Money💰Saving Tips To Keep It From 💸💸

In a parent group I am in, several weeks ago someone asked for suggestions on how to save money with our current economy and this list was “born”. Having had to learn to live on one income when the kiddo was born, I became pretty frugal. 

These are only suggestions and I understand that they may or may not work for some. I am simply putting this out here for each person to potentially look into for themselves and see if they may be able to save themselves or their family some money.

Disclaimer: No guarantee of this information staying the same in the future, but as of today, 01/21/2024, I am 99% sure that it is. I do not benefit in any way nor am I associated with any companies mentioned here. This list is not all inclusive.    

Create a Budget

Having a budget will show you what you have available and what is left over each month after paying your necessities. If something is paid semi-annually or annually, record the amount to set aside monthly. i.e. car insurance every six months is $920, set aside $154 each month. It can also help to take it out of the bank and put the cash in an envelope to hold and you can deposit the money a few days before your insurance is due.

Free budget templates: https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/budgets

Meal Plan

Jot down your meals for the week, the ingredients and omit any items you can from recipes that are not MUST haves. i.e. bell pepper, mushroom, and cheese topping for spaghetti.

Tip – meat eater? Use half ground beef and half ground turkey which is half the price per lb of ground beef. You still get the flavor from the ground beef and usually no one is the wiser. 

Free meal planner templates - https://www.livecrafteat.com/printable-weekly-meal-planner/

Schedule Groceries for Pick Up or Delivery

This will allow you to better stick with a budget, watch the amount you’re spending as you add items to your order and easier to look for the best value on items. It also means no tossing extra items in your basket all willy nilly that weren’t on your grocery list.

If you are already a member of Sam’s Club or Costco, buy things in bulk if possible. Evaluate your most used items and foods and determine if it is cost effective. Some items have remarkable savings while others cost the same or more.

If your membership renewal is soon, take into consideration the renewal fee, look back at your purchases over the last year and determine your savings to see if renewal is worth it. If you only shop for a handful of items, it may not be worth it.

Use Half or DIY

Cut your dryer sheets in half. It still gets the job done.

Use a half cup of fabric softener, make your own or omit completely.

DIY Fabric Softener:

1 container or empty fabric softener bottle

1 C hair conditioner

3 C distilled water

Combine ingredients and shake container to mix well.

Use ½ - 1 C with each load of laundry by pouring into your fabric softener dispenser of your washer.

White distilled vinegar also acts as a natural fabric softener. You can add this to a container and add 20-30 drops of essential oil (optional) for fragrance.

DIY Stain Remover

Add 1 part BLUE Dawn dishwashing liquid and 2 parts 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to a colored or dark spray bottle.

Rotate the bottle back and forth to mix prior to spraying stain. For tough stains, spray then sprinkle baking soda on top to create a paste. Use an old toothbrush or laundry brush to scrub the area. Let sit for one hour prior to washing.

*FYI – 3% peroxide will not bleach clothing.

You can also use this for carpet and furniture stain removal. You will want to use 1 part Dawn and 4 parts Peroxide to decrease the amount of suds.

Why a colored or dark spray bottle? If the bottle is clear or semi-transparent light will break down the peroxide and becomes ineffective on stains. I have used an inexpensive plastic bottle from Dollar Tree and wrapped it with duct tape to prevent light from getting through.

DIY Dishwasher Tablets

https://sixdollarfamily.com/homemade-dishwasher-tablets

DIY Dawn Power Wash – one of my favorites!

Using an empty Dawn Power Wash bottle add:

4 TBSP Dawn dish liquid

2 TBSP 70% rubbing alcohol

Slowly fill the bottle with warm water. Shake to mix.

A bottle of Dish liquid will last an exceedingly long time doing this.

These are all things that I currently do or have used in the past, which have worked. If interested in more DIY recipes, there are tons for other household items from lotion, hand soap, body scrub, glass, floor, and all-purpose cleaners you can Google or find on Pinterest.

Sell It!

Whatever you have sitting around your place that you use once a year, wear once a year (or not even that often), your kid has outgrown (clothes and toys)......SELL IT! If it's still in good shape, sell it and "quit the clutter". 

Quit or Cutback

If you are a smoker, vaper, dipper, non-medicinal 420 user, wine, beer or liquor drinker, Little Debbie connoisseur, dessert eater...stop it. If you don't think you can, then begin by cutting back. Start gradually. Make a plan and keep on track and before you know it, you just might be able to quit altogether. There is absolutely no health benefit to doing any of these but can be more harmful long term. I get it. It's hard to quit and you're no quitter, right? Keep up with the cost for two months. At the end of those two months, add up what you have spent and see if you're shocked or maybe a bit surprised. When you don't keep track and you're not spending it all at once, it is much easier to ignore the expense.

