4 Changes I’ve Made to Save my Family $400+ This Year
I’m a strong believer in that life is about balance. Money is a tool to buy a balance of our wants and needs. These tips do just that and will save my family $400+ this year.
1. Avoid the Target dollar section
This section is strategically placed at the front of the store where you walk in to tempt you right away. The low prices are a marketing strategy to get you to spend more. Don’t give in and walk right past it. I can guarantee the items there will not stand up over time and will be clutter soon enough.
Even avoiding small impulse buys like these will save you $50-60 a year.
2. Coupon for necessities and some nice to haves
I think I’m in the minority of couponers who coupon for items that they like and will use. My goal isn’t to have a giant stockpile or get the most items for very little out-of-pocket. When I look at stores’ sales and coupons, I look for items that my family uses and needs and items I’d like to try, like a makeup or hair product.
Here’s a recent experience of mine. My local Target sells Rory’s toddler formula for $28.99. I found $10 Similac coupons at the pediatrician’s office. On my next Target trip, I bought two cans of toddler formula in two transactions. (There was a limit of one coupon per transaction) I used a coupon for each. I had also found a random $10 Target gift card while cleaning out the hall closet. (This is your sign to clean and declutter!) Between the coupons and gift card, one can was completely free.
3. Return items from online shopping
Don’t be like me and chuck your online purchases in the bottom of your closet when you don’t love the item.
This year, I returned about $100 worth of items.
Most online sites offer free returns. Take advantage of this and return what you don’t love and get your money back or credited to your credit card.
4. Switch cable and live streaming providers
Rory loves Disney movies and my husband is a big sports fan, so Disney+ and live TV are musts for us.
Last month, we switched from DirecTV Stream and the Disney Bundle to a bundle with Hulu Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN+. Our cable/streaming expenses went from $126 a month to $83 a month from one month to the next, saving us over $100 in the last quarter of 2024.
“Money is a tool to buy a balance of our wants and needs.”