5 Ways To Save Money As A SAHM

Saving money as a SAHM can be hard, but with the right tips and tricks, you will be successful! Check out these 5 ways to save money as a SAHM.

As a mama, we all know that kids are expensive and they get more expensive the older they get! As a SAHM I am always trying to find ways to cut cost, save money, and still cook healthy, and go on fun family adventures. Check out these 5 ways to save money as a SAHM. Add your ideas to the comments below!

We all know that the economy these days is rough and hitting our pockets pretty hard. The cost of groceries alone is outrageous and as someone who values quality food and ingredients, this has been a huge struggle for me as I try to stay within our monthly grocery budget.

Whether you are trying to get out of debt, save money, or both, these 5 ways below will help you in all areas.

In our family, I am typically the one to do the grocery shopping, pay the bills on time, getting the necessities for our boys, and knowing what we need, so what we spend lies on my shoulders and being able to stick to a budget is definitely difficult and stressful!

For me, I know that when my husband and I started on this “money” journey, it really took a mindset shift for me. I tend to look at the here and now, whereas my husband tends to look at the overall picture and what’s best for the future.

It’s a good balance to have both personalities but definitely something we have had to work at to get on the same page.

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”- Unknown

This quote is so true. If you don’t make changes, you will never see a different outcome. Whatever those changes or goals are, write them out and become very aware of them!

That way, your decisions will become easier when you have your goals front and center in your mind.

5 ways to save money as a SAHM

Make A Budget!

Creating a budget may seem like a daunting task if you have never sat down to write out all of your expenses. Trust me though, once you are able to see exactly where your money is going and what is left over at the end of the month, it will truly give you freedom!

This process is such and eye opening experience and will help you and your husband get on the same page and save for what’s most important in your life. Or, pay off debt that’s been hanging over your head for years.

Tips for creating a budget

• Find an app or spreadsheet that suits you to best track your expenses
• Start by writing out all your reoccurring monthly expenses
  • Rent/mortgage
  • Utilities- power, gas, electric, internet, water, etc.
  • Phone Bill
  • Insurances-health, car, etc.
  • Gas
• Budget out how much you spend on groceries, restaurants, household items (i.e. toilet paper, toothpaste, etc.) each month and add that to your spreadsheet.
• Budget out items such as clothing funds, family fun fund, yearly memberships (Amazon), etc. and use the envelope system (more on that next) to pull out cash each month to set aside for when those needs arise.

Use cash/envelopes

So if you have heard of Dave Ramsey, you already know how this system works. Find yourself some envelopes, label them, and then each month pull out cash and place the amount you budgeted in each envelope for the month.

The great thing about this is that when things like your car insurance is due, you will already have the cash set aside for when it’s due. When whatever bill or item you have been saving for is due, deposit that money from your envelopes and you’re set!

Here are some examples of my cash envelopes:

• Groceries
• Car maintenance
• Car insurance- divide your total car insurance by 12 months and set that amount aside each month
• Renters insurance- do this the same way you do your car insurance
• Clothing funds for each member of the family
• Walmart/Target
• Family fun fund
• Restaurants

The important thing is to determine how much you will allocate each month to each category and then to stick to it!

Are we perfect every month, definitely not. But, it has made us much more aware of where our money is going and how we are spending it.

Each month, take a look at your budget and adjust it as need be.

Use Thrive Market and/or Azure Standard

Ok, ladies, if you have never heard of Thrive Market or Azure Standard, you are missing out on HUGE savings!

Thrive Market

Thrive Market sells everything from cleaning products to kitchen and pantry items for very discounted prices. They also offer a “subscribe” option to where you can save an additional 10% off everything on top of the already discounted products.

There is a yearly membership fee of roughly $60, but it’s totally worth it! They also offer free shipping on all orders over $49.

Another reason I love Thrive Market is because of the ways they give back to families in need.

“Every annual membership sponsors a free membership for a family in need.”-Thrive Market

Knowing that my membership is sponsoring a family in need, makes me want to support a company likes this as opposed to some others out there.

