Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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You are here: Home / Frugal / How We Save Money

How We Save Money

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April 21, 2016 By Jennifer Lambert 19 Comments

I’m always looking for simple ways to save money.

I weigh the convenience factor with our health, values, and lifestyle.

It takes discipline to save money and to set rules about how we will not waste.

We have to have goals and a plan.

We pray about big purchases. When I see something I want, I try to wait to see if I can do without or if I have something similar I can use to that purpose. If I can’t stop thinking about it after a few days or a week, I try to work it into the budget.

I remember a time when I had way too much month at the end of the money.

I was a school teacher for almost 10 years, but my last year working outside the home was haphazard…and I found myself working two part-time jobs with no benefits. I was struggling to survive financially.

I’ve bounced checks or auto debits because I didn’t realize the check card had been used. I’ve had to juggle which bills I paid so I made rent and had food and gas money. I’ve lived in fear of collection agencies, avoiding the phone calls and dreading certified mail.

Thankfully, we’re a better place financially these days.

We still have some credit card debt we’re paying off, but we’re investing for retirement and our children’s education. We have no car payments and we’re under our BAH allotment for our housing.

Healthy finances are important to me in this ever-changing world.

I want to teach my children how to live frugally but well.

I want them to understand budgeting, investing, taxes, saving, checking accounts, home-buying, and more. It’s important to be financially literate.

I’m tired of explaining that “I don’t have the money” doesn’t always mean that I literally have every penny accounted for, but rather that “This or that isn’t a priority” or “I’m spending as much as I desire at this time.”

These are several simple ways I’ve found to save us money.

Cloth Napkins

I’ve found several mix and match Americana cloth napkin styles that we keep in a drawer by the dining table. We also have some pretty gold ones for special occasions.

We reuse these for a few meals, until they get too greasy or dirty, and then we wash them for next time.

Cloth Napkins

We haven’t gotten on board with family cloth in the bathrooms (ew) or cloth towels in the kitchen, but we do have a large stash of dishcloths for cleaning and wiping up small spills. Paper towels and facial tissues last a really long time for us.

When my son was a baby, we used cloth diapers and made our own wipes from flannel.

Laundry and Cleaning

We make our own laundry soap.

We use wool drying balls.

I try to do laundry every other day, so there are full loads.

I often hang dry the clothes to save on energy.

We don’t buy household cleaners. I use Thieves soap, vinegar, warm water, olive oil. I love my Libman Freedom mop and cleaning cloths.

Seldom Eating Out

We rarely eat out in restaurants and almost never get fast food.

It saves money and keeps us healthier.

We eat at home 95% of the time. We make our own seasonings. I make a hot breakfast every day. I make dinner for the family every evening. We usually have leftovers or sandwiches for lunch.

It has helped that we have stated to ourselves and the kids that eating out is not an option when we leave the house. We try to plan around meal times and do errands mid mornings or late afternoons.

We just have to plan better.

We eat before we leave the house or take a cooler with lunch and snacks. We don’t run errands (or go grocery shopping!) when we’re hungry. We take our lunches for field trips. We make sure dinner is prepped and we make sure to arrive back home in time to cook and eat it.

We do sometimes dine out while traveling and we plan for that if there’s special cuisine or a specific restaurant we want to try, but we often rent an apartment so we can prepare our own meals.

We never buy bottled water. We have a filter on our refrigerator and we refill these glass bottles.

Living Simply

We have simple family birthdays with homemade cake and a special dinner served on a Celebration Plate. We have simple homemade decorations and watch a favorite movie together. We don’t go overboard with lots of presents, but just a few very carefully picked out and lovingly wrapped items.

We often travel for holidays and rarely give big gifts for Christmas or Easter. I eschew giving a bunch of Dollar Store junk in stocking and baskets, so we prefer useful items like pretty school supplies, healthy snacks, and maybe a desired item. We strive for a debt-free Christmas. I like to follow the something they Want, Need, Wear, Read plan of gift-buying and giving.

Shopping is not entertainment.

I buy groceries and other items when we need them. I’m not a hoarder. I don’t do coupons. I just discovered Ibotta and it’s ok, slowly racking up a few dollars every month on a few items I buy anyway.

I don’t subscribe to store emails or social media. We don’t buy newspapers or magazines. We don’t care what’s trending nor do we need the latest and newest tech gadgets or clothes or toys.

My house is not full of fancy décor or lots of knick knacks because they aren’t useful and are just something else to dust. Our furniture is mostly handmedowns and yard sale and thrift shop finds.  I don’t redecorate with the seasons or when we PCS and I don’t read decorating magazines or blogs because they make me discontent. We haven’t purchased new furniture in 10 years, except to upgrade the kids from baby cribs to beds.

I cut my own hair. I’m pretty low maintenance. I don’t have a lot of makeup or accessories. I don’t use product in my hair. I don’t get my nails done.

We put our TV in storage. So, there’s no cable or SAT to watch or pay for. We watch Netflix and Amazon streaming.