Roommate?

If you live alone (or not) and it is feasible, consider a roommate, even if it is temporary.

There are many young adults who are on their own or someone newly single who may be looking to rent a room. It could be dually beneficial. If you do consider this option, please do your due diligence in checking out the person before you rent to them, have them complete a free application and have them sign a contract. Be sure to include house rules in the contract. This protects both of you! Get a deposit! If they cannot pay the entire deposit up front, negotiate a percentage and have them pay extra on their monthly rent until the balance is paid.

If you need a sample application or contract, there are lots of free, customizable templates you can find by googling “room rental contract” and “rental application.”

If you are unable to pay for a background check, check websites for arrest records, google the person’s name, search county Justice Court documents for past evictions, etc. In most city/county websites this is public information and is free

Lower Monthly Costs

Cable or Satellite

If not under contract, consider a streaming service without the partner or premium add-ons.

YouTube TV ($72.99/mo, new customers $52.99 /mo) for the first three months.) seems to be very popular considering the channels included. Find someone with the service and ask how they like it. There is a referral bonus but you can either get the bonus or the trial discount, not both. I can’t speak for any other service, but you can also have multiple users set up. Consider sharing with a friend or family member and splitting the monthly cost.

Hulu+ Live is also popular ($76.99 with ads, $89.99 no ads and includes Disney and ESPN+ Hulu Live only $75.99). This one can also be shared, and the cost shared too.

If you are under contract, contact your provider and speak with someone in the retention department and ask them for any available options to lower your bill to prevent cancellation and forcibly breaking your contract. The discount may be for 6 months or 12 but it’s a savings.

Bank Service Charge

Almost all banks offer a free monthly option if you have direct deposit and/or use your debit card a minimum of a certain number of times monthly. Call and inquire to see if you can change, keep your current features the same (or if losing features, see if they are applicable) for no monthly service fee.

Paying Bills Online or By Phone

Be sure you aren’t paying extra to pay online or by phone or by using your debit or credit card. i.e. Entergy charges a $1.60 fee to pay by credit or debit card online and $2.75 by phone. If you pay online using your checking account number as an electronic check payment there is no fee. You can also plan ahead and drop the bill payment in the mail ($0.68 stamp) or by the company itself; most have a drop box for payments. Sidenote: I am not suggesting that to save a $2 card fee by paying a bill online that one drive to the company to drop off payment if it will cost $4 in gas.

Internet

Check to see how much bandwidth your plan includes. If you are paying for the fastest speed but do not utilize it, there could be an option for lowering your costs. Companies often up sale their plans claiming it is required for “streaming” or “streaming multiple services at once” or for “gaming” when you would be fine with the plan below.

Home / Car Insurance

See if you can lower your home and/or car insurance. Many agents offer “one stop shopping” and represent multiple companies and can see what insurance coverage will offer the lowest rate. Before you inquire, be sure to get a copy of your current policy to forward so you can be sure to be quoted for the same coverage. I have a FABULOUS agent. If you’re interested, here's her card and she can do everything electronically and through email.

Reading/Audiobooks

Instead of buying books or paying for Audible use these.

Libby App – with a public library card, download the Libby app and checkout and reserve audiobooks or books to read on your phone or tablet at no cost.

Prime Reading with Amazon Prime – works like an online library through the Kindle app allowing you to audiobooks, magazines, comics and eBooks. Included at no additional cost with Amazon Prime subscription.

Gym Membership

If you aren’t using it regularly/weekly, consider cancelation or temporarily suspending your membership at a lower or $0 cost.

Energy Bill

Cover your windows with plastic or even garbage bags and hold in place with painter tape to help hold in heat and keep out cold air.

Streaming Services

Share ‘em with someone. Netflix no longer allows sharing, but the others do. You get one and let a friend or family member get another and share log ins. Some may even share with you for no cost, have several already and just let you pay them a monthly discounted amount.

Discounts for households who receive government assistance or benefits:

Walmart offers a 50% discount on their Walmart+ service called Walmart+ Assist for recipients of SNAP, WIC, Medicaid & more. $49/yr or $6.47/mo. You get free grocery delivery, in-store mobile scan and go, free shipping, savings of (up to) $0.10 per gallon on gas (almost always the max) at Murphy, Mobil and Exxon gas stations and Paramount+ Essential plan streaming at no additional cost (does not include Showtime). If you want Showtime included, you can upgrade to Paramount+ with Showtime for $64.99/year which is discounted from the regular price of $119.99/yr

https://www.walmart.com/plus/assist

Instacart

Those with EBT benefits can qualify for a discounted membership for up to 12 months at $4.99 +tax/mo.

https://www.instacart.com/ebt-snap

Double Up Mississippi Food Bucks for EBT

Your fruit and vegetable purchases are matched dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day allowing you twice the fresh fruits and vegetables.

