new plan you can leave the 401k as is.  I don’t recommend this, as it won’t grow as fast without someone managing it.

Take a Serious Look at Your Finances

It’s time to take a good long hard look at your financial situation.  Take some time to sit down and go over your expenses.  Try to determine how long your money will be able to cover your living expenses.

If you have an emergency fund (which I hope you do!) this is definitely a time to use it.

Make a Budget

You will need to make a budget based off of your new income, which might be zero for the time being.  Be willing to make extreme budget cuts.  This is not easy, but remind yourself it is temporary!  You will be able to get back to your normal living situation in time.

The most important things to have in your budget are your necessary living expenses:  food, shelter, transportation and utilities.  Almost everything else can be cut out.

Update Resume

Dust off your resume and give it a good update.  If you are unsure how to write a resume, or what to include research some free online tutorials or workshops.  Your city might have some available, and there are plenty resources online.

Once your resume is updated begin dropping it off to local businesses you would like to work at.  Putting your foot in the door never hurt anyone!

Network, Network, Network

One of the very most important things when searching for a new job is to network.  Most jobs are found through word of mouth, which takes effort on your part!

Reach out to old friends, coworkers, etc.  Ask if they know of any job openings.  This is not a time to be shy.  Put yourself out there!  Most people will be more than willing to help!

LinkedIn

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time to make one.  If you already have a LinkedIn profile, update it!

LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for marketing your skills while connecting with prospective employers and opportunities.  Use it to your advantage.  Engage with others, reach out, show some personality.  This can be a huge benefit to you as you begin to network.

Apply For Jobs

Searching and applying for jobs should become a part of your new daily routine.

First, brainstorm a list of potential employers in your area.  Get into the habit of calling and/or stopping in to these businesses every few weeks.  Hand them your resume, show them your face, ask about job openings, and always be polite and professional (this is important!).

Next, check local job listings for any new leads.  Look on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Indeed, Career Building and Glass Door daily.  Apply for the ones you feel qualified for.

My rule of thumb, is that it never hurts to try!  Send out that resume!  You never know what might fall in your lap.

Practice Interview Questions

Use this extra time to prep yourself for upcoming interviews.  Research possible interview questions and rehearse your answers.  I encourage you to practice interviewing in front of a mirror.  It helps you see yourself and your mannerisms and gives you some ideas of things you might want to change.

Follow Up

Make sure you do a thorough follow up after any contact with potential employers.  This might be a simple phone call a week after dropping off your resume.  Or, send out a thank you email after an interview.  This shows future employers that you can take initiative and are serious about the job.

Honestly, these simple follow ups was what led my husband to his job during unemployment.

Stay Positive

Most importantly, try to stay positive.  I know how discouraging it can be to lose a job.  I know how stressful it gets when door after door after door gets closed in your face.  It is hard to stay positive during these hard times, but the more positive you can stay, the better this time will be.

Don’t forget to take time to do things that bring you joy.  Go for a walk and get some exercise.  Spend a night playing games as family.  Read a favorite book.  Take your mind off of your job search now and then in order to keep your spirits up.

In Conclusion

Keep your chin up.  Many people lose their jobs every day, and they are all able to find new ones, you will too!  Please, reach out if you need any help or guidance.  I am always here for you!

I have been through this tough struggle, and I am passionate about helping others get through it too!

 

 

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10 Incredibly Easy Ways to Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

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

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

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

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

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

how to stretch meals to spend less on food

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1.  Meal Plan

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

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

2.  Use Less Meat

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

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

3.  Souper Tuesday

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

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

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

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

chicken soup with vegetables

4.  Include More Side Dishes

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

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

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

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

5.  Use a Filler

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

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

Beans

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

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

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

Pasta

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

Rice

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

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

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

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

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

7.  Appropriate Servings

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

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

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

8.  Meal Prep

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

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

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

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

9.  Add Water

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

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

10.  Save All Leftovers

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

Freeze It

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

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

Reuse It

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

Re-purpose It

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

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

 

In Conclusion

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

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill

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

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9 Ways to Kick The Emotional Spending Habit

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to stop emotional spending today!

We’ve all been there.  We had a hard day at work.  Life is feeling stressful.  We are looking for something, anything to take our minds off of the worries of the world.  Soooo….we turn to shopping.  Anyone else see themselves in this scenario???  Just me???  It has taken me years to learn how to stop emotional spending, and now I get to share what I have learned with you.

If you are unsure if you are an emotional spender or not, take a quick look at the list below.

You Might Be An Emotional Spender If….

  • You shop because you are bored.
  • Spending makes you feel fulfilled.
  • You feel guilty after shopping.
  • Shopping makes you feel happier.
  • You go over budget regularly.
  • You hide purchases from family members.

Do any of these sound like you??  Well, the good news is that you can kick this bad habit to the curb.  It is possible to cure your emotional shopping!  Today I am sharing how to stop emotional spending!

how can i stop emotional shopping

How You Can Stop Emotional Spending

1.  Identify Emotional Spending Triggers.

The first step to stop emotional spending is to find out what emotions are causing you to shop.  Once you can pin point the exact emotion, you will be closer to overcoming it.

