We all know that being organized means we stress less, feel happier and can think more clearly. But I'm a big believer of the fact that being organized can also really save you money!
Here are four smart organizing systems that I think you should implement in your life, that will in turn, save you money!
A Simple Menu Planning System
If you're wanting to eliminate the expensive Drive Thru routine, having a simple menu plan in place is key.
There's no need for an elaborate plan. Simply jot down a week's worth of meals based on what you have in the pantry/fridge/freezer in a notebook or on the calendar.
Make sure to take a look at your busy days so you can have a slow cooker meal or extra easy meal planned for those days.
Having a menu plan in place will also save you time and money at the grocery store. Say goodbye to wandering the aisles aimlessly and buying unnecessary items for a meal you "might" make.
A Coupon Organization System
If you're a coupon user, you'll definitely want to make sure you have a system in place for using your coupons effectively. Nothing is quite as disappointing as realizing you found several expired coupons for products you would have bought because you use those products regularly.
Set aside a few minutes each week to cut and sort your coupons into your chosen system. (accordion file folder, binder...etc.). Check out this post for a thorough look at some great coupon organizing systems.
A Regular Decluttering System
I find that having regular decluttering sessions helps me to save money and regain some sanity.
I usually find some long lost items that I thought I'd have to spend money on to replace.
In between my decluttering sessions, I like to have a donation box going at all times. Every time I come across an item that either annoys me or I haven't used in a long time, it goes straight into the box.
Make sure you have an effective money management system in place. That means you have a paper filing system for bills and important documents and a budget system/spreadsheet that works for you.
Missing a bill payment can easily be avoided if you have an organized system in place. If you're trying to repay debt or saving for something, a budget systemis essential to tracking your progress and gives you healthy money boundaries that will ensure your success.
Keeping up with these systems does not have to be hard. Set aside a few minutes a day or a chunk of time once a week for maintaining these systems. What's really hard, is letting your systems fall by the wayside, then having to figure out a way to regain control, which can end up costing you a lot more time and money in the long run.
Do you have any of these smart organizing systems in place in your home? How do you keep your finances and home organized?
I think it’s safe to say that I really dislike clutter. It’s just not pretty and it can mess with my mental state. 😉 Mind you, I have become more relaxed about messes since my daughters have been born. But there’s just something about having a tidy and clean house when you spend about 90% of your time in it! (In my case, that is)
Over the years, I have found some tried and true ways that help me cut down on clutter. I hope they’ll help you! Here are the 5 Ways I Cut Down on Clutter:
Have a once a year “Get Organized” challenge
We’re currently in the midst of the Get Organized in January challenge here at Simply Frugal! I’d encourage you to hop aboard to start tackling your clutter. This yearly challenge is so great for my clutter busting motivation. I break problem areas in my home down into 1 simple task a day. It also helps that I have to be accountable to you guys by reporting back once a week with my progress 🙂 By the end of the month I usually have quite a few boxes to take to the thrift store!
Sell things on Facebook Buy & Sell sites
Almost every time I come across an item in my home that I don’t need anymore, I try to sell it on one of my local Facebook buy & sell sites. I usually have pretty good success with selling the items quickly. I also feel like I can get more money this way over trying to sell it through a garage sale. Look for a post later this month with my handy dandy guide with tips for selling items online!
Have a thrift store box going at all times
I make sure I always have a box hidden in a corner that can hold the items I need to bring to the second hand store. Usually items that don’t sell quick enough for me and items that I don’t want the hassle of trying to sell go in that box. Once it’s full, I take it in!
Really think through purchases
This one is pretty key if you want to avoid bringing clutter into your home in the first place. Don’t make spur of the moment purchases when you’re not 100% sure that you will get good use out of the item. I have done this so.many.times. More often than not, those purchases end up going in the thrift store box. It doesn’t matter how good of a deal you got on it if it ends up in “The Box” shortly after.
Take care of the papers that come in the mail immediately
Paper clutter can be so overwhelming. I’ve made a habit of going through the mail and papers as soon as I grab them. Newspapers get read right away then recycled, and mail gets sorted into three piles: Recycling, To Shred and To File/Pay. This works for me because I know where the important papers are and I’ve reduced the paper clutter by putting the “trash” into the recycling.
While my home is far from clutter free, these tips help me to feel like I have a better handle on the mess that can accumulate so quickly.
Do you have any tips that will help other cut down on clutter? Please share in the comments!
Are you looking to save more money this year? Whether you are an occasional couponer or an avid one, take a peek below at 7 steps to organize your coupons for ultimate savings. By making a few changes to your organization, you can make sure your coupons work for you and get you the most bang for your buck. Here is how you can get started organizing your coupons and saving more!
1. Step One: Utilize a binder.
Head to your local dollar store for a simple three ring binder. You can then decorate it to your liking or just keep it clean and plain. Make sure it is sturdy and will last being handled often during the year.
2. Step Two: Divide your binder contents.
Now, divide your binder into sections. Your sections can be as follows: Dairy, Produce, Breads, Meat, Desserts, Breakfast, Toiletries, Cleaning, Soon to Expire. Place plastic sheets into each section which can then be used to hold the coupons for that section. (I like these ones.)
3. Step Three: Print off coupon policies.
Print off the coupon policies to your favorite store and add them to the back of your binder. This way you always have them for easy reference should you need them.
4. Step Four: Make a flyer pocket.
At the front of your binder, make a pocket for flyers. This way, you also have those to easily reference should you need them when shopping.
5. Step five: Do a weekly expiration check.
At the start of each week, do a check of the coupons to remove any that may have expired. If any are soon to expire, remove them and place them in a ‘soon to expire” file so you can use them before they become worthless.
6. Step Six: Bundle double coupon scenarios.
For stores like London Drugs that let you stack coupons, bundle those coupons together before filing them. For example if London Drugs has a store coupon for Dove soap and you have a manufacturer coupon for it as well, clip them together before filing. This way you won’t have to dig and can figure your savings out easily.
7. Step Seven: Track your savings.
Keep a running tally in the back of your binder of how much you have saved. You can do this by storing your receipts or simply jot down the date and the amount of coupon savings you earned. At the end of the month add up your savings and use it as a goal and motivator for next month.
You can make the most of your coupons and really save at the checkout! Give these tips a try and see how they work for you!
