Easy Household Budgeting Tips (2024)

1. Never pay full price.If you can’t find it on sale, wait until you have a coupon or there’s a sale. This can take a lot of willpower, especially those of us that are used to instant gratification, but the savings will add up quickly!
2. Sleep on it.Impulse buys are almost always a bad idea. When shopping online, bookmark the item or add it to your cart, but hold off at least one day to complete the sale. Waiting will allow you to consider all your options and decide if you truly need the item.
3. Research, research, research!Chances are, it’s cheaper someplace else. When comparing food prices, use the price per pound, ounce, etc. This makes it easier to compare different sizes and brands.
4. Get creative.Before buying something, consult your imagination and consider making it or making do instead. For example, my eight-month baby has quickly outgrown her onesies, but instead of buying bigger ones, I simply tuck them into her pants and use them at t-shirts. Also, old yogurt containers, jam jars, etc. are great for storage of leftovers and bulk food items, even nails or leftover paint (properly labeled, of course).
5. Save Whenever Possible.This seems obvious, but what I mean is don’t automatically spend extra money that comes into the household. Immediately tuck bonuses or tax refunds into a savings account. Using it up on a new television or vacation might seem like a good idea at the time, but you’ll be missing that money when the car breaks down a few months later.

Amanda – Grace and Gusto

1. Keep it simple. Do you really need to add whatever it is to your house? Will it cause clutter? Do you have a place to put it?
2. Does it make your house beautiful or is it necessaryto live? If neither…why are you buying it?
3. Does it save you time, or somehow free up time to do something else that is more productive?
4. Do you need a new version, when an older or used version would work?
5. Can you really not meet your goal? Or is something holding you back? Could you push yourself to meet that goal even though things might be uncomfortable in the short term, you know it willbenefityou in the big picture.

Merissa – Little House Living

1. Use cash. My husband and I each give ourselves a weekly “allowance” in cash, and that is what we use if we want a Starbucks or other little indulgence. That way we don’t have to feel guilty about it, but once the money is gone, it’s gone.
2. Watch electricity usage. Unplug small appliances after use. Your mother was right – turn off the lights when you leave the room!
3. There are so many options for watching our favorite shows, it’s easier than ever to get by without cable. With Roku, Appletv, or another streaming player, you can get Netflix or Hulu on your tv for less than $10/month. We have Amazon Prime and Netflix, and are able to save $45 each month by not having cable or dish.
4. Don’t buy new. Lately I’ve been challenging myself to not buy any household items brand new. Recently, I purchased both a clothes dryer and a kitchen table and 4 chairs on Craigslist. I saved 90% off what the new price would be for these items.
5. Meal plan for every single meal. Base it around proteins you have and what’s in the pantry. This strategy saves me trips to the store (where I inevitably buy something that’s not on my list!) If you can meal plan in 2 or 4 week cycles, even better!

Sarah – Mindfully Frugal Mom