Sweet Frugal Life

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Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Holiday Expenses You Shouldn’t Forget This Year.

The holiday season will be here before we know it!  It seems that at every store I’ve gone to recently I keep seeing little pops and hints of Christmas, and I am SO excited about this.  Truly, Christmas is the most magical time of the year!  If you haven’t already started putting together your Christmas budget, I highly recommend you begin now.  Not sure how to do this or what belongs in a Christmas budget?  No worries!  That’s why I am here!  I’ll tell you exactly what a Christmas budget is and remind you of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.

What’s a Christmas Budget?

But, first things first, let’s talk about what a Christmas budget actually is!

A Christmas budget is a budget that you make for keeping track of all of your Christmas expenses.  It should include any gifts you want to buy for the year, parties you will attend, household decorations you might want to buy, food you will make, etc.

Why Do I Need A Christmas Budget?

We all know that the holidays can get expensive fast!  I recommend that everyone make a Christmas budget each year to help prevent them from going into debt and overspending during the holiday season.  A Christmas budget gives you the permission to spend in the way that YOU want.  So you can buy and enjoy what you need for the holidays, without having to feel guilt or buyers remorse.

When you commit to a budget you will be much more likely to spend the amount that you have already decided you can afford.

Not sure how to budget?  That’s ok!  Just grab my budgeting cheat sheets below and they will tell you everything you need to know to put together a successful zero based budget!

 

 

 

What Should I Include In My Christmas Budget?

When I first started making a Christmas budget I always seemed to forget a few items.  Sure, I remembered the gifts that I needed to buy, but then there always seemed to be random little expenses that kept popping up.

It took me a few years to finally figure out every category I needed in my holiday spending budget.  But, not to worry!  I’m going to share all of the commonly forgotten Christmas expenses so that you won’t have to wait a few years to figure it out for yourself!  You can make a successful Christmas budget today!  Yay!

Commonly Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

Below are the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.  Use this as a guide when making your holiday budget, it should help you brainstorm exactly what expenses you will need to plan for this year.

1.  Holiday Travel

Do you have plans to travel for the holidays?  Maybe you are traveling far across the country, or perhaps you have a short road trip planned to visit family.  Either option will require some expenses.  Make sure to budget for any traveling you will be doing over the next couple of months.  You’ll need to budget money for gas, food, possibly plane tickets, lodging, and any activities or experiences along the way.

2.  Christmas Decorations

If you like to decorate your home for the season, don’t forget to budget some money for this expense.  This is one of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget category!

You can find some fairly cheap decorations if you shop the after Christmas clearance sales.  I usually buy a few new decorations every year right after the holidays, and then when I pull them out the next December it’s a fun surprise because I forgot I had bought them!  It’s like a fun early present!

young child wearing santa hat looking at decorated christmas tree

3.  Gifts For Teachers

I love gifting my kids teachers a small gift every Christmas to let them know how much I appreciate their time and love they give my child.  The problem though is I would often forget to add this extra expense to my gift budget!  

If you want to give a small gift to any teachers or coaches in your life make sure to include it in your budget this year.  

4.  Christmas Dinner

Do you like to cook a big Christmas dinner each year?  You know the one with ham, potatoes, rolls, eggnog, and everything in between????  Make sure to include money in your budget for these pricier foods.  

Remember, it’s ok to splurge every now and then….just include it in your budget!

5.  Holiday Cards

Sending holiday cards to your friends and family is a long loved Christmas tradition.  Don’t forget to budget for sending out cards, you’ll also need stamps and envelopes!

 

 

6.  Gifts For Co-Workers

We love to give little gifts to my husbands co-workers each year…unfortunately this is one of those expenses I tend to always forget about it.  If you want to participate in any gift exchanges at work, don’t be like me and forget to include it in your budget.

7.  Christmas Traditions

Remember to budget for any Christmas traditions or activities your family will want to enjoy this year.  This might include going ice skating, going to the movies, decorating gingerbread houses, etc.

Keep in mind that Christmas traditions do not have to cost a lot of money!  Here are some of our favorite budget friendly Christmas traditions.

