Money Saving Tips From a Stay-At-Home-Mom
Becoming a stay-at-home mom meant our family’s income would be reduced by seventeen percent. Changes must be made [yesterday]. So, I was on a mission to reduce our expenses and figure out how to save money. I want to share the money saving tips I’ve incorporated into our family finances.
Searching for money saving tips online, I came to realize the answer to my quest to reduce our expenses mainly came down to figuring out where I should stop spending money.
Clothes for myself
Oh man, let me tell you, I used to spend a fortune on clothes. But now, I’ve found some awesome ways to save money on my wardrobe!
First off, I started by going through my closet and getting rid of stuff I don’t wear anymore. I was shocked by how much stuff I had that I never even touched. So, I sold some of it online and donated the rest to charity.
Next, instead of buying brand new clothes, I started checking out thrift stores and consignment shops. You would not believe the amazing stuff you can find! And it’s so much cheaper than buying new. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce waste by giving clothes a second life.
Another way I’ve saved money is by swapping clothes with my friends. It’s a win-win situation because we get to refresh our wardrobes without spending any money. Plus, it’s always fun to try out new styles and mix things up.
Finally, I’ve started investing in quality, timeless pieces that I know will last a long time. Yeah, it might be more expensive upfront, but in the long run, it’s worth it because I don’t have to keep replacing cheap, poorly-made clothes.
Overall, these tips have helped me save so much money on my clothes without sacrificing style or quality. Give them a try and see how much you can save!
This post may contain affiliate links which means I might earn a commission if you make a purchase through my link. You can read my full disclosure here.
No more toys
my house used to be overrun with toys. And let’s be real, most of them just collected dust. So, I made the decision to stop buying new toys and it’s been a game-changer for my wallet.
Instead of buying new toys, I started focusing on experiences. For example, instead of buying my kid a new toy for their birthday, we would go on a fun day trip or have a special outing. It’s been so much more fulfilling and memorable than any toy could be.
I’ve also started making a point to rotate toys. Basically, I put some toys away and bring out others. This way, my kid doesn’t get bored with the same toys and it feels like they’re getting something new without me having to spend any money.
Another way I’ve saved money is by borrowing toys from friends or family. This is especially helpful for bigger items like ride-on toys or play kitchens that can take up a lot of space and cost a lot of money.
Finally, I’ve started focusing on buying toys that are more open-ended and can be used in a variety of ways. This way, my kid can get more use out of them and they don’t get bored as quickly. Plus, it’s more fun to see them use their imagination and come up with creative ways to play.
If you need a fantastic walkthrough of how to achieve a more peaceful playroom, I recommend you check out the Toy Detox program.
Gym membership
Okay, so let’s talk about gym memberships. They can be crazy expensive, but there are ways to save some serious cash.
First off, consider skipping the gym altogether and working out at home. You can find tons of free workout videos online, and you don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to get a good workout in. Plus, it’s super convenient to be able to work out whenever you want without having to leave the house.
If you really love going to the gym, though, consider going to a less expensive gym. There are plenty of budget-friendly options out there that still offer all the equipment and classes you need to get a good workout in.
Another way to save money is to look for deals or promotions. Gyms often have specials or discounts for new members, so keep an eye out for those. And don’t be afraid to negotiate! You might be able to score a better deal just by asking.
Finally, if you’re not using your gym membership as much as you thought you would, consider canceling it altogether. You can always find other ways to work out, and you’ll save a ton of money in the long run.
Overall, there are plenty of ways to save money on gym memberships without sacrificing your fitness goals. Give these tips a try and see how much you can save!
Money saving tips on books
I love reading, but buying books can get expensive real fast. So, I’ve come up with some great ways to save money on my reading habit.
First off, consider getting a library card. It’s totally free, and you can borrow books for weeks at a time. Plus, most libraries have ebooks and audiobooks available to borrow, so you don’t even have to leave your house to get your reading fix.
Another way to save money is to buy used books. You can find them at thrift stores, online, or even at library sales. And, let’s be real, a used book is just as good as a new one.
If you really want to buy new books, consider getting an e-reader. You can often find great deals on Kindles or other e-readers, and ebooks are usually less expensive than physical books. Plus, you’ll be able to carry all your books with you wherever you go.
Finally, consider swapping books with friends or joining a book club. It’s a great way to read new books without having to spend any money, and you’ll get to have fun discussions about the books with your friends.
Overall, there are plenty of ways to save money on books without sacrificing your love of reading.
I will mention Blinkist and Scribd are my two favorite digital reading options. I encourage you to check them out as they both have the option to try for free.
Tampons and/or Pads
Last month there was an informative conversation in a moms group about menstrual cups
Until that conversation thread, I’d never heard of such a thing but wow! What an awesome buy to save money and the environment.
I chose the lena cup and pixie cup wash
Cheap Make-up brushes and applicators
Guilty as the next similarly lazy person, I used to rarely clean my make up brushes. I discovered this easy makeup brush cleaning system and it was simply life changing. Super easy to use and never again do I need to throw away a yucky, dirty makeup brush.
Frequent haircuts and highlights
Okay, so let’s talk haircuts. They can be crazy expensive, especially if you go to a fancy salon.
Where I live, a simple cut for my medium to long hair can cost anywhere from $60 to $80 bucks. That’s a lot of money!
When I was working and had a steady income, I used to get my hair cut every two months. But now that I’m not working, I’ve had to cut back.
These days, I only get my hair cut twice a year. It saves me and my family about $400 bucks a year, including the tip. That’s a huge chunk of change!
Seriously, cutting back on haircuts has made a big difference in our budget. It’s almost enough to cover our car insurance. So, if you’re looking to save some money, consider stretching out the time between haircuts. Your wallet will thank you!
Anything not on my shopping list
I used to be guilty of impulsively buying things that caught my eye in the store, even if they weren’t on my shopping list. I’d convince myself that I might need them later, so why not grab them now?
But over time, I came to realize that those “just in case” items were seriously draining my wallet. And more often than not, I never actually ended up using them!
So, I started to discipline myself not to make those impulse buys. I would stick to my list and only buy what I truly needed. And you know what? It made a huge difference in my spending habits.
By cutting out those “just-in-case” items, I was able to save a ton of money. I no longer wasted my hard-earned cash on things that I didn’t need or use. And best of all, I didn’t feel guilty or regretful about my purchases anymore.
The key to overcoming the “just-in-case” mentality is to remind yourself that you can always go back and buy something later if you really do need it. Most of the time, you’ll find that you don’t need it after all, and you’ll be glad you didn’t waste your money.
So, if you’re looking to save some cash, I highly recommend ditching the “just-in-case” mentality when you go shopping. Stick to your list, buy only what you need, and watch the savings pile up. Your wallet will thank you!
Leave a Reply