Save Money by Shopping the Dollar Stores

Dollar stores, there are different types from everything a dollar to more of a discount store. Whichever stores you shop, make sure you’re getting the best value for your dollar.

Save by Shopping the Dollar Stores

TA from The Savvy Age shares Dollar Store Shopping Tips: Save Shop Be Happy!

Since prices range from a $1 up at dollar stores, price comparison is a nice tip along with the quality of the product being bought. Poor quality items are not necessarily a better value.

Sarah from Must Have Mom shares 52 Things You Should Always Buy at the Dollar Store

I normally buy small notebooks for my price book at the Dollar Tree. The last time I bought one was at Walmart and I could have kicked myself for spending more than $2 on it. I also buy my spices there at the dollar store.

Shelly from the Frugal Family Home shares Why Shopping the Dollar Store is Keeping You Broke

I had the attitude of it’s only a dollar, for several trips years ago. When my husband pointed out that I had five things on my list and came out with 20, I knew I was in trouble. I blew $15 that could have been put back into our savings or moved over into another part of our budget. Lesson learned!

Crystal from Crystal Carder shares How to Save Money at Dollar Tree Stores

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Dollar Tree, I didn’t realize they took coupons. They even had a loyalty program called the Value Seekers Club.

We shop Dollar General for many things like coffee, toothpaste, and name brand cleaning supplies. When we lived in Montana, shopping online for those stock up items saved us a bunch. There are things like toilet tissue we still buy at Walmart because we buy them in bulk.

While I love the idea of one-stop shopping, I’ve learned since being back in the middle of convenience, it’s not always the cheapest. So, we’ve started back to shopping around to save money.

Do you shop the dollar stores?

Saving Money Without Clipping Coupons

When people think about saving money, coupons are the first to come to mind. Coupons are NOT the only way to save money all you need to do is look around at what you’re spending money on. Consider the differences between your needs and wants. Are the wants weighing you down? It might be time to cut them loose and start putting that extra money in your pocket. Your budget will be thankful and so will you in the end. With a little creativity and minor sacrificing, you too can start saving money without clipping coupons.

Saving Money Without Clipping Coupons

Lisa from Drugstore Divas shares 3 Ways to Save $3K Without Clipping Coupons

Skip those fancy coffee shops. You know the ones where you spend more than $3 a cup for a coffee drink. The cost of those cups really do add up.

Kim from Frugal Minded Mom shares Being Frugal Without Coupons

A coupon/stockpiling mom shares how she is being frugal without her coupons while getting ready to move. Aldi is mentioned twice.

Maura from Happy Deal Happy Day shares 7 Frugal Habits To Help You Save on Groceries (Using Coupons Is NOT On The List)

Squeezing out those last few drops of dish and laundry detergent is a no-brainer. Adding water to thin it down some makes it last longer.

Tiffany from Tiffany Meiter shares their Playstation Vue Experience

Very similar to the Roku box, but through a gaming system.

Rachel from Smart Mom Smart Ideas shares How to Watch Your Favorite TV Shows Without Cable TV and Save $100’S Every Month

A Roku box and an indoor antenna are all you really need to watch tv and not spend 100’s of dollars a year.

As you see, saving money takes a little creativity. There’s no need to be clipping away at coupons and is very easy to do if you are willing to make a few sacrifices.

How do you save money without using coupons?

Pet Expenses: Four Easy Ways to Save Money

In forty something years, I’ve had many pets. All were outside pets and only my sweet Mikey has been a house member. When I think about those pets who brought happiness to my heart, Mikey is the only one who has had a special bond. I didn’t realize how much he would mean to me when we opened our home to him. Mikey is my baby.

Saving Money on Pet Expenses

Owning a pet is not something to take lightly. They depend on us, so we must be diligent in giving them proper care. Depending on what breed or type of animal you have, saving money will be needed. But you don’t have to break the bank when facing those pet expenses.

Anne from Anne’s Entitled Life shares 10 Ways to Save on Pet Medication

Make sure the vet will write prescriptions so you can purchase them elsewhere to save money. Double check if the prescription has a human equivalency. Both are something I’ve never considered until now.

Jess from You Brew My Tea shares Ways to Save on Pet Supplies

Making pet treats to save money is an awesome idea. Hopefully soon, I’ll be able to start back making my sweet Mikey’s treats again.

Dave Ramsey shares Pricey Pets: 4 Practical Ways to Save on Pet Care

Don’t forget your furry family member when setting up a budget. Including them is just as important.