Participating locations:

https://doubleupms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DUFB_MS_Flyer_English_May_2023.pdf

Vet Care for Qualifying Low-Income Households

https://lowincomerelief.com/looking-for-free-or-low-cost-veterinary-care/

Several organizations listed require you to meet a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level

To determine 200% or 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, find where your household falls in the chart below and multiply that figure by 200%/250% and that is your max income to qualify:

Amazon offers Prime Access for qualifying people, at a rate of $6.99 +tax/mo. It includes all the benefits of a Prime membership: free shipping, unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and Prime Gaming

Government Assistance Eligibility Requirements:

Medicaid, EBT, TANF, Discounted or Free Lunch Program, SSI - Supplemental Security Income (this is not regular Social Security or Social Security Disability (SSDI), WIC or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

https://www.amazon.com/58f8026f-0658-47d0-9752-f6fa2c69b2e2/qualify

Internet

Look into the Affordable Communications Program (ACP) at www.fcc.gov/acp and see if you 

qualify for free or discounted internet. If you qualify, the ACP provides $30 towards your monthly bill. (There are many websites out there that mention ACP. Be sure you use the website above, so you aren’t selecting a particular provider by default.)

Those who MAY qualify are those who received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, currently receive one or more of the following assistance programs: Free or reduced school lunch program (NSLP), SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, WIC, Federal Housing Assistance or Veteran Pension or Survivor Benefits.

CAUTION!!! If you currently have a free or discounted phone plan based on qualifications of receiving government assistance or meeting the low-income requirements, do not apply. YOU CANNOT HAVE BOTH. There have been instances where people had a free phone and applied for the internet, were approved, and began being charged full price for their phone. Be sure you are aware if this.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Check to see if may qualify here: https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool/

LIHEAP Office location search: https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool/state-territory/

File Taxes for Free

For incomes $79,000 yr or less, https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

Many streaming services offer student and/or teacher discounts. If you’re a teacher or have a kid in college and have a school email, set up the service with your or their school email address to save. i.e. College students meeting the criteria can get ad supported Hulu $1.99 per month. Verified through SheerID.

Keep in mind verification can be annually or semiannually.

Student of Teacher Discount Offers:

Adobe 60% discount for students and teachers.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html?sdid=1XGJD51G&mv=search&ef_id=Cj0KCQjw4f35BRDBARIsAPePBHy1Ga890nfIejD19fY3GJH5vN2du_vDqdf0JMORoG0fPc9JQamZzj4aArE5EALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3085!3!285295672704!b!!g!!%2Badobe%20%2Bstudent

Microsoft free Office 365, and up to 10% off select items.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/education#page-top

Amazon Student Plan 6 month free trial then half off.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Student/b?ie=UTF8&node=668781011

Peacock Premium Streaming $1.99/mo for 12 months, saving 67%.

https://www.peacocktv.com/student

Hulu $1.99/mo ad supported streaming.

https://www.hulu.com/student

AppleTV+ 30 day free trial then $5.99/mo (45% off) 

https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.4000?itsct=penske_tv&itscg=30200&at=1010l35hr&ct=billboard|xid:fr1705872603021eah

Paramount+ $3.74/mo, 25% off streaming service.

https://www.paramountplus.com/account/edu/?intcid=CIA-16

YouTube Premium one-month free trial then $7.99/mo +tax.

https://www.youtube.com/premium/student

Pandora 60-day free trial for Pandora Premium Student then $4.99/month, savings of 50%, for up to four years.

https://www.pandora.com/upgrade/premium/student

Apple Music offers a discounted rate for up to 2 years.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/106008

Amazon Music UNLIMITED 30 days free then $5.99/mo for HD music. (This is different from Prime Music.)

Spotify Premium offers 50% off for a monthly subscription cost of $5.99 and also includes Hulu (ad supported)

https://www.spotify.com/us/student/

AT&T offers discounts to students attending participating schools as well as discounts for employees at participating companies.

https://www.att.com/verification/signaturehub

Verizon college students save up to $25 per month on mobile plans and up to $10 per month on internet plans.

https://www.verizon.com/featured/students/?cmp=KNC-C-HQ-PRO-R-BP-NONE-25moStudentDiscount-2K0PX0-PX-GAW-71700000068921030&cmp=KNC-C-HQ-NON-R-BP-NONE-NONE-2K0PX0-PX-GAW-71700000070406645&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo36BRAXEiwA24CwGRO0RRMw6AcALw9Wg8tvliUUrVW6898XAPMv4KuUCtyFU7IygNyjiRoCBDAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Additional sites to check for student discounts:

UNiDAYS - https://www.myunidays.com/US/en-US

Student Beans - https://www.studentbeans.com/us