The easiest way to identify your emotional spending is to pay attention to the feelings you have while shopping.  Are you shopping after a disagreement?  Do you feel jealous of someone and are trying to buy items to keep up?

Take notes of the feelings you find.  Write these down and start paying attention to the actions that follow each of the emotions.  When you find yourself at the store after feeling one of the emotions that you wrote down, stop yourself.  Remind yourself that what you are feeling will not be cured from spending.

2.  Shop With Cash

My number one secret to avoiding impulse shopping is to leave your debit card at home and shop with cash envelopes.  If the cash is gone, you can’t buy anything.

Cash envelopes can really help with emotional spending as well.  When the emotions start coming you might find yourself tempted to start shopping, however, if your debit card is stashed away and your cash is gone….you will have no money to spend!  Try it!!

3.  Stick to the List

Start getting into the habit of  making a shopping list.  If you shop with a list you will be much less likely to impulse buy other items.

The next time you want to go shopping, stop yourself first and make a list.  Write down exactly what you need to buy (need is the key word here).

Commit to only buying what is on the list and nothing else.  If you are feeling emotional this might be difficult to do, but stay strong.  Promise yourself a reward (free reward) if you can stick to your list all month.

4.  Find a New Coping Mechanism

We already identified your emotional spending triggers in step 1, now it’s time to find new ways to cope with these feelings.

If you are shopping because you are bored…..find a new hobby.  Something that will keep your mind simulated and busy.  Maybe this could even be a hobby that will earn you money with these side hustle ideas.

Or maybe you shop when you are feeling a lot of stress?  Find a new stress reliever.  This might be exercising or a warm bubble bath.

It doesn’t matter what you choose to help you cope, as long as you are finding something that doesn’t involve spending money.

5.  Make it Hard to Spend

Stores are really great at making it easy for us as consumers to spend money, which is great…..except for if you have a spending problem!  Go through these few easy steps to make it harder on yourself to spend money.

  • Leave the Debit/Credit Cards at home.

Just don’t even bring your cards with you.  If they are at home, you can’t use them….making spending much harder!

  • Delete Debit/Credit card info from store websites.

Take all of your saved credit or debit card info off of store websites.  Having to manually enter in the information each time you want to make a purchase gives you that extra moment to pause and decide if you truly need to buy it.

  • Keep your savings in a separate bank.

Transfer your money into a separate account or bank and make it harder to touch.  Keep your budgeted spending money in your checking account, while putting the savings and sinking funds into an account that is not connected to your debit card.  This makes getting the money out that much harder.

6.  Unsubscribe from Store Email Lists

There was a time when my email inbox was full of “50% off at this store” ads.  These sales were a huge spending trigger for me.  Especially during times when I was bored.  I would often find myself spending hours browsing this sale and that sale and before I knew it I had spent to much.

The solution?  I started unsubscribing from every store email I received.  It was no longer in my face tempting me during my boredom moments.

If you find yourself consistently spending through these sales emails….try unsubscribing.  It is so freeing!  If you don’t know the sale is happening, you won’t feel sad missing out on it!

7.  Distract Yourself

Find something to do that will distract you from emotional spending.

You might want to sign up for a class, read a new book, or find a hobby.  Choose something that will peak your passions and help you focus on something other than spending.

Starting this little blog has been a great distraction for me.  I am so busy typing and learning that I rarely have time to shop.  My bank account (and husband) thanks me….and all of you readers!

8.  Use the 48 Hour Rule

The 48 Hour Rule has saved me time and time again.  It’s simple to follow really.  When you find something you want to buy, but it is an unplanned purchase, WAIT for 48 hours before buying.

The 48 hours gives you time to decide if you truly want to buy the item and time to research if you can find a better deal somewhere else.

9 times out of 10 I realize I actually did not want to buy it in the first place.  But, sometimes, after 48 hours I go back into the store and buy it…..and there is nothing wrong with that!

Start living by the 48 hour rule….I promise you will thank me later!

9.  Find a Support System

All emotional spenders need an accountability buddy!  An accountability buddy will call you out on your spending mistakes, encourage you to stay strong and be there for you when you are feeling tempted.

When I have used an accountability partner we committed to calling each other whenever we were tempted to spend money.  This friend would then talk to me about the emotions I was feeling and help me find a different way to cope.  And, I would do the same for her.

I honestly never wanted to both her…..so I really quit spending!!!  It worked like a charm!

Having someone who you will hold you accountable will help you stay within budget and stop unnecessary spending.

In Conclusion

You can kick your emotional spending to the curb.  Pick a few of these suggestions and start implementing them today!  The sooner you begin working through these steps, the sooner you will have more money in your wallet!

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Top Secrets For Living On One Income

By: Sweet Frugal Life20 Comments

How to save money as a stay at home mom.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a stay at home mom.  I struggled choosing a career path in high school and college because I only had dreams of being a mom.  I knew it would be hard to be a mom while living on one income, but I was determined to make it happen.

