Monday, November 30, 2009

Working moms: How to save $100 next month

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I saw this great thread in the Frugal Mom’s group at Work It, Mom!, about how to save $100 a month, and I started to chime in, but when my reply grew to, well, blog-length, I thought I’d move it here. (At first, I thought the question was how to save $100 a WEEK, and I went all dizzy. But $100 a month is doable). You've already read about how I get the most out of my grocery budget; here's what I do to save a little more money each month:

1.) Bring your own lunch. If you buy lunch at work, and you spend $7 per lunch, bringing your own lunch four days a week (treat yourself on the fifth, if you want) saves you $28 a week, or about $112 a month.

2.) Bring your own coffee. I drink tea at the office, but I love a good cup of coffee (or three). Invest in a sturdy travel mug and commute with your own coffee instead of buying it on the road; you’ll save anywhere from $5 to $35 a week or more. (If you can’t live without your latte, put some milk in a container with a tight-fitting lid, shake it up well, and voila! Frothy goodness to go!)

3.) Drink tea at work. Did I mention that I drink tea at the office, even though I’m a coffee drinker at home? There are two reasons for this: a.) the coffee at work costs $2.50 a cup and tastes like brown crayons melted in a hot water, with a little ground mulch for flavor, and b.) a box of 20 jasmine-green tea bags costs less than $1 at my little local Asian grocery store, fits nicely in my desk, and hot water is free. So, instead of paying $2.50 for a cup of gak, I pay five cents for a cup of jasmine-scented deliciousness. Two cups a day saves me about $25 a week. (OK, fine, $24.50.)

4.) Ditch the juice boxes. Last summer, I was packing seven juice boxes A DAY into my kids’ lunch boxes. That’s 35 juice boxes a week. That’s crazy. This year, everyone is getting a screw-top Nalgene bottle filled with homemade lemonade, and I’m saving at least $10 a week, maybe more.

5.) Cook an extra dinner on the weekend, and stash it in the freezer. There are plenty of recipes — chili, stews, curries, lasagna, pork chops — that take practically no extra effort to double up. Later in the week, save the $10 you were going to spend on a pizza and pull that extra meal out of the freezer instead.

Share your tips in the comments -- we could all use a little inspiration (not to mention an extra $100)!

Lylah is a full-time editor, a freelance writer, and mom and step mom to five kids. She writes about juggling career and parenthood at The 36-Hour Day on Work It, Mom!, and blogs about writing at Write. Edit. Repeat.

Related: work life balance, work it mom, saving money, save 100, lylah alphonse, budget, 36 hour day

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 94
  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:14pm PDT

    Stop using the drier, and hang dry the clothes, disconect the cable, no cell phone, stay at home and no to spend 800 dollars a month in day care just for one child, cook at home, use legumes more often, go to the park instead of the cinema, ride the bicycle rather than the car. I have a neighbor and she does all these and she saves a lot. but I can't give up cable or cell phone, the ac ok I can do that . but most of the money goes to day care, it is so EXPENSIVE it is not even funny

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  • david's Avatar
    Posted by david Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:05am PDT

    These are all great tips, but in response to #1, you need to also calculate how much it costs to bring your own lunch. It will (or should) cost you a less than $7 to brown bag it, but you will not be saving $28/week and $112/month. I have calculated that a brown bag lunch costs me about $4, so brown bagging 4 days a week would only save me $12/week or $48/month. No such thing as a free lunch!

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  • MyaDee's Avatar
    Posted by MyaDee Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:53am PDT

    My husband stays home with our daughter. Not only does it save in child care costs, but it saves in gas. He would have been driving 70 miles round trip. I only travel 8 to and from work, and I get reimbursed for any trips on office time.

    Also, when you aren't home, turn the A/C up to 84 or more. If you are gone several hours, it saves a TON. I kid you not. We started doing this after last months $175 electric bill. This month it was down to $110.

    We also unplug everything not in use (microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and even the TV). Even when they are off, they still suck power and it adds up.

    Eating at home as much as possible saves a lot. Also, shopping twice a week and buying fewer things helps. We shop about every 3 days, usually on my way home so it doesn't add to the gas. That way the fresh stuff doesn't go bad and we aren't throwing money away with the trash.

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  • Heidi's Avatar
    Posted by Heidi Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:01am PDT

    I agree with David.. even to bring your lunch cost money.. Probably 3-4 dollars a day. I love starbucks so now instead of buying it daily I bought a bottle of syrup and have that in my coffee (which they give for free at work).

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  • Lynne's Avatar
    Posted by Lynne Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:20am PDT

    When I go out of town for a few days or more I turn the breaker for my hot water heater off. I also hang my clothes on a clothes line. Look at the sale adds. If you have coupons for these items use them. I also take the money I have saved on coupons & put it in a jar for that rainy day.

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  • Adi'sMommy's Avatar
    Posted by Adi'sMommy Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:23am PDT

    I think these suggestions are great!!! I also liked the article on saving on your grocery bills, some of those I already do, but some really allowed me to see other ways to save money! Thanks.

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  • Jessica's Avatar
    Posted by Jessica Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:35am PDT

    Where are you buying a pizza that it only cost $10? I live in small-ish town in Richmond Indiana and enough pizza for three people is more like $15-$20.

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  • Barbara's Avatar
    Posted by Barbara Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:49am PDT

    Try using Vinegar mixed with water. It takes the place of expensive Glass cleaner products and counter cleaners and sink cleaners. Also use dish cloths instead of paper towels. Huge savings in cleaning products.

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  • Awtwins's Avatar
    Posted by Awtwins Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:04pm PDT

    As someone who already brings my lunch, never bought a Starbucks, and rarely eats out, what tips have you got? I live in 110+ degree weather so opting out of A/C is not an option in my car or home. I work from home 3 days a week to reduce fuel costs and use rebates and coupons religiously. It seems all the "standard/ easy" options I am doing, so I am looking for some really good ideas that can cut costs above and beyond reducing the "extras" in my life. Any suggestions will be considered. Thanks!

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  • Quality's Avatar
    Posted by Quality Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:29pm PDT

    Make dinner, not take-out. Eat left overs by items on sale. The basic same ol' stuff our parents brought us up on...

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Comments 1-10 of 94

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