Author: Finding new money challenges and budgeting tips for how to save money can seem impossible, especially if you feel like you’ve tried everything! Here are six clever ways to save money that might be a little out of the box – but they really do work!
Nine years ago we become a one income family. We knew that our family was finally expanding beyond just the two of us, and that I was going to stay home with the baby… what we didn’t count on was my husband losing his job only 4 months after I quit mine!
As a result, we also knew that we needed to drastically change our spending habits. So we dug into our budget and cut out everything that wasn’t essential.
We even took our food budget from $1000 a month to less than $200 a month!
Once we had cut everything we could think of, we started digging into a few additional ways to save money that would cut out the disposable items we used every day.
Clever Ways to Save Money
While there are some incredibly sane ways to save money, like creating a meal plan, buying in bulk, and cutting your household budget with my worksheet system, there are also some pretty intense ways to save money too!
If you’ve done everything you can think of to slash your budget, and you need to trim a little more, here are six things to consider for your family!
1. Reusable Period Supplies
There are several options for getting rid of disposable period supplies. This is a great way to save money and cut down on toxicity often associated with disposable feminine products.
- Mama Cloth – Mama cloth replaces disposable feminine products. Not only does it save money, but it also cuts down on the toxicity that comes along with using the disposable kind of feminine products. For most women, this would save about $300 a year. This practice is becoming more and more common and will help you avoid any issues with product availability (like we’ve seen in recent years).
You can make your own mama cloth or buy pre-made mama cloth in a ton of fun colors and patterns!
- Period Cups – If you’re not comfortable with mama cloth, you can use a period cup instead. For me, that’s not an option due to my anatomy shape, but it might be perfect for you! A period cup is a silicone piece that is inserted like a tampon and is easily emptied and washed. The Sunny Period Cup is highly recommended if you want to try it!
2. Family Cloth
Just like mama cloth, family cloth is a replacement for disposable toilet paper. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s a great savings over time.
My dad tells stories of his grandfather (a Texas Ranger) who never liked toilet paper and refused to use it – continuing to use washcloths instead.
This practice has gone out of style in favor of the more convenient disposable toilet paper, but perhaps it’s time to bring it back.
For most families, using family cloth would save around $500 for the first year. And then even more savings would be seen in the following years.
Most people use washcloths for this purpose, I’ve heard good things about using these washcloths for family cloth!
3. Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are nothing new, but many families think of them as old-fashioned in a time of disposable diapers. However, when you’re trying to save money, sometimes you have to get a little old-fashioned.
Just like making your own bread, or finding awesome depression era recipes, older ways of doing things can be a really great thing for your budget!
We originally wanted to do cloth diapers with our little guy. My mom got us all stocked up on the sweetest little patterns and I was so excited to use them! But he ended up being a premie so the diapers didn’t fit right away. And by the time they did fit, we were already sold on Honest Company diapers (which are ah-mazing by the way).
However, if we had made the switch it would have saved us $1080 a year!
You can buy cloth diapers in a variety of patterns and styles, or you can make them yourself!
4. Cloth Wipes
This goes right along with cloth diapers of course. Even though we weren’t able to get into the cloth diaper groove, I had thought about cloth wipes for our son as he has very sensitive skin. We originally started with these Burt’s Bees Baby Wipes and loved them!
However, they are not cheap! Switching to cloth wipes saved us $640 a year!
You can grab these super soft cloths made specifically for cloth wipes here, or of course, you can make your own baby wipes from whatever cloth you’d like!
5. No-Poo (No Shampoo) Method
No, this isn’t a method for learning how to not go to the bathroom anymore! It’s the slang term for cutting shampoo out of your routine.
There are many different methods for doing this, but the most popular is the Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda method.
All you do is get your hair wet and rub some baking soda (just a bit) into your hair. Then, take a spray bottle with ACV and water at a 1:4 ratio and spritz out the baking soda. Then rinse well and style as you normally would.
While it may take your hair a few weeks to adjust to the new method (and your hair might over-produce oil during that time) it’s worth it to make the switch!
Not only are you using more natural methods for cleansing your hair, but you’re also saving a bunch of money in the process!
Cutting out shampoo and conditioner would save most families $450 a year!
6. Enjoy A No-Spend Day/Week/Month
A no-spend day/week/month is exactly what it sounds like. A period of time during which you spend NO money.
Here are some things we completely avoid during our no-spend months:
- Dining out
- Buying food (eat creatively from the pantry)
- Spending money on Amazon or other online stores
- Buying books
- Buying DVDs
- Going to the movies
- Spending money on phone app purchases
- Buying clothes/shoes
That’s not to say you can’t spend money on these items. But we have found that drawing a line in the sand and saying NO to everything ends up saving us a LOT of money.