I have been living my dream for 15 years now and I am so grateful.  My husband is a good and hard worker, but he is also a blue collar worker and he does not earn a large paycheck.

It’s not always easy to be a stay at home mom when I know that our financial situation could be much better if I would go to work.

We have had many financial ups and downs and I have had to learn to change from a natural SPENDER to a SAVER.  It has not always been easy, but I have learned a few things along the way to make it more doable.

Today I am sharing my secrets for living on one income!

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will be compensated for purchases made through my links.  Thanks for supporting my little business!

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Secret #1:  Stay at Home Moms contribute to finances

As a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM), I do not earn a physical paycheck, we are living on one income after all.  But, that does not mean that I don’t contribute to the family finances.

I consider it a large part of my job to stretch my husbands paycheck as far as I can.  A stay at home moms paycheck comes in the form of saving money, budgeting smartly, spending less instead of more.  Taking this part of my job seriously has helped us to save more and live more contently.

Money saving tricks for

Secret #2:  Make a Budget and Stick to it

One of the most important parts of saving more money at home is by making a budget.  This budget will help you keep track of your income and expenses.  It’s important to refer to it often to be sure you are not over spending.

At the end of every month we have a “Budget Meeting” where my husband and I sit down and discuss our finances and make our budget for the next month.

It is not always easy to stick to this budget (especially not at first).  But the more we kept working on it, the easier it has become and the more freedom we have felt.

Having this budget keeps my money in check AND gives me freedom to spend without feeling guilty.  We prefer to spend most of our money using cash, and that has helped us spend so much less!

Secret #3:  Do NOT spend a lot of Money on Kids Clothes

As a new mom I use to love buying cute dresses, outfits and accessories for my baby girl.  There are so many colors and fun items to choose from, I mean who wouldn’t get a little carried away?!?

But, when living on one income I learned quickly that my money is not going to go far if I continued with that habit.  Once I actually looked at my budget, I couldn’t believe how much money I was wasting on kids clothing.

Kids grow out of clothes so very quickly, they spend most of their time playing outside getting their clothes dirty…..and honestly, most kids (especially younger kids) do not care how much their clothes cost or what brand they are wearing.  So why spend the big bucks on them???

Here’s a few ways you can save money on kids clothing:

1.  Save Everything

If you are planning on having more children, save all of your kids clothes.  That way when the next child comes you will already have plenty of clothing that you can use again.

I organized all my children’s old clothes into boxes (diaper boxes work great for this!).  If you are concerned about storage space try this under bed storage and keep the clothing under your child’s bed.  To keep the clothes organized label each box by the age and gender of the clothing.

2.  Buy USED!

There are so many high quality, gently used kids clothing options available.  And buying used is usually less than half the price of buying brand new.

My favorite option is a local children’s consignment store.  Check to see if you have one in your area and stop by regularly.  Some days I leave without buying anything, but other days I leave with a bag full of like-new name brand items.

A few other places to find used kids clothing are thrift stores, garage sales, facebook marketplace and ebay.  Remember, when shopping used, check often!

3.  Shop off Season

New clothes will be heavily discounted at the end of each season.

In the spring you can find winter clothes for cheap and in the fall summer clothes have big discounts.

Buy a size up from what your child is wearing currently and save it for them to wear the next year.  It’s always fun to pull these out each season.

4.  Sell Clothes That Kids Grow Out Of

If you aren’t planning on having any other children and your kids have grown out of their clothes,  SELL the clothing.

I have had a lot of luck selling kids clothing at consignment stores, facebook marketplace and garage sales.  If you are going to get rid of them anyways you might as well make a few bucks right!?!

5.  Shop at Discount Clothing Stores

Try to get into the habit of shopping at discount clothing stores.  I personally love Ross and TJ Maxx.  These stores have high quality clothing, but for a really great price.

Shopping at these stores is a bit like a treasure hunt, you never know what will be in stock, but there is no better feeling than finding the perfect outfit for the best price!

Secret #4:  Meal Plan

Every week on Sundays you will find me with my pen and paper and planning out our weekly menu.  A meal plan will help stop the temptation to buy take out, and encourages eating at home, which is much cheaper than eating out.

When making your weekly Meal Plan look through ads at your local grocery stores to see what the stores have on sale.  Try to plan your meal plan around those sales.  It takes time, but it saves a lot of money.  You know the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Make a plan!

 

 

Secret #5:  Cook from Scratch

Cook from scratch as often as possible.  I still throw a frozen lasagna into the oven occasionally, but I have learned that the more I cook from scratch the more money I will save.

If you struggle having enough time for cooking, browse pinterest for instant pot recipes and crock pot recipes.  I use these regularly and they have stopped me from buying take out food many times!

Encourage your kids to help in the kitchen.  It makes it a little more fun and easier if the kids help out too.  We love to turn on some tunes, dance and laugh together while we cook.

Secret #6:  Travel Frugally

Traveling is a fun way for families to build bonds and make memories.  But, you do not need a fancy expensive vacation to make memories.  Explore areas nearby for your family vacation.  Become tourists in your own area.

