Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Road Trip On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to save money on a family road trip.

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

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Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

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

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

1.  Plan Ahead

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

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

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

How To Save Money on Road Trip Food

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

2.  Pack Your Own Food

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

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

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

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

3.  Skip Restaurants & Eat At The Grocery Store

Ok, hear me out on this one!

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

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

4.  Stay At An Airbnb

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

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

5.  Stay In A Hotel With A Microwave/Fridge

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

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

Breakfast:

  • Muffins
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Fruit
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal

Lunch & Dinner:

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

6.  Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

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

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

7.  Eat Out For Lunch Instead of Dinner

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

8.  Stay somewhere with a free breakfast

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

9.  Split A Meal

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

10.  Take Advantage of Happy Hour

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

 

How to Save Money On Sleeping Accommodations

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

11.  Shop Around For Sleeping Accommodations

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

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

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

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

12.  Consider Camping

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

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

13.  Stay With Friends Or Family

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

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

 

How To Save Money On Entertainment

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

14.  Visit Free Attractions

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

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

15.  Get A National Parks Pass

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

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

16.  Use Coupons

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

17.  Free Audiobooks

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

 

How To Save Money On Gasoline When Road Tripping

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

18.  Drive Smart

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

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

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

19.  Use Upside Cashback App When Getting Gas

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

20.  Use the Gas Buddy App

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

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

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

Other Ways To Save Money On Your Road Trip

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

21.  Avoid Traveling During Holidays

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

22.  Pack instead of buy

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

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

23.  Avoid Toll Roads

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

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

24.  Invite A Friend

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

 

 

In Conclusion

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

 

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A road trip on a budget is possible!

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Spending Money

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Stop spending money by asking yourself these important questions.

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

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

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

1.  Do I need this?

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

So, what is a need?

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

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

2.  Can I afford this?

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

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

3.  Will I love/use this for years?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6.  How often will I use this?

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

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

Well.  I was wrong.

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

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

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

7.  How am I feeling right now?

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

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

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

8.  Could I use this money for something else?

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

For example:

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

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

 

In Conclusion

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

 

 

Related Articles:

Purpose of a Budget

How To Stop Emotional Shopping

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

 

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Make sure you ask yourself these questions before spending money!

 

 

 

How To Save Money On Diapers

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Here are a few ways to get baby diapers for cheap!

If you have a baby (or have ever had babies) then you know that buying diapers can be a huge expensive.  I remember being a first time mom (back, many, many years ago) and I couldn’t believe how quickly we went through a box of diapers.  Fortunately, there are some things you can do to get diapers for cheap!  Here are a few tips for how to save money on diapers, I hope they help all you parents out there save some money!

How To Know When You Are Getting A Good Deal

First, let’s go over what a good diaper price is!  It’s so important for you to know the going rate of diapers, so that when you find a good deal, you will know it’s the best price! 

According to True Money Saver the current stock up price on diapers are:

Newborn: 13¢
Size 1: 14¢
Size 2: 16¢
Size 3: 19¢
Size 4: 22¢
Size 5: 25¢

The best way to compare current diaper prices is to calculate the price per unit.  A price per unit is the price that each individual diaper costs.

To calculate the price/unit you will divide the price of the diapers by the number of diapers in the box. 

For example, if you are buying a newborn size box of diapers that costs $47.07 and have 198 diapers in the box you would use this equation:

47.07 divided by 198 = 23

So the price/unit of the newborn box of diapers is 23 cents per diaper.  If you look at the stock up prices above you will see that 23 cents/diaper is a little high, and not a great deal.

Tips To Save Money On Diapers

Now that you know the best prices to watch for when buying diapers, let’s go over a few ways to get those much needed diapers for cheap!

1.  Shop Sales

One of the best ways to save money on diapers is to buy them when they go on sale.  

Here are a few tips for buying diapers on sale:

  • Baby sales typically happen between the months of February and September
  • Compare unit prices on diapers to know if the sale is actually the cheapest price (as discussed earlier)
  • Pair a coupon with a sale for the best deal
  • Scan receipts into cashback apps for rebates on diapers
  • Use the Flipp app to find weekly diaper deals

2.  Join Amazon Family

Did you know that you can get a 20% discount on diapers when you join Amazon Family through prime, and sign up for a diaper subscription??  Because you can!  Plus, you can even match the subscription discount with Amazon coupons for an even better deal.  And!  Prime membership always gives you free shipping!  This is a great deal for parents!

I’ve used Amazons subscription services a few times and love the convenience of them!  It’s so easy to set how often you want the products sent to you, and super easy to cancel when you don’t need the service anymore.

