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Road Trip On A Budget

May 12, 2023 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.

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

Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

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

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

1.  Plan Ahead

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

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

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

  • Related:  The Best Budget Travel Tips

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!

  • Related:  How to Save Money When Eating Out

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.

  • Related:  The Best Cash Back Apps

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.

  • Related:  Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe

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!

  • Related:  Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City
  • Related:  20 Free Things To Do In New York City

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.

  • Related:  More Ways To Save Money On Gas

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

March 6, 2023 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.

  • Related:  How to Make a Zero Based Budget

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!

  • Related:  How To Negotiate Your Bills

6.  How often will I use this?

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

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

Well.  I was wrong.

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

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

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

7.  How am I feeling right now?

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

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

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

8.  Could I use this money for something else?

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

For example:

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

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

 

In Conclusion

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

 

 

Related Articles:

Purpose of a Budget

How To Stop Emotional Shopping

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

 

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

 

Make sure you ask yourself these questions before spending money!

 

 

 

Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression

February 6, 2023 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best money saving tips we can learn from our grandparents.

I have many fond memories of sitting in my great grandmothers home while she shared stories with my family about living during the great depression.  She explained that growing up during this time taught her to always be frugal, even if it isn’t always necessary, it’s still a wonderful way to live.  Her example taught me so much about mindful spending, and I think everyone can learn many frugal living tips from the great depression.

I admire everyone who went through the depression, it was such a hard and difficult time for many people.  But, through that process they learned how to be creative with the things they owned, resourceful with their belongings, and prudent with their earnings.  They learned to never waste, and to always think long and hard before spending any money.

Today I’m sharing a few of their frugal tips, and I hope these tips can help you live frugally and save more money.  We can all be a little more frugal…even if it isn’t a necessity!

1.  Make Your Own Household Cleaners

It was almost unheard of to buy a household cleaning product at the store during the depression era.  Most households knew the basic ingredients to whip up their own cleaning recipe, they saved a lot of money simply by making their own.

The best part is that you probably already have every ingredient you need to make your own household cleaners. 

Check out a few of my favorite recipes:  Homemade Household Cleaning Recipes.

2.  Repurpose Materials

With money scarce during the great depression, most people tried to figure out ways to repurpose items they already owned, rather than tossing them aside.  

We can easily repurpose as well!  Here are a few suggestions of things in your home you can repurpose to use again:

  • Empty Milk Carton:  Clean out your milk cartons and reuse them to store water or as a mini garden greenhouse.
  • Egg Cartons:  Egg cartons are easy to repurpose as a planter for starting seeds, or as a way to organize beads or any other small items in the home.
  • Toilet Paper Rolls:  Toilet paper rolls make great crafts!  Check out these easy toilet paper roll crafts for some great ideas.
  • Glass/Plastic Containers:  Reuse your sour cream containers, mayo jars, and everything else in between for storing small objects.
  • Grocery Bags:  Turn your plastic grocery bags into trash liners for the small trash cans in your restroom.
  • Clothing/Bedding:  Don’t let your worn clothing or bedding to go to waste.  All you have to do is cut the cloth into small pieces and use them for rags!

3.  Eat At Home

Families rarely, if ever, went out to eat during the depression.  Money was just to tight to spend it on a night out.  Every meal was spent together, at home, enjoying food made from scratch. 

Cooking at home will make a huge difference in your budget each month.  Make sure to check out some of my quick, family friendly dinner ideas here.

 

4.  Trade Skills

Another common frugal living tip from the great depression is to trade skills with each other.  During the depression era, neighbors, friends and acquaintances were often bartering their skills with each other in an attempt to save money.

We can still follow this example today.  If you are great at photography, you could offer to take your neighbors pictures and in return they could donate a service to you, like teaching your kids a musical instrument, cutting your hair, or anything else you need that they can do.

5.  Make Do With What You Have

Something breaks? You don’t have the exact ingredient that you need?  Make it do!