One note: If you have a no-spend month, don’t go crazy the next month and spend all the money you just saved!
This typically saves us $1500-2000 a month each time!
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In total, if you did everything on this list you would save about $4000 a year.
Of course, not everything on this list will apply to every family, but it’s a great place to start!
Even More Frugal Living Ideas
If you want to try a few more ways to save money, here are some of our favorites!
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my suggestions are for the faint at heart, who would not even fathom using reusable butt clothes and feminine products:
We did a no spend month (other than produce) and this is how it happened:
1) Shut the heat off (it was January) and heat only with the wood stove.
2) Eat only the food that already exists in the food pantry and freezer (made for some creative meals!) and use the ingreadients you have to make your own bread, pizza,etc. When the flavored drinks run out, drink water!
3) Borrrow DVDs from the library and pop some popcorn and have movie night at home (@$80 savings for a family of four)
4) A great family activity to do as well is to clean out the closets, basement, etc and drop items at consignment.
Those are great ideas! Thanks Linda!
I can vouch for the baking soda/ACV hair care routine. I personally have used it for more than 5 years now. I LOVE IT!
My method is a bit different, though. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons (depending on how dirty the hair is), with about 1-1/2 to 2 cups warm water, in a recycled plastic bottle, of course! Shake to dissolve, or I will just turn the water on high to mix it. I will pour about half of this over my hair, and massage to clean the scalp. Rinse with clear water, and use the rest to concentrate on the hair close to the head. There is no real need to gather up and scrub all that lovely hair to tangle it, unless you have a lot of product or dust in your hair, or have been trying to feed a frisky baby his carrots. Even then, just squeeze it through the hair gently. Rinse again. Now mix together 1 – 2 tablespoons ACV with a full glass of water and pour over hair and scalp. Sometimes I will wait 2 or 3 minutes to make sure it has done it’s job, then rinse out.
A couple of points: One, if you’re in the habit of washing your hair often/daily with a harsh detergent (yes, that nice ‘gentle’ shampoo is most likely a detergent & has some nasty chemicals in it) then you may experience more oiliness for about a week or so. Calm down! It will get better! Once your scalp realizes that you have stopped stripping it of it’s precious oils then it will calm down also. So, once you both calm down and come to an understanding, you will both be happier!
Two, have you ever heard the phrase ‘acid mantle’? That is what you want for healthy skin and scalp. The ACV provides that for you, in addition to neutralizing the alkalinity of the baking soda.
Caveat: be careful about using baking soda full strength on your scalp. Not only can it scrub too harshly on your delicate skin, but it can clean TOO well, making the scalp dry and flaky. The 1 to 2 tablespoons is plenty. More is NOT always better!
I have gone thru many iterations of this routine, and this is the one I and my hair are happiest with. I’ve been getting lots of compliments lately!
Hope this helps…
Sorry, in the “caveat” portion of the above post, I should have said “1 to 2 tablespoons DISSOLVED IN WATER is plenty”.
I was hoping you would comment! Thanks for chiming in, I can definitely vouch for how pretty your hair is :-)
Thanks for sharing the details of your experience!
I’ve used baking soda/ACV too (I got busy and fell off the wagon). It does wonders for my hair. My hair is usually very thin and limp. Giving up shampoo and conditioner makes my hair regain the natural curl I had as a child and makes it thicker. My hair is down to my waist. I do use a little leave-in conditioner on the ends to protect them.
Hi Paula! I’ve been shampoo free since January and have found the same thing! Big natural curls are back! Love it!
Do you need conditioner with this method? I have dry hair and scalp due to thyroid condition and working outside in the winter.
Hi Chelsea! I have not used the method, but my cousin recently switched to the ACV wash with Baking Soda because she was having the same issue you are describing. She found that within a few days her scalp was completely healthy and she no longer has any issues!
She is about 2 months into using ACV only and loving it! I hope that helps!
I used the BS/ACV “No-Poo” for several months, and loved it at first, but when I realized my hair was breaking a lot, actually becoming brittle, I quit. It took a few weeks for my hair to recover using a healthy shampoo. My hair is unusually fine and fragile, so maybe it was never a good idea for me! Others seem to get good results. Just be very cautious if your hair is delicate.
Hi JoLynn, great tip, thank you! I’m sorry you had problems, but I’m glad your hair has healed up! <3
I’d like to suggest a menstrual cup for your feminine hygiene needs. I have personally used the diva cup for twelve years, and it changed my life. Up to twelve hours of protection with basically no chance of toxic shock syndrome. If you’re super concerned about leaks, cloth pads are a good option for backup, but I’ve only had one occasion where the cup was insufficient. At $30 for an expected ten years of use, it’s the most cost effective option available. I’ve only replaced mine because I lost it moving.