For example, you could go camping at a nearby National Park, spend a couple of nights at a hotel for a “Staycation”, or explore a few local museums.

Join Groupon and look regularly for deals that you can use as a family.  Your town just might be more interesting than you originally thought, and your kids will appreciate the extra time spent together.

Secret#7:  Consult Pinterest cautiously

As a mom Pinterest is my go-to resource for finding kid activities and recipes.  However, if you are trying to save money you should view Pinterest cautiously.

Pinterest is full of wonderful helpful ideas, however it can also be far to easy to get swept away with the fancy home decor and lavish birthday parties.  The “keeping up the Joneses” can come out strong on this website.

Enjoy your time browsing Pinterest, but be careful not to get swept away in the pins that will end up only costing you more money.

Secret #8:  The best things in life are actually free

Sometimes it’s hard to see others going on exotic vacations and buying fancy new vehicles.  But, I have learned that the best things in life are actually free.

Try to find joy and contentment in the simple things in your life.  Going on a family bike ride, dancing in the kitchen, and snuggling with my kids while reading books are all moments that I will treasure forever.

No amount of money is worth more than these quiet times with my children.  When we learn to find joy in these special free moments (something I am constantly working on) those lavish experiences won’t seem near as tempting.

Living on One Income Conclusion

It is possible to be a stay at home mom and live well while only on one income.  It will require some sacrifice and extra work, but it has been so worth it in my life.

Being able to be with my kiddos every day, reading them books, packing their lunchboxes, helping in their classrooms, playing with them at the park, has been a dream come true.

I understand that this way of life may not be the best fit for everyone, but it my dream and my heart.  And I’m so glad we have made the financial sacrifices to make it happen!

Liked what you read?  Remember to pin it for future reference!

tips for living on one income for stay at home moms

how to live well while on one low income

 

Related Articles:

Fun Birthday Traditions for Small Budgets

12 Side Hustles for Stay at Home Moms

15 Free Spring Break Activities for Kids

I hope this article helps you to save more money while living on one income.

21 Free and Frugal Kids Educational Websites

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best learning websites for kids!

I’m not a huge fan of kids screen time, but I do allow my kids a few hours each week.  However, I do encourage educational websites.  If they are going to be sitting in front of a screen, hopefully they can learn something at the same time!

This article contains affiliate links.  I may receive compensation from purchases made through links in this post.

Who are Educational Websites For?

I think any child can benefit from a few educational websites.  These are great resources to supplement home school lessons, give kids an extra boost of knowledge, and to help keep their minds active over the summer months.

My son is always telling me about a new sound he learned from one of his learning websites.  It makes me so happy to know these are helping him learn and progress.

 

 

best websites to help kids learn

Educational Websites for Younger Kids

1.  PBS Kids

PBS Kids is a favorite website at our house.  It is stock full of fun games and activities.  My kids love being able to play games related to their favorite TV characters, and I love that they are learning while they are playing!

The best best part (in my opinion) of PBS Kids is the Parents Section.  This section of the website is stocked full of resources to help us as parents guide and educate our kids.  From social skills to science and everything in between PBS Parents is my go to website for inspiration in helping my kids achieve their full potential.

2.  Starfall

Geared towards younger kids (preschool-3rd grade), Starfall has fun games to help your kids learn how to read.

This is actually one website that my kids teachers always recommend, and I do notice a huge difference in their progress when they are using it.

3.  ABC Mouse

ABC Mouse does cost money ($9.95/month), but it really is amazing!  The games are best suited for kids ages 2-7 and is the perfect way to give them a jump start on reading, colors, math and more.

We have used it off and on for years, and I am always impressed by the variety of activities, the high educational aspect and the fact that my kids ENJOY playing games that are helping them learn!

You can try ABC Mouse for free for the first month.  This is a great offer to help you decide if it’s worth the small monthly investment or not.

4.  Storyline Online

Storyline Online is a fun website where actors read aloud children’s books.  We just had a cute book read to us by the beautiful Betty White.

Surrounding kids with books is so good for their brain, and Storline Online helps you do that.  I especially love that the books all have closed captioning; this is a good way to help kids learn to read.

5.  Seussville

If you are a Dr.Seuss fan that you will love the Seussville website.  It has some really cute videos and games for kids to enjoy.  There aren’t a lot of activities for kids, but all of the games provided are cute and whimsical…in true Dr.Seuss fashion!

6.  Sesame Street

I love all things Sesame Street, so of course I’m recommending the Sesame Street Website.  It’s full of fun, educational games, videos and activities.

My kids especially love the art section.  It’s fun to color, create and then print out their own picture….complete with their favorite Sesame Street characters!

cheap websites to use for homeschooling

Educational Websites for Older Kids

7.  National Geographic Kids

If your child is an animal lover, than they will love exploring on National Geographic Kids.  This website is full of fun animal facts, games and videos.

National Geographic Kids is best for older kids, ages 8-12.  We have used this website for school projects or reports and the information is all very interesting.

