Making a One-Income Budget Work for Your Family

Your budget is already tight. You buy generic brands, pinch pennies, and sit home a lot more than you'd like to. What else can you do to make ends meet? Read on to explore money saving avenues you may not have tried yet.

Burn Extra Calories Instead of Gasoline

With the average gallon of gas costing motorists around $4, finding ways to reduce your usage can make for some serious savings. Take gas-powered lawnmowers, for instance. Depending on the make and model (and gas prices where you live), it may be costing you more than $4 in gasoline per acre of cutting. If you can, I recommend ditching your gas-powered lawnmower for a manual push mower.

If it's been a while since you've last used a push mower, you'll find that today's models are easier to propel. And just think: With a manual push mower, you'll breathe in freshly cut grass instead of smelly gas fumes. As a bonus, you'll be able to mow whenever you please without waking the neighbors.

Go Vegetarian

Serving up a few meatless meals each week can save you time, money, and maybe even your health. Worried that your family won't go for vegetarian dishes? Do what I did: Bring them to the table first. After they've given you rave reviews on the food, let them in on your little secret.

The first time I replaced the hamburger in my lasagna with a jar of chunky vegetable-style pasta sauce, I was so worried about rejection that I opted not to tell my family. It turns out that my meat-loving family actually thinks my lasagna tastes better without the meat. (Yes! Score one for the budgeting cook.)

Get a Credit Card that Pays You

Credit card usage is a way of life for many people in the United States. If you're one of them, then it's time to make that credit card work for you. See if you can trade your high-interest card for one that has a lower interest rate and offers a cash back reward.

If you're able and willing, creativity in budgeting can work to your family's advantage. Living on one income is doable.