12 Tips on Being A Frugal Mum

This is a collaborative post. 

As a mum, you do a lot for your family. Oftentimes, you do so on a limited budget. To help you out, in this article, we are going to look at 12 tips that will help you be a more frugal mum.

 

1. Create a Budget

To get started on a frugal lifestyle, you should first be aware of how much money you have and how much of it you have to spend. For example, you can take note of how much money you make and how much you have to spend on fixed costs. From there, you can see how much money you have for variable costs and look into how you can save on those costs.

2. Utilize Free Events

One job that mums have is to keep their kids engaged and entertained. However, if you aren’t careful, a day out can run up quite the bill. However, there are plenty of free events geared toward children that you can take advantage of. A great place to keep an eye out for these would be at community centers, libraries, or churches.

 

3. Get a Library Card

Speaking of libraries, you should take the time to get a library card. With one of these, you and your kids will have access to a variety of books and movies. If you make sure to return everything on time, it will all be free too.

 

4. Check Yard Sales and Second-hand Stores

If you need new furniture or clothes, you will want to keep your eye out at yard sales and thrift stores. Because you are looking at second-hand options, you will only pay a fraction of what you would if you bought them new. Of course, you will want to check the things you buy carefully before you purchase them to make sure they are in working order.

 

5. Buy In Bulk

When you are running a household, there are certain things that you know you will need a lot of – toilet paper or your child’s favorite snack, for example. The best way to save money on these purchases is to buy them in bulk. Most stores that allow you to buy in bulk require some sort of membership but the savings are usually well-worth this cost.

 

6. Upcycle Old Clothes

Even if you have the most basic sewing skills, there are still certain projects that you can find online to make old clothes new again. This helps to save you money on replacing clothes.

 

7. Limit Restaurants

Eating out can cost a lot of money, especially if you do it often. So, if you want to save money, you should try to eat at home more. You can also save money by making your own baby food instead of buying pre-made options.

 

8. Keep an Eye on Sales

You can also save money by keeping an eye on and utilizing sales on the things you need. If there aren’t any sales, you might want to check on coupons or even chances to earn cashback.

 

9. Drink More Water

For one, drinking more water is much healthier for you. However, it is also cheaper. If you drink a lot of soda or juice, you have to keeping buying those drinks. Water, on the other hand, doesn’t come at a high cost.

10. Save Energy

If you take energy-saving measures, you can save on your electric bill. Even simple changes – such as hanging your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer – can drastically reduce costs.

 

11. Learn How to Cut Hair

If you can learn to cut some basic hairstyles, you can save some money on going to a hairdresser. This is a great trick for when your kids are young but they might protest as they get older.

 

12. Work with Other Mums

One of the best ways to save money is to work with other mums to help each other. This way, you can swap old toys and clothes and use playdates as entertainment. You can even save money on a babysitter for date night by watching each other’s kids from time to time to give each other a night off.