8.  Switch Zoo

Switch Zoo is another fun website dedicated to educating kids about animals.  Older kids will enjoy learning new facts about their favorite animals, creating their own animal, and exploring the other games and articles.

9.  Youngzine

For the news and fact lover Youngzine will be a huge hit!  It is basically a news website, but for kids!  It has content about current events and interesting tidbits, all told in a fun way to keep it entertaining.

10.  Money Confident Kids

To help your kids understand finances, budgeting and all things money I recommend checking out the Money Confident Kids Website.  It has easy to follow lessons and fun games to help kids understand the best ways to manage money and plan for their future.

I have a full review of Money Confident Kids here.  It’s done wonders for helping my kids understand the financial world, plus it’s free!

11.  Adventure Academy

Adventure Academy was created by the same makers of ABC Mouse, but for kids aged 8-13.  Through a full interactive experience Adventure Academy gives kids access to a “virtual school” that can be customized for their own needs and preferences.

Your kids will find lessons on math, reading, science and more.  The coolest part of Adventure Academy is that three kids within the SAME household can play the game together at the exact same time, so fun right!?!  This makes the experience even more fun because you are able to interact with your family in a different environment.

Adventure Academy costs $9.99/month, but you can try it out for free using this link!


First Month Free!

12.  Smithsonian Learning Lab

We have had a lot of fun exploring the Smithsonian Learning Lab website. It’s full of useful information and interesting pictures and articles.

I especially love that the kids can create collections of the things they find interesting.  It’s a great way for them to learn how to study and research.

My daughter wanted to learn more about Egyptian Pyramids, after just one quick search she found many interesting pictures and articles.

13.  Interactive Constitution

Encourage your kids to learn more about US History using the Interactive Constitution website.  This website is best suited for older kids to help them understand the importance of the constitution.

I especially loved the Civil Dialogue toolkit and think it would be helpful for teachers to encourage good constitution discussions.

fun educational websites for kids

Educational Websites For All Ages

14.  Make Me Genius

Make science fun and interesting with the Make Me Genius website.  It’s full of science videos, fun jokes for kids, and other interesting facts.

Kids ages kindergarten-7th grade will enjoy this very educational website.

15.  Reading IQ

How amazing would it be to offer your children access to over 7,000 books with just the click of your fingertip?

Well, with Reading IQ, that is exactly what you get!  With a $7.99 monthly fee you will be given access to a library full of reading materials perfect for all children between the ages of 2-12.

A subscription with Reading IQ includes a collection of audio books, popular favorites, and more.  This is a great resource for home schoolers, road trips, or summertime.

Use this link to get your first month of Reading IQ for free!


Get 30 Days Free of RIQ!

16.  ABC Ya

ABC Ya is another favorite at our house.  The website is very user friendly, full of fun books, games and other activities.

Your younger child will learn about numbers and letters, while your older child will have activities about fractions, strategies and more.  There is something for everyone aged Kindergarten-6th grade.

The other huge plus to ABC Ya is it’s free (you can’t beat free!), you can buy a subscription for $9.99/month, but we prefer the free version.  I’ve had multiple elementary teachers recommend this site to me, and we love it!

17.  Fun Brain

Another great, FREE website is Fun Brain.  It has games, books (including Diary of a Wimpy Kid), and videos to watch.  My kids just watched a funny video today from this website called, “How To Deal With Annoying Siblings.”  They loved it!

18.  Highlights Kids

Did you know that the incredible Highlights is more than just a magazine?  The Highlights Kids website is full of educational activities, jokes, and games.

My son was playing on this website a few weeks ago and loved the video all about trains.  We both learned so much!

Best of all, Highlights Kids is free!  This is truly one of my favorites and think all parents should check it out.

19.  Kahn Academy

Kahn Academy is honestly one of the best free educational websites out there.  They provide lessons for kids ages K-8th grade ranging in subjects from math, science to history.  But, the main focus is math.

This is a great website if your child is needing some supplemental lessons and help.  I also really like the parents section.  It has given me a lot of good information so that I can better help my kids learn and understand.

20.  Education.com

I was so impressed with Education.com, I actually had to double check to make sure it was free….and it is!

This amazing website has learning worksheets and games for kids aged preschool-5th grade.  It is a treasure trove of resources for parents and teachers.

21.  BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a fun website with games, videos, lessons and more about many school subjects and interests.  I love that it goes beyond the math and reading to include subjects like engineering, art, and science.

They even have a BrainPopJr. website if you are looking for a similar version, but for younger kids.

In Conclusion

There are so many wonderful resources out there that do not require us to spend a lot of money.  A child’s education is so important, and I love helping those young minds learn and grow.

I hope you find a website that your kids will learn from and love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Free At Home Spring Break Activities for Kids

By: Sweet Frugal Life13 Comments

Check out these fun ideas for kids to do with your kids at home during Spring Break.