We save on food by shopping at the feed store. Dog food is crazy! Some cause a dog to eat and poop more than others. When Mikey came home with us, a huge bag of a national brand came too. All I could think was “again?” several times a day. As soon as that bag ran out, we bought a trusted brand we used when raising beagles.

Even if your pet is on a special diet, price-check your favorite brand; you may save money shopping elsewhere. Don’t forget you can treat your little furry friend with fruits and vegetables.

Grooming and nail clipping is something I do for Mikey to save money. When we lived in Montana, I didn’t have to groom him as often as I do here. While it would be easier to send him to someone to deal with his little emotional issues of nail clipping, I just can’t do it. It’s cheaper for me to deal with his quirkiness.

These are just a few ways you can save money on your pets. Do you have any money saving secrets you’d be willing to share?

If you’ve missed them, you can find more ways we are saving money.

5 Ways to Save Money While Homeschooling

Budgeting and finances are not the most enjoyable things to think on, but we must or end up in a mess. For most families walking the road of home education saving money is important. Did you know 8 out of 10 families I questioned are on an extremely tight budget for their school?

These are the average middle class families just like mine who are working to keep all bills paid while buying curriculum for their children. Two of those eight are taking advantage of their state’s tax credit for homeschooling. While it's something we would never do (if we were offered), more and more families are accepting the help. It's never too late to save money while homeschooling.

When my son was ready for kindergarten, I bought all of our books with a portion of my last paycheck. Yikes! I had no clue what I caused for the following year. I did not realize how much we would be sucking in our budget waistline for a belt to fit. Thankfully, I was able to sell just about all of the two kits to help in buying for the new year.

Ways to save money while Homeschooling

Set a budget – a budget set in place keeps from over spending. It’s hard especially when you see all that is out there for home education. But if you know ahead of time what you want to use (are going to use), the budgeting is not so bad.

Buy Used – don’t let the thought of used materials scare you away. Over the years, I’ve become more open to buying used for certain items. The only thing I don’t consider buying used is our Math since it is a computer disc method of learning. I’d rather buy new and have the availability of returning it if something goes wrong. Sometimes, buying used you do get burned with a seller not describing mishaps with books. I had this happen with our 8th grade Science. The seller said, “lovingly used”. When I questioned writing and highlighting in the book, she said there was minimum. Yeah, each page was covered in doodling and highlighting. If you’re leary when buying through a sale group, ask the seller to take pictures of the problem areas. If they are not willing to, don’t buy from them.

Non Consumable Books - when schooling a family of more than one, consider the cost of throw away workbooks. You can turn consumable books into non consumable - place the worksheets into a page protector and use dry erase markers to work the page. When finished, wipe clean and store in a three ring binder for the next child.

Wait for Newly Published Curriculum – several years ago, I mention I don’t like reading reviews of curricula by people who did not spend their money on it. I was told by another mom who works for a curriculum company I wasn’t being fair. I was being fair and still am. While I know those who receive items in return for an honest opinion are great for certain things. A newly published curriculum is not. I want to hear from someone who has spent their money and six months to a year working through the curriculum. Those who are writing reviews in return for curriculum are not allowed that length of time. I recently read the reviews of a curriculum I dearly wanted to use when it first came out. I’m glad I waited because there are lots of things several reviews (from buyers) mentioned that I would have been frustrated with. Just because it is all the rage with reviewers, remember they are allotted a short amount of time to work with a portion of the curriculum before their review is due.

Sell Old and Unused Items - I mentioned selling the kindergarten kits. If you have books and related items that are not being used and you know they never will be– sell them. In the past, I use to sell on Ebay, but with their added fees along with Paypal fees, it’s not worth it anymore for me. I hit the Facebook selling groups with good results. Use that money for next year’s books or set it aside for things like a microscope and slides – pricey for decent items.

Just remember:

Investing -  the key behind homeschooling. You’re making an investment in your children. Determine what you are willing to invest in. Investing less in one subject opens the door to invest more into another subject. For our school, our biggest investments are in Math and Science. While they take up a good portion of the budget, I don’t let this keep me from investing in the importance of them.

These are some of the Facebook sell groups where I am a member:

Teaching Textbooks Swap and Sell

Teaching Textbooks Buy/Sell/Trade

Abeka Used Homeschool Items

Used Homeschool Curriculum and Books

What are some ways you save money while homeschooling?

Don't forget my post about Saving Money with the Library.