Step Two of Staying a Stay at Home Mom will show you how to Stretch Your Dollar.
This is where we take our disposable income and make it go as far as possible.
This is a very important step as a Stay Home Mom.
As SAHM, it is our job to take care of the family finances.
We are the ones that need to weigh each financial decision carefully, and see how the decisions we make with our money will affect our families.
You already learned all about Reducing Expenses, now its time to take it all to the next level. I will warn you that there is a trade to saving money, or stretching your dollar.
The trade for your money is your time.
Let’s think of it this way:
If you spent 3 hours doing research on saving money at the grocery store, and you went out and saved $60 on your first trip, then you just made $20 an hour!
Knowledge is power, and it is certainly money!
Saving Money with Coupons
Since we are already talking about groceries, let’s start by learning to stretch your dollar with food.
This is often the largest expense, outside of housing, Have you heard that you can get a cart full of groceries for free?
Or that you don’t ever have to pay for things like toothpaste and shampoo?
Well, its true.
You can get thousands of dollars worth of free consumable items every year, simply by the effective use of coupons and refunds.
There is an entire section on the effective use of coupons and how to stretch your dollar on groceries the most in the Deals and Steals section, but here are a few links to get you started.
More Info:
- Save With Coupons
- Make a Coupon Binder
- Grocery Coupon Class
- Lindley’s Coupon Corner
- Deals and Steals Section
Save Money on Food
Coupons and Refunds are not the only way to save significant money on food.
There are many resources the average family can utilize to save money in this high expense category.
There are organizations across the country designed to help the average family, not the low-income family, stretch their dollar in the food category.
Plus, there are money saving recipes that will really make your budget go much further. Eat only health foods? There are options for you too.
More Info:
- Discount Food Providers
- Freezer Cooking
- Budget Cooking
- Food Co-ops and Exchanges
- Back to Food Basics
- Other Food Bill Reducing Tips
Save Money on Baby Expenses
Bringing a new baby into the world is a wonderful occurrence that often causes financial stresses.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Despite what you may believe, having a baby does not need to be a bank-breaking experience.
We often purchase too many unneeded items, and don’t know where to find inexpensive solutions.
There are ways to get diapers and formula at a discount, which will stretch your dollar while easing your financial stress.
More Info:
- Save Money on Baby Items
- Save Money on Baby Formula
- Save Money on Baby Food
- Save Money on Baby Diapers
- Save Money on Baby Wipes: Make Your Own
Save Money on Household Expenses
Now its time to get down to the Nitty Gritty of Tightwad Tips.
Here are some excellent ideas and resources designed to help you stick with your budget, and make it all work.
Remember, my goal is to help you find room for all the important things in your life.
So, if clipping a coupon for a $25 gift certificate when you fill a prescription will allow you to buy yourself some bubble bath to enjoy in your own personal quiet time, then I’ve done my job!
More Info:
- Trim Your Medical Expenses
- TightWad Tips for Clothing and Hair Care
- Make or Buy Cloth Menstrual Pads
- Household TightWad Tips
- Make Your Own Household Cleaners and Laundry Soap
- Acquire More Stuff…the TightWad Way
- CALLING ALL TIGHTWADS:
Prove You’re a TightWad
Plus Read Other Viewer’s Tightwad Tips
Save Money on Entertainment
Now for some fun!
Everyone needs a good night out once in a while.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that night out was nearly free?
Learn how to plan a date night with your husband, eat at a nice restaurant for a fraction of the cost, all while your children are being watched…for free!
Or maybe you are going to be going on vacation soon. You can have the getaway of your dreams without going broke.
More Info:
- Save Money on Entertainment
- Save Money on Gifts
- Save Money on Travel
- Save Money on Birthday Parties
Now I know that you want to jump ahead of me and go straight onto Supplementing Income, but hold off.
It is Far Easier to Spend Less Money Than it is to Earn More.
Take the time to go through these first two sections on spending less money before you try to add additional money to your income.
Supplemental income is very important in a one- or no-income family, but unless you first figure out how to stretch your dollar, all the extra work you do will be for nothing.
Trust me on this.