15 "Weird" Ways to Save Money and more...

Recently we asked this question on Facebook: “What’s something you do to save money that others might find unusual? ” And wow, you all delivered. If you missed it, you can read through the full thread here (it’s gold! ). This post is a ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money Brigette’s $132 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4! 15+ Beauty Gift Ideas (Under $30!) {Perfect for Mother’s Day} 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money Recently we asked this question on Facebook: “What’s something you do to save money that others might find unusual?” And wow, you all delivered. If you missed it, you can read through the full thread here (it’s gold!). This post is a compilation of some of the BEST ideas shared. These slightly quirky, sometimes overlooked, but very effective strategies can help families stretch their budgets further. Some of these might make your friends raise an eyebrow. But your bank account? It’ll thank you. Let’s dive in. Clever Ways to Save Money: 1. Cut Open Bottles to Get Every Last Drop Is the toothpaste tube or lotion tube almost gone? Cut the end off with scissors and you can get quite a bit more out! I do this for my face moisturizer and face wash and I can usually get a full extra week’s worth of uses just by this simple hack. In addition to toothpaste and lotion, this works for sunscreen, foundation, and even ketchup or other sauces! How to make it work: Use sharp scissors and store the cut portion in a small container. For toothpaste or creams, use a binder clip to seal it or simply store it in a ziptop baggie so it won’t dry out. Make it a habit before throwing anything away. It feels small, but doing this consistently across products can easily save $100+ per year. 2. Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap Foaming hand soap is fun and convenient, but refills can get pricey… and, did you know it’s mostly water? Instead of buying special refills, reuse the foaming pump: Fill the bottle mostly with water. Add a small squirt (about 1–2 teaspoons) of regular liquid soap. Gently shake to combine. That’s it. It takes literally less than 60 seconds to make and is so much less expensive than buying foaming hand soap or hand soap! One standard bottle of liquid soap can refill a foaming dispenser multiple times, cutting your cost per use significantly. Here are the super simple details on how to make foaming hand soap. 3. Add Water to Nearly-Empty Bottles When a bottle of shampoo or body wash starts sputtering, add a little water, shake it up, and keep using it. There’s often quite a bit clinging to the sides that you can stretch out for several more washes. This works well for: Liquid hand soap Dish soap Laundry detergent Body wash Just don’t over-dilute. You still want it to work effectively. It’s a small habit, but when you consistently use products fully instead of replacing them early, you reduce how often you need to buy replacements and accumulate savings. 4. Ask for a Discount (Yes, Really) This might feel uncomfortable, but simply asking can save a surprising amount. Vanessa commented: “I ask service providers (mechanics, plumber, air conditioner repair, etc.), ‘Is that the best you can do?’ Almost always, they knock some money off the bill.” Before paying a bill or signing up for a service, try asking: “Are there any promotions available?” “Is there a loyalty discount?” “Can you match this competitor’s price?” “Is there a discount if I pay in full?” This works particularly well for: Internet and cable Insurance policies Medical bills Subscription services You’re not being difficult with this approach; you’re being proactive. And companies often have flexibility that isn’t advertised upfront. 