8.  Gift Wrap

Another commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is gift wrapping supplies.  Don’t forget to budget for wrapping paper, bows, tape and anything else you’ll need to wrap gifts.  The Dollar Tree is my favorite place to buy gift bags and tissue paper.  And I love to stock up on Christmas wrapping paper after Christmas each year.

christmas wrapping paper and ribbons on table

9.  Giving To Others

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is serve others.  It is truly what brings me the most joy and happiness and is the reason for the season.  Make sure to budget for any giving that you plan to do this Christmas.  

But, also remember that you don’t even need to spend any money to serve others.  Here are 101 frugal ways to give to someone else.

10.  Christmas Parties

Do you have any holiday parties to attend (or possibly host) this year?  Budget for any expenses those parties will cost.  They might include gifts for the host, a white elephant gift, decorations, food to share, etc.

11.  Holiday Baking

And the last commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is holiday baking.  Baking is a fun party of any holiday, but especially during Christmas time!  Unfortunately, the price to buy the extra ingredients like chocolate, marshmallow cream, cream cheese, etc. gets expensive fast!  Make sure to plan ahead with these added costs and include them in your Christmas budget.

 

A Christmas Budget Brings Contentment

If you don’t normally budget for Christmas expenses I encourage you to begin this year.  Start today even!  Having a plan in place for how to spend your money during the holiday season will bring you so much peace and contentment and you will be able to enjoy the season so much more!

While you are planning your budget make sure to remember each of these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories!

 

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Make to include these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories this year!

The Best Deals At Dollar Tree

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

The best things to buy at the Dollar Tree.

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

Best Deals At Dollar Tree

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

1.  Pregnancy Test

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

 

2.  Ovulation Predictor

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

 

3.  Hair Scrunchies/Hair Ties

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

 

4.  Bleach

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

 

5.  Bandaids

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

 

6.  Flip Flops

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

 

7.  Candles/Wax Melts

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

 

8.  Coloring/Activity Books

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

 

9.  Seasonal Items

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

 

10.  Greeting Cards

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

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

 

11.  Gift Bags

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

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

12.  Sticky Notes

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

 

13.  LED Light Bulbs

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

 

14.  Nail Polish

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

 

15.  Picture Frames

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

 

In Conclusion

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

 

Related Articles:

Dollar Tree Pantry Organization Tips

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

How To Save Money On Diapers

 

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I hope you enjoy the best deals at Dollar Tree!

 

Is Butcher Box A Good Deal? Here’s My Honest Review!

By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

Here’s my honest Butcher Box review!

For years I have been asking “Is Butcher Box a good deal?”  I kept hearing so many people say how awesome Butcher Box is and I have been wanting to try it out for myself!  I finally got my wish when they contacted me and offered to send me a box to review.  Talk about a dream come true!  I know a lot of you out there have probably heard about Butcher Box, but have been unsure if it’s right for you or not.  Today, I’m sharing my honest review of Butcher Box to help you make that important decision.

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

What is Butcher Box?

First things first, Butcher Box is a meat delivery service that offers 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef; free-range organic chicken; heritage-breed pork, wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, and more!!  These high quality meat products will be sent straight to your doorstep.

But!  The thing that makes Butcher Box most special is their commitment to raising animals in a humane way, with no added hormones or antibiotics, EVER!

Their mission is centered around making the lives of farmers and animals better, and helping the consumer gain access to a higher quality meat.  (win, win!)

How Does It Work?

Butcher Box works very similar to other subscription services.

First, choose your box from the 5 different box choices.

The box choices include:

Custom Box Classic

  • 9-14 lbs.
  • $159/month

The Custom Box Classic gives you the option of choosing your own cuts of beef, pork or chicken.

Custom Box Big

  • 18-26 lbs.
  • $288/month

The Custom Box Big gives you the same option of choosing your own cuts of beef pork or chicken as the classic custom box.  The Big box is just…bigger!

The Basic Box

  • 7-7.5 lbs.
  • $99/month

The Basic Box includes high quality beef, organic chicken, and pork.

The Mixed Box

  • 8.5-11 lbs
  • $137/month

The Mixed Box is the box that I ordered.  It came with high quality selection of beef, chicken and pork.  The amount and exact cuts will vary month to month, but we were very pleased with our box.

