Homemaker. A person who stays at home. This is how our society looks at it.
Being a homemaker is a big job and responsibility in itself. When we say homemaker, society thinks of women only.
However, it’s no longer gender specific. Anyone can be a homemaker. It could be a man or a woman. Mindsets are getting changed slowly, but they are.
Being a homemaker, you have to take care of everything, including saving money.
You may reside in any corner of the world (India, USA, UK, Australia, etc.), but the intention to save money is the same.
There are tremendous options available on Google, YouTube, podcasts, etc., on how to save money. But the question is, do those tips really work?
Well, it entirely depends on an individual's lifestyle, where they live, how many members they have in their family, total net income and most importantly, their willingness to save money.
If one is really interested in saving money, she tries every way possible to save money and invest it for better future and stormy days.
So, in this blog, I’m going to talk about some useful yet simple ways a homemaker can use to save money.
Well, for this article, I assumed that you are only a homemaker. So if you are a homemaker and have any side hustle still this blog is helpful for you.
Keep scrolling!
Why is it Necessary to Save Money as a Homemaker?
When you live alone, you do not have to look after people. You are your own boss. You can do whatever you want at your own pace. But when you get married, things change drastically.
You are no longer the same careless person who never thought of saving money. Now, even if you have to spend a cent, you have to think twice.
When you have a family to look after (doesn’t matter the number here; it could be two, three, etc.), uncertainties can knock at your door at any time. If you do not have funds ready to tackle such situations, you would have to take out a loan and get yourself into debt.
Situations like - your car needs urgent repair, unplanned pregnancy, kids' admission, medical conditions, business failure, fired from a job, etc. I named only a few of them. Now you can imagine yourself.
Besides these, there are many reasons behind the question, why it is important to start saving early.
It is better to avoid such situations in the first place by saving funds for rainy days.
Most Useful Ways to Save Money as a Homemaker
I recently got married (2023), so everything was new to me. However, along with being a homemaker, I play different roles that you can read about in the " About Me " section. But thankfully, I do not have to do everything alone.
I have my helping hand (my husband). He helps me with almost everything as we work from home and manage everything on our own. But not everyone works from home, and as a result, being a housewife, you have to handle everything single-handedly. You might occasionally have a helping hand when your husband returns from his workplace.
So, here I share with you the ways I personally follow to save money. Before starting, I want to share one more thing with you all: no matter how much your spouse earns (less or more), you should always look for ways to save money.
Have a Monthly Budget
When you talk about saving money, you must prepare a monthly budget.
Having a monthly budget helps in tremendous ways that you couldn’t imagine!
I know it sounds like every blogger is saying the same thing. But without having a proper budget, it won’t be possible for you to save money.
Personally, I have a diary where I create a monthly budget.
Whoa, wait! If you are thinking you only need to create a monthly budget once, you are wrong.
Just like every day is different, months are too. The previous month's budget won’t work for the next month.
I understand you can’t think in 360 degrees, but as much as you can, you have to.
For instance, you have a month filled with lots of celebrations and events, so here you have to think about all the ways in which you can cut down costs and save money. In such situations, having a monthly budget works like magic as you consider all the expenses in the first place.
Don't Throw Away your Grocery Receipts
Purchased, got a receipt, threw it in the dustbin and repeat!
Are you also doing the same?
To your disappointment, you are doing it wrong.
You might be thinking I’m crazy, who collects and tracks grocery receipts?
Well, people who really want to save money do it, and I’m one of them.
By having all receipts with me, I can check where my money went out, what purchases I make regularly, where I can save (or could have saved), and be on my budget.
If how can I save money with groceries and household items is your question, mark by words, you just got your answer.
Prepare Food at Home
You may hear this many times. But you can’t deny the fact.
By preparing food at home, you can save a significant amount. I heard you say, “It takes time and energy to make food”.
Well, if you want to eat outside or order online, it also takes time.