5. Think in Terms of Hourly Wage To determine what money-saving strategies are worth your time, it’s helpful to analyze how much money it will save per hour. For instance, let’s say that by making my own foaming soap it takes one minute to make and it saves me $1 from buying a container of foaming soap. That’s like saving $1 per minute or $60 per hour — which is a really good hourly wage. Plus, it’s tax-free money! So, it’s totally worth my time. But, on the other hand, let’s say there’s another money-saving tactic that would only save me $1.50 for 15 minutes of work. That’s like saving only $6 per hour — which, depending upon your season of life and bank account — may or may not be worth your time. 6. Make Your Own Cleaners Most of us have a different cleaner for every surface — all doing the same thing, all adding up at the checkout. The good news is you can replace all of them for just a few dollars. A spray bottle filled with diluted white vinegar, some baking soda, and a bit of Castile soap can handle the vast majority of your household cleaning. Beyond that, there are homemade cleaners that are just as effective as the expensive branded ones but that only cost a couple minutes and a few pennies to make. Jerica says: “Soap, vinegar, bar keepers friend, and bleach pretty much cover everything I need, and are all extremely cheap.” (Check out this post for some homemade cleaner recipes.) 7. Skip Paper Towels (Almost Entirely) Several readers shared that they switched to reusable clothes, cut-up old t-shirts, or inexpensive washcloths instead. We stopped buying paper towels many years ago. It’s such a simple thing, but it does add up to a lot of savings — and we don’t really even notice that we don’t buy or use them! (Except when we have guests over and they ask for a paper towel!!) I share more details here on what we use instead of paper towels. How to transition without overwhelm: Keep a small basket of clean cloths on the counter. Use them for spills, wiping counters, and cleaning. Toss used cloths into a small laundry bin. Wash with regular towels. You can still keep paper towels for truly messy jobs, but reducing everyday use alone can save $15–$25 per month. Over a year, that adds up to significant savings. 8. Don’t Use Dryer Sheets Just like we don’t use paper towels, we also don’t use dryer sheets. If the thought of not buying dryer sheets just isn’t your thing, a simple way to save is by cutting them in half instead of using a full sheet per load. I’ve heard that it works just as well. 9. Stay Home More Often One reader said her most unusual way to save money is simple: She stays home. It sounds almost too basic, but it works. Not only does staying home save you time and decrease wear and tear on your car, but every outing has potential spending attached: Gas Coffee stops “Since we’re here…” purchases Impulse buys Add-ons Try designating intentional “home days” where: You cook from scratch. Tackle a home project. Have a movie night. Read or play board games. Fewer unplanned trips usually equals fewer unplanned expenses. (If online shopping is a temptation to you, set some good boundaries — like unsubscribing from emails or avoiding sites that tempt you to spend money you don’t have or haven’t budgeted for that purpose!) 10. Scan Your Receipts for Cash Back If you’re already buying groceries and gas, you might as well get a little something back. Receipt- and grocery-scanning apps allow you to scan items in store or upload grocery receipts in order to earn points that convert into gift cards or cash back. To learn more about these cash back sites check out my full review of each at these links: Upside Fetch Ibotta Swagbucks CoinOut With each of these apps, you’ll earn points when you scan a receipt and you can then cash in those points for gift cards! To maximize this: Scan receipts right away so you don’t forget. Stack rewards with sales and coupons. Redeem for stores you already shop at. It won’t replace your income, but it can cover a few groceries, household items, or even a holiday gift over time. Psst… if you want to learn even more about how to earn extra money with easy apps, check out this free printable! 11. Learn Basic Fixes on YouTube Christy says: “YouTube is the real MVP though. I’ve saved thousands over the years by simply looking up the issue and learning if it’s within our skill set, rather than hiring a professional.” Before calling for repairs, search first. YouTube is full of step-by-step tutorials for common household fixes like: Replacing a toilet flapper. Fixing a dripping faucet. Installing a ceiling fan. Cleaning appliance filters. Not every repair is DIY-friendly, but even handling one or two simple fixes per year could save hundreds. Start small and build confidence. 12. Repurpose Old Clothes Before throwing away worn-out clothing, ask: can this serve another purpose? Ideas include: Cleaning rags Dust cloths Garage towels Craft materials Reusable napkins It’s not glamorous, but it extends the life of items you’ve already paid for and reduces the need to buy disposable alternatives. 