How To Save Money When Things Are Tight (2024)

Saving Money On A Tight Budget

It is more than possible to save money on a tight budget. For example have you ever heard someone say they’re broke but they are still out shopping and sipping lattes?

Ways To Save Money

There are always ways to save money. There is always a way to get through even the toughest of times.

How To Save Money On A Tight Budget?

When every penny is budgeted out and there is no more money to spare? Simple answer, you stay home. Everyone usually budgets for entertainment and meals out.

How To Save Money Each Month

Agree to stay home, cook homemade meals and allot that money towards bills or other parts of your budget

How To Save Money On Bills

Another real easy way to save money on bills is by using Rakuten while you shop. Rakuten is a money saving app that pays you cash rebates based on your online shopping. I use Rakuten on all our Amazon purchases and the savings is great. Never pay full price again!

Saving Money In The Kitchen On A Tight Budget

If you have already done your grocery shopping grab a pen. If you haven’t checkout this meal planning program. It is a proven fact that those who meal plan save money at the grocery store.

Meal Planning On A Budget

You have your groceries, now let’s meal plan. Day by day on your calendar write down your meal plan, even if it is just the dinner portion. See if you can stretch out all the meals till your next paycheck and beyond.

Money Saving Meal Ideas

Get creative, there is nothing wrong with a leftover night or a pasta bar with mixed toppings from the week. I challenge you to make it work. Check the pantry, the fridge and the freezer figure out enough meals to get you through even if it is breakfast for dinner.

Why Meal Plan?

First we usually shop for more than we need and we throw out the extras. Meal planning is a great way to use what you have. Buy the needed groceries and skip the extras. Meal planning helps prevent food wastage and saves money.

Cheap Dinner Ideas

Second there is no point in wasting food and having boring meals. I had some extra beans, an open tomato sauce and some ground beef so as I type chili is cooking in the slow cooker and I will probably serve it with a side of toast.

Meal Plan

Writing down your meals makes you accountable, it lets you know what’s for dinner so you don’t stress about it. It also helps you spread out your groceries so you can make it through.

Paycheck To Paycheck

If you can fill up all the days till your next check or past your next payday you are winning and you’re saving money. You’re home cooking and not shopping or hitting the drive through!

Checkout These Great Meal Time Recipe Inspirations:

Best Instant Pot Recipes
100 Best Ground Beef Recipes

Ways To Save Money When Your Broke

Skip the meat and opt for vegetarian meals. Beans and rice can be stretched a long way when money is tight.

Grocery Shopping On A Tight Budget

When you are making your grocery list for a few weeks from now make sure to stock up on pantry staples so you have items that will help get your through.

Great Ways To Save Money

Another great way to save money is to stop using paper products like paper towels and paper napkins. We changed over to cloth napkins and reusable travel mugs and stainless steel lunch containers and have never looked back.

Cleaning On A Budget

When you clean are you purchasing expensive chemical cleaners to clean your home? Change it up and save some money at the same time.

Money Saving DIY

Purchase a spray bottle from the dollar store fill it with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water add a few drops or your favorite essential oil and shake. Use this to clean all the surfaces in your home. Checkout these other great DIY cleaning products you can make for pennies a use.

Saving Money On Lunch

Another way to save money is to bring leftovers for lunch. Brown bag it and skip the take out. I purchased this oven lunch box for my husband over a year ago now and we love it.

I get to send leftover, so no food waste and he gets a piping hot meal on the road. Everyone wins and we save money at the same time.

Saving Money At Home

I find the kitchen is the our main money spending source as it is where we gather, eat and socialize. But there are other places in the home where you can save money too.

Saving Money On Laundry

The laundry room is a busy place and it can get expensive. To save money here try washing in cold water and hanging your clothes to dry. Invest in a good detergent or DIY your own.

Remember to separate your colors and delicates so your clothes last longer. Money saving Laundry hacks.

Saving Money On Clothes

When it comes to clothes and saving money, wear them until they wear out. If you need new clothes while you are trying to save money try the thrift store or rework the clothes in your closet.

New Clothes On A Tight Budget

Or try a clothes swap with your friends. In our family our son is the oldest cousin so we hand his clothes down to his younger cousins to ensure the clothes get their full use. Kids grow fast and hand me downs are great.

How To Save Money On Utilities?

How do you save money when things are financially tight? Turn it off, unplug it, cancel what you aren’t using and lock up the thermostat.

Saving Money On Utilities

Cable and utilities can get expensive. But in this age of technology you can find most of your shows online, so cut the cable. Try Amazon Prime Video it’s included in your Amazon Prime membership. Turn off the lights and appliances you aren’t using and find a happy medium with the thermostat.

Doing these things will help cut the utility bill for the end of the month. You can also grab a blanket, cuddle up with a board game or a good book and enjoy electronic free time.

Saving Money When Things Are Tight

Whether you are experiencing job loss, divorce, a decrease in income or the costs of goods have increased know that there is a way to get through. Take care of your food, shelter, utilities and clothing. Put your families needs first. Take care of the four walls.

Ways To Decrease Household Expenses

Figure out where you can cut expenses. What can you substitute to make things cheaper? Discover what this one family cut to save over $1000 a month.

Super Tight Budget

Having debt and trying to save money on a super tight budget can be hard, but it can be done. Dollar by dollar the savings will add up. Start small and step by step you will see a difference.

Related Money Saving On A Tight Budget Posts:

Thrifty Guide To Frugal Living
75 Super Frugal Money Saving Tips
Frugal Living Surviving On One Income

Updated May 5, 2021