Spring break is just around the corner….and that means a lot of time at home with my kids.  I love having them home and getting to spend some special time together.  However, the ground is still covered with snow, which means we will be spending a lot of time indoors.  I’ve been brainstorming some fun, easy at home spring break activities for kids.  Here’s what I’ve come up with!

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1.  Board Games

We are HUGE fans of board games at our house.  You can get them for fairly cheap from the thrift store.

If my kids ever tell me they are bored, I always tell them to play a game!  Most times, they listen and then proceed to have hours of fun.

2.  ABC Day

Have an ABC Day!  Choose a letter and plan the day around that letter.

For the letter R we might eat Raisins and Red apples, play Ring around the Rosies or have a Race, and make an art project out of Ribbon (you get the idea).

My kids have a lot of fun trying to come up with different ideas based around the letter.  This is also a fun teaching activity for preschoolers.

3.  Picnic 

Spend the day in the sunshine with a picnic at a park.  Bring a Frisbee (or not) and spend time enjoying the sunshine and letting your kids play.

If it’s not warm enough to picnic at the park (like where I live!) just lay a blanket down on the living room floor and picnic at home.  Your kids will love getting to eat somewhere other than the kitchen!

4.  Crafts

Crafts are always a big hit at my house.  All it takes is a quick search on pinterest and you will find many easy craft ideas.

A few of our favorite crafts for spring is this easy Nature Bookmark, Fun Easter Egg Sun Catcher, and Hot Rocks.

5.  Ice Cream in a Bag

No need for a fancy ice cream maker!  You can make ice cream at home just by using a ziplock bag and a little muscle!

I have an easy Ice Cream in a Bag tutorial all written out for you here.  My kids love this activity because they each get their own bag to customize and shake (yes, shaking is required!).  This is fun for ALL ages!

6.  Family Movie Night

Let your kids stay up late one night watching a movie together as a family.  Pop some popcorn and enjoy a few other treats.

Check out your local library for free movies you might not have seen yet.  We love our library!

7.  Library

Did I mention we love our library?  We do!  And, we make a stop there at the beginning of every Spring Break.

We love to stock up for the week on books, movies, and CDs.  The library offers SO many more free resources than just books.

8.  Bake a Treat

One of my favorite ways to bond with my kids is in the kitchen.  We love to crack up the music, sing out loud, do some dancing, and bake together (all done at the same time, preferably 😉 ).

Enjoy some time in the kitchen this spring break with a few new recipes.  A few of our favorites are these homemade graham crackers or Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.

9.  Nature Walk

If you are one of the lucky ones with a warm spring break, go outside on a nature walk.

Bring a sack with you and collect different rocks, pine needles and pine cones.  Turn it into a fun treasure hunt to see how many interesting treasures you can each find.

Once back home, have everyone show what they found and admire the collections.  Turn this into a research project and spend some time that day learning about your new finds.

10.  Start your garden

Spring Break is the perfect time to start planning your garden and getting some seeds started indoors.

Gardening is a fun activity to get kids involved with.  Let your kids choose a few things to plant in the garden.  Bring them to the store and let them help buy the seeds and materials.  Then, back at home they can help with the planting and watering.

Watching the little seeds sprout is so exciting for the kids (and me!).

11.  Friend Day

Plan a play date (or two!) with a few of your kids friends.  Let them entertain each other and work on those social skills.

Maybe invite a friend over for you too!  It’s always nice to get a little adult conversation in.

12.  Spring Cleaning

Alright, I know spring cleaning probably isn’t an “activity” and it’s definitely not that “fun”, but it is free and something we try to work on each Spring Break.  Plus, it is more fun to do the work together…..right….???  That’s what I’m telling my kids anyways!

Getting your kids involved with some heavy spring cleaning is a great way to teach them responsibility and hard work.

13.  Make Slime or Play Dough 

Slime is all the rage these days.  We have tried out a few recipes and loved how easy it was to make. You can find a lot of slime recipes on pinterest.

A great alternative to slime is homemade play dough.  We love this easy play dough recipe and this peanut butter play dough recipe for a little twist.

14.  Paint Rocks

Find some rocks outdoors and bring them in to paint.  You can paint a cute design, turn the rock into an animal, or whatever you feel inspired to paint.  This is so easy, cheap and fun!

Make it even more fun by hiding them around your city.  We love finding painted rocks hidden at parks or the library.  But, I think it’s even more fun to be the person hiding the rocks!

15.  Science Experiment

Try out a fun science experiment.  We love the basic volcano experiment, where you mix baking soda with vinegar.  Or this Magic Toothpick Experiment is another go to at our house.

 

I think the most important thing to remember when planning spring break activities for kids is that it doesn’t cost any money to make memories.  All kids want is our time and love….and that is free!

Liked what you read?  Pin it for future spring break ideas!

fun activities to do at home during spring break

spring break staycation with kids

What are your plans this spring break?? 

Easy Easter Craft for Preschoolers: Egg Sun Catcher

By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

Make this fun Easter craft with your kids today!

I found the perfect easy Easter craft for preschoolers!  My son and I had so much fun making it together, and I am so excited to share it with you!  The Egg Sun catcher is hanging up in our window right now and I love seeing the bright colors of it every day.

