Cheap, Cheaper, and Cheapest Ways to Save Money

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to find ways to save money.  We've all seen the articles that give us the basic ways to save money:  turn down the heat and wear a sweater, don't go out to eat, and buy secondhand.  But life can get busy, overwhelming, and complicated.  And sometimes there isn't a once size fits all.  Sometimes we are in a season of life where going through the drive thru to feed the kids may be the only way we can get through the day after rushing around and having a van full of tired, cranky, hungry kids.  But just because we can't make the biggest money saving choice doesn't mean we can't do what we can where we are.  Here are some tips on how to save even a little bit.

1.  You are out and really need a beverage.  

Cheap:  Go to the dollar store and buy a beverage.

Cheaper:  Go to the grocery store and buy a pack of juiceboxes

Cheapest:  Bring your water bottle wherever you go. :)

2.  You stayed out longer then intended and you AND your kids are all getting a serious case of "HANGER."

Cheap:  Go to a cheap pizza place.  We get two pizzas at Little Ceasar's for $5.99 each.   That means 12 dollars feeds our whole family for a meal.

Cheaper:  Go to the grocery store and get some crackers and apples to tide you all over until you get home and can make a proper dinner.

Cheapest:  Munch on snacks like nuts and crackers that you have stashed in the van for emergencies just like this.

3.  You need a piece of furniture for your house.

Cheap:  Wait for an awesome sale at a local budget store.

Cheaper:  Buy one secondhand, either from a thrift store or from a site like kijiji.ca

Cheapest:  Put the word out on Facebook and with friends to see if anyone has an extra one lying around they want to sell or even give away. :)

4.Your family is going on a vacation and you need accommodation.

Most often than not, our tent trailer is our go-to for vacation accommodations.

Cheap:  Book your hotel on a budget site such as Priceline or Hotwire.

Cheaper:  Go camping.

Cheapest:  Stay with friends or relatives while you vacation.

5.   You have a tight budget this week for groceries.  You need to get the most bang for your buck.

Cheap:  Shop the sales from the weekly flyers.

Cheaper: plan out your weekly menu, making sure to pick meals around what you have in your pantry and what is on sale that week.

Cheapest:  Menu plan according to the flyer sales and what you have in your pantry, as well as using coupons AND price matching.

6.  Your living room is in desperate need of a new coat of paint.

Cheap:  Buy the paint when it is on sale.

Cheaper:  Look for a "mistinted" can of paint that stores often sell for very low prices.  You may get lucky and even find the exact shade you were hoping for!

Cheapest:  Save all your Canadian tire money you earned from getting gas at their gas station and buy your can of paint with that!

As you can see, there isn't only one way to save money.  If you can't go all out to save on an item, it doesn't mean you have to pay full price!  Sometimes there is some room somewhere in the middle.

Peace & Love. :)