If you can be content with what you already have, you will be much more likely to make it do, rather than spending on the “next big thing!”  I have two personal examples for you.

Example 1:

We spent years watching “everyone” around us switching from flip phones to smart phones. I would be asked regularly why I still used such an “old fashioned phone”. My answer? “Because this one still works fine.”

Of course I would have RATHER of been using a flashy smart phone with all those cool apps and emojis….but I was on a small budget, so the flip phone was all I needed.

Now, I’m not saying that you should get rid of your smart phones. What I am SAYING is that I want you tostart looking at what you have in your home differently.

Example 2:

Last year we wanted to update my 13 year olds bedroom, to give her more of a teenage room, and less of a young girl room. She had requested more coral and less yellow.

Our goal was to only use what we already had around the house all while giving her room a completely new look.

We made a tassel garland out of scrap fabric. She searched through old decorations that we had put in the storage room to find pieces she liked. We decided to paint over a yellow sign, but didn’t have any coral paint. So, we mixed pink with orange and came up with the perfect coral color.

Long story short: we MADE IT WORK! And, she now has a teenage room that she loves.

5 Ways to Make It Do

  1. Take good care of what you already own. Make rules like no shoes in the house, no jumping on the furniture, etc.
  2. Rearrange your furniture for a new look. Swap decor amongst different rooms to switch things up!
  3. Set a grocery budget and stick to it, no matter what. Make whatever you have in your pantry and fridge last for as long as you need to. 
  4. Keep your electronics in good condition and use them until they break, even if they are old and uncool.
  5. Stretch your meat further by using 1/2 the meat called in your recipe and substituting it with beans.

6.  Learn How To Sew

Sewing clothes was very common during the depression.  While, I’m not suggesting you need to start making all of your own clothes, I do recommend that everyone learns a few basic sewing skills.

Being able to sew on a button, hem a dress, or mend a rip will save you a lot of money and help you prevent waste.

7.  Have Fun For Free

I am so passionate about the ability to enjoy life, have fun, and make memories without spending any money.  Our great grandparents were excellent at this skill!

Here are a few ways you can have fun for free:

  • Play games (we love fish bowl)
  • Go for a walk
  • Read books from the library
  • Listen to music

Remember to be creative when trying to find cheap fun.  It’s out there!

  • Related:  25 Free Things To Do In Winter

8.  Hang Your Laundry To Dry

You will save a lot of money on electricity just by simply using your dryer less and hanging your clothes to dry instead.  An outdoor clothes line is the most traditional method to drying clothes.  However, you could also dry them in your house.  I really like this foldable laundry rack and I personally have this wall mounted drying rack in my laundry room.  It works great during the cold winter months.

  • Related:  10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

9.  Learn To DIY

Another way to a lot of money is by learning to DIY.

I know the phrase DIY brings out a lot of different feelings to different people. Some feel excited and motivated (yay! hand me a hammer, I’ll show you how it’s done!). Others might feel a sense of panic and worry (what!?!? I’m not handy….I don’t know how to DIY!).

Do you WANT to learn more DIY but feel stuck or confused about where to start??? I understand! And guess what, learning to DIY is actually incredibly easy!

All it takes is a quick search on google, and a few minutes reading blog tutorials and watching YouTube videos.  That’s really it! It’s exactly how my husband and I have been able to successfully complete dozens of our very DIY projects.

Start small, go slow, and ask questions. You just might surprise yourself with a few new talents and a big savings in your budget.

10.  Grow Your Own Food

During the great depression it was common for everyone to have large gardens.  Not only was it necessary to grow your own food, it was also the way of life.

I believe that it is just as important to grow our own food today as it was back then.

We don’t have any control over grocery prices (and they just keeeeep on raising), so the more we can do to save money in the kitchen- the better!

If gardening scares you, don’t worry!  You don’t need to grow a lot of food to begin saving money.  Even a small window garden will help you lower grocery costs.  Here are a few of the easiest things to grow in your first garden.