13. Use Gift Card Promotions to Earn Extra Fuel Points This one is strategic, and it can really pay off if you’re disciplined. One reader shared that she buys gift cards (especially when Kroger runs 4x fuel point promotions), then uses those gift cards like cash for regular spending. Here’s how it works: Kroger fairly often offers 4x fuel points when you purchase gift cards including Visa gift cards. Since Visa gift cards can be used almost anywhere, you’re essentially pre-paying for expenses you were already going to have. For example: Buy a $100 Visa gift card during a 4x fuel promotion. Earn 400 fuel points. Use those points to get discounted gas. Use the gift card to pay for groceries, bills, or everyday expenses. On top of that, she uses a cash-back credit card to purchase the gift cards, then pays the full balance immediately. That means no interest, cash back rewards, and fuel point savings. It’s stacking rewards on rewards. 14. Double-Check Medical Bills Medical billing errors happen more often than many people realize. Always request an itemized statement, and compare it to your Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company. You can also ask about prompt-pay discounts and inquire about financial assistance programs. It may take a few phone calls, but correcting even one mistake can save significant money. 15. Eat from the Pantry Challenge yourself once a month, or once every few months, to skip going to the grocery store for a few days longer than normal and eat up what you already have on hand instead. You might be surprised at how creative you can get with what you already have… and maybe you can make it longer than you think without going to the store! Small Habits Can Lead to More Financial Breathing Room Some of these ideas may feel “extra.” But here’s the thing: building margin isn’t usually about one dramatic change. It’s about small, consistent habits that compound over time. Unusual doesn’t mean extreme. It often just means intentional. More Money-Saving Inspiration: 14 Smart (and Slightly Unusual) Ways Our Readers Save Money on Food 25 Ways to Save On Pet Costs 30 Creative Ways to Save On Gas With Rising Fuel Prices Where to Buy Cheap Books (So You Can Read More Without Spending a Fortune) Where to Get Books for Free (Yes, Really!) Walgreens 101: How to Save on Everyday Essentials My 25 Favorite Things to Buy at ALDI What’s something “weird” you do to save money? I’d love for you to add your ideas to my list in the comments! Ready to finally stick to your budget once and for all?!  Tracking your budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated! Use these FREE Budget Spreadsheets to easily plan and track your spending each month!       Brigette’s $132 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4! Aldi 1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.39 1/2 gallon Oat Milk – $3.99 1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.25 1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25 2 bags Fresh French Green Beans – $5.98 1 3-ct bag Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25 1 bag Cilantro – $0.75 1 bunch Organic Bananas – $1.27 1 bag Red Grapes – $3.58 1 large box Applesauce Pouches – $6.49 1 bag Romaine Hearts – $2.99 2 bags Riced Cauliflower – $2.78 1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.69 2 jars Pasta Sauce – $2.98 1 4-ct box Greek Yogurts – $2.65 1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85 1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $6.39 1 large pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $12.80 1 5-lb bag Flour – $1.95 1-lb bag Brown Sugar – $1.85 1 4-lb bag Sugar – $2.79 1-lb bag Powdered Sugar – $1.85 2 boxes Butter – $5.78 1 pkg Chocolate Chips – $3.45 1 large box Turtle Crackers – $3.65 1 huge box Fruit Snacks – $7.19 2 boxes Organic Whole Wheat Pasta – $3.58 1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.79 1 box Granola Bars – $1.75 2 8-oz blocks Cheddar Cheese – $3.30 1 jar Honey – $4.49 1 can Chili Beans – $0.85 Total: $113.60 Publix 2 Old El Paso Tortillas – $2.99, received $1/2 Old El Paso Ibotta Rebate plus 280 points from Fetch ($0.28) – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate – $1.71 for 2 after Rebates 2 Freschetta Pizzas – $7.28 1 box Egglife Pasta – $3.99, received  $2/1 Egglife Pasta Ibotta Rebate plus received $2 Aisle Rebate – FREE after rebates 2 boxes Kellogg’s Cereal – $5.89, used $2/2 Kellogg’s Publix Digital Coupon – $3.89 for 2 after Coupon 2 bags Siete Potato Chips – $4.09, received $1.50/2 Siete Chips Ibotta Rebate – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate 1 Purple Carrot Frozen Bowl – $2.39, used $1.50/1 Purple Carrot Publix Digital Coupon – $0.89 after Coupon 2 boxes Good Humor – $6.49, received $1.50/2 Good Humor Ibotta Rebate plus 2400 points from Fetch ($2.40) – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate Total after Coupons and Rebates: $18.95 Grocery Total for the Week: $132.55 Weekly Menu Plan Breakfasts Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies Lunches Granola Bars/Breakfast Bars, Grapes/Applesauce Pouches, Cucumbers/Peppers, Chips, Fruit Snacks, Cheese, Crackers (Options for sack lunches for school) x 5 Leftovers x 2 Dinners Spaghetti, Tossed Salad, Homemade French Bread Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Green Beans Taco Bake, Mexican Cauliflower Rice Breakfast Burritos with Turkey Bacon, Green Beans Chicken Gravy over Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Pizza Church Dinner – I’m bringing Chocolate Chip Cookies and Venison Roast FREE One Week Menu Plan! Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!       15+ Beauty Gift Ideas (Under $30!) {Perfect for Mother’s Day} Looking for the best beauty gifts for her (or maybe Mother’s Day gifts)? We have you covered with this Beauty Gift Guide — and they’re all under $30 to help you stick to your gift budget! (Looking for budget-friendly homemade gift ideas? Sign up for our FREE Homemade Gifts Guide!) This Beauty Gift Guide was thoughtfully put together by Gretchen on the MoneySavingMom team — a lover of all things makeup, beauty, and fashion! Gretchen is married to her high school sweetheart and has three boys and one girl. She enjoys finding good deals (especially on beauty stuff!), decorating, coffee, and good books. Our Top Picks for Beauty Gifts! Have someone on your list who loves all things beauty? Or maybe you have a mom on your list who could use a little pampering? Check out this list of great ideas for beauty gifts — including gifts for mom and gifts for pre-teen girls! Best Beauty Gifts for Pre-Teen & Teen Girls 1. Beauty Gift Sets Have a daughter who’s just getting into skincare or makeup? These beauty gift sets are perfect for letting her have fun while trying out new products. There are tons of cute options to choose from, all under $30! 2. Boho Style Criss Cross Headbands, 4-Pack These headbands make a messy bun look cute and stylish. Made from super soft cotton and breathable, they’re perfect for everyday use. 3. Love to Mask Kit One of my favorite things to do with my pre-teen and teen nieces is face masks! This masking kit includes 12 masks, a buffer, and a headband. 4. Velvet Hair Scrunchies Scrunchies are all the rage right now and this set includes 45 different colored scrunchies! Beauty Gifts for Women 5. Conair Foot Spa with Soothing Vibration Massage I was gifted one of these a few years ago and it has become one of my favorite gifts. I’ve even used it when having friends over for a spa night to do pedicures and relax! (This one goes up and down in price a bit, but it’s typically under $30.) 6. Makeup Brush 14-Piece Set Every woman can use a new set of makeup brushes! This one includes 14 different sizes and has thousands of amazing reviews. 7. Women’s Fuzzy Memory Foam Slippers These slippers look warm and cozy and have great reviews. Plus, there are several colors to choose from. 8. Bath & Body Works Body Wash and Shower Gel You won’t go wrong gifting the women in your life body wash and/or shower gel from Bath & Body Works. They have SO many lovely scents to pick from and I love receiving these as gifts. 