We keep our utilities low by setting the AC high and the heating low. We turn off lights and use water sparingly.

Eating Leftovers

I don’t like waste. We don’t often have leftovers with four growing children, but I encourage frugality in this area.

I often double or even triple recipes so we can have lunches the next day.

I store leftovers in glass containers to maintain freshness and use them up within a couple days. We get creative with soups and casseroles.

Also, if an apple or carrot only gets half-eaten, it’s saved for later. It can be used in salads or smoothies.

Limiting Trips into Town

Currently, Wednesday is our going out day.

The girls have music lessons, we run errands and do the grocery shopping, and Tori has gymnastics. (I have to plan and prep dinner and my teen daughter or husband finishes it up since we get home after 6 PM – see above!)

This means I have to plan our meals and make a list when shopping.

Sundays, we all go to church. After lunch, my teen daughter and I go to the gym for about an hour and then go grocery shopping on base (most local stores are closed).

Keeping to this plan allows me to say no to any extra running around. Many homeschoolers and stay at home moms in our area are always going out for field trips, playdates, or shopping entertainment. We prefer to stay home and complete our homeschool work. This helps me only to fill up my minivan’s gas tank about 2-3 times per month.

We also don’t feel pressured to change our schedule very often. We have this as a priority, so we don’t feel the need to deviate unless it’s very important or an amazing opportunity.

The kids know we generally stay home, so they learn they have plenty of free time to play, create, and explore after homeschool work and chores are completed. Work before play.

Paying Cash

We try to live within our means. That means not using credit to pay for anything. The deals on credit cards aren’t attractive enough for me to use them. I don’t have the discipline to pay them off each month. Paying cash makes us think twice before making a purchase. I keep our spending plan on spreadsheets on the computer.

We’ve never really done the envelope system. I just don’t like to go to the ATM every week or whenever.

Most of the stores in Europe are Euro cash-only. I seldom shop at those stores. I like the bigger stores that remind me of a Super Wal-Mart and they cater to the international community here and accept my American account-linked check card.

I don’t shop with calculator in hand. What if I get to the register and my total is more than I have? Embarrassing.

When we travel, we have to use a pin and chip credit card for flights and accommodations, but we try to pay cash for all other expenses.

When the kids need clothing or supplies, we pay cash.

When our minivan needed a new alternator and pulley system, we were so thankful to be able to pay cash for it all. I remember a time when an emergency like that would have really messed us up financially for months.

We’re still learning and some days, weeks, and months it’s hard, but we’re determined to live abundantly on a fixed single income.

Resources:

  • Debt-Proof Living: How to Get Out of Debt & Stay That Way by Mary Hunt
  • 31 Days to Radically Reduce Your Expenses: Less Stress. More Savings by Kalyn Brooke
  • Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After by Cherie Lowe
  • 31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero: Freeze Your Spending. Change Your Life. by Ruth Soukup
  • Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup
  • Clutter Free: Quick and Easy Steps to Simplifying Your Space by Kathi Lipp
  • The Spender’s Guide to Debt-Free Living: How a Spending Fast Helped Me Get from Broke to Badass in Record Time by Anna Newell Jones
  • The Year without a Purchase: One Family’s Quest to Stop Shopping and Start Connecting by Scott Dannemiller
  • The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders
  • Make Room for What You Love: Your Essential Guide to Organizing and Simplifying by Melissa Michaels

How do you save money?

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jenalambert

INTJ. Only child. Military Wife. Homeschool Mom. Geek. Naturalist. Traveler. Questioning authority since 1976.

I get home after errands and our AC is out but I s I get home after errands and our AC is out but I still made this gorgeous yellowfin tuna, jasmine rice, and sauteed veg, including some fun Japanese eggplant.
What's really devastating is that my parents have What's really devastating is that my parents have these annual agendas they used as journals and they recorded absolutely everything about their daily lives.My father mainly recorded his meals, digestion, sleep schedule, weather, finances, and medical appointments.So I get a glimpse into what my mother 's daily schedule, medical history, meals, thoughts, and feelings were for the past decade and it's glaringly obvious how little she thought of me and my children.I was barely on the checklist. I'm not sure at what point or even how to reconcile this and I just feel very alone.
Since my son has a baseball game tonight right in Since my son has a baseball game tonight right in the middle of dinner time. Southern bento box: salmon patties with remoulade, Cole slaw, Publix tater salad, fried corn. Gonna bring a cup of cherry limeade.
Smoothie time in the garden Smoothie time in the garden
My peonies are happy this year My peonies are happy this year
A month ago we had a belated celebration dinner an A month ago we had a belated celebration dinner and it was delightful.
Omg zaatar sumac lemon roasted chicken and potatoe Omg zaatar sumac lemon roasted chicken and potatoes with green beans almondine and sauteed zucchini and garlic bread with the pan juice. Yes.
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Hopes & Dreams Hopes & Dreams
So, real issues now when Kerrygold butter is out o So, real issues now when Kerrygold butter is out of stock at Sam's.I bought the entire shelf of Kerrygold at our military commissary.But there's no good jasmine rice at the commissary and fewer breakfast sausage and lots of empty shelves where international foods should be stocked.I love how no one understands or cares how tariffs work.
Good heavens, this roasted garlic bread from Publi Good heavens, this roasted garlic bread from Publix and organic rosé wine (the Natura Pinot noir is good too) from Chile is absolutely amazing.I love Publix so much y'all. The subs, the potato salad, the salmon dinners, the cake! How friendly and helpful everyone is. I'm so excited that I have one only an hour and a half away now.I bought my wedding cake from Publix in 2005.
Alone for the first time in months it seems Alone for the first time in months it seems
75⁰ calls for a Hefeweizen. 75⁰ calls for a Hefeweizen.
Sign of spring Sign of spring
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Snowdrops!!! Snowdrops!!!
60⁰ and Pinot noir. 60⁰ and Pinot noir.
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Comments

