Ways to Cut Costs at Home

Cutting costs at home has always been a big deal in my life. I grew up in a family with seven children and only my father worked. I learned quickly how to save a dime here and there. Now, using the principles I have learned growing up, my husband and I are raising two children, own our home, and live off of his $12/hour job! We also have no credit card debt!

-Starting with credit cards, only have ONE! Get one with the lowest interest rate you can and only use it when NECESSARY! Pay it off each month if at all possible. Credit cards are what get people into trouble.

-Keep energy costs low! In the summer, keep your drapes drawn and keep your air conditioner set as high as your family can tolerate. You can always throw on a tank top and shorts to keep cool in the house. Drink plenty of water, too! In the winter, keep your heat as low as possible. Wear sweatshirts and cover up with blankets. Turn the thermostat up and down when you're leaving the house or gone to work! If you have a wood burning fireplace, use it!

-Don't buy retail! Come on, people! This is the craziest thing I can think of to waste money on! Unless it's a necessity, don't pay full price! I shop at Goodwill. It does take a little bit of digging sometimes, but I'm shocked at the nice things I find. I get compliments all the time on my clothes! If I'm not at Goodwill, it has to be clearanced or I won't buy it! Shopping garage sales is also another great way of finding steals! Beware of some pricey sales...some people price their items way too high! I'd never pay more than $2.00 for a shirt for myself at a garage sale unless it was brand new!

-Do you really need cable and internet? I know that if you had to live without it, you'd feel like you were in agony, but that's an area where you can save the bucks! Get outside and read books and play with your kids! You can switch to a very low cost dial up internet without contracts, or you can go to your local library to check that email!

-If you own your car free and clear, switch to liability only insurance or raise your deductible. I know sometimes that's a little scary, but you will save yourself some big bucks. Shop around a bit, too!

-No matter how much some people hate Walmart, find a discount store to grocery shop at! If there is an Aldi's near you, that place is a great way to save money on food. The other tip is to make out your meals for the week and shop that way. You're less likely to impulse buy.

-Using cash makes people less likely to spend it because you see it slipping away before your eyes.

-Have a garage sale! Go through your house and clean out! Americans have turned into greedy creatures! It's no wonder the storage units are popping up everywhere! Sentimental? Think those clothes are gonna fit again? GET OVER IT!

-Spoil your kids with your time, not with material things! More than anything, kids will remember their memories with you, not the things you've bought them. The only time I buy my kids toys from retail stores is usually only at Christmas or their birthdays. Other than that, we get toys handed down, at garage sales, or from Goodwill. Kids don't stay interested in toys long enough to justify spending those prices on them. They don't appreciate them, either.

-Rent movies, don't go to the theater. The whole family can watch a movie for less than $5.00 rather than spending at least that much per person.

-Don't eat out! Eating out one meal could probably feed your family three or four meals! If you're going to eat out, make sure you go on a night when kids are free or only for special occasions.

-Consider camping instead of an expensive vacation. There are ways to camp that aren't roughing it! You're getting your kids out and those memories are what your family will remember for ages!

This are just a few tips on how to trim your household costs. You may look at some of them and say, "That is only gonna save us pennies." but you know what? Pennies add up! Less is more...you will find that your family is much happier in the long run!