Frugal Homemaking: How to Make and Save Money as a Homemaker
Today I would like to share with you some practical tips and ideas for how to save money. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or you have a full-time or even part-time job, you are likely looking for ways to save a few dollars here and there.
A privilege, not privileged
There is a misconception that those who choose to stay home with their kids are privileged to do so. While it is a tremendous joy and privilege to be a stay-at-home mom, I would argue that the decision to stay home often takes a great amount of sacrifice to make it work.
Most one income families are choosing to say no to many other things to make this work. It requires sacrifice; it means choosing to live like few others, but it is worth it.
Let me just say that if you are someone who desires to stay home with your kids, you may feel like it is just not possible and I understand the feeling. However, I have found that in most cases with the little creativity, hard work, and sacrifice you can make it happen. If this is your heart and you don’t know where to start, read this blog post.
I hope the following list of idea will help you to find areas where you can save a little money and spark creativity for how you can even make a little extra income.
Practical ways to save money
These things are in no particular order, but are all things that we practice in our home and have found to be great ways to save money. I will say that if you are just starting out to this idea of living on a single income or looking to cut your spending dollars, start with the kitchen; meal plan, make grocery lists; shop your pantry.
Ok, let’s jump in.
Shop secondhand
Some people enjoy thrifting more than others, I get it, but learning to thrift can be a fantastic way to save your family money. We have scored so many great deals on clothes, kitchen items, tools, furniture, animal equipment, and even a camper by learning to shop second hand.
Thrift stores are a great place to start, but don’t forget to check out Facebook marketplace and your local Facebook buy, sell, trade groups. We have also scored a number of treasures from local auctions.
I also love shopping ThredUp for second hand clothes. It does take a bit of searching, but with a little effort, you can find some great deals. I always adjust my settings to search for items that are “like new” or even “new with tags” which helps to weed out a lot of items.
Thriftbooks is another excellent resources for shopping used books at super discounted prices.
Meal plan your pantry
This one may sound strange, but hang with me. We are probably all guilty of impulse purchases and having a pantry full of food items that have sat for months without being used.
Before you make a grocery list, I encourage you to “shop” your pantry. What food items have been sitting there awhile and what could you make with what you already have? Learning to buy – and use – what you need is a great way to cut back on grocery costs and ensure you don’t have waste.
The other thing that I would encourage you to do is to buy your pantry items in bulk when you can. I like purchasing bulk items from Azure Standard and Thrive Market.
Keeping basic things like flour, salt, and dry beans on hand means that you can always whip up something to eat, regardless of how simple it is. Here’s my free pantry staples check list.
Meal plan and make a grocery list
This one goes with the last, but so often we are guilty of running into the grocery store for just that one thing and coming out with more than we intended.
After you’ve shopped your pantry, make a meal plan and grocery list. Then when you go to the grocery store, commit to buying only what is on your list. This will not only save you money, it will save you time and stress. Meal planning also helps you avoid the fast food lines because you have a plan.
If you’re looking for a good place to start with meal planning, check out my eight week summer dinner planner, with easy, budget and family friendly recipes.
I would also challenge you to consider what foods your family eats the most and see if you can’t replace some of those items with homemade. For instance, salad dressings and creamed soups are incredibly easy to make at home and will save you money opposed to the grocery store brands – and taste better too!
Need a good place to start? Check out my Staples from Scratch guide!
Say no to impulse purchases
This one seems so simple, but impulse purchases really add up! I am guilty of clicking on a link from social media or an email and making a purchase without really thinking about it.
A few years ago, I decided to wait before purchasing anything. I keep a tab on my phone open or add things to my Amazon wish list and then wait. If I still feel like I need that item after a few weeks, then I might purchase. So many times I have found that when I came back to that item, I really didn’t want or need it anymore.
Be cautious about subscriptions services
There is nothing wrong with subscription services, I have several and use them. Just be cautious. Things like Amazon prime, Audible, Netflix, and Disney+, add up quickly and we can find ourselves spending a good chunk of money each month on subscriptions.
Learn repair skills
We have saved hundreds of dollars over the years by doing repairs ourselves. Almost all of our appliances have had trouble at one point or another and my husband has been able to fix them, by researching, watching videos, reading, and ordering parts. YouTube is a great resource for finding and watching videos to help with this if you are not used to doing repairs.
Use DIY cleaners
Consider making your own cleaners and using one cleaner for multiple surfaces. Vinegar and baking soda can be used to effectively clean many things and it’s so simple and cheap. I also like making orange peel cleaner for a simple, effective household cleaner.
Bonus: for these types of cleaners, the kids can help clean without worry about the harsh chemicals in them.
Utilize free resources
Utilize your local library for things like books, movies, free activities, and audiobooks. Hoopla is a wonderful resource for audiobooks through your local library, and I have found many titles I was looking for.
Some libraries also have free passes for zoos and museums and even parks. Definitely talk to your local librarian and see what resources they offer.
Youtube also has many awesome resources for tutorials, storybook read-alouds, kids shows, movies, and other educational resources.
Free family fun
When you’re trying to save money, finding ways to have fun and adventure as a family can be a challenge. Get creative and you can do many, many fun things for free.
- Look for free museums, parks, or botanical gardens in your area- and make sure to talk to your local library about what free passes they may have to some of these attractions.
- Many states offer seasonal programs with free or reduced prices admission to local tourism attractions to encourage visiting these areas. Check with your local or state tourism offices to see what opportunities might be available in your area.
- A good old fashioned picnic is always a fun idea. Check out this printable for some simple picnic food ideas and make sure to grab my favorite cooler bag to pack all of those eatables.
- Camping is one of our favorite family budget friendly ways to travel and see amazing places.
If you’re still looking for some ways to have fun with your kids this summer – for free – check out this blog post.
Consider cashback apps
Apps like Fetch and Ibotta can be a great way to get cash back for grocery purchases. We also use Upside for cash back on fuel and have been pleasantly surprised how often we can save a few cents a gallon on fuel. This link gets you an extra $0.15/gal cash back on your first
Make “egg money”
In days of old, women would sell eggs for a little extra household cash, which is why I have referred to this category as making egg money.
If you are looking to make a little extra income, I encourage you to think creatively. What do you enjoy doing? What gifts or hobbies do you have that would benefit others? Here’s just a few ideas:
- Bake bread
- Make candles or soap
- In-home childcare
- Teach music lessons
- Laundry or cleaning services
The opportunities to make a little extra income are really endless, it just takes a little creativity and courage to start.
You could also consider affiliate marketing . This is where you share about products you use and love and earn a commission when someone purchases through your links. While most affiliate marketing links only pay pennies, I really love the opportunity at Make Wellness. The products can benefit everyone and the income potential is unmatched. If you are curious about joining a company like this, check it out here and don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions.
Final thoughts
These are just a few of the ways that I have found we can save money – sometimes literal hundreds of dollars a month. It does take creativity and hard work, but I truly believe it is possible to find ways to save here and there and all of those little savings do add up. What would you add to this list? What are your best tips for saving money as a homemaker or stay-at-home mom? I’d love to hear in the comments!