11.  Preserve Garden Produce

Speaking of growing your own food, it’s equally important to understand how to preserve the food that you grow.  A freezer/pantry full of preserved garden produce is one of the best ways to save money all year long.

I taught myself everything that I know about canning and preserving using the Ball Book Of Canning and Preserving.  It is an amazing guide and resource and recommend it to everyone!

 

While you will need to spend money to buy canning supplies, this initial investment has paid off over and over for my family.

12.  Save Leftovers

I have to admit something to you.  I use to throw away all of my leftovers…..every last crumb.  When I first started dating my husband he would watch me in complete disbelief as I chucked my uneaten food down the drain.  “I don’t like leftovers,” I would casually say to him.

Well, I have learned a lot since then….much to the example of my husband.

Now, when I see leftovers I see the money that I spent buying that food…..and there is no way I am going to throw my hard earned money down the drain.

Be like new me, not old me and save your leftovers to use again!  

Leftovers can be:

  • Frozen (19 Foods You Didnt Know You Could Freeze)
  • Stored in the fridge to eat for lunch or dinner the next day
  • Repurposed for dinner the next day

I also love to freeze a lot of my leftovers in an ice cube tray for easy use later.  Try it!

13.  Cook From Scratch

Our great grandparents cooked almost everything they ate from scratch.  They avoided buying preprepared foods as much as possible, because they knew that they could make it for much less money.

We can follow this example by making our own bread, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, salad dressing, granola, pizza, lasagna, pancakes, tortillas, yogurt, coutons, muffins, BBQ sauce, and so much more!  The list is never ending.

If cooking is not something you feel comfortable and confident with, then start small.  Making pancakes in the morning is really easy!  Then work up to more difficult things….like baking bread.  

Also, keep in mind that you do not have to make every single thing from scratch to save money.  Choose a few staples you like to make, and be consistent with them.  Every little bit of frugal living will add up and save you money.

  • Related:  30 Family Friendly Meals On A Budget

14.  Stretch Your Meals

Another important frugal living tip from the great depression is to be intentional about stretching your meals.  Sometimes all it takes is adding a can of beans to make one meal turn into two meals.  

Using simple methods to stretch your meals is a great way to cut your grocery costs.  Click here for more easy to follow tips to help your meals stretch further.

15.  Be Your Own Handyman

Skip hiring someone to do simple repairs and household maintenance.  Watch a few YouTube channels and learn how to fix it yourself!

Keep in mind that you won’t save money if the repair is done wrong, in those circumstances you might end up having to pay more to get it fixed.  So, do thorough research before starting any repairs/home maintenance yourself.

Here are a few fairly easy household maintenance ideas that I think *most* people can easily do themselves:

  • Paint walls
  • Patch drywall holes
  • Unclog drains
  • Change oil in car
  • Fertilize yard

The next time you are tempted to call a handyman, pause and ask yourself if this is something you can learn to fix yourself!  I bet you can!

16.  Give Something Homemade

During the great depression, most people didn’t have any extra money to spend on birthday or holiday gifts.  So, they made most of the gifts they gave to others.  I truly believe it is the thought behind a gift that means the most….and homemade gifts are my favorite because they take a lot of thought, time and love.

Check out this list of homemade Christmas gift ideas to help you get started!

17.  Ignore Fads

Our grandparents knew to ignore any trends/fads that would cause them to spend unnecessarily.  The fads come and go, and once they are gone all you’ll be left with is a pile of stuff you don’t need anymore and less money in your bank account (anyone remember the Beanie Baby era???).

Be mindful when you are spending your money and ask yourself if you are buying something just because everyone else is buying it….or if it’s something you will actually use, love and value for years to come.

 

 

18.  Use Electricity Sparingly

Did anyone else grow up with parents who were constantly reminding them to turn off the light???  It wasn’t just me was it????

