I thought I'd share a frugal tip that my mom taught me quite a few years back because I happen to think it's a really great tip!
Before buying any new clothing, always consider the Cost Per Wear. I like to think that an article of clothing costs me $1.00 each day I wear it. So, for example, consider the basic t-shirt that costs $10. Can I see myself wearing it for 10 days out of the year at the cost of $1.00 per wear? If so, then it's absolutely worth purchasing.
Another example: You spot a really funky top that you can see yourself wearing to the office party next week. It is on the clearance rack for $20, but, can you see yourself wearing it 20 times? If you can only picture yourself wearing it to one event, $20 per wear, might be a bit much. Of course, that's ultimately for you to decide.
The cost per wear of $1.00 might seem really low to you, but aiming for a goal of a Cost Per Wear of $3.00 or less is ideal if you want to get the most bang for your wardrobe buck.
Considering the Cost Per Wear is important because there’s a tendency for some bargain shoppers to focus only on the price of an item, rather than the usefulness of the item. In the long run, purchasing something you don’t need, will make any savings you may have initially made during the purchase, seem silly.
Another thing I enjoy doing is decorating my home. Making it a place of comfort and refuge while being appealing to the eye. I've found myself, over the years, drooling over beautiful magazine spreads and jaw dropping images of interiors around the web.
Not to be discouraged by the high price tag of the rooms I've been admiring, I've found my own ways to create rooms I love on a budget.
Paint
I'm sure you've all heard this before, but a can of paint really can do wonders to a room. Painting one, three or all four walls can transform the feel of a room in an instant, for less than $50! Take a whole bunch of paint sample chips home and place them against the walls throughout the day to pick a colour that will be right for you.
Don't always think of paint in terms of walls. Pick up a quart of paint for some old furniture that needs a facelift. Or my favourite, spray paint! I spray everything from candlesticks to mail boxes. I like to go with bright colours for these items since they add a bit of personality or drama.
Repurpose
I've been known to take old greeting cards and frame them in a cheap frame to create art for the walls. Or another favourite of mine, I buy nice, inexpensive dish towels to use as table runners for my coffee and kitchen tables. Think creatively!
Accessorize
Really, it's all in the accessories you use! Accessories are cheap in comparison to furniture pieces. Go for items in colours you'd never have the guts to use in large areas. For example, my kitchen, quite accidentally, is full of red accessories. These accessories happen to be practical though. A dish towel here, a red spatula there, and my piece de resistance, my beloved red KitchenAid mixer!
Play around and have fun with smaller items. I have a shelf of items that I like to rotate around my home so I don't get bored with a certain look. I like to call it shopping at home!
Splurge
Yep, you heard me, I said splurge! Just be smart about it. I'm a believer that with some items, like furniture, you'll save money in the long run if you purchase quality the first time. Have patience when it comes to buying the more expensive items as they will most likely end up on sale at some point!
Be Inspired
While looking through magazines or the like, ask yourself if you can recreate something you saw with items you already have or something from the thrift store. Fell in love with a dramatic black dresser with glass knobs? Make it yourself! It'll be a fraction of the cost. Inspiration can be found everywhere. A store window, a piece of fabric, a photograph or even scrapbook paper!
All in all, use your brilliant ideas to create the home of your dreams, that functions just as you want it to and is full of your own personality!
Being a stay at home mom isn't always roses and sunshine. Sure, we love being able to raise our children but there are times things get stressful. Money is usually pretty tight when there is only one income. We are always looking for ways to save money or bring in a little extra money! This list should give you some tips on how you can be saving and making money as a stay at home mom.
Turn Your Hobby into a Business
Just because you're at home taking care of the house doesn't mean you can't be a business woman at the same time. Think about your hobbies and skills and start a business out of it. Maybe you love to bake, sew or create graphics. Whatever it might be, try turning it into an online business. More and more stay at home moms are now starting businesses that they can run all while staying at home with their children.
Find a Work at Home Job (WAHJ)
There are several companies that will hire you to work from home. Some companies have a set time you have to work and others allow you to pick your own schedule. Working from home is a nice way to bring in some extra money and do it around your families schedule. Here are a few places that hire out of Canada.
If you’re just looking for coffee money I highly recommend joining Survey Junkie. If you want to do a few paid surveys for fun Survey Junkie is awesome for that.
Paying for mommy & me classes or any other classes for socializing the little ones can become very expensive! Try setting up playdates with other moms. This is a great way to save on those expensive classes and you have a chance to bond with other women in your community. You can set up playdates at your local park, library or at your home.
Get a Membership
As stay at home moms we love getting out of the house from time to time. No-one wants to be cooped up in the house all day, every day. You might want to consider investing in a membership to a local zoo, water park or any other local entertainment. Having an annual membership means you always have something to do without any large expenses involved.
Swap Services
Being a stay at home mom isn't always the easiest thing. There are times when you just want to have an afternoon to yourself or maybe you have an appointment and can't bring your little one. Paying for daycare when you're a stay at home mom is something just financially out of the question.
Look into swapping babysitting services with another stay at home mom. Maybe you can wash her children one day a week so she can have one day to relax or run errands and vice versa. This will help you save on those very expensive drop in daycare costs.
