If you could only share one single money saving tip with someone, what would be the one tip you would share?
Mine would be to set a grocery budget and see how low you can get your actual grocery bill each week. So say your grocery budget is $100. You try to get it as far below $100 as you can. Then you take the money that is left and do something fun with it (like save for a trip to Disney World). If you are doing something fun with that ‘unexpected money’, it will keep you motivated to save as much as you possibly can.
If you aren’t sure what your grocery budget should be, take a look at what you are spending every week right now. Let that be your budget for next week. Then lower it by $10 each week until you get to a budget amount that you feel is manageable. You want it to be high enough to purchase what you might need/want but not so high that it is crippling your bank account.
So what is your one best money saving tip?
Be sure to catch up on all the previous Let’s Save Some Money posts.
Jennifer says
3 items to keep in your house for cleaning: salt, gel hand sanitizer and shaving cream.
Salt will soak up wine that is spilled on carpet…Just pour it on the stain when it’s wet and let it dry, then vacuum it up. I have had red wine spill on white carpet and salt took it out completely. There wasn’t a hint of color left.
The hand sanitizer will take ink/marker out of clothes, couches, basically any fabric. I have a very…creative we’ll call it…daughter who every once in a while will get her artistic little hands on a pen or marker. She has drawn all over my seats in my car, on my couch, and all over her clothes. A squirt of hand sanitizer on the stain and it wipes right up, or squirt it on the clothes right on the stain & throw it in the wash.
Shaving cream is great for taking other stains out of carpet…spray it onto the stain & rub with a wet sponge. I use conditioner to shave with (it’s cheaper & better for your skin) but I keep shaving cream for cleaning my carpets.
Susan Lewis says
Stay caught up on coupon clipping and organizing my coupons. Also, look for closeouts at local stores. I have saved a lot when things are being discontinued.
Wendy says
Food: Take a look at AngelFoodMinistries. You simply purchase whatever box of food fits your family’s needs. It’s a flat fee and you can choose what you want.
Health: You can call dental schools, massage schools, etc. to find out about having services performed by students who need to complete all of their “hands-on” hours. Massages by students-in-training are super super cheap. In addition, dental exams and fillings performed by those-in-training are also much less expensive. No health risks because everything has to be double-checked by the overseeing professional. So, you get cheap treatment without sacrificing anything.
Home Improvement Supplies: Check out your local Habitat For Humanity. A lot of the sites have leftover tile, lighting, garden pavers, etc. You can get really steep discounts by going there. In addition, hardware stores sometimes have a section called “oops paints” where the sales clerk created the wrong color for the customer so the “oops” color is heavily discounted.
Landscaping: In my county (in Texas) we were required to drop off trimmed tree limbs and branches to a specific location. At that facility, where they wood-chipped, we could buy mulch, landscaping bark, and even fertilizer really cheap. Maybe your county does the same thing.
Clothes: Depending on what size shoe you wear, you might be able to get away with buying the largest “kid” size instead of an adult women’s shoe which will save you money. Also, men’s clothing is usually less expensive so buy T-shirts or socks in the men’s/boy’s section.
Utilities: Kill your cable. Watch programs on-line, check out DVDs from the public or school library, or borrow from friends. During the summer, hang black-out fabric over the windows to block both the sun and the HEAT from elevating your A/C bill. In addition, make sure that if you have ceiling fans, you flip the switch each season. One direction helps cool your home, the other helps heat it. (Believe it or not).
Furniture: CraigsList usually has a “free” section. People sometimes post furniture that they just don’t want anymore and some things are really nice, not junk. Also, try FreeCycle.
In General: Take advantage of neighborhood garage sales, estate sales, yard sales, church sales, and the occasional thrift store.
Sharon says
My best tip is: remember that spending money is always a choice…. so make sure that you are choosing wisely. It is so easy to spend money- and to do so in places where you really don’t need to. For example, there are plenty of times when I feel too tired to make dinner, and it would really be so easy to load the gang into the car, and drive to a local family restaurant. But when you are buying dinner for 8 people, you can easily spend $125 in the blink of an eye. And on the drive back home, you might think to yourself- what did I just get for that $125? A quality family experience? A relaxing break from my week? Usually I feel that I paid too much for that one-hour “off”.
This week on m blog I posted 10 Ways to Save Money (beyond stockpiling and couponing for groceries)….. http://www.momof6.com
Mandy says
I have a few but got my most recent deal idea from your website. I was reading how you said you saved for Disney so I allowed $150 a week for groceries, gas, all the extra’s. It isn’t a lot with a family of 5. This means we have to plan ahead for meals. My first week I saved $75. Now $30 of that is from a part time job but still I was PROUD.