Our parents learned from their parents that the more electricity you use, the more money you will spend.

Turning off unused lights is one way to conserve electricity.  You can also:

  • Unplug appliances when not in use
  • Use LED lightbulbs
  • Lower your thermostat
  • Seal leaks around windows and doors

There are so many ways to save money simply by changing the way you use electricity.  For more ideas check out these two articles:  How To Save Money On Electricity During Winter and How To Save Money On Electricity During Summer.

19.  Use It up

During the depression families learned to use everything up, rather than letting it go to waste.  If they had a small amount of ketchup left in the bottle, they would use a small spatula or knife to get it out and use it.

Be mindful of not throwing away small amounts of condiments, shampoo, soap, milk, etc.  Find ways to open up the container and use every last drop.

20.  Avoid Disposable Products

Disposable products have become more popular over the years, but they are not great for the wallet (or the environment!).

Try to buy products that can be used over and over again and skip purchasing anything that only has a one time use. 

A few examples of this are to buy:

  • Hand towels instead of paper towels
  • Tupperware instead of sandwich bags
  • Dishes instead of paper plates

You will have to spend slightly more money to begin with….but it will save you big over time.

21.  Forage

Yes!  You read that right, foraging is a great way to save money on food.  And, it’s actually really fun too!

Scout out areas in your community or nearby that has wild berries or other plants growing and go forage.  Every summer my family drives to a nearby spot and spends a day picking huckleberries.  We freeze these huckleberries and use them all year.  

  • Related:  Easy Huckleberry Muffin Recipe

22.  Turn Off The Air Conditioner

I know this is a tough one….but most homes did not have air conditioners during the depression years….and they survived.  I’m sure it wasn’t easy…but they survived.

Try to keep cool instead by using fans, sitting outside in the shade, using cool washcloths, and keeping blinds closed during the hot part of the day.

If turning the air conditioner off completely feels to much for you, then try to increase the thermostat a few degrees so that you are using it less often.

23.  Conserve Water

And my last frugal living tip from the great depression is to conserve water.  You can conserve water by:

  • Wearing clothes multiple days (as long as they are clean!)
  • Follow the mantra:  “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.”
  • Brush your teeth in the shower
  • Take short showers
  • Fix leaky faucets

Sometimes all it takes is a few simple changes to start saving money.

In Conclusion

Who’s ready to implement these frugal tips from the great depression!  I know I am!  Pick one or two new money saving tips to start saving more money today.

 

Related Articles:

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Things Frugal People Dont Do

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How To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards

November 29, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy Ways To Get Free Amazon Gift Cards

I’ve been finishing up the last of my Christmas shopping the past few days.  And as I’ve been shopping I’ve been so grateful for all of my free Amazon gift cards I’ve been saving up during the year.  They help make Christmas much more affordable!

I get asked a lot about how to earn free amazon gift cards, and I decided it was time to share all of my favorite ways!  These hacks won’t make you rich, but they will help ease some of the financial burden you may feel.

Personally, I save up my Amazon gift cards all year to use for Christmas.  But, you could also use them to help pay for birthday presents, household expenses, back to school supplies, sports equipment, and everything in between!  

Sweet Frugal Life is a member of online affiliate programs.  I will be compensated for purchases and clicks made from links in this post.

“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.”

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Earning Amazon Gift Cards

Before we get into how to earn free gift cards, let’s discuss a few of the most commonly asked questions.  Because if other people have asked me these questions….then I’m assuming you are wondering the same thing!

Can you actually get free Amazon gift cards?

Yes!  You can!  I know that there are a lot of scams and to good to be true deals out there.  But, the hacks I’m sharing with you today are all totally 100% legit.  I’ve earned Amazon gift cards using each of these methods and can vouch that they work and are safe!

Does it take a long time to earn a gift card?

This really depends on which method you are using, and how often you are using it.  Taking surveys through Swagbucks or Pinecone will probably help you earn gift cards faster then the reward apps.  However, it can take a while to earn a significant amount of gift cards cash.  Remember that slow and steady wins the race!