You won’t choose any random restaurant or cafe. Obviously, you will do your research (at least some research). Similarly, before ordering online, you’ll check reviews, items to order, etc.
Though it looks like an easy thing to do, it is not. Unknowingly, you spend hours in it. During that time, you can actually prepare delicious food.
Some people might say, “I don’t know how to cook”. However, this does not apply here, as when you are a homemaker, the chances are you make decent food.
Still, I want to give an answer here - if you don’t know how to cook.
No worries! There is a start to everything, and in today’s internet era, nothing is difficult.
Search for a dish you want to prepare, and you’ll find thousands of tutorials on Google and YouTube.
You can plan your weekly meal and accordingly shop for items and do some preparation in advance on weekends to save your time on weekdays.
Don't Purchase Non-mandatory Things
When I say don’t purchase non-mandatory things, it includes everything that is not essential in your life, and after you make a purchase, it will be kept in any corner of the house forever.
It could be anything, a branded shoe that looks stylish at first glance in the showroom's light and after bringing them at home, it feels like a total waste of money.
This was only one example I gave here but there are many.
Many times we do impulsive, emotional shopping that every individual should avoid.
One of the main reasons behind this is the trend. On the name of trend, people actually buy something stupid, and when the trend goes, that same item never gets touched.
Personally speaking, I only buy clothes and items that actually feel good to me, and I use them for at least a few years. Otherwise, there is no point in buying them. Even if you have a lot of money to buy them, try to avoid that temptation.
If you really want to stop impulsive buying, try the 30 day rule to save money.
Stop Buying Expensive Cleaning Supplies
As a housewife, your first priority is to keep the house clean and tidy. Almost everyone wants their house to look spotless, and for this, you tend to buy expensive cleaning supplies.
I also used to do the same things until I found some interesting DIY hacks.
A vinegar and soda combination works like magic when it comes to removing clogged drains.
However, vinegar and soda alone have their individual cleaning properties.
Get some baking soda and add enough water to form a paste. Once the paste is ready, you can use it for rubbing, grinding, and grease removal.
On the other hand, you can use vinegar to clean your kitchen sink, kitchen surface and other rooms. Add vinegar and water to one bottle. Spray it on the surface you want and wipe it. It is that easy.
You can try out more such combinations with the available items in your house. However, be careful.
Don’t mix something that can lead to an explosion.
Avoid Having Meat too Often
Meat lovers could hate me for saying this.
But wait! I did not say that you have to completely cut off the meat. I just said, try to have it less often.
Unarguably, meat costs you more than vegetables. Also, veg items are not bad to taste.
If you think from a health point of view, it keeps your cholesterol and fat in control.
For a sec, forget about the health benefits, but by not having meat every now and then, you can save a lot of money.
Watch your Utility Bills
It sounds like collecting coins.
How can one save on utility bills? It is like a hard nut to crack.
Surprisingly, it is not.
First thing first.
Calculate the total of the utility bills you get every month. Do they fluctuate every month?
If you see tremendous fluctuation, that means you are doing something wrong.
Are you one of those who keep lights on when leaving the room, use warm water for a bath in hot weather, use postpaid, not use automatic thermostat, not use a dimmer, keep gas on while talking on phone, plug-in laptop when not in use, and I can go on and on.
So if you are doing any of the above things, there is so much space for improvement that you need to find out.
Saving on utility bills is not that difficult, but due to our lazy habits, we are not willing to make the effort.
Now you have to decide which category you come in.
Grow Some Veggies at your Garden
This is my personal favourite. I love gardening a lot. When I’m not working, you’ll find me gardening.
This hobby of mine has been helping me save a lot. You’ll find almost all types of veggies in my small garden.
The best part is I’m not alone in this. My helping hand is with me. None other than my husband.
Actually, he is the reason I started loving gardening.
He used to plant a lot of plants, and I was like why is he doing this?
But, I observed one thing about myself that when I got bored at work or needed a break, I used to watch plants and feel peace. From there, my hobby of planting started.