I also only buy my kid’s clothes if they are on sale. I mostly buy from Gymboree and Gap but I shop the Red Balloon Sale and got tons of shirts for 3.99, dresses for 6.99, even jackets at 6.99. Wal-mart can’t even top those deals.
We are also trying very hard to not eat out at all for an entire month.
Here is a great idea for all that turkey that will be on sale towards Thanksgiving. Buy several turkeys and freeze them. You can make all kinds of dishes from them. Everyone in my family happens to love turkey so I plan on doing this this year and looking up some wonderful turkey casseroles, pot pies, etc. Stole this idea from hip2save.
Probably my number one money saving tip is just because it is on sale and a good deal does mean it is in your budget!
Ok so I know that was more than one…sorry!
Jennifer says
I coupon to add to my stock pile. Its fun to see what I can get very cheaply now each week. The only thing I have to buy is bread each week!
This week I was thrilled to get 6 free Taco Bell taco seasoning, 4 free olive oils, 2 California pizza kitchen single serve pizza at $.50 each, 4 apple chicken brats at $1 each and 5 cream cheese at $.25 each. Also 2 free boxes of pasta. Our store does NOT double coupons, I wish they did but I will add this to the stock pile and be set for year on olive oil.
RK says
I think you guys have the grocery tips covered, so I will focus on larger purchases — electronics, appliances, toys, baby gear, and other pricey things. I think the key to saving money on these types of items is to have *patience* (if possible … if your fridge suddenly dies on you and you can’t borrow a spare from somebody, it may not be an option). Read reviews, select the model(s) that you believe will provide the best value for your family, and then *wait* for a good sale. Also, except for safety devices (e.g., car seats*) and fragile electronics, buy used whenever possible. If you religiously shop garage sales and resale shops and have the patience for it, you *will* hit upon a great deal.
(We actually broke this rule and bought our infant seat used as well. But it was just a stroke of luck for us that someone we knew and felt we could trust was selling the exact model we were looking for when we were looking for it. We intend to buy our convertible car seat new.)
Kayla says
The best tip I could ever give is to stop shopping! We spend the least when I stay home the most. Even if I think I’m just window shopping, it creates a sense of WANT that makes me go out and shop once I have money in hand. Do I REALLY need this is an important question to ask yourself every time you’re about to put something in a cart (even grocery shopping…do I REALLY need these cookies, this ice cream, etc.?)
Micayla says
Use a credit union instead of a bank!
Beth says
There are so many things I’d like to say, but I think the most important would be to only take the amount of **cash** with you that you want to spend when you go shopping, whether it be for groceries or the mall. Unplanned purchases are the worst budget breakers I think. If I spot something and it keeps bugging me for a few days then I go back and get it, but in the past I have been prone to buyers remorse and that’s a feeling I want to avoid all together!
Kara says
Shop sales with a list and coupons in hand.
Pay CASH
Stick to your budget, when the money is gone its gone.
rachel says
Beer rebates. In utah and lots of other states u don’t have to buy beer to do the rebate. This month is 6 off a purchase of 10 dollars or more in baking goods. You have to look for the displays in grocery stores,
Jen says
I’m with Anna. Have a stockpile!!! My husband was out of work for three weeks and I only had to buy milk since we had such a great stockpile.
Andrea says
It was a few months ago that you wrote this.
But it really make me happy that you had food and a stockpile!!.
Have an awesome day!!
Melanie Meadows says
See if your power company has a peak energy program—you insulate your water heater and put it on a timer, put your heat and cooling on a timer. Use large appliances only during off peak times. It takes a little getting use to but we get 1/2 price electricity! We have done this for over 15 years! Even if your power company does not have a peak energy program they may be able to help you save some other ways—it does not hurt to ask.
TERESITA BABCOCK says
I water down my body wash and hand soap.
I use grocery bags for trash so I don’t fill up my big trash so fast.
Making homemade products, IE Laundry soap, dishwasher soap, 409, “clorox wipes”
I use scraps of paper from printing coupons to write my shopping lists on.
Take extra napkins from eating out home
Rachel Durfee says
could u share your recipes? I would like to try making some laundry soap.
TERESITA BABCOCK says
I have found them on blogs that I follow.
http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/10/do-it-yourself-homemade-clorox-wipes.html
http://flitterbugsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/homemade-dishwasher-detergent.html
http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html — scroll down a couple of recipes to find the laundry det.
Lauren says
i have tried this not these recipes but i DID NOT work the clothes got all yucky looking and the colors fadded and it cost just as much as regular with a coupon and sale
TERESITA BABCOCK says
Here is another site for laundry detergent. I was a little bit skeptical about the Duggar formula too. Maybe I wont make it. I think I’m going to do this recipe
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Laundry-Detergent
Marianne says
Use cash!
