Saturday, November 19, 2016

6 Frugal Tips that Help Us Live on One Income and more...

Guest post from Kelly of Kelly Cox At Home: I recently left my career of 13 years… which means our home now runs solely on my husband's income. We always planned to live on one salary so that when children came […]

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6 Frugal Tips that Help Us Live on One Income

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Guest post from Kelly of Kelly Cox At Home:

I recently left my career of 13 years… which means our home now runs solely on my husband's income.

We always planned to live on one salary so that when children came along that I could stay home full time and we've worked hard and budgeted in order to make my "retirement" a possibility. (No children yet, but we are waitlisted to adopt!)

If you are considering living off one income, here are 6 frugal tips that help us…

1. Mend your own clothes.

I'm learning how to sew and mend clothes. Recently, I needed a dress hemmed and it was going to be $20 to take it somewhere. We hemmed it "in house" instead and saved money. Also, I'm having a good time learning to sew!

2. Make food from scratch.

I think food that is made from scratch tastes better. Over the last few years, I've continued to broaden my cooking skills and have saved money and provided better ingredients for our family.

If this seems overwhelming then just pick one thing to try like bread, pancakes or pie crust and start saving money and growing your skills one recipe at a time.

3. Make your own cleaning products.

Pinterest has been the source of many recipes for me to make my own cleaning products. I haven't bought laundry detergent in years because I make my own. My husband and I make our own Swiffer solution refills and have learned to make other household products in order to stretch our money.

4. Set a budget

You can create a budget for free. We operate our home on a one income budget where we tell every dollar where to go. We have fewer discussions about money because we decide ahead of time how we will handle our finances, which is a timesaver, and blessing for our home.

5. Make your own repairs

My husband handles most repairs on our cars and home. However, if he is unsure how to do something, he’ll look up tutorials and YouTube videos in order to learn how to make a repair before calling anyone to do it for us.

We've saved a lot of money over the years by teaching ourselves to do it on our own.

6. Shop smart.

Since we live on one income, we have to be smart shoppers. I shop at Aldi, use coupons, buy what's on sale and embrace house brand items.

The goal to live on less means you have to shop wisely and stretch your budget when possible. I'm able to purchase more of what we want by being strategic with how much I spend on particular items.

The goal to live on one income is attainable.

You may have to sacrifice a little, but the benefits will follow as you have greater financial freedom and flexibility for your household.

Kelly is a Christ follower, blessed wife, mom-to-be and a lover of all things home. She blogs at Kelly Cox At Home about her homemaking adventures, marriage, and passion for debt-free living. She hopes to encourage others with their homemaking goals while sharing tips on how to manage and enjoy all things that make up HOME!

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Brigette’s $58 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Aldi

1 head Cabbage – $1.19

1 Artisan Baby Lettuce – $1.99

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99

1 head Cauliflower – $2.49

1 pkg Broccoli – $1.49

1 can Pumpkin – $0.79

1 can Whipped Topping – $2.99

2 pkgs Zucchini – $3.98

1 pkg Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.99

1 pkg String Cheese – $2.79

1 bag Chopped Pecans – $3.99

2 boxes Kid’s Krunch – $3.18

1 carton Egg Whites – $1.99

1 bag Frozen Strawberries – $2.09

1 loaf Bread – $0.85

3 dozen Eggs – $2.67

1 pkg Cream Cheese – $0.89

1 pint Organic Grape Tomatoes – $2.49

Total: $41.84

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Harris Teeter

1 pkg Community Coffee – $2.89, used $1.50/1 printable – $1.39 after coupon

1 bottle Heinz Barbeque Sauce – $2.00, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled), plus receive $1.00 back from Checkout 51 – $0.50 MM after coupon and rebate

2 cans Dole Mandarins – $2.50, used $0.75/2 printable (doubled), plus receive $0.75 back from Checkout 51 – $0.25/2 after coupons

2 cans Spaghettios – $2.30, used 2 $0.40/1 printable (doubled), plus $0.40/1 evic – $0.30/2 after coupons

1 5-lb bag Pillsbury Bread Flour – $2.50

2 pkgs Pacific Organic Steel Cut Oats – $4.00, used 2 $2.00/1 printableFREE after coupons

1 box Celestial Seasonings Apple Caramel Dream Tea – $2.00, used $1/1 Celestial Seasonings Tea (SS 09/18/16 R), plus $0.55/1 evic – $0.45 after coupons (I just wish I had about 20 more of these coupons – fantastic price, and I LOVE Celestial Seasonings Holiday Teas!)

1 Frozen Turkey (20.46lbs @$0.37/lb) – $7.57

1 bunch Kale – $0.99

1 bag Russet Potatoes – $2.77 (these would have been cheaper at Aldi, but I forgot to get them there)

1 pkg Sargento Ultra Thin Cheese Slices – $2.50, used $0.55/1 printable (doubled), plus receive $0.50 back from Ibotta – $0.90 after coupon and rebate

1 45-oz tub Country Crock – $2.39, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled), plus $0.50/1 evic – $0.39 after coupons

Total after Coupons and Rebates – $17.01

Grocery Total for the Week – $58.85

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal x 2

Veggie Omelettes, Toast x 2

Oatmeal with Fruit x 2

Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs

Lunches

(We still have lots of apples, oranges, and carrots leftover from the last few weeks that need to be used up)

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Carrots, Apples x 2

Salad Bar x 2 (Lettuce, Fresh Veggies, Shredded Cheese, Nuts, Hard-Boiled Eggs)

Spaghettios, Oranges, Peppers

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Lasagna Casserole (I will substitute ricotta cheese for cottage cheese since I got such a great price on it last week and need to use it!), Italian Garlic Bread, Green Beans (Someone gave us an entire box – 16 cans? – of green beans from Sams…lots of green beans in our future :))

Stuffed Cabage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit Salad

Ham and Beans, Cornbread

Thanksgiving with Friends – I am bringing Butterhorns, Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and Pecan Pie

Turkey Gravy over Basmati Rice, Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli, Tossed Salad

Leftovers x 2

    
 

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