In honor of the kickoff of The One Dollar Give, I’d like to offer you seven quick and painless ways to trim $1 a day or more from your budget. It’s my hope that you’ll use these tips to free up some extra pocket change to help others in need this holiday season.
- Pack your lunch every day instead of eating lunch out. Stay tuned for a cool giveaway later this week that will make packing your lunch more fun!
- Drink more water instead of juice, pop, and sports drinks. Added bonus – it’s healthier!
- Plan your grocery shopping trip beforehand making sure to utilize coupons to their fullest. You could easily cut out $7 a week using this tip alone!
- Turn your thermostat down 5 to 10 degrees at night for a comparable savings on your heating bill. You’re less likely to notice the cooler temperature when you’re sleeping, and it gives you a good reason to snuggle with your significant other!
- Utilize your local library instead of purchasing books and magazines. This is an especially great way to provide your kids with a steady variety of new books to keep them interested in learning to read!
- Replace standard light bulbs with CFL bulbs, and be diligent about turning off unused lights. Enlist your kids to help and teach them a valuable lesson about saving energy!
- Learn how to maximize shopping at drugstores and never pay for toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and many other items again. Check out the links on my Drugstores page to start learning how!
Please join us at The One Dollar Give in our quest to help 31 different charities throughout the month of December. First on our agenda is Brittany sharing her experiences with Compassion International. We’re looking forward to your participation!
Tammy Uu
Instead of buying baby food in jars, I been buying fresh fruits and veggie and cutting them up and packaging myself
Tammy Uu
Instead of buying baby food in jars, I been buying fresh fruits and veggie and cutting them up and packaging myself
Vivian
I bought a table at a mom to mom sale and sold all my old baby stuff that I knew I wouln’t be using again as well as some maternity clothes. I rented the table for $20 and made over $300! There are usually several of these sales in the spring and in the fall. I’m planning on doing one each season as my kids grow out of their clothes. I was also able to buy the next season of clothes for both kids at the sale for a steal!
Vivian
I bought a table at a mom to mom sale and sold all my old baby stuff that I knew I wouln’t be using again as well as some maternity clothes. I rented the table for $20 and made over $300! There are usually several of these sales in the spring and in the fall. I’m planning on doing one each season as my kids grow out of their clothes. I was also able to buy the next season of clothes for both kids at the sale for a steal!
Vivian
I bought a table at a mom to mom sale and sold all my old baby stuff that I knew I wouln’t be using again as well as some maternity clothes. I rented the table for $20 and made over $300! There are usually several of these sales in the spring and in the fall. I’m planning on doing one each season as my kids grow out of their clothes. I was also able to buy the next season of clothes for both kids at the sale for a steal!
Vivian
I bought a table at a mom to mom sale and sold all my old baby stuff that I knew I wouln’t be using again as well as some maternity clothes. I rented the table for $20 and made over $300! There are usually several of these sales in the spring and in the fall. I’m planning on doing one each season as my kids grow out of their clothes. I was also able to buy the next season of clothes for both kids at the sale for a steal!
Kimi
One big thing we’ve done is tracking our spending. We are cutting out unnecessary spending like expensive lunches…keeping track of who has “kids eat free” deals and combining them with coupons to the same restaurants. We can still eat out during this tough economic time, but do it for less than it would cost to eat at home!
Kimi
One big thing we’ve done is tracking our spending. We are cutting out unnecessary spending like expensive lunches…keeping track of who has “kids eat free” deals and combining them with coupons to the same restaurants. We can still eat out during this tough economic time, but do it for less than it would cost to eat at home!
Kimi
One big thing we’ve done is tracking our spending. We are cutting out unnecessary spending like expensive lunches…keeping track of who has “kids eat free” deals and combining them with coupons to the same restaurants. We can still eat out during this tough economic time, but do it for less than it would cost to eat at home!
Kimi
One big thing we’ve done is tracking our spending. We are cutting out unnecessary spending like expensive lunches…keeping track of who has “kids eat free” deals and combining them with coupons to the same restaurants. We can still eat out during this tough economic time, but do it for less than it would cost to eat at home!
mary
Try using a powerstrip to turn all those electric items off when not in use. That way one click takes care of several at one time. Don’t leave your phone charger plugged in when you’re not using it. It is still pulling electric.
mary
Try using a powerstrip to turn all those electric items off when not in use. That way one click takes care of several at one time. Don’t leave your phone charger plugged in when you’re not using it. It is still pulling electric.
mary
Try using a powerstrip to turn all those electric items off when not in use. That way one click takes care of several at one time. Don’t leave your phone charger plugged in when you’re not using it. It is still pulling electric.
mary
Try using a powerstrip to turn all those electric items off when not in use. That way one click takes care of several at one time. Don’t leave your phone charger plugged in when you’re not using it. It is still pulling electric.