The Beef and Pork Box

  • 8-11 lbs
  • $137/month

The Beef and Pork Box will give you a variety of both beef and pork cut meats.  You will find anything from tenderloin to steaks to ground beef and more.

The Beef and Chicken Box

  • 8.5-11 lbs
  • $137/month

In the Beef and Chicken Box you will be treated to a selection of both chicken and beef meat cuts.

The All Beef Box

  • 8-10 lbs
  • $137/month

In the All Beef Box you will receive beef cuts ranging from ground beef to roasts and steaks.  Yum!

How Often Will I Receive My Box?

You have three options for delivery frequency.  You can choose to have your box delivered monthly, every 6 weeks, or every other month.  However, you can cancel or pause delivery at any time at no extra cost.  So, if you are needing a break, just put it on pause and continue whenever is convenient for you.

What Makes Butcher Box Special?

Butcher Box is special because of their commitment to delivering high quality products to their customers and their mission of raising animals in a humane way.  Here are a few other highlights about Butcher Box and their animals.

Beef: 

  • 100% grass fed
  • Pasture raised

Chicken: 

  • Free range organic
  • No antibiotics ever
  • No added hormones (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones or steroids in poultry)

Pork:

  • All vegetarian feed
  • Humanely raised
  • Bacon has no nitrates or nitrites and does not contain added sugar

How Is The Box Shipped?

All of the meat shipped from Butcher Box is frozen and individually vacuum packed.  It will be shipped in a box with insulation and dry ice if needed.  Your meat will arrive frozen, cold and ready for the fridge or freezer.

What Came In My Box?

Alright, now let’s get to the good stuff!  Here is all the nitty gritty about receiving my first box.

I wanted to try out the Mixed Box and was really excited to see everything that I got.  In this box I received:

  • 2 lbs of Ground Beef
  • 2 NY Strip Steaks
  • 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
  • 1lb of Whole Pork Tenderloin
  • 3lbs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

The meat was still frozen and cold when arriving on my doorstep, just the way we like it!  I also loved the packaging!

How Did It Taste?

The meat we received was so yummy and tender.  It was delicious!  In all honesty, I usually buy fairly cheap meat and we could definitely tell a difference in quality from Butcher Box and the cheaper variety.

My husband even made a point to tell me how much he enjoyed it more than the kind I usually buy.  (hint noted hubby!)

Can I Cancel My Subscription?

Canceling your Butcher Box subscription is super quick and easy.  You can cancel anytime with no charge.  Or, consider just putting your subscription on hold for a few months.

Putting it on hold is a great way to take a break if your freezer is getting to full or your budget is getting tight.

What I Liked About Butcher Box

The Convenience

Butcher Box is about as convenient as it gets!  The ordering process was quick, delivery painless and I didn’t even have to leave my house.  As a busy mom, I am all about making life a little more convenient.

The Taste

We truly loved the taste of Butcher Box meat.  Everything was tender, juicy and delicious!

The Quality

You just can’t get better quality than Butcher Box.  I love that their animals are raised in a humane way.  And, I love that the meat is fresh, organic with no added hormones.

It’s important to me what my family puts in their body, and I know I can trust Butcher Box in this.

What I Did NOT Like About Butcher Box

The Cost

Butcher Box averages about $6/per dinner.  I do not think this is an extreme cost, considering the quality of the product, but it is more than I usually spend on my meat products.

However, like I said before, I usually buy much lesser quality….and we can taste the difference.

Will I Order From Butcher Box Again?

Absolutely!  I will order from Butcher Box again!

After tasting this product, and enjoying the convenience of it being shipped right to my front door, I definitely want to start ordering from them with an every other month subscription.

I decided (to help offset the cost) to keep a mix of higher quality Butcher Box meat and lower quality grocery store meat in our freezer at all times.  It’s a good way to get the best of both worlds.

Try Butcher Box For Yourself

If you want to try Butcher Box out for yourself click here and start enjoying some delicious meat!

 

 

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I hope this answered your question, Is Butcher Box A Good Deal?