How do you save or make money as a stay at home mom?
There’s a new feature on Simply Frugal that needs a bit of an introduction! I’ve had the pleasure of receiving some great emails from Lorraine in response to posts that have been published on Simply Frugal. Her tips are really great so I asked if she would be willing to let me publish her experiences with frugal living in a somewhat regular feature called Saving with Lorraine! It’s so nice to hear how others are saving! I’m thinking of aiming to have the posts up on Fridays. Not every Friday though, because I don’t want to pressure her in the least! I hope you enjoy this new feature!
Her first post is about how she organizes her coupons:
I have purchased a small photo album with a strap on the front. When I leave home, I place any pertinent documents under the strap and this way, there is less chance of losing anything while in transit. I have inserted the following categories in this album:
Cleaning Products
Feminine Hygiene
General Hygiene
Paper Products
Frozen Foods
Meat and Poultry
Dairy Products
Bread and Baked Goods
Breakfast Foods
Condiments and Oils
Deli Foods
Canned and Dry Goods
Garbage Bags/Storage Bags
Fruit and Vegetables
Vitamins and Minerals
Snack Foods
Beverages (including juices, soft drinks and spritzers)
Ethnic Foods
Rainchecks
Environmental Products (e.g. lightbulbs, etc.)
Clothing
Pain Relief
Greeting Cards
Laundry/Dishwashing Products
Dental Hygiene
Pasta and Rice
Miscellaneous (for those coupons that do not have a specific spot)
I have used stick on tabs so that I can adjust the number of pages allotted to each section as the need arises. I also take the time to highlight the expiry date on each coupon before filing it away in its appropriate section to make it easier on the cashiers.
Before I go for any shopping trip, I glance through the binder and take out any coupon that I can use, particularly if the item is on sale. I then made up envelopes for each of the grocery stores that I shop in and place the coupons to be used according to the store where I will be making the purchase. (These cash envelopes will also work really well for coupons!) That way, I only need my grocery list and the envelope for the chosen store. I leave the binder in the car when I can, until my next stop and then I grab the next envelope needed. I have also taken the time to indicate my name, address and telephone number on the front of the binder so that if I ever decide to bring the binder into a store and accidentally forget it in the shopping cart or on a counter when I pay my bill, the person who finds it can contact me.
I typically spend between 15 – 30 minutes a day organizing my coupons in the binder, rather than let them pile up. This is not a tremendous amount of time, considering that I manage to save between $200 and $400 per month on my grocery bill. For any coupons that I do not use, I submit these to a social service agency that then passes them on to their clients. This is my way of using a coupon train that serves a needy population and encourages low income families to start couponing.
Head on over to the Canadian Living website and you’ll find an article called 6 Unique Money-Saving Tips for Everyone. One of those tips (#6) is from yours truly!
While the tip discusses daily coffee runs, you can replace that vice with whatever vice applies to your own life.
I had the privilege of talking with Alyssa (months ago!) over the phone, about the website, and my favourite ways to save money so it’s fun to see the article in print finally!
Some people think that living on a budget means not having fun, eating very basic and generally living a dull life. This could not be further from the truth! You can have a wonderful life, full of fun and great meals even on a small budget. Does it take work and discipline? Of course! But I'm here to tell you half the fun is in trying.
Use Coupons
Using couponsis a great way to make your budget stretch a little further. Years ago coupons were mainly used for food purchases but that isn't the case anymore. You can use coupons or promotional codes to save on shipping, clothes, travel and just about everything else. Before you buy anything, whether in-store or online, you should always look for a coupon or promotional code. Even saving $5 might mean being able to afford a movie night for your family.
Shop for the Best Rate
The average family has to pay for water, internet, phone, insurance, electric, gas and much more! Combine all of these expenses and you are spending some serious cash every month. Make it a point to gather up all of your monthly bills and start making some phone calls. Call each of your utility companies or creditors and see how you can get a lower rate. Sometimes the business will work with you and other times you might have to switch services. In most cases, we have options on who we want to do business with. Saving on your monthly bills can help make your budget stretch a little further every month.
DIY
In today's society there is always something we want to buy or just have to have. Try making more things yourself. Getting your hands a little dirty and making things yourself is very rewarding and saves lots of money.
Next time you want a new porch swing, new dress, kitchen remodel or whatever it might be. Try doing it yourself. With the wonderful help of Pinterestand Google, people can make just about anything they want. You might be surprised at what you can make yourself, the amount of fun you can have and money you can save doing it yourself.
Entertainment
Entertainment can be a big expense for any family. There are so many fun activities for families to partake in. But if we are being honest, most of these activities are very expensive. Not many of us have money to go to an amusement park every weekend, movies or other expensive activities.
Start making your own family entertainment by having movie nights at home, board game nights, camping or looking for free local events. All of these activities are inexpensive and are typically a ton of fun!
Create a Budget
You can't control your money if you don't know what you have coming in and going out. Sit down with your significant other and create a budget you can both live with. Being in agreement on the budget will keep your money on track and reduce arguments. Don't forget to budget in some fun money!
How are you living on a budget? What are your tips for a fun life?
