Whether you have had some unexpected expenses arise or you have tightened your budget, your bank account will appreciate these cost cutting approaches your family can implement today.
- Meal Plan
Eating at home is simply more cost-effective than eating out at a restaurant. Busy lives and hectic schedules can make eating at home a challenge and getting take-out can seem so much easier. Use these tips to successfully plan and eat meals at home.
- Pack lunches the night before. This will eliminate skipping this step in the morning rush. Go ahead and make your coffee the night before and set your timer. You will resist the urge to buy coffee on your way to work if it is hot and ready to go.
- Use up leftovers whenever possible for lunch then next day. If you have leftover meat, you can always turn this into a new meal for the next night.
- Cook once, eat twice. When cooking a meal your family likes, make an extra meal and freeze it. Then you will have an easy meal for a busy week to pull out of the deep freeze.
- Plan out meals for a month. This sounds like a lot, but you will be able to grocery shop and know what is ahead without having to take time each week to plan.
- Use what you have. Take stock of your pantry and freezer. Plan to use what will expire first and create your meal plan on what you already have.
- Enjoy free or budget-friendly activities
Explore new and fun things to do with friends, your significant other, and your family that are free or budget-friendly. With a little planning and creativity, you will find many things to do and places to explore. Ideas include:
- Starting a book club
- Having an at-home spa day
- Hosting game nights
- Trivia, riddles, and jokes
- Things to do outside in nature
- Productive activities that will improve your life
Read: Good Things to Do When Broke (or on a budget) for more ideas and activities that are cheap yet entertaining.
- Unsubscribe from subscriptions
Do you still have cable? Do you have apps or streaming services you don’t use enough to justify the cost? What about a gym membership? Cancel anything you are not using regularly or look for a cheaper alternative.
Call the provider and say you are wanting to cancel. Oftentimes, they will negotiate your price if it is something you are wanting to continue using.
- Carpool
Plan ahead and carpool to work or to school with those close by you. If your kids have extra evening or weekend activities, plan ahead to schedule rides with other parents so that you can create a plan that saves you all time and money by taking turns.
- Unplug your electronics
How many electronics do you have plugged in right now that you aren’t using at the moment? Unplug your electronics when you aren’t using them. This can save you $100 per year. Even when your electronic devices are turned off, they are still using energy if they are plugged in. Get your entire family on board with this money-saving plan.
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