Hey Marit, that’s a great point! I thought of it as soon as I hit publish but since I didn’t have any personal experiences to share I left it out ? Great to hear from someone who loves theirs!
Do you classify your cycle as heavy, normal, or light? TMI question I know, but I’m curious for my own sake! Mine is heavy for sure…
I know people who love the cups and people who hate them. I need to try a few (I know there are different types that work better for different women) and see what works.
Anything to get rid of these toxic cotton things!
Thank you for the review, I appreciate it!
I struggled with the diva cup because of the stem and I had a tilted uterus. My cousin suggested cutting off the stem but I still didn’t care for it. I tried a couple of different brands, though, and finally settled on the Instead disposable cups. It was sufficient for my incredibly heavy flow, but I had to rinse it twice a day. One per cycle, so it saved money, and it never leaked in me unless I didn’t put it in right. You can feel it though. Even worked at night, and, bonus, I was able to enjoy my husband’s company without a mess. ;-)
I’ve never heard of those! Good to know! Thanks Jen!
I second the diva cup, I’ve been using one for 2 years and will never go back. They have a short learning curve but I will never go back. I even got my sister hooked :)
I’ve been a diva fan for over ten years and yes, it has changed my life! I find that people are grossed out by the idea, but I will give it as gifts sometimes and it always works. They get hooked too!
Hi Lala! That’s a great idea! Buy it for people and get them hooked, love it!
I went “No Poo” for several months and there is a transition period for your hair. Mine went limp and did look somewhat greasy, but after a couple weeks my hair looked great. After 6 months though my hair felt like straw and looked greasy all the time. However I know a few women that have been hair product free for years and their hair looks great. I think it just depends on the type of hair you have.
My daughter and I use “family cloth” in the bathroom after we urinate due to allergies. I made them out of soft t shirts and flannel type fabric we had around the house and they are fantastic! I can’t make the plunge to using it all the time, though, but we still save LOTS of toilet paper.
I’m thinking mine would be greasy and straw like after a while too…
Great idea on the family cloth compromise! I love that!
I tried the no poo method and it just wasn’t for me. But…what I have done as a compromise is I’ve cut down the amount I wash my hair by slowly going one more day before washing. It was to the point that every other day my hair was so greasy but now I’ve gone 5 days between washings. I use a natural/organic shampoo (it lathers) and so far so good. The 4th day I had it braided and slicked back. But I hope to go 4-5 days regularly between washings. I’ve noticed my hair is way less greasy now. It uses less shampoo and is hopefully healthier on my hair.
Hi Veronica!
I’ve done the same thing! I haven’t made it to 5 days though… that’s great! I usually go about 2-3 days in between actual washings of my hair (with conditioner only), but that’s as much as I’ve managed!
Thank you for your comment!
Great post. I have done/am doing all of the above. I, too, use tp for poop, but the family cloth is great for pee. Never tried the diva cup, but would if I wasn’t finally past all that mess. Cloth pads and sea sponges worked great for me. I make my own soaps and use them for shampoo. Baking soda and vinegar were too drying for me. The greasy/strawlike feeling is the chemicals leaving your hair. It goes away after a few weeks and your hair feels nice again. I cook all our meals at home from scratch. My family loves it, even if they’re not on board with all the rest of my craziness!
Hi Robyn, thank you for commenting! I’m glad you liked the post! Great to know about the greasy/strawlike issues… I took the plunge this week and cut out shampoo… so I’m right in the middle of the greasiness!
Sounds like you do an awesome job for your family! Keep it up!
Is anyone using cloth hankies? I inherited a stash of old but serviceable hankies from my MIL and I love them! A fresh hanky in my pocket every morning, and I’m good to go. I put used ones in a mesh bag and wash with the whites. No need to iron them, but I sometimes do. I find it relaxing. I line dry everything. No one even notices the clothesline strung thru my living room when there’s nothing on it! Amazon sells inexpensive cotton hankies in pretty prints, or cut and hem your own from cast-off cotton clothing (not knits). Tip for cotton hankies: Never use fabric softeners! They make cotton feel “soft” but reduce absorbency. This goes for all your cotton things.
Ohh, that’s a good point about the fabric softeners! We don’t use fabric softeners around here at all, but it’s good to note that they reduce absorbency!
I actually made all the men in my family hand embroidered (their initials) cotton handkerchiefs for Christmas about 5 years ago. Love them! And we do have my grandfather’s as well. Lovely!