Smart Homemaking Tips to Help You Save Money

Keeping a home can get expensive quickly. Before you know it your paycheck has run out and there is not much left for extras or savings. With mortgage or rent expenses, repair and maintenance costs, plus day-to-day energy usage, and don’t forget about cleaning supplies and groceries it’s not long before budgets get tight. Fortunately, the simple homemaking tips to save money that I’ve listed below will help you to repurpose some of that money and put it back into your family budget.

Using smart homemaking can help you learn how to balance your budget in a more effective way. Wherever you can cut costs it means you’ll save money for other needed expenses. So implementing simple strategies can save you big over time.

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5 Smart Homemaking Tips for Saving Money

Meal Planning for Saving Money 

The way that you go about meal planning is one of the best ways to save money. Some people find that making a specific plan for each week and sticking to it is the way that works best for them.

The way that I meal plan is by keeping a well-stocked kitchen so that I can be ready to make any meal that I want. Initially, when starting with this kind of plan, you might think that it costs you more money than traditional meal planning. But, over time you’ll see that because you shop less often your savings comes from not going to the market as many times during the month as you may have otherwise. 

With this simple planning supply list that I created you’ll be able to meal plan with items you have on hand instead of finding yourself buying specialty ingredients for specific recipes. It’s a subtle shift in thinking that I learned from my mom and grandmother how to do this. It’s how women of the depression era managed their homes. Knowing how tough times were then if it worked for them, it can certainly work for you too.

Save Money by Upcycling for Decorations

Another way to save in this way is to upcycle items that can’t be used for their intended purpose any longer. We all know that decorative items for the home can be expensive! But, we all want our homes to look nice, warm, and cozy. By using upcycled items you can cut costs by re-using what you already have for a different purpose.

For example, if you live in an old home and decide to replace the windows those old windows can make gorgeous decorative features around your home. If you searched for farmhouse style you’d discover old windows are often used as feature elements on mantles, or above beds, or to highlight photos.

• Glass product jars from the grocery store that are cleaned out can be used as drinking glasses, or a vase for flowers. 
• Worn-out sheets can be trimmed and turned into pretty valances.
• Hang a strand of Christmas lights on a piece of furniture for an unexpected, festive, pop of brilliance around the home.
• Have an old flag? Turn it into a statement piece by draping it over a chair or hanging it behind a framed photo or as a stand-alone behind a couch. 

With a little imagination and creativity, you can repurpose most things in an upcycled way. 

Save Money by Conserving Energy 

Energy conservation seems like a no-brainer. How many times did our parents tell us to turn off the lights? And, didn’t we learn to turn off the water while we brush our teeth? Of course we know to do this. But, energy conservation isn’t just about being good to the environment. Conserving energy actually helps our finances because energy is a resource that we pay to use.

• Turn off lights when not in a room.
• Open windows in the spring to let in fresh air instead of turning on the air conditioner.
• Unplug small appliances when not in use.
• Invest in energy efficient windows.
• Use draft stopper weather stripping around doors to prevent heat and cool air loss throughout the year.

These are just a few ideas that can help you save money as you conserve energy.

You can discover 25 easy ways to save money by visiting Creative Cynchronicity.

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

While making your own cleaning supplies is a good way to keep your home free of toxic chemicals you can also save money when you make your own. 

The key to making your own and having what you need whenever you need to clean is to keep white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils on-hand. This way you’ll be able to mix a variety of cleansers or sprays whenever you need them. My favorite essential oils to use when cleaning are clary sage and lemongrass. They both give a fresh scent to my home. What’s your favorite scent?

Discover more DIY Cleaning Supplies by Stacy at No Fuss Natural.

You’ll love how fresh, and clean your home smells whenever you walk in the door. And, these kinds of cleansers have been used for hundreds of years, so you can rest assured they are safe and get the job done.

Repair and Save Money

Sadly, we live in a society that disposes of any and everything. When something breaks we get rid of it. When we don’t like something we pitch it. Our culture doesn’t understand that living a disposable lifestyle can cost us a lot of money.

If you take the time to research you’ll discover that reparing broken appliances can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Check for a local appliance repair shop and see what they can do for that old broken down fridge. Or, go to YouTube to learn how to replace a belt on your dryer to keep it in good working order.

When you make the decision to repair instead of replace you’re budget becomes easier to manage. And, if the item can’t be repaired, try buying from a second hand shop instead of buying new. Often, you can get a great deal on an appliance that will give you many years of use. to repair before we replace we can save enough to invest in selected new items that we truly value.

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Discover more homemaking tips with these posts…

• Simple Tips to Manage Household Chores
• 5 Homemaking Tips for Homeschool Moms
• 5 Household Chores You Should Do Every Day