Products I purchase from Thrive Market:

• King Arthur Organic All Purpose Flour
• King Arthur Organic Whole Wheat Flour
• King Arthur Organic Bread Flour
• Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel
• Organic Coconut Oil
• Organic Cereal
• Lesser Evil Popcorn
• Spices
• Organic kids snacks

There are so many options to save on Thrive with the wide assortment of products they offer. I encourage you to check them out and see if it’s worth it for you and your family as a way to save.

Azure Standard

Azure Standard is another bulk savings company that I just recently started using. After doing some math and realizing how much I could save by buying items in bulk, it only made sense to use this company as well to help our family save money.

Azure Standard works like a community drop. You will want to go on their website first to see if they have a drop site close to where you live. Once you determine if there is a drop within a reasonable distance, it’s time to start shopping!

There is no annual membership fee with Azure Standard but there is a small shipping fee which for me, I don’t mind paying knowing all the savings I am accruing by using Azure Standard.

The way it works is you will have all month to add items to your cart. There is a countdown on your site letting you know when the last day to place order will be. By then, you need to make sure you have placed your order. From there, you will get a delivery date and an estimated delivery time and then plan to show up on the specified date and time to help unload the truck and pick up your items!

Very simple and easy! I have been very impressed by what I have purchased so far and do not have any complaints.

Products I purchase from Azure Standard:

• 5 lb bag of Himalayan pink salt
• 12 lb jar of Raw Honey
• 25 lb bag organic rolled oats
• Nancy’s Organic Cream Cheese- x6
• Nancy’s Organic Sour Cream- x6
• Organic pepperoncini’s- x6
• 5 lb bag organic black beans
• 5 lb bag organic northern beans
• 5 lb bag organic pinto bean
• 5 lb bag organic kidney beans
• 5 lb bag organic white beans

Find a local beef farmer and buy in bulk

Meat from the grocery store versus meat from a local farmer is like night and day! Not only does it taste better, but it’s cheaper. I was able to find a local farmer who offers a monthly subscription and it has saved me so much money each month.

For example, ground beef at the grocery store in my area is around $6.99/lb. I purchase in bulk from our local farmer for $4.99/lb. That’s huge savings!

Not to mention it’s so much more fresh! Plus, who knows how long ago the animals were butchered and processed before it actually gets into your fridge. All of the beef I purchase was processed within weeks of me picking it up each month. Can’t get much fresher than that!

I encourage you to check out local farmer in your area. If you are unable to find local farmers who offers a subscription service, there are other subscription services such as Butcher Box and Seven Son’s that offer those services.

Cook from scratch

We all know that cooking from scratch and cooking at home is not only better for you since you know exactly what is in your food, but it is also cheaper.

The more you can learn to cook from home, little by little, you are not only creating healthier meals for your family but you are saving money too.

Now, does it take time and effort to plan your meals, make a grocery list, and get the ingredients needed for what you want to make, yes! But there is always a sacrifice that is going to need to be made in exchange for those long term benefits.

Another way to look at it, is this is a way to teach your kids some great homemaking skills! Don’t you want your kids to grow up learning how to make healthy food from scratch with you as their mama!? I know I do!

If you are new to cooking from scratch, take it in baby steps. Start with something simple, master it and then move onto something else.

Things I started cooking from scratch

• Almond milk, Oat milk, Cashew milk using my Almond Cow (Save $25 by using the link)
• Sourdough bread
• Refried beans
• Tortillas
• Bagels
• Sourdough “cheesy” crackers
• Energy Bites
• Vanilla- all you need for this is Vodka and Vanilla beans! With the cost of vanilla these days, this is an easy way to help you save money if you use vanilla often.
• Popcorn-no need to buy already popped popcorn when you can do it so easily at home for a fraction of the cost.
• Kombucha
• Growing lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers in our Aerogardens

Good luck, mamas on your money saving journey! Comment with any of your best money saving tips below:)