Save Money at Home: Use What You’ve Got

Saving money by using items you already have on hand can help families squirrel away thousands of dollars each year. Even though people seem willing to shop at thrift stores, choose items from bargain bins, surprisingly, the majority of U.S. households forget exactly what they do have at home, and continue to purchase more. Taking stock of multiple or similar items, each which could be reused, re-purposed or repaired can help stay within budget.

Photo: Will Spaetzel

Grocery Shopping: Stock Up and Save
Buying groceries is one of the most hated tasks within many households. The grocery shopping trip can be simplified and become more cost effective by staying in the loop: know what you have in your pantry before you walk into the store. I like to use my Smart phone to create the grocery list – I always have my phone with me, but I don’t always have the shopping list and often end up with four or five scraps of paper in my purse. And it’s a fact… if I don’t have a list, I am likely to blow the budget. I double check the list on my Smart phone before I leave the house: this step is imperative so that I don’t stock up on pricier items which I may only use once a year. It’s a different story if I know that I will use multiple cans of tomato paste, whole tomatoes, or green beans… those items will definitely be consumed and if there’s a good deal I will buy as many as I can effectively store at home.

Cut Your Clothing Budget
Across the nation, Americans find themselves complaining about the need for more closet space to store their clothing. The fact is: a good percentage of our wardrobes are either not something we feel good about wearing, too small/too big, or simply don’t fit our needs. Shopping at the local thrift or consignment stores has become the norm for many households. However, another way to save money and get rid of extra items we no longer need is to host a swap meet with your friends and neighbors. Trade item for item, or assign specific values to each one. This is a great way for professional women to stick to their clothing budgets while swapping out pricey designer clothes, handbags, and accessories… it’s like gaining a new work wardrobe! Kids clothes and sporting goods are other valuable commodities when it comes to clothing swaps.

Home Improvement on a Budget
If you have a home improvement project in mind, or already started, but are lacking funds to see the project to completion, consider odd-lots, construction clearance, and home improvement consignment stores. My neighbor has been installing wood and tile flooring one room at a time, taking advantage of small batches of flooring and tile from the clearance bins. He is finishing the main floors and hallways with matching wood flooring, but doesn’t mind the unique effect he’s getting by completing the bedrooms in earth-toned tile. A nice area rug will cover the majority of each bedroom floor, so in all, everything blends in.

Finally, don’t rule out bartering with your neighbors to get what your household wants or needs. Trade with the bachelor who lives down the block: auto repair or oil changes for homemade meals. Or exchange lawn Care in return for pet-sitting or baby-sitting. This year, my household is excited by the fact that we are trading labor in cutting wood and helping a neighbor clear his heavily-wooded lot in exchange for wood to burn for heat in our wood stove. The cords of lumber we have stocked will equate to saving nearly $300 per month over using our all-electric heating system to warm our home. Be creative – and get the whole family involved! Working together to save money not only helps your household in present-day personal finances, but also teaches kids how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, but also how to live frugally.

What have you re-purposed around the house in order to save money? Do you do it in order to reduce, save money, recycle.. or all of the above? Leave a comment below!