3.  Buy Generic

Store brand diapers are often much cheaper than name brand, but still a great quality.  Try a few different generic brands to find the ones that work best for you and your baby.  I highly recommend trying the Target brand!

Remember to pay close attention to price per unit to make sure the generic brand that you buy is cheaper than the name brands.

4.  Buy In Bulk

Another great way to get diapers for cheap is to buy them in bulk.  Again, calculate the price per unit when buying diapers, most of the time the bulk diapers will be cheaper, but not always.  It’s important to always double check!

Buying diapers in bulk is a great way to get name brand diapers for a much cheaper price.

5.  Use Coupons

One of my very favorite things to do is to pair a coupon with a sale.  This is the way to get your favorite items for dirt cheap!

Search regularly for diaper coupons to help you lower the price of your favorite brands (especially when you match it with a sale!).  You can find coupons on manufacturers websites, and coupon websites like coupons.com.

Another way to get coupons is by contacting the manufacturer directly and ask for them!  Send your favorite diaper brand an email asking if they have any free samples or coupons, and they will more than likely send you a few in the mail.  Yay!

6.  Try Cloth Diapers

I know (trust me, I know!), the idea of using cloth diapers is not always the most exciting option.  It requires a little more work and effort, but it can be a HUGE money saver!  According to this Forbes article, cloth diapers will save you around $1,000 in your child’s lifetime, that is a huge savings!

There is some expensive upfront costs for cloth diapering.  You will need to stock up on cloth diapers, but once you have your stock, the costs will go down significantly.

7.  Use Rebate Apps

Never, and I mean NEVER, throw away a receipt before scanning it into a few rebate apps.  Many of these apps give cash back on diaper purchases.  So, if you can, match a coupon with a deal, and then get a cash back rebate!  Cha-ching!  We’re talking big savings here!

A few of my favorite cash back apps for diapers are:

Fetch Rewards:  Fetch Rewards is so easy and quick to use!  All you have to do is scan your grocery receipt into the app and you’ll automatically earn points based on the products you bought.  Lastly, you can redeem your points for gift card to your favorite places!  Yay!

Ibotta:  Ibotta is another great rebate app that consistently offers cash back on diaper purchases.  To use Ibotta, select the store you shopped at, click on the items you bought, and then scan your receipt into the app.  You will be reward with cash back into your account within just a few hours.  Easy, peasy!

8.  Join Rewards Programs

Many of your favorite diaper companies (I’m looking at you pampers and huggies!) offers reward programs where you can earn points to use towards free diapers and other fun stuff.  If you are going to be buying diapers anyways, you might as well get rewarded for it, right?  Right!  

It is possible to save money on diapers!

I know just how stressful finances can feel when you are raising young kids, the expenses just never seem to end!  But, I also know that there are some tricks you can try to get diapers for cheap!  I hope this article helped answer some of your questions.

 

Related Articles:

Baby on a Budget: A First Time Parents Guide to Saving Money

How To Start A Babysitting Co-op To Save Money On Childcare

15 Baby Items You Dont Need

 

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How do you save money on diapers?  I would love to hear in the comments!

What To Do When Grocery Prices Rise

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to handle the rising price of food.

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

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

 

grocery prices increasing - how to save money on groceries

1.  Adjust Your Budget

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

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

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

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

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

2.  Change Your Eating Habits

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

For Example:

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

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

3.  Shop Sales

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

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

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

4.  Use Coupons and Rebate Offers

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

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

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

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

5.  Try Substituting Expensive Foods For Cheaper Options

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

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

6.  Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat

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

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

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

7.  Buy Generic

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

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

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

Even More Ways To Save Money On Groceries

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

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

 

 

 

 

Related Articles:

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

My Honest GetUpside App Review

By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

Here’s what I really think about the GetUpside App!

A few months ago, one of the members of my Facebook Frugal Community Group told me about an easy way to earn cashback on gasoline purchases called GetUpside.  I immediately loved the idea of getting cashback on gas, because gasoline prices have gotten so expensive the past few months!  After hearing about the app it only took me a few seconds to download it and start searching for offers near me.  And so far, I have LOVED using this app!  I wish would have started using it sooner!  Here is my honest GetUpside App review!  Let me know if you have any questions!

 

What Is The GetUpside App?

The GetUpside App is an app that rewards you with cashback when you shop at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.  (Disclaimer: I have only used it at gas stations and that is what my GetUpside app review will be focused on.) 

How Does It Work?