Whenever I would go to the market, I would come up with some seeds and the next day find a place to plant them.
Now, even my workspace has a lot of plants.
Enough oxygen!
But along with getting oxygen and fresh air, you can enjoy the benefit of saving money.
Not to forget, you get fresh veggies to eat straight from your home mini-garden.
Buy in Bulk (Needed Items)
When we buy in bulk, we get a discount on our purchase.
However, one thing you have to ensure here is that you should not buy items that can not last long.
If you buy washing powder in bulk, it’s a good deal as it has a long shelf life.
In contrast, if you think of buying fruits in bulk, you know what you are doing. Just wasting your money.
Buy the items that have a long shelf life and are useful for you on a daily basis.
Don’t buy something randomly just because it is on discount.
I know most of us get confused when shopping, and I used to be one of you, but not now. I make a list of items that I need to buy before shopping. This habit protects me from buying something unnecessary, keeps me focused, and saves time as I already know what I want to buy. Also, money.
Prepare Delightful Meals from Leftovers
It’s appreciable if you give leftovers to the needy or street animals.
But if you put them in the dustbin thinking no one will eat these leftovers, think again.
Whenever something is left from our last dinner, I use that item to make my breakfast the next day.
I love to have rice, so what I do whenever rice is left, I prepare fried rice out of it and trust me, it is yum.
There are so many delicious items you can make from leftovers. I named only one here.
You can use leftover curries in rolls, sandwiches, etc.
Try to find out some amazing tutorials on Google or YouTube, and trust me, you’ll be surprised to know these items exist in the world.
Go for DIY wherever Possible
I won’t force this on you, as not everyone has time to do everything from scratch, especially when you have toddlers to take care of, though it is interesting to try if you really want to save as a homemaker/housewife and do your bit for the environment.
There are lots of things you can do on your own and save beyond your imagination.
The same items, if you buy from the market, will cost you almost triple or more. This is my personal experience.
If you ask me for a list of DIY items, I can’t give the numbers. There are numerous.
You can DIY as many items as you want, from nail polish, lip balm, soap, clay bowls, crown moulding, door painting, paint an entire house, to home decor.
Search on the internet, and you’ll find countless tutorials.
It entirely depends on individual interest. Plus, if your spouse is also into this, you both can have fun together.
Darn your Own Clothes
How many times have you thrown the clothes because of darns?
I know the answer - so many times.
You thought the impact was only on your wallet. But it is not!
It not only affects your pocket but also the environment.
There is no home without a thread and a needle. Remember the time when your mom or grandmother used to darn your clothes and tell you to learn these chores.
I’m not saying that this should be done by only women; men should also know this skill.
Knowing how to darn your clothes can protect you from heavy embarrassment.
Let me create a situation for you.
Just imagine you have a party at 8 pm. You are already getting late. One piece of cloth gets torn while getting ready for a party, and that was your favourite dress you planned to wear at the party.
You do not have time to go to the tailor or buy a new dress. So when you know how to darn, you do not have to look here and there.
Got my point!
Also, one should have a habit of learning something new. If you don’t know how to darn, no worries, you can learn it now. There is no perfect age for learning something new.
Prefer Shopping from Thrift Store or Local Markets
It might sound disgusting to people who prefer branded clothes or items, though sometimes their offered quality is not that good.
However, by doing a little hard work to find clothes at thrift stores and local markets, you can find better quality clothes than branded ones, and that too at a cheap cost. This is not only applicable to clothes but to every item.
There are some situations that have happened to me in the past. The items I didn’t get in other malls or department stores, I found them at these stores.
Here, some people say I got lucky. But if you think so, you can try your luck too.
There is no harm in trying something new that could benefit you in the long run.
Walk or Bicycle Around or Near Places
Regardless of saving money, you can do more than good for your health.
It keeps your blood pressure in control, helps you lose weight, boosts your mood, and increases stamina. Just named a few of them. But there are many benefits you can get from these small changes.