 

 

How To Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

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

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

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

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

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

stretch meals save money - how to cut the grocery budget

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

1.  Meal Plan

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

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

2.  Use Less Meat

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

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

3.  Souper Tuesday

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

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

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

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

4.  Include More Side Dishes

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

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

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

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

5.  Use a Filler

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

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

Beans

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

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

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

Pasta

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

Rice

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

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

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

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

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

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

7.  Appropriate Servings

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

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

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

8.  Meal Prep

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

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

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

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

9.  Add Water

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

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

10.  Save All Leftovers

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

Freeze It

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

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

Reuse It

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

Re-purpose It

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

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

 

In Conclusion

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

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill

Freeze Chicken in Bulk and 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

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

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

How To Get A Discount On Amazon Prime

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips For Saving Money On Amazon Prime!

Alright, the news is out and Amazon Prime has announced that they are raising their prices.  Starting on February 18, 2022, prices will increase from $119/year to $139/year.  As prices seem to be increasing all around us, hearing this extra price rise has been hard for many of us just trying to save a few bucks.  So, I did some research and found a few ways you can get a discount on Amazon Prime!

What is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is a subscription service from Amazon that gives you extra perks, including faster shipping, free shipping, access to thousands of video streaming content, kindle books and free music to stream.

You can subscribe for a yearly fee or monthly.  The choice is yours and you can cancel at anytime!

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.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

What is included in Amazon Prime?

I like to think of it as multiple services (books, music, movies, etc.) all wrapped into one.  Amazon Prime offers you:

  • Access to stream thousands of movies and tv series
  • Millions of ad-free songs available for streaming
  • Thousands of kindle books, magazines and more
  • Early access to prime deals
  • Unlimited photo storage
  • Free shipping
  • And much, much more!

How to get a discount on Amazon Prime

I know so many people who love Amazon Prime, and all of its many benefits, but the high price tag just doesn’t fit into their budget.  If you can relate to this at all, then you’re in the right place!

I have scoured the internet, researched everything on Amazon, and found a few hacks to help you get an Amazon Prime Discount!

1.  Amazon Student

If you happen to be a student, then you qualify for an Amazon Prime discount through Amazon Student.  Anyone enrolled in a college or university, within the United States qualifies for the Amazon Student discount.

When you sign up for an Amazon Student account you will get 6 months of Prime for free!  At the end of the 6 month free trial, you can continue using Amazon Prime for a huge discount of just $7.49/month.

Amazon Student includes all of the prime perks, you will get the quick and free shipping, and the ability to stream movies, music and more!

2.  Free 30-Day Trial

All new Amazon Prime customers can get a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial!  This is a great way to experience all of the amazing benefits of having prime, for free!  You can cancel your free trial at any time, so no need to worry about signing up for long term if you decide it’s not right for you.

There are rumors that have claimed that Amazon will offer the free 30-day Amazon Prime trial to anyone who had prime in the past, but haven’t used it for over a year.  It’s worth looking into if you are an old customer who cancelled a year or two ago!

3.  EBT Discount

Another great Amazon Prime discount to look into is for anyone with an EBT (Electronics Benefits Transfer) card.  This is a discount that isn’t as talked about as much as the others, but totally should be!

If you currently have an EBT card, then you can get an Amazon Prime membership for just $5.99/month.  That’s less than half the price of a regular membership!

4.  Amazon Household

If there are multiple people living in one household, you can all save a little bit of money by sharing Amazon Prime benefits through Amazon Household.  With Amazon Household you can share a Prime account with 2 adults, 4 teens, and 4 children.  If everyone chips in a few dollars each month, it’s a great way to get all of the Prime benefits for less!

Keep in mind though, that you will be sharing your payment methods with each other, so make sure you are comfortable with that before setting up Amazon household.

5.  Metro by T-Mobile

If you happen to be a T-Mobile customer on the Metro plan, you can get Amazon Prime for FREE!  It is probably not worth switching cell phone plans just to get this discount, but it is a fun perk you should know about it if you already have the plan.

In Conclusion

Amazon Prime is such a great service, and I have loved using it off and on over the years.  I hope that these suggestions can help some of you enjoy a discount on Amazon Prime!