One of my favorite things about GetUpside is that it is so so easy to use!  Here’s how it works:

1.  Download The App

The first thing you will need to do is download the GetUpside app to your phone.  The app is completely free to use and download!  Once you sign in, make sure to enter code AFF20 to get a BONUS 20 cents cashback/gallon at the gas station.  The best part of this bonus is you can stack it with the OTHER offers in the app for bigger cashback!  Yay!

2.  Find Offers

Next, you will need to search for offers in your area.  This is easily done using location services and the in app map.

The map will show you each of the offers near you and how much cashback you are eligible for.

3.  Claim Offer

When you find the offer you want, click the “Claim” button.  You will be given 4 hours to redeem the offer you selected, so make sure to use it within that time frame.

I have found it works best to claim the offer when you are sitting at the gas station about to fill up.  This way you won’t forget about it!

4.  Scan Receipt

Before scanning your receipt you will need to enter your credit card info into the app.  This info is only used to verify purchases, it will not be used to charge you for anything.

After filling your car with gas, print the receipt and scan it into the GetUpside app.  Your cashback will be added to your GetUpside account within 24-48 hours.

**There is also an option to add your credit card info for quicker receipt submission, but I have never tried this option.

5.  Cash Out

Now for the fun part!  You get to redeem your earnings!  Yay!  When you are ready to get your earnings, just click on the “Cash Out” option.  You have a few different ways to redeem.

  1.  Cash Out:   GetUpside lets you cash out via paypal or direct deposit to your bank account.  You can choose this option whenever you want, no minimum amount required!  However they will charge a $1 processing fee when requesting cashback under $15, so I recommend waiting until you have $15 or more to redeem using this method.  Which honestly, it didn’t take very long for me to get to $15 earnings.
  2. Digital Gift Card:  The next option is to redeem your earnings for a digital gift card.  GetUpside offers a big selection of gift cards.  You will find a selection of gift cards to retail shopping, restaurants, Walmart, and even Amazon!  Here are a few of the options available currently:

6.  Bonus Cashback

If you like using GetUpside make sure to share your referral code with your friends and family.  This will benefit both of you! 

When you share your referral code your friend will get an extra 15 cents/gallon cash back the first time they use an app and YOU will get a bonus 15 cents/gallon cashback.  Win-win!

 

Does GetUpside Really Save Money?

I get asked a lot if GetUpside is actually a good way to save money.  The truth is, it depends.

Yes, GetUpside can be a great way to earn cashback when filling up your car.  This is free money and a great way to offset the rising fuel costs.

But!  There have been times when the cashback offerw on GetUpside were actually more expensive than other gas stations (yes, even after the cashback!).  These type of offers are not worth it!

I recommend you always check the GasBuddy app to find gas prices in your area and compare those prices with the cashback offers on the GetUpside app.  Choose whichever one is cheaper.  Sometimes it might be cheaper to use GetUpside and other times it won’t be.

 

GetUpside Pros

I loved so many things about using GetUpside.  Here are a few of my very very favorite!

  • The app is very user friendly and easy to navigate.
  • I love the map that shows the offers nearest me, it’s so helpful for finding gas stations.
  • Free money!  I love earning cashback on items I would be buying anyways!  Gas for my car is necessary, so I might as well get a kick back at the same time!
  • The referral program is amazing.  When you refer GetUpside to a friend you will get a bonus 15 cents/gallon cashback to use within the app.  PLUS!  You will get 1 cent/gallon cashback on every gallon of gas your friend buys using the app….forever!  It’s the referral program that just keeps on giving!

 

GetUpside Cons

I love this easy to use cashback app, but their are some cons!  Below are some of my biggest cons with using GetUpside.

  • It does not work with cash.  You can only redeem a receipt if you pay with a credit or debit card.
  • The app is not available everywhere.  There are some location where GetUpside does not offer cashback options.  I wish it was more global friendly.
  • GetUpside can be more expensive.  Occasionally the cashback received from GetUpside is still more expensive than competitor gas stations.
  • Prices aren’t always accurate.  I love that GetUpside tells you the price of gasoline, along with the cashback offer available.  However, there have been a couple of times when the prices GetUpside quoted me was not the actual price at the gas station.  This has been rare, but it has happened.

Is GetUpside For You?

Still wondering if GetUpside is for you or not?  I recommend you download the app and look to see the offers in your area, if you find some good offers, try it out!  You have nothing to lose!

 

Related Articles:

How To Save Money On Gas

The Best Cash Back Apps

10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

 

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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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Even More Ways to Cut Your Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Looking for more ways to cut your budget?  This is for you!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about budget cuts.  I get a lot of comments and messages on Instagram; and a few of them just break my little heart!  These messages are from those that feel they have done every single thing they can think of to find extra money in their budget, but there is just nothing left to find.  These people have cut ALL unnecessary spending, only paying the bare minimum to live and they STILL can’t find any extra money in the budget.

