Leane In the second installment of my series on budgeting with a single income, I’m excited to reveal additional tips that have proven invaluable in our journey of financial management. Join me as I delve deeper into the strategies that have empowered us to make the most of our resources and maintain a healthy financial balance.
Cut back on energy usage
Make it a habit to switch off lights and appliances when they are not in use, opt for energy-efficient light bulbs, and consider lowering the thermostat during the winter months. These simple yet effective practices can contribute significantly to conserving energy and reducing utility costs. We’re making an effort to make sure that we don’t leave anything running that doesn’t need to be, and it makes a considerable to difference to our electricity usage each quarter.
Sell items you don’t need
We have so much stuff, a lot of which could be of great use to others. While we do donate some of it, we’ve also found that selling certain items is a practical approach to earn some extra income. It’s a win-win situation as we declutter our space and gain a few additional pennies in the process
Do your own beauty treatments
Save money by taking care of your own hair, nails, lashes, and other beauty treatments. Instead of visiting salons or spas, try learning the techniques and skills to do these tasks yourself. Not only does this reduce expenses, you may even be able to utilise the skills and earn an extra income. I’ve recently discovered the Amor lashes, which go on in clusters, and last for around a week. I’ve found them them really easy to use, and definitely recommend them.
Use make up and beauty dupes
I really like high-end makeup and skin care products, but these were one of the first things that had to go when trying to spend less money. Fortunately, there are a lot of really good, cruelty free, budget brands out there, whose products work just as well, if not even better, than the more expensive brand.
Build up an emergency fund
This one is the most challenging one. When money’s already tight, there’s not often anything left over. By building up an emergency fund to provide a financial safety net, you ensure you won’t have to rely on credit cards or payday loans in times of unexpected expenses. We try to prioritise this one as there’s always something breaking or needing replacing in our house!
Find free entertainment
Look for free activities and events in your community, like visiting the park, going on a nature walk, or attending free concerts or movies. Our local library provide a lot of activities for toddlers and ore-schoolers; many of which are free or they ask for you to pay towards materials used during crafting sessions. We also keep an eye on local event pages as there always family events going on, some of which are completely free.
Take advantage of rewards programs
Many stores offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points or cash back on purchases. Take advantage of these programs to save money on future purchases. We personally use all of them; and also make use of Quidco when ordering items online.
Use reusable nappies and wipes. If I have any more children, I will definitely be using reusable nappies and wipes. Babybel is potty trained now so we don’t use nappies any more, but I truly underestimated the sheer quantity of disposable nappies we went through during her two and a bit years of wearing them. Although there is an initial investment involved, the potential savings within the first few months alone are likely to outweigh the upfront costs.
Make your own cleaning products
Create your own homemade cleaning products utilising common household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. These natural substances are highly effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to store-bought cleaners. By making your own cleaning solutions, you not only reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals but also save money on purchasing commercial products. I was concerned that the house would smell like vinegar, but the smell fades after a few minutes, and vinegar really can clean anything!
DIY as much as you can
In our household, we embrace the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach for various tasks. From plasterboarding and baking birthday cakes to crafting party decorations and assembling hampers, we take on these projects ourselves. While it does require a significant time investment, the amount of money we’ve saved by tackling these endeavors independently is substantial. By harnessing our own skills and creativity, we not only enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done but also reap the financial benefits of DIY-ing.
Walk instead of driving
Opt for walking instead of driving whenever possible. This not only helps you save money on fuel expenses but also presents an opportunity to embrace the fresh air and engage in physical activity. We’re lucky that we live quite close to the town centre, so we walk there whenever we need to. We aim to get a walk in every day, as I find it makes everybody feel good and sleep much better!
Set up a toy rotation system
There are lots of studies out there that suggest having too many toys is overwhelming for kids, and really, who wants loads of toys everywhere? We’ve set up a toy rotation – this simple yet effective strategy creates the feeling of having new toys every few weeks, offering excitement and variety without the need to constantly purchase new items.it’s like having new toys every few weeks.
Use the library instead of buying books
Opt for utilising the library as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing books. By borrowing from the library, you gain access to a wide range of reading materials without incurring the expense of buying new books. I rediscovered the library after cancelling my Kindle Unlimited subscription, and now we use it for fiction and learning books.
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