Related Articles:

Frugal Cell Phone Provider; My Honest Tello Mobile Review

How to Save Money When Eating Out

How To Negotiate Your Bills

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I hope you are able to get a discount on Amazon Prime!

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

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Time To Buy Everything Month By Month

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

Shopping seasonal sales will change your finances.

There, I said it!

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

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

 

What is a sales cycle?

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

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

What stores have seasonal sales?

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

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

 

What’s on Sale in January?

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

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in January

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

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

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

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

 

 

What’s on Sale in February?

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in February

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

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

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

 

 

What’s On Sale in March?

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in March

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in April?

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in April

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

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in May?

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in May

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

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

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

 

 

What’s On Sale in June?

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

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in June

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in July?

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in July

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in August?

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

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

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

Grocery Sales In August

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in September?

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in September

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

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

 

 

What’s On Sale in October?

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

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

Grocery Sales in October

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in November?

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

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in November

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

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

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

 

What’s On Sale in December?

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

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

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

Grocery Sales in December

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

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

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

 

Shop Smart

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

 

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

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

 

Pin For Future Reference:

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

 

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to not live paycheck to paycheck anymore.

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

Why Do I Need To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

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

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

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

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

Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Step #1:  Make A Zero Based Budget

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step #2:  Track Your Spending

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step #3:  Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

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

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

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

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

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

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

Step #4:  Save Your Bonus

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

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

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

more money

Step #5:  Automate Your Savings

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

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

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

Step #6:  Make More Money Through Side Hustles

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

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

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

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

If there’s a will, there’s a way!

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

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

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

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

 

Related Articles:

7 Apps That Will Help You Save Money

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

How to Save Money When Eating Out

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

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Items Worth Purchasing To Save More Money In The Long Run

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

How Can Spending Money On A Product Save Money?

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

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

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

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

Products Worth Buying To Save More Money

1.  Tempered Glass Screen Protector

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

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

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

2.  Rechargeable Battery Charger

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

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

3.  Makeup Eraser

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

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

4.  Drying Rack

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

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

5.  Reusable Sandwich Bags

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

6.  Produce Storage Containers

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

7.  Dryer Balls

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

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

8.  Hair Clippers

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

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

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

9.  LED Light Bulbs

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

10.  Reusable Water Bottle

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

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

11.  Menstrual Cup

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

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

12.  Digital Antennae

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

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

 

Spending Money To Save Money

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

 

Related Articles:

Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money

10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

Extreme Ways to Cut Your Budget

 

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Products Worth Buying To Save Money

How To Save Money On Gas

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Best Tips To Learn How To Save Money On Gasoline.

Anyone else notice the cost of gasoline rising?  I basically want to cry gigantic tears every time I go to the pump to fill up.  After I finally wiped away my tears I decided I needed to learn how to save money on gas to help prevent any more grumpiness.

I’m still trying to implement these new learned lessons, but so far I have been so excited to see my gas bill come down slightly, and I hope to decrease it even more over time!

How To Save Money On Gas

Here are a few things I have been doing to help decrease my fuel expenses.  I hope they help you save some money too!  Remember, every little penny can add up to big savings over time, especially at the pump!

1.  Shop Around

Never fill up at the first gas station you see.  It might be the closest, but that doesn’t mean it is the cheapest option, and we definitely want the cheapest!

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.

2.  Carpool

Another great way to save money on gas is through carpooling.  Bonus, it will also save your car on wear and tear!

You might want to consider asking a few co-workers who live near you if they would like to carpool to work together.  Just meet at one central location and then take turns driving.

Or!  If you are a parent you could ask other parents to carpool to your kids activities together.  There is no need for 5 parents to all drive to the same place, right?  Right!

If you feel nervous about asking others to carpool with you just remember that we are all looking for ways to make gas cheaper, so they will most likely be thrilled to join your carpool!

3.  Join a Warehouse Club

Most warehouse clubs sell gasoline for much cheaper than the typical gas station.  Sam’s Club and Costco both consistently have much cheaper gas than the local gas station.

Just make sure you will use your club membership wisely.  Sometimes these memberships can tempt us to spend more money than we normally would, but if used correctly this is a great way to save money and shop smartly!  Check out the best deals at Costco here!