Cathy
Hi, this is a great blog–Thank-you! I found it through a blog called Living Easy. I am trying for the Wal-Mart gift card. So here is my first tip:
Buy 2 liters of soda instead of 20 ounce bottle. The 20 ouncers are very convenient–but I’ve started recently buying a 2 liter that I take with me on my shopping trips! I only drink soda when I shop, but it really adds up when I buy the 20 oz bottles!
And I’m not above chugging right out of a 2 liter if I forget my cup or bottle! ;0
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi, this is a great blog–Thank-you! I found it through a blog called Living Easy. I am trying for the Wal-Mart gift card. So here is my first tip:
Buy 2 liters of soda instead of 20 ounce bottle. The 20 ouncers are very convenient–but I’ve started recently buying a 2 liter that I take with me on my shopping trips! I only drink soda when I shop, but it really adds up when I buy the 20 oz bottles!
And I’m not above chugging right out of a 2 liter if I forget my cup or bottle! ;0
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi, this is a great blog–Thank-you! I found it through a blog called Living Easy. I am trying for the Wal-Mart gift card. So here is my first tip:
Buy 2 liters of soda instead of 20 ounce bottle. The 20 ouncers are very convenient–but I’ve started recently buying a 2 liter that I take with me on my shopping trips! I only drink soda when I shop, but it really adds up when I buy the 20 oz bottles!
And I’m not above chugging right out of a 2 liter if I forget my cup or bottle! ;0
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi, this is a great blog–Thank-you! I found it through a blog called Living Easy. I am trying for the Wal-Mart gift card. So here is my first tip:
Buy 2 liters of soda instead of 20 ounce bottle. The 20 ouncers are very convenient–but I’ve started recently buying a 2 liter that I take with me on my shopping trips! I only drink soda when I shop, but it really adds up when I buy the 20 oz bottles!
And I’m not above chugging right out of a 2 liter if I forget my cup or bottle! ;0
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi! Try number 2 for the Wal-Mart gift card. Just a note: I agree with Ruth Ann, it is so hard for many of us to come up with new ideas for saving money when it seems we are doing it all already! But, for me, I know I’m not really doing it all–there is always room for improvement and reading over others tips and ideas sometimes sparks ideas.
Ok, on to my 2nd tip for the gift card:
I have to use a dryer–we just don’t have anywhere to hang up clothes (well, nowhere that won’t cause my dh tons of stress :).
BUT, I don’t use dryer sheets-ever. I haven’t bought these for so long I just can’t ever remember using them-ever.
And my clothes are not static-y…maybe sometimes when they come out of the dryer they will be stuck together-in the winter-but once they are folded and put away there is no static cling to be found—-so what’s the point of spending money on dryer sheets?
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi! Try number 2 for the Wal-Mart gift card. Just a note: I agree with Ruth Ann, it is so hard for many of us to come up with new ideas for saving money when it seems we are doing it all already! But, for me, I know I’m not really doing it all–there is always room for improvement and reading over others tips and ideas sometimes sparks ideas.
Ok, on to my 2nd tip for the gift card:
I have to use a dryer–we just don’t have anywhere to hang up clothes (well, nowhere that won’t cause my dh tons of stress :).
BUT, I don’t use dryer sheets-ever. I haven’t bought these for so long I just can’t ever remember using them-ever.
And my clothes are not static-y…maybe sometimes when they come out of the dryer they will be stuck together-in the winter-but once they are folded and put away there is no static cling to be found—-so what’s the point of spending money on dryer sheets?
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi! Try number 2 for the Wal-Mart gift card. Just a note: I agree with Ruth Ann, it is so hard for many of us to come up with new ideas for saving money when it seems we are doing it all already! But, for me, I know I’m not really doing it all–there is always room for improvement and reading over others tips and ideas sometimes sparks ideas.
Ok, on to my 2nd tip for the gift card:
I have to use a dryer–we just don’t have anywhere to hang up clothes (well, nowhere that won’t cause my dh tons of stress :).
BUT, I don’t use dryer sheets-ever. I haven’t bought these for so long I just can’t ever remember using them-ever.
And my clothes are not static-y…maybe sometimes when they come out of the dryer they will be stuck together-in the winter-but once they are folded and put away there is no static cling to be found—-so what’s the point of spending money on dryer sheets?