This project is so easy and I just used items I already had around the house.  I LOVE when that happens!

The colors of the egg can easily be customized using any of your favorite colors.  I did this craft with my preschooler, but it would also be great for a toddler to help them practice fine motor skills!

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Your Supplies

First, I gathered all of my supplies.  You will need:

  • Tissue Paper:  I just grabbed all my spring colors from the tissue paper I already had at home.  You can find some for cheap at the Dollar Tree.
  • Contact Paper:  One roll of contact paper will last a long time and is fun for laminating things by hand or other fun little craft projects.
  • Scissors
  • Paper Hole Punch
  • String, yarn, whatever you have on hand to hang the egg with

Egg Sun Catcher Tutorial

Cut squares out of your tissue paper.  I didn’t use very much from each color, it will just depend on how many and how big you are making your egg.

After you have a nice pile of tissue paper squares it’s time to get your contact paper ready.  I cut two pieces of contact paper, both large enough for our egg.

Set one of the contact pieces aside and pull off the backing of the other piece and lay it sticky side up on the counter top.  My son then started placing the tissue paper all over the contact paper, making sure to overlap and fill all the holes.

Once you have your contact paper covered with the tissue paper you will pull off the backing of your second sheet of contact paper.

Carefully lay the two contact sheets together with both sticky side on the tissue paper.

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For the egg template, just print one from the computer using clip art (easy peasy).

Trace the egg onto the contact paper and then cut along the tracing.

Once the egg is cut out you can use your hole punch to poke a hole in the top of the egg.

Loop your string through the hole and your Easter Egg Sun Catcher is ready to hang in your window!

My son has a short attention span so he loves doing these quick and easy projects with me.  Now if only the snow would melt and then spring would really be here!

toddler easter craft ideas

Enjoy this easy Easter craft for preschoolers!

5 Homemade Cleaner Recipes that Work Just as Well as the Store Bought Version

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Save money by making your own homemade cleaners!

Want to know a secret about me???  I use to spend way to much money on fancy store cleaners.  It was admittedly a fun little hobby of mine.  I absolutely loved browsing the cleaning section of the store.

I mean…why buy an all purpose bathroom cleaner when I could buy a toilet bowl cleaner, a shower cleaner and a cleaner for the counter top???  There were just so many fun choices!

Once I realized I needed to cut back my spending habits, my fancy store bought cleaners were the first thing to go (sad day!).

I began teaching myself new recipes and was blown away by how quick and easy and CHEAP homemade cleaners were to make!

Today I am sharing 5 of my favorite homemade cleaner recipes.

I go more into depth about homemade cleaners, how to make them and give even more recipes in my Quick Start Guide to Frugal Living eCourse, so be sure to check it out!

Recipe #1:  Homemade Window Cleaner

I recently learned how to make these easy window cleaner (aka:  vinegar water).  I couldn’t believe how well it worked, better than any store bought cleaner I have tried!

Plus it only requires two ingredients!  It just doesn’t get better than that!

1 part water

1 part vinegar

Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle.  (buy these for cheap at the Dollar Tree).

To use:  spray on windows and mirrors and wipe clean with a paper towel.

See how easy!!  It works like a charm!

#2:  Homemade Outdoor Window Cleaner

I love using the vinegar water for my indoor windows, but my outdoor windows need something a little stronger (ehhh…anyone else????)

I have been using this homemade outdoor window cleaner for years.  It gets all those pesky hard water spots gone and leaves my windows squeaky clean.  Exactly what I need!

Click here for my fave outdoor window cleaner recipe!

Easy Outdoor Window Cleaner Recipe

#3:  Kitchen All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

This all purpose cleaner is what I use to clean just about everything in my kitchen.  I use it on the counter tops, sink, microwave, etc.  It works really well and is a breeze to mix together.

2 Tbsp baking soda

1 pint warm water

Mix baking soda and water together.  Pour on a sponge.  Use the sponge to clean kitchen counters and appliances.

All Purpose Kitchen Cleaner

#4:  Homemade Carpet Cleaner Recipe

Carpet cleaners can get really expensive at the store.  This recipe is the perfect alternative for getting out carpet stains, while sticking to your tight budget.

1 part dish soap

2 parts peroxide

Small amount of water

Mix together and spray on carpet stains.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Wipe with damp cloth.

homemade carpet cleaner recipe

#5:  Homemade Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

This all purpose bathroom cleaner is great for cleaning the entire bathroom!  We use it for the bathtub, shower, sink, toilet, etc.  I’ve been making it for years and there is nothing better!  Even my kids love to mix the ingredients together!

Click here to find the full recipe!

Homemade Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

I haven’t bought a store bought cleaner in years!  And, my budget has been much better because of that decision.  Plus, less chemicals are floating around my home, I’m calling it a win all around!

 

Liked what you read?  Don’t forget to pin for future reference!

easy homemade cleaner recipe

best recipes for homemade cleaners

 

I want to hear from you!  Let me know if you use any of these homemade cleaner recipes!