How do I redeem my gift cards?

When you have enough points to cash out for a gift card all you will need to do is select an Amazon gift card from the reward section of each of these apps/websites.

You will then be given a 14 digit code.  To redeem the code simply log into your Amazon account, and click on Gift Cards.  You will then enter the gift card code.  The money will now be available to credit to your next Amazon purchase!  So easy!

Ways To Earn Amazon Gift Cards

There are many easy ways to get free Amazon gift cards!  I like to use a mix of options to help the savings add up quickly!  Here are a few of my favorite methods.

1.  Swagbucks

Swagbucks was the very first rewards website I ever signed up for many many years ago.  They offer many different options to help you get Amazon gift cards.  You can earn points, called Swagbucks, for watching videos, taking surveys, searching the internet, shopping online, and so much more!  You can then redeem these points for gift cards to Amazon.

Sign up for Swagbucks here and get a $10 bonus!

2.  Survey Junkie

Another great way to easily earn free Amazon gift cards is to take surveys using survey junkie.  It’s so easy to do!  Just sign up for survey junkie here and fill out a profile to have surveys matched to your interests.

You will then be offered surveys to complete.  This is the perfect activity for when you are standing in line, watching TV, or have some time to kill.  Each survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and pay on average around $1-$3.

Each of your completed surveys will earn you points, these points can then be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.

3.  Upside

Do you fill your car up with gasoline???  Then you should be using the Upside app!

Upside gives you cash back, which can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, at participating gas stations.  Most days I am able to get 5-20 cents cashback per gallon, but if you sign up using this link and use coupon code AFF25 then you will get a bonus 25 cents cashback per gallon!

Make sure to read my full honest review of the Upside app here.

4.  Pinecone Research

I recently started taking surveys on Pinecone Research and have loved everything about it.  It’s definitely my favorite survey website.

After registering on the Pinecone website you will begin to receive emails inviting you to complete surveys.  The surveys are fairly easy to fill out and take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

You will be paid $3 for each completed survey which can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.

5.  Ibotta

There are so many cashback apps that will reward you with free Amazon gift cards.  The app that I’ve been using the longest is Ibotta.  

Ibotta offers a huge selection of rebates.  I have earned cash back on a wide selection of products, including milk, apples, pantry staples, broccoli, beauty and household items.

One of my favorite things about Ibotta though is that they offer cash back on what they call “any brand” items.  For example, today they are having rebates on any brand of yogurt or diapers that you buy.  So you can buy your favorite brand, and get some money back at the same time.

Plus, they always offer a small cash back on “any item.”  So, I can buy anything in the store, and earn some money back.

Ibotta is super easy to use!

  • Just shop like you normally would.
  • Check the app for any rebates you earned.
  • Click on the qualifying items you purchased.
  • Scan your receipt.
  • Your cash back is instantly put into your Ibotta account.  Easy Peasy!

You can request your cash once you reach $20.  I usually get it deposited into my paypal account or redeem it for an Amazon gift card.

6.  Fetch Rewards

Probably the easiest app for earning Amazon gift cards is Fetch Rewards.   This app rewards you with points when you scan your gift cards, and then you can redeem the points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, Sephora, Best Buy, restaurants, and more! 

How it works:

  • Download the free Fetch Rewards app
  • Grocery shop like you normally do
  • Scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app
  • You will automatically be rewarded points based on what you bought.

One of the best things about Fetch Rewards is that you can start redeeming your Amazon gift cards at only $3, and it is so easy to earn that first $3.

7.  Discover Card

Another easy way to get free Amazon gift cards is to use a Discover credit card.  With each purchase made on a Discover card you will earn cashback.  You can redeem the cashback as credit on your card, or you can use it to purchase items from Amazon. We allow this cashback to accumulate throughout the year and only use it to help us pay for Christmas.