If you can relate to this in any way; I want you to know that I hear you.  Financial stress is one of the scariest and hardest things to go through.  This article is for you.

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I may receive compensation for purchases made through links in this post.  All opinions are my own.

1.  Make a Budget

If you don’t already have a budget, make one!  This step seems obvious, but it is a step often skipped.  It’s easy to assume your spending is minimal enough that a budget won’t change anything (I know this, because I use to be one of those people!).

I’m here to tell you that your budget is EVERYTHING when it comes to overspending!  Even if you think your spending is already under control, I can guarantee you will spend less if you have a budget in place.

Don’t know how to make a budget?  Read my article, Zero Based Budgeting, and grab yourself my free budgeting cheat sheets below!  These two resources will give you everything you need for a successful budget.

 

 

2.  Check Your Budget ONE MORE TIME

I know that you have probably looked through that budget a bunch of times this week.  But, I want you to look one more time.

Try to look at your budget with a new eye.  I have found when I am desperate enough, we can usually find something else to cut from the budget.

Here are a few ideas to look for:

Monthly Subscriptions

Do you have any subscriptions you can cancel?

Often we are willing to cut out the cable, but leave Netflix. Now would be the time to consider cutting out the other TV subscriptions, such as Netflix, Hulu, etc.  Instead, rent movies from the library for free, or spend your time doing something other than watching television.

Other subscriptions to cancel are:  subscription boxes, magazines, etc.

Smart Phones

In today’s day and age it is hard to function without a smart phone, I get it!  However, I do know a lady who does is able to do it!  This sweet lady has a cheap flip phone, and a cheaper phone bill because of it!  Could you consider getting rid of that smart phone and the huge monthly data plan?

If canceling your phone plan completely doesn’t feel right, consider switching phone providers to a more affordable option.

We are currently using Tello mobile.  Our unlimited talk and text plan only costs us $5/month.  It’s the best thing ever!

Internet

If you truly feel that you MUST have a smart phone (no judgement, I totally feel that way!), consider getting rid of your internet service.  If you’re not streaming movies, and you have internet available on your phone; this can be a great solution to get an extra $50 a month.

My husband and I went without internet for about 9 months, and it was hard, but we got use to it.  The library was an absolute lifesaver during this time.  Once a week my laptop and I would take a trip to the library, plop down on a chair, and use their free WIFI to take care of all of my internet needs.

It wasn’t easy, but we made it work, and you can too!

Fuel

I get it.  You’ve got places to go and things to do; and unfortunately fuel is expensive.

I’m not going to suggest you stay home and never go anywhere (I mean, you’ve gotta earn a living and live a life, right?).

What I am going to suggest is to look at ways to consolidate your driving.  Consider shopping at a store closer to you, or buying online instead (use free shipping!).  Plan your errands for only once a week, and try to only drive to one area and get everything done in just that area.

I was talking to a friend a few years ago, who was very poor, and I mentioned to her about a free kids playground she could take her kids to (it was on the other side of town, about 15 minutes away).  She told me that fuel in her car is just to expensive, and so she tries to not drive that far away.

It was such a good example to me about watching every penny spent.  I have been much more mindful of unnecessary driving habits ever since.

Adjust the Temp

Turn your house thermostat down a few degrees in the winter, and up a few degrees in the summer.  Research shows that you can save at least 1% for each degree change.  We shoot for 68 degrees in the winter months and 78 degrees in the summer.  Honestly, we aren’t always perfect at this, but we try!

Another easy tip is to adjust the thermostat while you are sleeping, or if you will be gone for work all day.  If you don’t need that extra heat, there is no sense in paying for it!

Groceries

Groceries are one of the biggest expenses in most budgets; food is expensive!  But, it’s an area that can always be improved, if you are willing to put forth the work!

Here are a few ways I have been able to spend less on groceries:

Make a meal plan each week.

Making a thorough meal plan will save you money in two ways.  It decreases the temptation to eat out, and helps you plan meals based on what you already have at home (so you won’t impulse shop at the grocery store).

Cook from scratch.

Cooking meals from scratch, rather than buying prepacked meals, will save you HUGE in your grocery budget.  Consider making your own bread, snacks, etc.

If time is an issue, consider spending one day a week cooking a few meals to keep in the fridge or freezer to eat throughout the week.  Weekends are perfect for meal prep days.

Buy in bulk.