9. Gold Eye Treatment Masks I asked for these on my last birthday and LOVE them! They are so rejuvenating and help with my puffy eyes after not getting much sleep. Beauty Gifts for Mom 10. Glam Up Facial Sheet Mask Set Moms need all the skin care they can get! This set is perfect to gift a mom and includes 12 masks – one for each month of the year. 11. Bath Bombs Gift Set Bath Bombs make great gifts for mom. There’s nothing better as a mom than getting to soak in a relaxing, scented bath! 12. Mama and Baby Bear Necklace I LOVE my mama bear jewelry! These necklaces are so pretty and there are many different types to choose from. 13. Cluci Crossbody Handbag Purse A few years ago I switched to a crossbody purse and haven’t looked back. When I’m juggling three kids at the grocery store, it’s so nice to not have to worry about finding room in the cart for my purse or struggling to carry it on my shoulder with a toddler on my hip. I love the highly-rated Cluci bags and they often run deals, so you can get a really nice one for under $30 easily. 14. Bluetooth Sleeping Eye Mask I’m not going to lie…this is going on my Christmas list. As a mom of littles, good sleep is a rare thing. But good sleep AND good music? I’m sold! Small Gifts for Beauty Lovers 15. Nail Clippers and Beauty Tool Portable Set Every girl needs a pocket-sized manicure set to fit in her purse. This one includes 5 tools and has great reviews. (You can also add these to a Homemade Pedicures in a Jar gift!) 16. Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizers These hand sanitizers are perfect to fit in your purse or backpack and come in handy so often. I make sure to always have one on me and love the scents that Bath & Body Works offers. 17. Natural Luxury Scented Soy Wax Candles I love candles! And these soy candles are the best kind – perfect for a quiet, relaxing evening at home. Choose from many different scents and styles. 18. All-Natural Lip Balm Gift Set It’s always nice to have lip balm. This set includes five Beeswax Chapsticks that are gluten free, free of parabens, and non-GMO. Bonus: Beauty Product Gifts (Over $30) Have a little extra wiggle room in your gift budget and willing to spend a bit more? Try these bonus recommendations: 19. Dip Powder Nail Kit Dip powder is all the rage right now at the nail salons! If you know someone who loves doing their nails, consider getting her a dip powder starter kit like this one! Dip powder is much better for the nails and it lasts so long! Plus, it’s actually pretty easy to learn how to do on your own. 20. Kate Spade Outlet Handbags or Wristlet Get a timeless look that never goes out of style with these Kate Spade Outlet handbags and wallets. Keep an eye out for extra savings stacked on top of sale prices! The wristlets also make a fun way to gift a gift card to her favorite store or coffee shop. Looking for more gift ideas? Looking for other budget-friendly gift guides? Don’t miss these: Best Stocking Stuffers for Women: Small, Thoughtful, and Affordable Gift Ideas Ultimate List of $10 Stocking Stuffers For The Family 25+ Easy Last Minute Christmas Gifts 50+ Budget-Friendly and Easy DIY Christmas Gifts 20 Quick & Easy Neighbor Gifts For Christmas Best Gifts for Tweens Under $30 20+ Gifts for Board Game Lovers Under $30 My 10 Favorite Unique Baby Gifts 50+ Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Men 10+ Eco-Friendly Gifts Under $30 Christmas Gifts for Expecting Moms Under $30 The Best Outdoor Gift Guide for the Adventurer Gifts for Lego Lovers: Perfect For Kids and Adults 20 Best Christmas Gifts for Boys (Under $30!) 15+ of the Best Gluten Free Gifts Top 10 Subscription Boxes for Kids Psst! Be sure to sign up for our hot deals newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of the hottest deals each day this holiday season! What other beauty gift ideas would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!! FREE DOWNLOAD: Christmas Budget Boost Cheatsheet! 20 Simple Ways to Easily Add $100+ To Your Gift Budget Before Christmas!       Latest finds on Pinterest Want to save more every time you shop at Target? 🎯💰 This guide breaks down how Target Circle works, how to stack deals and rewards, and how to use it strategically in-store, online, or with Drive Up. A simple (and free!) way to stretch your family’s budget on groceries, clothes, and everyday essentials. Love reading but not the cost? Discover proven ways to get free books, audiobooks, and ebooks -- without stretching your budget. The best devotionals and Christian books for teens. These faith-building books help teens grow spiritually, explore identity in Christ, and navigate anxiety, purpose, and life’s big questions. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz® • 650 E. Palisade Avenue Ste 2, PO Box 173 • Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632