 4.  Brake and Accelerate Gradually

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption.  Slamming on your breaks or speeding up to 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!

5.  Drive Less

You can save on gas by spending less time driving.  I know this might be a difficult one for many people, we have places to go and things to do!  But, if you are able this will be a great way to cut monthly costs.

Here are a few alternatives you might consider to help minimize your driving time:

  • Bike or walk instead of driving.
  • Work from home if possible.
  • Combine errands into one outing.
  • Park further away from your destination and walk.

6.  Earn Cashback

If you are going to be filling up with gas anyways, you might as well earn some cashback while doing so.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to get some money back at the pump:

  • GetUpside:  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!
  • Fetch Rewards:  Fetch Rewards is one of my favorite ways to earn some extra gift cards.  All you have to do is scan your receipts, including gas AND grocery receipts!  So, after you get gas, just scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app and you will be rewarded with points!  These points can be redeemed later for gift cards to your favorite places, such as Amazon, Target, etc.
  • Discover Card:  I love using my Discover Card when making gasoline purchases.  I get 1% spent cashback every time I fill up with gas, but Discover will offer 5% bonus cashback every few months on gas purchases.  I love these bonus months!

7.  Keep Tires Inflated

Remember that the maintenance of your vehicle will effect its fuel efficiency.  One thing that could hurt the fuel efficiency is letting your tires become deflated.  Make sure to keep your cars tires inflated at the proper levels to get the most bang for your buck.  According to the U.S. Department of energy this one trick can save you up to $.02/gallon.

Bonus!  Keeping your tires properly inflated will also help your tires to last longer, which will save you even more money!  This is what I like to hear!

8.  No Idling

An important way to save money on gas is to not keep your engine on when your car is idling for a long time.  Keep in mind that when your engine is on, you are using fuel, even if you aren’t moving. 

Never let your car sit and idle for a long period of time.  If you know you will be waiting in your car for a few minutes, maybe when picking up kids, checking the map on your phone, or getting groceries, turn off the cars engine to prevent using any unnecessary fuel.

9.  Roll Up Windows

Driving with the windows down can be fun and refreshing, but it also hurts your gas mileage.  To start saving more money on your gas bill, leave your windows up when driving.  It will make a difference!

10.  Regular Maintenance

As mentioned before, it is so important to keep your car up to date on regular maintenance and serviced.  This regular maintenance will help ensure your vehicle is getting the best gas mileage possible.

11.  Join A Fuel Rewards Program

Make sure to join a few fuel rewards programs to earn rewards, such as free gas and discounts!  This is a great way to knock a few pennies off the price of your gasoline.  

Here are a few suggestions of stores with fuel rewards programs:

In Conclusion

These are my best tips for helping you learn how to save money on gas!  I encourage you to try a few, or all of these tips out and let me know if you start to see some savings or not!

 

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I hope this helped you learn how to save money on gas.

The Best Deals At Costco

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best items to buy at Costco to save money!

Years ago I signed up for my very first Costco Membership.  I had heard all about the best deals at Costco and how it could help save me money.  The first time I walked into the store I was so excited to start saving money.

I spent an hour walking through aisle after aisle in the store filling my shopping cart with all of my new fun finds and I couldn’t wait to see how much money I was saving.  The beautiful organic produce, the cute kids clothing, and all those snacks!  Oh, was it fun!

And then, I went to checkout. 

My jaw about dropped to the floor when the cashier announced that I owed over $300.  “What about all those good deals I grabbed.  I thought shopping in bulk would save me money!” were the thoughts that swirled in my head as I shakily swiped my credit card and the spending guilt set in.

After repeating this process for a few months I realized that my grocery budget was suffering, big time, and Costco was NOT saving me money.  I cancelled my membership and never looked back.

Fast forward ten years, and a bunch of new frugal lessons learned, I decided I wanted to try out Costco again.  But this time, I was going to be using my card with a new, better approach.

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will be compensated for purchases made through links in this post.

The Wrong Way To Shop Costco

Here’s the thing, there is a wrong way and a right way to shop at Costco.  If you want to spend less money at Costco, it’s so important for you to understand the differences.

