Saving money and raising a family doesn’t always go together easily. As a mom of 3, I know the challenges of creating and staying on a budget. In this post, I’d like to share my top money saving tips. I promise you will find at least a few (if not, all) that you can start implementing right away!

Defining Your Budget

Step one is to figure out what your budget needs to be. This can look different for all of us.

In our home, we create a spreadsheet of our bills (respective amounts) and any incoming money. (paychecks, other money earned) This system allows us to allocate money appropriately and define the leftover weekly portion to pay for groceries, gas and other essentials.

Weekly check-ins have become a ritual for us. I pour a cup of coffee, put on music and get myself into a relaxed state to enjoy the process. I know that money can be a scary/stressful topic for a lot of us, but this is why it is important to set the mood. It will help you get comfortable while talking about your finances. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.

*If you are not an excel whiz like my husband, you could create a word doc. or use a canva.com template like this Free Finance Planner

We will cover more on how to save money using the finance planner later in this post. For now, let’s start with how we spend our money.

The Dreaded Food Bill

Ah, the food bill. Arguably, the largest ongoing expense in most households. I get it, kids eat a lot. With a few swaps to your shop, you can save money.

Food Tip 1: Switch to a lower tier grocery store.

Shop smarter by switching grocery stores. For us, this means shopping at Aldi.

Aldi is the most affordable option that I have found for our budget and I have saved us hundreds of dollars every month by switching to Aldi.

Why Aldi?

Aldi is a smaller grocery store with private label brands. I’ll admit, switching to new brands was a concern for me. After a year of shopping at Aldi, I am no longer concerned. In fact, we have enjoyed many new foods that I would not otherwise buy, because of the price adjustment.

The store saves on cost by keeping decor minimal, shelving items in boxes, using energy efficient lighting & employing less staff. This means customers must bring their own bags to shop with, pack their items in boxes from the store (free) or purchase bags in store.

Aldi also offers curbside pickup and delivery service. Check your local store or Instacart account for details.

If you do not have an Adli grocery store near you, Walmart has many comparable prices. My tip is to swap your purchases to the generic brand when possible.

Food Tip 2: Shop with a List!

Stay on budget by creating a shopping list. (click on the image for your free copy)

Using a shopping list, means I know what I intend to spend. I can shop with control, but I can also create space in our a budget if I want to try a new product. This system eliminates stress at checkout and puts me in a good mood while running errands. Win, win!

I take my planning a step further by making a list of weekly meals including: breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks.

At the very least, I plan dinners. A pack of chicken can be prepped for 2-3 meals. A bag of frozen veggies can be split and dressed 2 ways. 1 box of pasta can be served with 2 dishes by using a different sauce. This creative approach to cooking is how I stretch my budget. If you want meal planning tips, leave me a comment!

Food Tip 3: Save your produce & your wallet with better food storage

We have all had the sad experience of tossing another spoiled bag of lettuce or moldy container of strawberries. Since switching how I store my produce, my food lasts a week longer.

I use glass tupperware to store my fruit and chopped veggies. I use reusable produce bags for greens like romaine lettuce, fresh spinach & heads of cabbage. I also enjoy prepping oats & dressings in mason jars.

Shop Food Storage on Amazon

My Guide To Building a Savings

Let’s face it, we need money saved in order to payoff a balance or make a purchase. I am going to define the system we use to create our monthly savings.

Money In/ Money Out

Using the monthly finance planner or spreadsheet, identify the money in and money out each week. Calculate the difference between what is earned and what needs to be paid out. Then, allot for your miscellaneous spending like groceries.

At the close of each week or bi-week, push the remaining money in your bank accounts to savings. If the money was not spent, it can be saved. Your new weekly balance begins as paychecks/ money earned comes in and regular bills are paid out. This system creates an overage for saving and spending excess funds with intention.

We have planned date night/ family vacations, purchased a family car and paid off debt with this system. It truly works!

Tackling Debt with Intention

In the early years of marriage, we made our fair share of financial mistakes. I can tell you with confidence, collections balances can be paid for less than you think. Here are my tips to tackling collections debt:

Skip The Consolidation Company

Yes, I know they are hired professionals who are said to make paying off debts easier for consumers. The thing is, you can accomplish this task yourself.

If you’re prepared to make a payoff, you can negotiate rates. Collection companies want to settle debts with you. Call them. Find out your balance. Make them an offer for less than you owe. Speaking from experience, I have reached agreements for less than half the balance owed. You never know until you ask.

Settling a debt in full will save you money in the long run. If this is not an option, create a payment plan. Overall, I have experienced less stress by having less monthly bills. For that reason, I prioritize saving our money to make a full payoff.

Becoming a Budget Boss

Hey boss! Yes, that’s you! You’re in charge here. Remember, that. Just like your bank account balance, your money mindset needs to get in check.

Money Mindset Affirmations:

• I am in control of my budget.
• I can create a plan for spending.
• I will buy with confidence.
• I am good at saving money.
• I love money and money loves me!

Book Recommendation:

I read this book last year and I really enjoyed the journal prompts to get an understanding on my money fears and limiting beliefs. (Click on the image to check it out on Amazon)

Well that’s it for part one! I hope you found my advice helpful! Be sure to follow for part two, as I share my budget shopping tips for clothing, simple swaps for household items and creative ways to make more money!