These three tips will save money, but sometimes they are not practical. To continue on a frugal path, find a compromise that works for your family.
Many classic money saving tips have been offered up again and again. The reason they are oft repeated is because they are tried and true ways to lower your monthly expenses. But, they aren’t always practical. Here are the pros and cons of some typical money saving tips.
Line Dry Laundry
Pros
Hanging laundry to dry will lower your monthly electric bill, sometimes by as much as $50.00. Laundry hung outside will have a wonderful, fresh scent that cannot be duplicated by any purchased fabric softener. Laundry hung indoors will help replace air moisture in the dry winter months.
Cons
Hanging laundry is more time consuming than tossing it into the dryer. Machine dried laundry tends to have less wrinkles than line dried laundry. Rainy days and other bad weather days can mean that your living space is virtually taken over by wet laundry.
Compromise
Hang dry most of your laundry. If you don’t have space inside to hang laundry, use the dryer on bad weather days. Sort out clothes that tend to wrinkle and machine dry only those. Commit to line drying all towels, but be flexible on clothing.
Stop Eating Out
Pros
Eating at home each night is infinitely less expensive than eating out. The cost of basic ingredients is cheaper than the cost of already prepared meals. Home cooked foods are healthier than prepared foods, since you can easily control the amount of fat, salt and sugar that is used. Family meals at home create lasting bonds and a chance for communication.
Cons
Cooking each night is a chore. Some nights it is an unpleasant chore. Kitchen clean-up duties can be just as time consuming as cooking a meal. Serving the same foods over and over gets boring.
Compromise
Commit to eating at home most nights, but continue to go out for dinner once a week or once a month, depending on your budget. Double recipes and freeze extras for quick meals on hectic nights. Plan ahead and cook dinner in a crock pot. Enlist the family’s help in food preparation and clean up. Try new recipes and step out of your cooking comfort zone.
Shop Garage Sales
Pros
Buying basics like clothing, children’s toys and furniture at garage sales will save tremendous amounts of money. Frequenting garage sales is fun and can seem like a treasure hunt. Buying gently used items is a great way to recycle and helps the environment.
Cons
Selection is generally limited. There is a risk in buying electronics or similar items that may not work once you get them home. It’s easy to over buy and fill up the car with unneeded items that seem like a good deal, but you don’t really have a use for.
Compromise
Bring a limited amount of money to garage sales, preferably in small bills. If you find a larger item, such as furniture, that you would like to purchase, leave a deposit and ask if the seller will hold it for you. Think critically about each purchase. Inspect items carefully and ask that electronics and small appliances be plugged in for testing.
Being frugal can be a fun challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult chore. A money saving plan is easier to stick with when there is room for compromise.
For more money saving tips read Budgeting Food for Families and Frugal Back to School Shopping.
