This guest post was graciously written for us by Heather, who blogs at Want What You Have. Heather is the stay-at-home mom of 2 who blogs about “frugal, simple, more meaningful living.”

Our country is facing difficult times right now, and the volatility of our economy can cause great fear and anxiety. I don’t believe that we should stick our heads in the sand and pretend that nothing is happening, but I also know that worry and panic solve nothing. Instead, I believe that we should focus on the things that we can control.

I’ve been a practicing tightwad for more than a decade, and I know that during frightening times when everything seems out of control, frugality helps me feel safer and less anxious. We can’t control what the government or the stock market does, but we can control our own spending.

Here are some ways that you can start to save money right now.

1) Quit buying more stuff. I know that you’re thinking, “Well DUH!” but seriously, you’d be surprised at how difficult this can be. The urge to buy stuff can sometimes seem impossible to resist. In our society of misplaced priorities, we are made to feel guilty, or even deprived if we don’t have the latest and greatest thing. Advertising even leads us to believe that we will be happier, and all of our problems will be solved if we just buy this vacuum, or car, or perfume, or whatever.

It’s a lie.

Inevitably, that one little thing that we buy to make us happy, simply adds to the clutter, chaos and debt in our lives. I challenge you to shop for nothing but groceries for one full month. No clothes, toys, books, or CDs. Just groceries (this includes necessities, like toothpaste and shampoo). You’ll be amazed at how much easier your life is when you don’t bring home a bunch of unnecessary stuff every week. The effect on your pocketbook will be even more incredible.

2) If you have a child in diapers, try making your own baby wipes. I’ve used this wipes recipe with both of my children, and they cost only a fraction of the store-bought price. These wipes are also very gentle on baby’s delicate skin, and they work better than anything you can buy. The recipe can be altered to use any skin oil or baby bath you like, which is great for babies with allergies or skin sensitivities.

3) Make your own baby food. I never purchased store-bought baby food for either of my children, because I simply could not justify the cost, or the waste of resources to manufacture all the tiny little jars, bottles, and tubs. When your baby is ready for solids, you can make your own baby food very easily, and with minimal expense, using this method.

4) Develop a system for keeping track of prices. If you’re serious about getting control over your budget, a price book is absolutely necessary. It allows you to buy only the cheapest items at each store, and provides the information you’ll need to evaluate unadvertised sales and unexpected sources of goods. Read more about how to make a price book here.

5) Get organized. It’s my opinion that true frugality requires planning and organization. Ask yourself these questions:

Have you ever made a special trip to the store and paid full price for something because you ran out, and it was an emergency?

Have you ever bought a replacement for something you knew you already had, but couldn’t find?

Do you ever pay late fees on bills, because you misplaced and forgot about them?

Do you run around frantically looking for lost items, instead of working?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then disorganization has cost you money. My “Inside the Guide” series of posts will guide you, step by step, through the process of making a binder for home management. It’s a great place to start!

6) Buy in bulk when you see good sales. Start small. See if you can save an extra $5 dollars a week. Eliminate non-essential items and convenience foods. Eat less-meat meals. Use the money you save to start buying in bulk. Initially, your food bill may be higher, but eventually your monthly average will drop, because you’ll be consistently eating foods purchased at the lowest possible price. This article has more tips to help you get started.

7) Cook from scratch. Making meals from scratch, instead of using convenience foods, can cut your grocery bill in half - not to mention that the food tastes much better! My “Frugal Pantry” article will help you determine which ingredients you should have on hand for scratch cooking. Visit my recipe blog, “Economical Eats,” for some fabulous, frugal recipes.

8 ) Try to use less of everything. I often challenge myself to see how little of something I can use, without sacrificing quality. For example, I cut my dryer sheets in half with a kitchen shears, and use only 1 tablespoon of dishwasher detergent, because I’m satisfied with the end result. This week, try to cut back the amount you use of just one common household product, and see what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised.

9) Check to see if you have a salvage store in your area. This web site has a handy directory, organized by state. Salvage stores buy up all of the stock that grocery stores return to their warehouses. These goods are returned for various reasons–dented cans or damaged boxes, salvaged goods from accidents during transport, and even expired products. 4 times a year, we travel 45 minutes to an Amish community to shop at their bulk grocery and salvage stores. I buy all of my spices, and many staples & baking supplies in bulk there, and we usually fill the back of our van with groceries. Even with the high cost of gas, we estimate that salvage store shopping saves us about 50 percent on our grocery bill.

10) Rediscover the simple pleasures of home. Instead of going out, try making your own entertainment. Here are a few suggestions:

-Make a homemade pizza for supper and play cards or a board game.

-Pop some real (not microwave) popcorn and watch a movie.

-Read a book. Kids love it when you read to them, and reading is my favorite way to pass the time.

-Bake anything. My daughters love to bake, and we all get to enjoy the treats.

-Experiment with ethnic cooking. My husband and I frequently try to duplicate our favorite restaurant cuisine at home, after the kids are in bed. We’ve successfully made saganaki, sesame chicken and crab meat rangoons, and sauerbraten. It’s fun to cook together, and it gives us a chance to talk.

-Give each other spa treatments. I gave my daughter a facial one night and she thought it was great. She gave one to her Daddy–he was a good sport.

-Make a craft project. Most kids love arts and crafts, and Family Fun has lots of creative ideas on their web site. One of the most memorable projects we’ve done as a family is rock painting. My husband and I enjoyed it as much as the kids did!

-Read the Bible and have a family devotional. Heritage Builders has a great Family Starter Kit, which is recommended by Focus on the Family.

-Take a nap. This is my favorite, probably because I never get to do it.

Jane Austen said, “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” If you give it a try, I think you’ll agree.

Thank you so much for these wonderful tips Heather. We appreciate you sharing your wisdom and advice with us.

If you would be interested in guest blogging here at Happy To Be At Home, please send us an email at 3moms@happytobeathome.net.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites