Thrifty Living

How to Live Frugally On One Income

When you have only one income in your household, it is a no-brainer that expenses have to be cut in multiple areas. Once you have a list of your fixed expenses, start looking at your cable, cell phone and internet bc these can be cut by changing providers or plans. Don't forget to check any subscriptions that you forgot you signed up for or don't use anymore. Here are some other areas you can save money.

 Save on Food

1.Grocery Delivery

Groceries are an area where most of us spend more than we think especially if you remember to count eating out to your food bill. If you have grocery delivery or pickup in your area, I highly recommend trying it ( even with the small fee). By ordering your groceries online, you will stay more in your budget because you can see the total and add or subtract items. Also there is automatically less impulse shopping so you no longer have to worry about adding those snacks to calm down your kids in the store. You can go through your kitchen and add to cart what you need.

 2. Sales and Coupons 

Here is where you can really save if you just get a little creative and put some time in looking at ads and clipping coupons in the store's app. A lot of stores have free reward programs as well. You can also join some couponing or budget facebook groups. My favorite is Hip to Save!

3. Eat Out Less

I know sometimes its easier to eat out, but if you have to do that because of your crazy schedule that day then try splitting meals at restaurants to save. You can also try leaving off the coffee that is more of a luxury for just once a month instead of every morning or every Friday. Every little bit adds up.

4. A Pantry You Can Shop From

One thing that has helped me more than anything in cutting food cost is making my pantry an area I can shop from. Now you can put shelving in your garage or a deep freezer to really start building up a stockpile. So if an item is B1G1 then put the extra one in your stockpile. As you find more deals and coupons, your stockpile will grow. When my husband was laid off , we were able to live off the stockpile I had for 6 months so I know this can make a huge difference.

Shop Less and Buy Used

1. Retail therapy

Have you heard of retail therapy? It's a real thing. The key is to think of why you shop. Ask yourself why you make so many trips to Target? Then as yourself if you are bored or do you just feel like after your long week your deserve to go shopping.

2. Hand Me Downs

Now this one can make a huge difference especially when you have kids. If you are friends with a family where the kids are older than your kids then it can be really beneficial. Also if your kids are older, then be a blessing and pass on your kids clothes. No matter your taste in style, kids always can use play clothes or pjs and if there is some items you don't prefer than just donate them.

3. Thrift Stores

Otherwise known as gold mines if you find the right ones. You can find clothes with tags on them never worn and like new decor and even a small DIY piece like a end table. So instead of shopping at the mall for a dress for a friend's wedding or for your kid's easter outfit for church or town egg hunt, visit your thrift stores. There is one near me that interior designers and stagers go to when they are decorating a house. That one is of course my favorite one.

Start a Side Hustle or Flexible Job

Before I started my business, I had a side hustle of buying items and selling them on Facebook Marketplace. This was a lot of work, but so worth it. Then when I started my DIY business, I sold door rounds and porch leaners on Facebook. Recently my daughter who is in college tried DoorDash and was making $30-60/ night in her college town ( may vary in your demographics) for just 2-3 hours of her time. This sparked my interest as a saver. I was like $30 x 20 days a month=$600. I did 20 days  because in my area Monday and Tuesday are slow so stay home and get things done.  For her, that is her rent for her apartment. So I decided to try it after Christmas. We have college tuition and private school tuition to pay which this Door Dash job would cover. The part I like is the flexibility of how you can pick the couple hours and on which day that is good for you.

Now there are way more money saving ideas, but I hope this got you thinking of some ways you can make your life less stressful when it comes to your budget.