 

Fix Your Budget After a Day of Impulse Shopping

By: Sweet Frugal Life11 Comments

You can fix your impulse shopping mistakes!

It happens to every single person…..and it usually happens more than once.  Everyone goes through moments of weakness when they throw all their common sense out the window, ignores their budget, and spends a day impulse shopping.

It actually happened to me just last week.  Yep.  You read that right!  Miss Sweet Frugal Life ignored her own advice and didn’t stick to her budget.  (not perfect!)

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Let me start at the beginning.

I have been slowly trying to decorate my music room.  When we moved into our house three years ago this room sat completely empty.  We have had to buy all new furnishings, and it has been expensive.

But, after years of buying a few pieces every month, I could finally see the finish line!  All I needed was a few items for the walls and then it would be done!  (yaaay!)

We did everything “by the book.”  Budgeted $50 for two frames from Hobby Lobby, stuffed my cash envelopes with the exact amount.  And I went shopping.

After a quick browse through the clearance section, I walked straight back to the frames.  Unfortunately, while on my way I walked past a picture that stopped me in my tracks.

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It was perfect and EXACTLY what I needed to finish decorating my music room.  I honestly thought that this picture was made for my house.  The colors and the style was just what I wanted and I already knew which wall I would hang it on.

I KNEW that I shouldn’t buy it, I understand Spending Triggers and I teach people daily how to avoid them.  So, I stood in the exact same spot at Hobby Lobby for ten minutes while an internal debate ensued in my head.

I knew I shouldn’t buy it, I only had enough money in my cash envelope to purchase the two frames, and I REALLY wanted the frames.

The Sad, Truthful Results

You all know how the story ends.  I let out a sigh, threw caution to the wind, and bought that picture using my credit card.

I’m not proud of this moment.  I sure wish I could tell all of you that I’m perfect ALL of the time and never impulse shop!  But, that just would not be true.  I’m just a regular lady trying my best….and sometimes that means failure.

But, you know what!  You can recover from impulse shopping.  There are things you can do to fix your mistakes.

Here are a few ways you can recover from impulse shopping.

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Give it a Day

Do not take off any tags or packaging for at least one day.  Set the item somewhere in your house where you will look at it often.  This will give you time to decide if you TRULY TRULY want to keep what you bought.

Most of the time when I do this exercise I learn quickly that I don’t want the item as much as I thought I did while at the store.  The guilt usually gets the best of me and I decide to take it back to the store.

Other times, such as the case of this picture, I decide that I do really want to keep it and I am pleased with the purchase.

Return It

When the guilt is more than you can handle you should take whatever you bought back to the store and return it.  You can return just about anything, and it’s always super quick and easy to do, just make sure to always keep your receipts for a smoother process.

Whenever I return an impulse buy I immediately feel the guilt being lifted from me.  I have NEVER regretted a return….but I HAVE regretted many purchases….think about it.

Sell Something

If you decide you DO want to keep your purchase, which is fine, you will need to come up with extra money to cover the cost.  One of the quickest ways to earn extra money is to sell something.  If you’re stumped on what to sale, check out this article for a few ideas.

This is what I decided to do last week, I had a lamp in my music room that I liked, but I just hadn’t been loving.  I had been contemplating getting rid of it for months and knew that this was the perfect time to do so.  I quickly listed the lamp on Facebook Marketplace and was able to earn $40 from it!  This easily covered the cost of the picture (plus an extra $10)!

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Adjust Your Budget

If you want to keep your impulse buy, and don’t want to sell anything, than you will need to find some extra money within your budget.

It is perfectly acceptable to move money around in your budget from time to time.  Try not to make a habit of it, but occasionally will be fine.

Take a good look at your budget and see if there is anything you can adjust to cover the costs of what you bought.  Could you cancel your plans to go out to dinner that night?  Or pass on a new pair of shoes?  Find something (anything!) you can do without for this month and use that money to cover the cost of your purchase.

Side Hustle

If the amount you spent was considerably high you might want to consider getting a temporary (or permanent even!) side hustle.  Is their a skill you have that could bring in a little extra money?

Perhaps making and selling a craft?  Babysit a child?  Dog walk?  Clean houses?   I truly believe EVERYONE has MULTIPLE talents they can offer to the world to bring in extra cash.  Make a list of your talents and choose one or two to turn into a side hustle.

In Conclusion

Honestly, I’m glad I came across this picture.  It completed our music room and it’s a purchase I am so happy with!

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BUT…..I should have waited to buy it until we budgeted the money for it.  I made a mistake!  However, I learned from the mistake!  And next time I will not make the same mistake again.

Budgeting, frugal living is not about perfection….it’s about PROGRESS!  Two steps forward, one step back is ALWAYS better than standing still.

Liked what you read?  Pin it for later reference!

how to stop impulse shopping

You might be interested in a few of my other articles:

Budgeting for Beginners: FAQ

A Financial Tale of Two Sisters

What I have learned about living a sweet and frugal life on ONE income

Don’t stress next time you impulse shop, you can fix it!

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