I am mindful of how I spend money. That mindset started years ago when I became a single mom and was the one in charge of the finances. I learned to be frugal but not live in a scarcity mindset. That’s tough to do. The scarcity mindset was always present because of the reality of the situation, and I had to learn to challenge that. I did that by finding great deals and still live a good quality of life.

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Some brilliant ways to save money.

 

1.

Have a “no spend” day. That means you don’t buy gas, food, anything. Once you do this, you can do it again and again. You’d be surprised how we just throw money around each day that we can hold onto a little longer. It makes us feel good knowing there’s more money in our bank accounts or wallets.

2.

Stack errands. This saves time and money. When you have to run to the store, add on other errands along the way so you don’t waste gas and time going on a separate day.

3.

If you’re looking to buy a brand-new car, especially a higher-end vehicle, check out the certified pre-owned cars that are a few years old and have low mileage. You will still have a great warranty. You can save up to 40% off the retail price, and you still benefit from the new car’s look and feel at a fraction of the cost.

4.

Let go of the mindset that you have to keep up with the “Joneses.” Embrace the life you have now with gratitude, and stop worrying about what others have or what others think of you. It’s so unproductive and hurts us. Be kinder to yourself and know you’re doing the best you can. Strive for the better, but love the life you have right now.

5.

Shop clearance racks for clothing at places like department stores or stores like TJ Maxx. You can find quality, style, and clothes that will last at reasonable prices. The markup on retail items is ridiculous, so paying a fair price is not only worth it but also wise.

6.

Make food and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal in the future. Sometimes, we don’t want to eat the same thing the next day or even the day after that, and leftovers don’t last too long in the refrigerator. However, putting them in the freezer gives you a nice buffer between eating the same meals. Just pop it in the microwave, and voila! You can serve a meal at a fraction of the cost you’d spend getting takeout. And you’re eating healthier because you know what went into the meal (like using no preservatives or chemicals.)

7.

Buy cheaper store brands. They are not necessarily cheaper in product formation. I have had some hits and misses. You have to test them out. Manufacturers of name brands often make store-brand products. Two misses on store-brand cleaning products are the Dawn dishwashing soap, and Swiffer Wet Mopping Cloths dupes. In my opinion, nothing I’ve found compares to name-brand Dawn dishwashing soap or the Swiffer pads.

8.

Learn where things are sold at better prices and shop at different stores to get the best deals. Yes, it’s called “cherry-picking,” but I know that certain stores have better deals on things like Aldi selling their spices for .99 cents. You can’t beat that price, and most times, they are McCormick products, which cost a lot more.  I know we’re all pressed for time these days, but if you plan it out, you can hit the stores without taking too much of your time.

9.

Don’t turn your nose up at the Dollar Tree. I’ve found some quality items for $1.25 that I regularly buy, like sponges, and these dish scrubbers are fantastic!

Still, you can score high-end-looking items that you’d find at TJ Maxx or Target for a lot more money, like glass jars with stainless steel lids or the random overstock from stores (like a large wooden cutting board for $1.25.) The gift bag/tissue paper section is terrific, and the Hallmark cards at 2 for $1.00 is a great deal. I’ve also gotten name-brand items in large sizes for $1.25, like Spic and Span Antibacterial Cleaner. Their brand name, Awesome Degreaser Cleaner, works well on bar-b-q grills. You never know what you might find there.

10.

Buy less, but quality. When you’re in need of a new pair of sneakers, shoes, or boots, try to look for quality that will last you longer, and your feet will thank you. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend a lot of money. I purchased a pair of suede boots made by Jeep (like the vehicle and, yes, I know, weird) at Value City, a discount store (no longer open) for $7.00. I’ve had them for about fifteen years with a good amount of use. I did have the heels replaced by a shoe cobbler once.

Keep your eye out for quality. And this doesn’t just apply to shoes. You never know where you’ll find a great deal!

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There are many more ideas, but for the sake of keeping this post at a reasonable length, I’m keeping it at ten. If you have any other ways to save money, please share!

Thank you so much for spending your time reading this. I hope I’ve inspired you with some ideas to save some money!

To mo’ money,

Francesca