If you have a habit of taking your car wherever you go, it doesn't matter how small the distance you have to cover; you really need to think about this.
Many of you will say that we don’t have time, that's why we prefer vehicles.
If you have time to scroll Instagram and mindless reels, you have a space to make time for everything.
I saw many people who book Ola or Uber for small distances, like can’t you walk or cycle 2 to 3 km. If it sounds like too much, start with 1 km, and when you feel like your stamina has increased, you can walk or cycle more miles.
If I have to give my example, I like to walk a lot rather than cycling. 2 to 3 km is normal for me.
Also, whenever I have free time or feel bored or tired, I just go for a walk; it boosts my mood, and I feel light.
Use Prepaid SIM
I know postpaid sounds more fancy than prepaid SIM (at least it was true for me once).
But do you know how much you may have to pay for this “fancy word”?
Once upon a time, I was in your shoes, so I knew this better than anyone else.
Just because someone told me postpaid SIMs are good, I did, and that was my biggest mistake.
However, when I realised my mistake, I again converted my SIM into prepaid, and now I’m at peace.
If something worked for someone else, it doesn’t mean that it would work for you.
So before coming to any conclusion, think in 360 degrees.
Just because I said, you do not have to do this. Try it by yourself and see the difference.
Use Coupons to Avail Discount
I was the kind of person who hardly used coupons. But the time I understood the importance of coupons and why brands provide coupons, I started using them.
In this competitive era, brands want to stand out from the rest of the competitors. As a result, they tend to offer several discount offers and coupons through third-party apps, websites, magazines, newspapers, etc.
So next time when you find free coupons, don’t throw them in the dustbin (or wherever you got to know about the free coupons).
One thing you have to note here is that not all coupons prove to be beneficial for you. If you think I suggested you use every coupon you see, you misunderstood me.
Let me clear this point.
What I’m saying is, use the coupons for the items that you use in your day-to-day life, something like groceries, clothes, etc.
Use Cash Instead of Cards
If you have an account in a bank that cuts extra money every time you pay with a card, it is highly advisable for you either to change your bank or use cash.
I know with today’s so much availability of online payment options and cards, it seems like a hard nut to crack. I’m also one of you.
When I use a card, it becomes easier for me to keep track of my expenses. I can easily see mini statements or bank statements to see where I spent the amount.
But as I mentioned, switch to a bank that supports online shopping and works in your favour.
Otherwise, you know what you have to do.
Do not Use Credit Card
You might be thinking I’m against credit card companies (if you have seen my other posts), as whenever I talk about saving money, I make this point.
Obviously, this is not true.
When we know we have a tight budget or our main intention is to save money, we must not use a credit card or use it only when there is an urgency (do it or die situation).
Some people use a credit card only to show off and then get into debt. To pay that debt, again take out a loan, and the cycle goes on.
I know many credit card companies provide gift vouchers and special discounts. But all these things make sense only when you use them attentively, and wherever there is a need for something like a medical emergency.
If you think buying those branded shoes is an emergency, all I can say is best of luck with your finances.
Side Hustle
I know this is something out of the syllabus, but everyone should have at least one extra income source.
As a homemaker, you better understand the importance of money. It’s okay to be a homemaker, take pride in it.
However, after you finish your house chores, you probably have some time. You can utilise this time and start working on creating an extra income source.
Homemaking is itself a big job, and I totally get it. But you don’t get a salary for it. As a result, you have to depend upon your partner financially.
In today’s world, you should be financially independent, not to put down your partner, but to become his helping hand.
I have a list of articles that you could find on my blog where I talk about many side hustles one can start.
Bottom Line
Long read….
I know!
Here I listed whatever points came to my mind, thinking those points would be helpful for you in your journey of saving money as a homemaker.
With the availability of so much information out there, we tend to get confused, but every individual is different and has a different life. Not everything will be fitted into your life.
So pick the points that you think will make your life easier and help you save money.
With this, I’m ending this article.
Keep hustling and improving your life. The world is a better place to live.
