Are you looking for ways to save your family money and be more self-sufficient?
Obviously, the best way to save money is by not spending money. But I am here today to talk about 8 ways that you can stretch your dollar, simply by doing things yourself. Let’s dive in!
1. Thrifting
Okay guys… this has got to be my absolute favorite way to save money! Shopping secondhand not only saves my family hundreds of dollars but also prevents landfill waste. This is especially so for clothing and shoes. Children grow so quickly, why spend hundreds of dollars buying a new wardrobe every few months!? If you do not have the time to go shopping at your local thrift stores, check out Facebook marketplace or reselling apps.
Some of my favorite reselling apps include:
Toys…. this is another big one to be on the lookout for while thrifting. Did you know that having too many toys can actually overstimulate your child. An easy fix for this is to rotate toys weekly. This helps keep the toy selection to a minimum and also means your child gets a new selection of toys to choose from each week meaning they are more likely to show interest in them for longer. I really try to keep my child’s toy selection at least 80% non toxic but this can be so expensive, so I am always on the lookout for non toxic toys when at the thrift store (wooden toys are also WAY more durable so you can hold onto them for future children and generations to come). Just keep in mind that if you come across a vintage wooden toy, be sure to test the paint for lead before giving to your child.
2. Earn FREE cash
There are some amazing mobile apps out there that will help you save money and will even pay you just for signing up!
- Ibotta (Referral Code: nnamlvm)
Earn $5 just for signing up for Ibotta using my referral code and link above.
Ibotta is a mobile app and browser extension that allows you to earn cash back on your everyday purchases on in-store and online purchases. Simply download to your mobile device or browser extension and start earning.
2. Rakuten
Sign up for Rakuten using my referral link above and earn $30 when making a qualifying purchase of $30. So, a FREE $30 off on things you would already be buying just for signing up, it’s a win-win!
Rakuten is another mobile app and browser extension that will earn you cash back for shopping at over 3,500 stores!
3. Dosh
Dosh is a mobile app that allows you to link your debit card and earn cash back on all your purchases. Simply link your debit card to your account and the app will automatically reward you for qualifying purchases. Earn anywhere from 5%-15% cash back on your favorite brands! Sign up by clicking the link above.
3. Gardening
Gardening is seriously such a money saver. If you have the space to plant a garden, absolutely do not be afraid to go for it! Growing your own produce can save you an estimated $100-$200 per month on groceries! If you are new to gardening, I recommend that you start off by searching what zone you live in. Once you have determined your zone, choose what seeds you plan on planting and start off with just a few that you will use the most. Most packets will have information on the back letting you know the prime dates to plant, how deep to plant, and recommended sunlight. I highly recommend purchasing quality heirloom seeds. Buying quality seeds means you will get a higher yield and will be able to seed save if you wish to do so. Read about my favorite seed companies here.
Or if you prefer to shop on Amazon, here are several heirloom seed banks that are worth looking into.
Want to learn to seed save and stretch your dollar even further? Check out these great books:
4. Preserving Food
Food waste is a huge problem in the U.S. An estimated 40% of food grown in the United States is wasted every day! That is absolutely mind-boggling to me! But what if we process our food in ways to lengthen its best-by date?
The three main ways of preserving food that I suggest include canning, freezing, and dehydrating. If you are new to canning, it will cost you a bit of money to get started as you will need to purchase jars and equipment. However, you will only need to invest this money once and it will save you money in the long run. If you are unable to spend the money to purchase new equipment, check out the Facebook marketplace. I have often been able to find really good deals on water baths and pressure canners through Facebook. Also, make sure to check out your local thrift stores and yard sales. Read my Beginner’s Guide to Canning here. If you plan on freezing your food, I highly recommend investing in a vacuum sealer. They are relatively inexpensive and will prolong the freezer life of your food. You can dehydrate most vegetables and fruit and store them in an air-tight container. You can also make your own garlic and onion powder by dehydrating onion or garlic and grinding it into a powder in a food processor.
If you use a lot of eggs or raise your own chickens, check out my post on How to Preserve Eggs here.
5. Make Your Own Products
It is so easy to make your own household essentials and pantry staples at home. Most of the time, using ingredients you probably already have on hand. Deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, and cleaner are some of my favorite things to make at home. Making these essentials at home means you are only using nontoxic ingredients but saving money in the process. My favorite hack for saving money on cleaner is to use Thieves. Thieves is an all-natural cleaning concentrate. It costs $25 per bottle, just add a few capfuls to a spray bottle and top it off with water. One bottle lasts my family months and can be used for nearly ALL your cleaning needs. I have tried so many non-toxic cleaners out there and this is by far my favorite and the most affordable that I have been able to find!
Check out my recipes for 3 ingredient deodorant and all-natural bug repellent below or follow my Pinterest for more recipes!
Making your own pantry staples will also save you a lot of money in the long run! Did you know that brown sugar is only made from two ingredients? Sugar (obviously) and molasses are all you need! Just add a little drizzle of molasses and combine, it’s that easy! Since learning this, I haven’t bought brown sugar in years! I also have a Pinterest board for these sorts of recipes as well, if you would like to check it out.
6. Mending
So this is one skill that I am personally still working on but learning to sew can be such a game changer for saving your family money! I received my first sewing machine last year as a Christmas gift. When I first decided I was interested in learning to sew, I first taught myself how to hand sew. I personally learn best by doing so I went to my local thrift store and purchased a couple of sweaters. I measured my son drew a pattern out for what I had in mind and stitched together a bumble bee outfit for him to wear at Halloween. It wasn’t perfect but for my first time sewing, I was proud of how it turned out. Once I did this, it only made me want to learn more. After I received my sewing machine, I started making reusable paper towels as they are simple to make and I was able to experiment with different stitching to see what I liked best.
Once you learn the ins and the outs of your sewing machine and start to feel more comfortable with it, you can find some free easy sewing patterns on Pinterest to try. Before you know it you will be a sewing pro! Learning this skill will give you the ability to mend things in your home rather than going out and replacing them. And if you are feeling confident, even make your own clothing and linens!
7. Reuse and Recycle
This is one is a given but swapping things out for a reusable version is going to save you so much money! Check out some of my favorite reusable items below!
- Straws
- Paper Towels
- Makeup Remover Cloth
- Cloth Diapers
- Water Bottles
- Antibacterial Wipes
- Plastic Wrap
- Ziplock Bags
- Dryer Sheets
8. Stay Home
I know what you’re probably thinking, duh! But I just want it to be said that there are so many activities you can do for free from home. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air, let your children play and get dirty. Play board games, make a craft, read books, plant a garden, or enjoy a fun sensory activity with your kiddos. The options are limitless.
But if you wish to seek entertainment outside the home, there are plenty of free options. Visit your local park, go for a hike or bike ride, or visit with family or friends. Depending on what time of year it is, your town may even have a festival or free event going on, so always be on the lookout for things of this nature. If you have a Home Depot local to you, they offer a free workshop once a month for children with everything included. Your kiddo will even get a cute little apron to wear at no expense to you and they will be able to socialize with other children. Another thing to be on the lookout for is discounts on national park passes or free entry.
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Greetings. This was a great post. I never considered gardening as saving money. Maybe this is something I should look into
Thank you for taking the time to read. Gardening is one of my biggest money savers and you do not need a bunch of fancy equipment to get started!