Here are a few of the wrong ways to shop at Costco:

Shopping when hungry.

Don’t ever shop at Costco with an empty stomach (I learned this the hard way!).  You will be much more tempted to grab more food than you really need.

Assuming that buying in bulk is cheaper.

The truth is buying your food in bulk CAN be cheaper, but not always.  Always check the price per unit to help you decide which is the better deal.

Buying more food than you can eat before it spoils.

Before you buy anything at Costco, I recommend you think long and hard about how quickly you can eat the item you are buying.  If you buy a huge pack of spinach, but your family can’t eat it before it goes bad, then unfortunately that spinach gets thrown away, meaning your hard earned money goes to waste.

Shopping without a plan.

Going into Costco without a plan is a quick way to break your budget.  Aimlessly wandering aisle after aisle is a huge temptation to many of us (ME!) and should be avoided as much as possible.

Assuming that the sales are a good price.

I LOVE most of Costco’s monthly sale items (hello cheap Premier Protein shakes), but I have learned that just because something is on sale, does not make it a great price.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s necessary to always check the price per unit before buying something.  I like to compare Costco prices to Walmart Grocery Pickup prices using their phone app.  This helps me know if I can find the same item cheaper somewhere else.

The Right Way To Shop Costco

Alrighty, now let’s talk about the RIGHT way to shop at Costco.  Following these tips will help you get the most out of your Costco membership and not have to leave the store with a mountain of guilt.

Set a budget.

If you don’t already make a regular budget, I suggest you start one now.  A budget gives you permission to spend, without the guilt; but it also decreases the chance of impulse buying.

Give yourself a budget for how much you can spend at Costco each month.  My personal budget is $100/month.

Feel free to grab my free budget cheat sheets below to help you learn exactly how to start budgeting.

Always shop with a list.

Make a list of items you want to purchase at Costco BEFORE going into the store.  If you shop with a list in hand you will be much more likely to stick to it and avoid any impulse shopping. 

Research the current deals, and what you need at that time.  A good rule of thumb is to plan about $10/item.  Of course this number varies based on what you buy, but it gives me a good goal to work towards.

Use a calculator.

Yes!  I am totally *that* person walking around Costco with my calculator, adding up everything before putting it into my cart.  And honestly, it has saved me from overspending so many times!

Add up everything as you put it into your cart to make sure you stay in budget and there won’t be any surprises when checking out.

Know what is a good deal or not.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s important to check the price per unit of items before you buy them.  I recommend grabbing my free Stock Up Price Guide here to help you learn the best deals of popular food items.

Take a picture of the price guide so that you always have it with you while shopping.  Check it often to help you compare food items before buying them.

The Best Deals At Costco

Here is my list of my favorite deals at Costco.  Most of these items I buy every single time I go to Costco.  Other items I have just noticed that the price is great!

1.  Rotisserie Chicken

I am so in love with Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken.  It’s moist, delicious and a great deal for only $4.99.  This rotisserie chicken is always at the top of my Costco shopping list.

  • Rotisserie Chicken at Costco:  10 cents/oz.
  • Rotisserie Chicken at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  15 cents/oz.

2.  Gasoline

I always make a habit of filling my car up with gasoline every time I am at Costco, even if my tank is 3/4 full.  It’s by far the cheapest gas in my town and I never want to miss out on it.

  • Current Gasoline Price at Costco:  $1.92/gallon
  • Current Gasoline Price at Maverick:  $2.14/gallon

3.  Butter

Another one of the best deals at Costco is their butter.  I always buy this 4 lb. pack of butter.  I store 1 lb. in my fridge and the other 3 lbs. are kept in my freezer until I needed.  Today my local Costco has their 4 lb. butter for $6.95, making it only $1.78/lb.  Walmart Grocery Pickup Butter is priced at $2.98/lb.  

We go through about 4 lbs. of butter a month, making it perfect timing for my next Costco trip!

  • Kirkland Sweet Cream Butter at Costco:  11 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Sweet Cream Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  18.6 cents/oz.

4.  Yeast

One of the very best deals that I have found at Costco is the Red Star Yeast.  If you do any baking, make sure to buy your yeast at Costco.

