Loosening a Tight Budget
Whether you have been fighting a tight budget for decades or are simply wanting to cut back in areas so you have more to spend on other things, increasing our margin is the topic of interest.
Increasing margins can be done 2 ways:
Increase Income
Decrease Expenses
Today I’m going to go over some ideas for both.
(Disclaimer: some of these products and ideas I use myself, some I’ve only heard about. Not every idea is going to work for you! It’s up to you to decide when ones make sense for YOU to utilize for your life.)
Ideas for Saving
Tech
Look into cheaper phone plans like Tello or Mint Mobile (if you have Sprint/AT&T the signal will be the SAME!)- consider using the plan with the LOWEST Data if you are using wifi most of your day.
(I pay less than $18 per month with Tello and never need more data or coverage!)
Utilize free streaming services instead
I love Angel and RightNow Media for clean shows for my kids! (and my kids are still alive & happy without Bluey!)
consider dropping your Internet provider and using a higher data plan/phone hotspot for a season.
Doing this saved us $30 a month while we were paying off debt
Buy refurbished tech on eBay.
Be content!
Remember - it may be a good deal, but if it’s not in the budget it’s not a good deal for me!
Food
Avoid walking into stores that will tempt you to impulse buy.
(cough) Target (cough)
Meal plan and check your food stock before getting groceries
My friend has a planner here you can check out!
try making some cheap meals
always have an extra snack stash in the car for the kids!
Pack lunch
Meal prep!
Watch for deals on your “staples”
If possible, buy in bulk.
make sure to portion-freeze-ration so nothing goes to waste or gets eaten more quickly than it should!
Home + LifestyleConsider how you can use the barter system for Babysitters and HandyWork.
Re-use zip locks and other plastic bags
“waste not, want not”
Use what you have!
Drawer organizers < cardboard boxes
Paper Towels < cut up old t-shirts
Spray-paint!
outdated light fixtures
old decor
picture frames
Utilize Facebook marketplace for furniture needs!
and tell your friends and family about what you’re looking for! They’ll be on the lookout for you!
Be Creative and Resourceful!
Ideas for Income
Create and sell downloadable worksheets on Esty
Mow lawns & shovel driveways
Dog sit/walk
Babysit/childcare
you can often do this for just 1 or 2 families without the need for a license - check your state laws
Pizza Delivery
Remember that these are SHORT-TERM solutions to fuel your budget while you’re working towards a goal.
