Mommies Frugal Finds

10 Super easy ways to save BIG!!!!

#1 Ditch the Jonses’. The Jones’ might appear to have a beautiful life but what you don’t see is their debt. Just because they live in a fancy house and drive a brand new car doesn’t mean they have money.Truth is they probably have massive soul crushing debt.Trying to keep up with a lavish lifestyle can live you broke, stressed and unhappy. Freedom comes from being happy with less and only buying what you can truly afford

. #2 Simplify. No you don’t have to get rid of all your belongings and move in to a tiy house (although that is an option). But rather,try to think with a simpler mindset. Declutter your house and get rid off things that you don’t use. Sellt these items on Craigslist, or aother online marketplace and put this money in savings.

#3 Don’t grocery shop with your kids if you can help it. You will save big just by the kids not picking out things they want that they saw on tv or that have their fav character on it. These items get pricey and add up fast

#4 Don’t buy snacks. Or if you do buy snacky types of food, shop at the Dollar Tree or the .99 cent store. Snacks add p fast at the grocery store.

#5 Trick yourself into saving. You know that lose change in your car, on your nightstand or at the bottom of your purse? These little coins can add up to big savings. Save them in a jar or a water cooler bottle (like I do). We are hoping to save enough for our Disneyland trip. Even if we have half by the end of the year it would be worth the minimal effort for several hundred or thousands. I read on a blog were someone did this and had close to $3000 by the end of 12 months. If you think about it everyday you get change if you carry cash. Let’s say everyday you end up with $5 in change. Times that by 30 days $ 150 a month saved is a whopping $1800 ayear! See how fast change can add up? What could u do with an extra $1800 a yr? Go on a mini vacation? Pay down debt? Invest? Save? Shopping spree? Down on a new car? Gift? Christmas fund? The possibilities are endless.

#6 Stay home more. While the idea of this might not sound very fun…it can be a great way to reconnect with family. Turn off your phones and devices and have a family game night or movie night or even a backyard camp-out.  Tell your friends and family you will be staying home a lot to save money, so they don’t feel like you’re blowing them off or have become a recluse. Make them come see you. If you think about it, even if you don’t spend any money you still are using gas. The more places you go the more you spend. It adds up quick and add kids to the mix and the cost goes waaay up. It’s easy to spend $40-$100 on one outing or event.

#7 Pack your own food and drinks if you can if you do go out. A quick Dollar Tree run is all it takes to cut the cost by 50-100%. Think about how many times you ight have blown money at fairs, carnivals or theme parks.

#8 Explain finances with kids at an early age. This is often a taboo subject and a lot of us don’t discuss money with kids. I think this is doing them a disservice. I thought this too..shield the kids from financial issues. What that lead to was mom..I want, I want, want. Start giving your child an allowance from the time they can start doing little chores. I recently gave my step son a lesson in money at Walgreens when he had $5 he wanted to spend. He had to decide what items (candy) were the best value for his money and I had him pay the cashier. This instills a since of trading time for money and that money isn’t endless. We can’t just go out to our backyard and pick money from a tree (though that would be nice). A lot of people have a hard time telling kids no. Believe me I was one of them. We’ve all seen the stressed mom at Wal-Mart giving into a child just to get out of the store right? Yep, that was me…no seriously that might have really been me. Lol I had to start learning to say no, compromising and laying ground rules before we even entered the store.  Like for example…your b-day is right around the corner so you are not getting a toy today. We are here only for groceries today. My older kids tend to understand but my little one whos four I try to not shop with him if it’s at all possible. Call grandma, a friend or a neighbor if you can for a quick and easy trip to the grocery store.

#9 Grocery shop with a plan. For a lot of families including mine. Groceries are one of our biggest monthly expenses…#2 actually. A good thing about this expense is it is a flexible expense, meaning the amount spent is not set in stone like say a mortgage payment or car payment. What this means is you can easily reduce this expense. Things you can do to save at least 50% on your grocery bill include weekly meal planning, shop with a list, plan around your stores weekly sale ad, don’t buy convenience foods…like buy a head of lettuce and chop yourself or a reg bad of carrots instead of baby carrots. These little changes can save you a lot.

#10 Shop at Dollar stores. I buy most all of my snack type foods, cleaning products, cards, crafts and pet items oh yeah and socks at The Dollar Tree. I absolutely love the Dollar Tree! If you do nothing else on this list.This one thing can save you hundreds a year. Some of the items that are totally worth buying are….socks, hair products, soaps, cleaning supplies, crafts, birthday party supplies, holiday decor,knick knacks,books, medicines, pantry and frozen foods and so much more! Dollar Tree videos and more on my youtbe channels Mommies Frugal Finds Mommies Media Beauty30