Watch for grocery sales offering you a huge discount when buying in bulk.  I love to buy my meat in bulk, and then freeze it in dinner sized portions.  This requires some time and effort, but can be a big money saver!

A few other cheap items to buy in bulk are:  snacks, cereal, canned goods, and paper supplies.

Use Cashback Apps

Cashback apps are one of my favorite ways to earn a few extra bucks.  Download as many as you can onto your phone and use each of them every single time you shop.  Here are a few of my favorite cash back apps.

3.  Pay with Cash

Do you use cash for purchases?  If you don’t, I highly suggest you start!  Paying with cash is one of the best secrets to spending less and saving more.

I prefer the cash envelope system to help me keep track of my cash and spending.  It’s simple really.  Instead of pulling out my credit card every time I shop, I use my cash from the envelope instead.

It truly helps me to see where my money is going….and once the envelope is empty, I can’t buy any more in that category for the month.

If you are feeling a little hesitant to use cash envelopes, consider trying them for one week.  If you can see a difference in that week, try it for another week.  Baby steps!

more money

 

4.  Negotiate Your Bills

Your bills are negotiable!  Many companies are willing to work out a lower price when asked and given good reason.  We have negotiated a few of our bills with success every single time.  I always remind myself, “It never hurts to ask.  The worst thing they could say is no, so why not try.”

Many of your bills are just non-negotiable (like your mortgage), but there are some companies worth calling and asking for a cheaper rate.  You will see the most success with your:

  • Cable TV Service
  • Cell Phone Provider
  • Medical Bills
  • Internet Provider
  • Insurance Premiums

Keep in mind these tips during the negotiation:

  • Know your competitors prices, and don’t be afraid to mention them during the phone call
  • If you’ve been a long time customer, mention it!
  • Be polite, but firm in your request.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask multiple times.  You’ll be on the phone with different people each time, chances are you’ll get someone who will listen to you eventually.
  • Threaten to leave as a customer; this is when they really begin to listen.

For more details about bill negotiation check out this article.

5.  Increase Your Income

After following the above steps and you still can’t find extra money in your budget, it might be time to consider increasing your income.

Here are a few tips to help you do this:

Ask for a Raise

Prepare a statement to bring to your boss.  Explain why you are an asset to the company.  Give concrete examples to show exactly how you have  helped the company to be successful and earn more money.

Change Jobs

I know it’s not easy to change jobs.  It’s hard to start back at square one, get out of your comfort zone, and learn a new job.  But, look at the big picture.  If a job change will bring you closer to your financial goals, than it is probably worth the switch.

Find a Side Hustle

A side hustle is a job you can work in addition to the job you already have.  You might do this job during the weekends or evenings.  Anyone and everyone can have a side hustle, and I know many people who have multiple side hustles!  I LOVE side hustling!

If you’re needing some side hustle ideas check out the article, 12 Legit Side Hustles for Stay at Home Moms, for a few ideas.  Many of these side hustles are for ANYONE, not just stay at home moms!

Sell Unused Clutter

Look around your house.  I bet there are a few items you haven’t touched in months (maybe even years….).  You can easily sell this unused clutter to earn extra money.

6.  Go to the Extreme

If you are looking for even more extreme ways to cut costs, consider downsizing your home and car.

If you have a current car payment, sell that vehicle and buy a cheaper one with cash.  I know this is not the cool thing to do, I know it’s much more convenient to have a newer car.  But, I also know that being debt free is important!

The older vehicle will only be temporary.  Once you have saved up enough cash, you can buy a newer one again.

And lastly, move somewhere more affordable.

I know this will be difficult, but I also think it just might be worth it!

You can reduce your rent or mortgage by moving somewhere smaller and more affordable.  Look at the bright side…smaller also means less to clean (I like less cleaning!).

In Conclusion

I believe whole heartedly that when there is a WILL, there is a WAY.  You can do this!  Find a support system to help you through.  I’m always an email away!

 

Related Articles:

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

The 6 Step Plan to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

 

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How To Live On One Income

By: Sweet Frugal Life20 Comments

How to save money as a stay at home mom.

Have you wondered how to live on one income?  I’ve been doing it with my family of 5 for over 15 years now.  It’s definitely not easy, but it’s possible!

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 have been living my dream for 15 years now and 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 how to live on one income!

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How To Live On One Income

Here are a few tips I have learned to save money as a stay at home mom.  I hope they help you learn how to live on one income.

Secret #1:  Stay at Home Moms Contribute To The Family 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

Another tip for learning how to live on one income is to 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 décor 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!

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I hope this article helps you learn how to live on one income.

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