  1. Sarah @ Pretty Simple Ideas says

    May 16, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    I’m always looking for new tips to save money, and I particularly love your gift giving ideas!

    Reply
  2. sue says

    May 17, 2016 at 3:59 am

    It really isn’t hard to save money – if we take the time to think about it. Thanks for sharing some easily achievable tips with us at Over the Moon.

    Reply
  3. Mari-Anna Stalnacke says

    May 18, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    It’s a way of life, really, to live frugally. And, I think, we are called to live frugally. Then we are also able to give away more to missions etc. Thank you for this post. So good to hear others are doing it too. Blessings to you and yours!

    Reply
  4. Horace@pleasingtothePotter.com says

    May 19, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Excellent and practical tips Jennifer! Sounds like you all have a plan that is working for you. I applaud that as I too strive to be a good steward of God’s blessings. One thing that has helped me over the past two years is I grabbed a “bill payment form” from Kristina at CentsandOrder.com. She has also has budget and meal planning freebies that have helped me stay on track each month. There may be something useful there for also. Thanks for sharing this tips. So nice to visit here today via Thankful Thursdays. Have a wonderful weekend and may God bless you and yours!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 20, 2016 at 10:50 am

      More great tips! Thanks, I will check them out.

      Reply
  5. Brooke Grangard says

    May 19, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    This is a great list. Thanks for sharing! It’s such a needed message in our culture today.

    Reply
  6. Julie @ Logger's Wife says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    Limiting trips is huge for us. Sundays we have church than errands only happen one day a week, twice if it is a library week. it makes me the odd one out in my group of friends but it really saves us money (and my sanity…lol). #ShineBlogHop

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 20, 2016 at 10:48 am

      yeah, we’re the odd ones out, for sure.

      Reply
  7. Michele Morin says

    May 20, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    The cloth napkins caught my eye because we’ve been doing the same thing — which is a double bonus because our kids are napkin savvy. So many little things we can do to cut costs and they end up improving our lives in other ways as well.

    Reply
  8. Lori says

    May 20, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I stopped buying paper towels years ago. I have a drawer full of towels I cut down from bath towels to use. Last month, I bought 2 more bath towels at Walmart for less than $3.00 and ended up with 6 towels to replace some that were thread bare. Every little bit helps in saving money. Thanks for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 2, 2016 at 2:03 pm

      What a clever tip! I have lots of fun flannel to make some cute “not paper towels.” I think the girls and I will make that our summer project.

      Reply
  9. Jamie says

    May 21, 2016 at 1:00 am

    Great tips! When we went on our budget, there were a lot of changes. You don’t realize how much you spend eating out and other things not necessary. After just a few years, all of our debts are paid except for the house, and that’s amazing! Thank you for sharing this with us at the #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  10. Gina says

    May 22, 2016 at 12:42 am

    These are good tips! I don’t eat out much either and I always use my cloth napkins! I haven’t tried paying with only cash. But, I’ve heard a lot of people singing it’s praises. I’ll have to give it a try.

    Reply
  11. Naomi@WhatJoyIsMine says

    May 23, 2016 at 3:43 am

    Jennifer…What excellent tips! I usually errand run on Mondays since Sundays we use for rest. I also menu plan using what we have on hand then adding on as needed. That’s helps, too. I may have to look further into the cloth napkins though. Thank you so much for sharing at Monday’s Musings. :-)

    Reply
  12. Wendy says

    May 24, 2016 at 1:10 am

    Hey Jennifer! Thanks for linking up with us at Hip Homeschool Moms! I loved this article! I’m currently trying to create a budget and get some debt paid off, so this article came at a great time for me. :) I also love your practical ideas for getting everyday spending under control!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      We’re slowly chipping away at it, but TRAVEL. We’re trying to balance.

      Reply
  13. Karren says

    May 27, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Thanks for linking up on #OMHGFF this week to share your frugal ways. We dont have a credit card and are debt free and thats the way we like it.

    Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 2, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      It’s sure easier to pay only cash in Europe with most stores refusing credit and debit cards. But it’s hard to make reservations for travel online without a pin and chip card.

      Reply

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