  • BONUS!  You can get a $50 bonus when you sign up for a Discover Card and make your first purchase within 3 months.  Just make sure you pay it off monthly!

 

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to earn free Amazon gift cards, it’s time to start earning!  There are so many things you could do with some extra Amazon cash!

 

Related Articles:

The Best Cash Back Apps

How To Listen To Audiobooks For Free

Legit Ways To Earn Money From Home

 

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Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

October 28, 2022 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!

 

 

  • Related:  How to Make a 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.  

  • Related:  Cheap Christmas Gifts for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

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.

  • Related:  Christmas Tree Cookie Recipe

 

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

June 9, 2022 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.

  • Related:  50 Fun Summer Activities For Kids

 

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.

  • Related:  12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

 

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

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7 Simple Ways To Get Your Budget Back On Track (for good this time!)

April 20, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to fix a broken budget.

Struggling with a broken budget???  We have all been there, and I’ve definitely been there more times then I would like to admit!  It might have happened because we gave into spending temptations to many times, or perhaps we let lifestyle creep sneak in.  Or, there could have been a lot of unexpected expenses arise.  There are so many reasons why we go over budget, it happens to everyone!  Going over budget is normal, not great, but normal….but only if it happens occasionally.  If you are looking for ways to fix a broken budget, I’ve got you covered!  Keep reading for 7 simple ways to get your budget back on track (for good this time!).

how to get your budget back on track - how to fix a broken budget

How To Get Your Budget Back On Track

It is possible to fix a broken budget!  Follow the steps below to get your budget back on track once and for all!

1.  Stop Unnecessary Spending

The first step you need to take to get your budget back on track is to put a pause on all unnecessary spending.  This doesn’t mean you cant pay your bills or buy food.  It means that you will only spend money on things that are necessary for living.  But, things like entertainment. going out to eat, home decor, etc. should be completely stopped.

There are so many ways to enjoy life, without having to spend money.  Try a few new easy recipes at home, enjoy some at home date nights, and be creative about finding things for free!

  • Related:  How to Have a Successful No Spend Month

2.  Track Your Spending

If you aren’t already tracking your spending, now is the time to start!  Tracking your spending is one of the most important (but easily skipped) steps to fixing a broken budget.  Writing down every purchase that you make will hold you accountable to your purchases, making it much less likely for you to impulse shop.  

I recommend taking time every single day to write down what you bought that day.  Then compare your purchases to your budget to make sure you are staying within your goals.

3.  Use Cash Envelopes

Anything thing that really helps me fix a broken budget is to start using cash envelopes.  The cash envelope system is really fairly easy to use!

First, look through your budget to determine the amount of cash you have left to spend for the rest of the month.

Next, you will need to go to the bank and take out that exact amount of cash out of the bank.  Divide the cash into different envelope categories.  Once your envelope is empty, you literally can not buy anything else (no cheating!).  I explain more about how cash envelopes here.

And, yes, you CAN use cash envelopes for online purchases!  I explain exactly how to do so in the video below!

 

4.  Give Yourself A Reward

I’ll let you in on a little secret about me…..I love to reward myself!  It motivates me to work hard and reach my goal.  Whenever I start struggling with my budget, I set up a reward system to help me stay focused on my money goals.

Choose your reward by thinking of something fun, but frugal, that you would enjoy getting.  I love to reward myself with a treat from my favorite pastry shop or by buying myself a new small piece of jewelry.

Set up your reward system in a way that will help you get back on track with your budget.  For example, if you go 10 days without splurging on any unnecessary spending, then you can treat yourself to your small reward.

5.  Return Recent Purchases You Don’t Need

Do you have any recent purchases that you regret buying?  Or perhaps that you don’t regret, but know deep down it wasn’t the best decision to buy?  Return these items to the store ASAP!  This is the quickest and easiest way to fix a broken budget caused by impulse spending.