  • Red Star Yeast at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Red Star Yeast at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $1.16/oz.

*Frugal Tip:  Keep your yeast in the freezer to help it stay fresh longer.

5.  Cashews

The Kirkland brand cashews at Costco yet another fantastic deal.  You can get 2.5 lbs. of cashews for only $13.99, which is much cheaper than at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Kirkland Whole Cashews at Costco:  35 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Deluxe Whole Cashews at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  43 cents/oz.

6.  Craisins

My kids love Craisins, but I haven’t bought them a lot in the past because they can be so expensive.  I was so excited to find these Craisins at Costco for a great price!

  • Ocean Spray Craisins at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Ocean Spray Craisins at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  24 cents/oz.

7.  Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Another great buy at Costco is the organic extra virgin olive oil.  You can buy a 2 liter bottle (which will last a very long time!) for only $9.45.  If organic, extra virgin olive oil isn’t a priority to you, and you are happy with classic olive oil than buying it at Walmart Grocery Pickup will be the better deal.

  • Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  19 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Classic Olive Oil at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  13.6 cents/oz.

8.  Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix

I may or may not have a *slight* obsession with Kodiak Cakes (ok, fine, I totally am obsessed!).  It makes me so happy to be able to buy it at Costco for a much better deal than I use to buy it.  For only $11.49 you can get 4.5 lbs. of buttermilk Kodiak cake mix, which is much cheaper than at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix at Costco:  16 cents/oz.
  • Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  23 cents/oz.

9.  Spices

Many of Costco bulk spices are much cheaper than you will find at most grocery stores.  One of my favorites is this this 20 oz. chili powder from Costco for only $5.49.

  • Chili Powder at Costco:  27 cents/oz.
  • Chili Powder at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  32 cents/oz.

10.  Nutella

We absolutely love Nutella at our house.  I don’t buy it very often though because of the price.  I was so excited to find it at Costco for a steal of a deal.

These two huge (33.5 oz. each) containers of Nutella are only $12.39!  If you buy Nutella regularly, I suggest buying it at Costco.

However!  If you don’t mind buying off brands, the Great Value brand of Nutella at Walmart IS even cheaper!

  • Nutella at Costco:  19 cents/oz.
  • Nutella at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  22 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Hazelnut Spread at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  15 cents/oz.

Related Article:  15 Products You Should Always Buy Generic

11.  Cheese

I buy one 2 lb. cheese loaf every time I go to Costco.  It’s almost half the price of the cheese I use to buy at Walmart Grocery Pickup and lasts weeks at our house!

  • Mild Cheddar Cheese at Costco:  $2.49/lb.
  • Mild Cheddar Cheese at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $4.22/lb.

12.  1% Low-fat Milk

I personally do not buy milk at Costco, but it can be a good deal for many people.  My family are not huge milk drinkers, so we wouldn’t be able to drink the two gallons before it spoiled.  If you go through a lot of milk and like 1% milk, than this is a good deal for you.

  • Kirkland 1% Low-fat Milk at Costco:  $2.19/gallon
  • Great Value 1% Lowfat Milk at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $2.28/gallon
  • Great Value Fat Free Milk at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $2.19/gallon

13.  Frozen Fruit

Another one of the best deals at Costco is the frozen fruit.  I love buying a few packs of these to use in our smoothies.  These organic frozen Mango Chunks are just one example of the great prices Costco has on frozen fruit.

  • Frozen Mango Chunks at Costco:  11 cents/oz.
  • Frozen Mango Chunks at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  13 cents/oz.

14.  Organic Kirkland Creamy Peanut Butter

If you buy organic peanut butter, I suggest doing it at Costco.  You can buy 2-28 oz. jars of organic peanut butter for less than $10!  Which is a steal!  However, non organic peanut butter will be cheaper at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter at Costco:  18 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  22 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  9 cents/oz.

Shop Smart At Costco

It is possible to shop at Costco while on a budget!  I am so glad I have learned the tricks to shopping at Costco.  It has helped our family stock up our pantry and save money on groceries.  I hope these tips for the best deals at Costco will help your family too!

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

15 Easy Pantry Dinner Ideas

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