Creative Ways to Save Money & Make Money - The Realistic Mama (2024)

Looking for ways to save money?

I’m pretty sure that we can agree that in a perfect world we would love to spend less, make more, and save tons. But why only in a perfect world? Seriously, there are ways for us to do this now, in this crazy, busy, overwhelming and wonderful world! I’ve broke it down by category so feel free to skip ahead to whichever section you want to start at first.

{This post may contain affiliate links for yourconvenience.}

Creative Ways to Spend Less Money

• Trade babysitting with another mommy friend.

• Have a toy exchange with friends! Each of you gather up the toys your kids no longer play with and trade with one another! Your kids will love their new toys and you didn’t spend a dime!

• If you use Essential Oils regularly in your home, a wholesale membership will save you tons throughout the year!
• Ebates— Ordering something online? My as well make some money back on that purchase. My last check mailed to me was for $15.35 – money back on a gift I was ordering anyway. They have tons of major store chains they work with, join now, and then next time you ordering something anyway hop over to their site and see if they have a coupon, rebate or cash back on that purchase!

• Meal Plan — save money on grocery’s by meal planning and sticking to the list otherwise $3 items add up too fast! {Stop by ourrecipes pageif you need inspiration for meals.}

• Cook enough to feed double your family, freeze the leftovers and have them for later on!{This white chicken chili recipe is a great one to double and freeze!}

• Here are 12 ways to save money on utilities.{via Living Well Spending Less}

• Hang dry your clothes.— Each load in your dryer runs around $0.34 – $0.49 cents, if you hang a load a day for a year that comes out to between $124 – $180 that you would save.

• Save money on date night.{Here are over175 inexpensive date ideas.}

• Work hard to pay off your mortgage earlier so you can use that mortgage money elsewhere.{viaYour Modern Family}

• Love a good cup of coffee? Brew coffee at home and then make one of these homemade creamer recipes.

• Eat leftovers for lunch.

• Cut men’s hair at home — get on YouTube to learn how.

• For some people using coupons is a great option.

• Learn how to consignment shop for kids clothes and while you’re there bring in the clothes your kids have outgrown for store credit!

Ways to Make Money at Home

• Swagbucks — This is one of my favorites! Basically whenever you search the web you have a chance of earning “swag bucks.” You can redeem then your “swag bucks” for things like amazon gift card, Starbucks cards, PayPal cash and more! I love this because I’m online searching stuff anyway, so it’s an extra bonus if I make a little something at the same time!It’s 100% free to join, 100% free to use, no strings attached.

• Essential Oils— If you are one of those people that love Essential Oils and are always encouraging your friends to more healthy alternatives you my as well make money with it! If this is you, I have a pretty cool opportunity for you to work with me! {Just send me an email at: therealisticmama@gmail.com}

• Start a blog— Ifyou have a passion for a subject and you find yourself always talking about it, it might be time you start a blog. There are some many things a blog can be on, the possibilities are pretty much endless! Gardening tips, homeschool a special needs child, your adoption story, recovering from depression, a craft blog, a mom blog, etc!It’s hard work but if you put in the effort, you will see the reward. {Read how to start a blog here.}

Creative Ways to Save Your Money

• Try the 52 week challenge{and there’s no reason to wait till the New Year}

• Cash back 20 extra dollars each time you grocery shop and set it aside to savefor a vacation or a big item you’re wanting.

• Save every $5 Bill — you’ll be surprised athow quickly it will add up into a nice sum!

• Deposit your paychecks into your savings account and thenonly transfer what you need for necessities and bills into your checking.

• Whenever you keep yourself form buying something when you’re out, save that money right away. Let’s say a $4 mocha, log into your mobile banking and immediately transfer that money from your checking account over to your savings account.

What are you some mays you spend less, make money, and save more? Come share with us over on our Facebook page.

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P.S.Are you looking for extra side income? I make full-time income blogging part-time—check out this easy step-by-step tutorial on how start a blog (no tech knowledge required).