6.  Sell Clutter In Your Home

Another option for getting more money back in your pocket is to sell clutter around your house that you don’t need or use!  My rule of thumb is that if I haven’t touched it for a few months, it needs to go!

Use the money you earn from selling your clutter to get your budget back on track, don’t spend it on something frivolous, put it to use in a budget category that needs it.

  • Related:  10 Household Items To Sell For Quick Cash  

7.  Use An Accountability Partner

One of the best ways to get back on track with your budget is to find an accountability partner to help you reach your goals.  An accountability partner could be your spouse, a friend or everything in between.  Ask the person you choose if they will help hold you accountable to your money goals.  Share with them your desire to fix your budget and what you need to do to get there.

As you go about your day to day routine, make sure to check in with your accountability partner regularly.  Make sure to always call this person to help you when you get the urge to spend, they can talk you through your spending choices to help you make the one that will help your budget best!

8.  Focus On Your Goals

The most important things to remember is to stay focused on your goals.  Set a goal of where you want your budget to be, write it down and then hang it up somewhere so that you can see it regularly.  A bathroom mirror or phone lock screen are great options for this!

When you stay focused on your BIG goals, it’s easier to say “no” to the temptations that come along.

You Got This!

Please don’t beat yourself up for getting off of your budget.  Like I mentioned earlier, it DOES happen, and there IS hope for fixing it.  The fact that you are reading this article shows me that you want to stick to your budget and make it work.  

I know that through a little bit of work, some sacrifice and following these steps you can fix your broken budget!

 

Related Articles:

How To Find Extra Money In Your Budget

How to Make a Zero Based Budget

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

 

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How To Stretch Meals

March 4, 2022 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.

  • Related:  Start Meal Planning For The Complete Beginner

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:

  • Homemade French Bread
  • Fruit Salad
  • Green Salad
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Potatoes
  • Rice

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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How To Stop Emotional Shopping

March 3, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

9 Ways To Stop Spending Money When Life Is Getting Hard.

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

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

You Might Be An Emotional Spender If….

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

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

stop emotional shopping - how to stop impulse spending

How You Can Stop Spending Money When Life Gets Stressful

Try one of these tips below to stop emotional spending.  I hope they help you like they have helped me!

1.  Identify Emotional Spending Triggers.

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

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

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

2.  Shop With Cash

My number one secret to avoiding impulse shopping is to leave your debit card at home and shop with cash envelopes instead.  If the cash is gone, you can’t buy anything, problem solved.  The visual of using envelopes can make a big difference when it comes to impulse spending.

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

3.  Stick to the List

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

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

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

4.  Find a New Coping Mechanism

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

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

Or maybe you shop when you are feeling a lot of stress?  Find a new stress reliever.  This might be exercising or a warm bubble bath.  Substituting a new stress reliever is a great way to stop shopping when stressed.

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

  • Related:  10 Secrets to Spending Less at Target

5.  Make it Hard to Spend

Stores are really great at making it easy for us as consumers to spend money, which is great…..except for if you have a spending problem!  Another way to learn how to stop emotional shopping is to follow a few of these easy steps below to make it harder on yourself to spend money.

  • Leave the Debit/Credit Cards at home.

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

  • Delete Debit/Credit card info from store websites.

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

  • Keep your savings in a separate bank.

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

6.  Unsubscribe from Store Email Lists

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

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

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

  • Related:  10 Tips to Stop Impulse Shopping

7.  Distract Yourself

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

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

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

8.  Use the 48 Hour Rule

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

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

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

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

9.  Find a Support System

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

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

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

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

In Conclusion

I hope this helped you learn how to stop emotional shopping.  Pick a few of these suggestions and start implementing them today!  The sooner you begin working through these steps, the sooner you will have more money in your wallet!  You can do it, I believe in you!

Related Articles:

Fix Your Budget After a Day of Impulse Shopping

How To Save Money On Kids Clothes

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

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How To Save Money On Diapers

February 22, 2022 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!

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