It’s been a while since I talked about frugal living habits! I’ve always been a frugal person (mostly out of necessity) and my husband and I are always striving to be debt-free. We briefly achieved that goal before we bought our home and have been working to get back there ever since! We’ve had wins like paying cash for a trip to Disney world and paying off my car, and then we’ve had setbacks like discovering rotten flooring in our bathrooms and having to replace our HVAC unit this winter.
I firmly believe that my role as the housewife plays a BIG part in helping us reach our financial goals! Yes, I work part time to contribute to our taxable income, but saving money is just as important as earning money.
Here are a few things I’m currently doing to help lower our expenses:
#1 Stick to a set grocery budget by menu planning, shopping the sales and using a few coupons. (Read More: How I’m Saving Money on Groceries in 2017)
#2 Target savings strategy number one: Before I check out in the store, I pull my buggy over and scan each item with the Target app bar code scanner. It automatically adds any Cartwheel discounts to my app and often saves me 20% on at least one item!
#3 Target savings strategy number two: I do a lot of my Target hauls online! It is a great way to shop their gift card promotions (those things never work for me in stores!) and I can fill my cart throughout the week as I remember what I need. I also use their subscription service for cat food & cat litter – two things that I need every 4 weeks. It saves me from having to make a special trip (which usually ends in an impulse buy or two!)
#4 Always take advantage of rewards and cash back when shopping online. I installed the Ebates toolbar (aff link) that not only reminds me when I can get cash back from a site, but also finds and applies any valid coupon codes. It works for travel reservations, retail purchases and more. Here’s another example – we always order Papa John’s pizza online, which earns rewards points for each purchase. I was able to send a pizza delivery to a young mom who needed a meal by simply redeeming my saved points! So many other restaurants reward you for using the app or ordering online – Chick Fil A, Subway and my favorite ice cream spot, Brusters! 🙂
#5 Skip the car wash and use the hose & my handheld vacuum. Granted, there are times when a run through the car wash is necessary. But when I just want to clean out the interior of my car or wash off the inch of pollen that accumulated overnight, I do that at home. I love this handheld vacuum (aff link) – and I find it’s easier to use than those wild hoses at the car wash.
My car wash savings aren’t huge, and that might not even be something that’s feasible for you. However, I hope it will help you think of a simple way you can save a few dollars each week. By simply changing one thing, you can save money and contribute to your financial goals!
Read More —> 3 Things I Do Because I’m Frugal
Come Home For Comfort 
This is great! The little things do add up!
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They really do! Thanks!
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Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
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Hope it was helpful! 🙂
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Great tips! We are looking for ways to save on the cell phone bill. I have an iphone and my husband has a flip phone. Also need to get the cable bill down.
Any ideas on saving in these areas?
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I am not an expert on saving on cell phone bills – but definitely look over your bill and see if there’s anything you’re paying for but not using. With cable – my best suggestion is to ditch it! 🙂 Netflix, Hulu and Amazon TV are so much cheaper. If you really want to hang onto your cable, I’d suggest shopping around for a different provider. We change internet companies every couple years to stay on top of the best deals. Sometimes when you call to cancel they’ll offer you a really great deal to get you to stay! 🙂 Hope that helps!
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I applaud your efforts to save money and live frugally. So many people seem to overspend and are in major debt these days. My family has always been very money conscious, also due to necessity, so I can totally relate! Sometimes it’s fun to splurge, but keeping in line the rest of the time makes that possible. 🙂
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Thanks! Sometimes I wish I could just walk into a store and buy whatever I wanted – but that’s not reality. So I save and enjoy splurging, just like you said. 🙂
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My previous jobs allowed me a lot more “fun money,” but I also ended up with some things that I really didn’t need/use. Working with a smaller budget really makes me think, and in some ways I think I’m actually happier. But a splurge is always a good time! 🙂
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Saving money is just as important as earning money… I love that! I also work hard to find good deals and save my family money. I’m just starting to do some online grocery shopping and I can see how it would help me to stick to a list. When I’m in the stores I tend to add many more things to my cart. Lately I’ve been consigning and reselling clothes and toys my kids have outgrown. It feels good to clear out the clutter and make some money 🙂
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I’ve never done any consigning – mostly because I wear so many of my sister’s hand me downs as it is! 🙂 However, that’s a great way to earn cash!
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I also do #2 – pull my buggy over & scan for Cartwheel savings! I’m glad I’m not the only one ; )
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It’s always fun to get those cartwheel savings! 🙂
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Great tips. We usually get free car washes from the dealership we get our oil changed at which is so nice. We also save money by choosing to not have cable. Grocery shopping online helps me a ton too. It saves from those impulse purchases.
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Free car washes are always nice!!
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I find if I stay out of Target, I do save money.:) I never come out with just the things I went to shop for at my happy place.
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Ha! I hear you on that one!
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