Denise says
Wow! I really like your tip for the extra money! What a great motivator. My personal tip is something that has helped me not spend money for a very long time! When walking through a store selecting things, ask yourself one question: “Do I need this item or do I want this item?” If it’s a want then just put it back. On a side note though. If you get the item for free, get it. If it’s going to cost you any money, it’s money you could put elsewhere (doesn’t matter the amount).
Traci says
My tip would be using coupons for everything you can, not just groceries. We always use coupons for Kohls, Jcp, etc. My husband even uses coupons for tools and stuff at Harbor Freight! I pay thrift store prices for new clothes for my family (but I would and do also dress them in thrift store and garage sales finds too!) I started really couponing almost 4 years ago, and it may sound funny but it has changed my life. I think of money differently now and try to do my best you use mine and DH’s income as best as possible and stretch it all that I can. It is a great way to challenge myself to live below our means. We actually have an emergency fund now, and that gives me great piece of mind. Also, not caring about what others have and being grateful for what I do have has helped me a lot too!
Andrea says
I think the same: Coupons has changed my life too.
We are 2 now.
Kimberly says
My tip would be to hide food. If there are four packs of cookies,peanuts, raisins, whatever then my kids (and hubby) will eat 4 packs. I don’t have a huge pantry for my stockpile, so I stash my extra snacks behind the boxes of rice and cans of veggie. Each week I put 1 package out in the front and most times on Friday there will still be a little left.
Deal Finder E says
Drink water instead of buying beverages.
Michelle says
Look for co-ops in your area. We participate in a fruit and vegetable co-op each week. For $15 we get 6 fruits and 6 veggies. For example this week we got 2 pomegranates, a huge bag of grapes, 10 bananas, 10 apples, 10 oranges, 1 cantaloupe, 1 head of romaine, 2 lb bag of carrots, 4 red peppers, 1 bunch broccoli, 4 gray squash, 5 onions. This feeds my family of 5 for a week or more we just supplement with some meat/protein of some sort. They also have special that you can add to your basket, like this week I added a 50 lb bag of Yukon Gold potatoes for $12.00. Great for Thanksgiving. Potatoes will last forever in our cool basement.
Denise says
Wow! This is really good. How do you find out about co-op’s like this?
Jan says
I think shop prepared with a list and coupons ready!
Tracie says
I would, and have suggested to my fellow Giant shoppers to search the items that are featured in their gas rewards program for the week.It’s amazing what the product websites offer,and saving on my gas while stock piling….priceless! Oh and btw…fellow Giant gas rewards people.Your only allowed one vehicle fill up,but you can fill your vehicle and a gas can if you need to use gasoline to mow your grass.
missy w says
I think making a LISTS and sticking to it is a great money saver. I make a monthly menu so I know exactly what I need and how I can utilize the ingredients in more than one dish. I just bought puff pastry dough and I will have it used up in three days with 2 main dishes and one desert. In the past I shopped for my meals everyday and tended to have to throw away quite a bit of food………oh how I wished I knew then what I know now.!!LOL
April says
My goal every week is to buy what is BOGO and to have a coupon for every single item. (Oh and ALWAYS ALWAYS check the clearance bins, it rocks when you have coupons for the clearance bin).
Sorry I know that’s more than one tip :)
Anna @LivingHealthyOnABudget says
The biggest way that I am able to have a $50 weekly grocery budget is by having a stockpile- http://livinghealthyonabudget.blogspot.com/2010/09/money-saving-monday-keeping-more-of-our.html
Heidi says
There’s nothing wrong with going out to lunch once in awhile, but you’ll save a ton if you brown bag!
Becca Filley says
Make a menu for dinners each month and make your shopping list off of that. It saves me so much money knowing what I am making and having those items on hand already. You would be surprised how much extra you spend when you run to the store the same night as making that dinner.
Jennifer B. says
I agree!!!! I make out my menu for the week rather than the month but making the menu plan has probably saved me more money than anything else that I’ve done. Not only do I only buy the groceries that I truly need each week, but since I know what meals I can make each night we don’t go out eating much anymore.
Emily says
Ditto for me ladies. Menu planning saves money and TIME, which for me is even more precious!!
Loretta says
SHOP AT RITE AID and use a $5 off $25 for every transaction. I am already at the Gold Level (1,000) points and am saving even more. UP REWARDS can be rolled and every week I get items for free (or nearly free) … items that my family can use!
Tara says
This is a tough question….I have so many! I like to deposit my weekly coupon savings directly into my savings account, so I am not tempted to spend it on something I don’t need. I don’t deposit the exact amount, but I estimate what I am probably saving each week. It’s probably time to increase my deposit!
http://www.thehappyclipper.com/2010/10/tip-of-day-101110-saving-your-coupon.html
G. Rock says
To be prepared for every shopping trip. Get your lists made, coupons ready. It makes everything much easier and saves time and money in the store.