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
Cathy
Hi! Try number 2 for the Wal-Mart gift card. Just a note: I agree with Ruth Ann, it is so hard for many of us to come up with new ideas for saving money when it seems we are doing it all already! But, for me, I know I’m not really doing it all–there is always room for improvement and reading over others tips and ideas sometimes sparks ideas.
Ok, on to my 2nd tip for the gift card:
I have to use a dryer–we just don’t have anywhere to hang up clothes (well, nowhere that won’t cause my dh tons of stress :).
BUT, I don’t use dryer sheets-ever. I haven’t bought these for so long I just can’t ever remember using them-ever.
And my clothes are not static-y…maybe sometimes when they come out of the dryer they will be stuck together-in the winter-but once they are folded and put away there is no static cling to be found—-so what’s the point of spending money on dryer sheets?
Cathy´s last blog post..Cranberry-apple crisp Recipe
kita
i have 5 kids and we are buying our first house which turned out to need alot of work so we cut alot of corners moneywise. first tip, when its nice out, dont eat out, instead pack a simple picnic and go to the park, doesnt have to be fancy, the kids will be happy with pb an j an a jug of water.
second, when your baby starts on babyfood, instead of buying the jars, put whatever your eating into the blender with a small amount of liqued. (i actually had my baby doc recomend that)
im a country girl in a small town so this one might not sound good to everyone but here goes. when you an your hubby go out you dont have to go see a movie, or play or eat at a fancy restront or ‘go dancing’. we like to run to walmart an pick up some cheap snacks, (cheese an crackers, granola bars, fruit,) go grab a cheap bottle of wine that we havent tried b4 and then find a quite road (or pasture) turn on the car radio(for dancing). i really recomend this, its great!
also, instead of paying a setter, trade with a freind, you take there kids for a night and vica-versa
kita
i have 5 kids and we are buying our first house which turned out to need alot of work so we cut alot of corners moneywise. first tip, when its nice out, dont eat out, instead pack a simple picnic and go to the park, doesnt have to be fancy, the kids will be happy with pb an j an a jug of water.
second, when your baby starts on babyfood, instead of buying the jars, put whatever your eating into the blender with a small amount of liqued. (i actually had my baby doc recomend that)
im a country girl in a small town so this one might not sound good to everyone but here goes. when you an your hubby go out you dont have to go see a movie, or play or eat at a fancy restront or ‘go dancing’. we like to run to walmart an pick up some cheap snacks, (cheese an crackers, granola bars, fruit,) go grab a cheap bottle of wine that we havent tried b4 and then find a quite road (or pasture) turn on the car radio(for dancing). i really recomend this, its great!
also, instead of paying a setter, trade with a freind, you take there kids for a night and vica-versa
kita
i have 5 kids and we are buying our first house which turned out to need alot of work so we cut alot of corners moneywise. first tip, when its nice out, dont eat out, instead pack a simple picnic and go to the park, doesnt have to be fancy, the kids will be happy with pb an j an a jug of water.
second, when your baby starts on babyfood, instead of buying the jars, put whatever your eating into the blender with a small amount of liqued. (i actually had my baby doc recomend that)
im a country girl in a small town so this one might not sound good to everyone but here goes. when you an your hubby go out you dont have to go see a movie, or play or eat at a fancy restront or ‘go dancing’. we like to run to walmart an pick up some cheap snacks, (cheese an crackers, granola bars, fruit,) go grab a cheap bottle of wine that we havent tried b4 and then find a quite road (or pasture) turn on the car radio(for dancing). i really recomend this, its great!
also, instead of paying a setter, trade with a freind, you take there kids for a night and vica-versa
kita
i have 5 kids and we are buying our first house which turned out to need alot of work so we cut alot of corners moneywise. first tip, when its nice out, dont eat out, instead pack a simple picnic and go to the park, doesnt have to be fancy, the kids will be happy with pb an j an a jug of water.
second, when your baby starts on babyfood, instead of buying the jars, put whatever your eating into the blender with a small amount of liqued. (i actually had my baby doc recomend that)
im a country girl in a small town so this one might not sound good to everyone but here goes. when you an your hubby go out you dont have to go see a movie, or play or eat at a fancy restront or ‘go dancing’. we like to run to walmart an pick up some cheap snacks, (cheese an crackers, granola bars, fruit,) go grab a cheap bottle of wine that we havent tried b4 and then find a quite road (or pasture) turn on the car radio(for dancing). i really recomend this, its great!
also, instead of paying a setter, trade with a freind, you take there kids for a night and vica-versa