6 Money-Saving Tips for Working Moms
Being a mom is a full time job in itself so it’s understandable that many stay-at-home moms and moms who work full-time don’t have the time or energy to prepare the healthiest meals. For moms on a budget, eating healthy might seem like it’s more expensive, but according to a recent survey, it’s actually cheaper in the long run than eating unhealthy. While it may not be as convenient as the nearest drive-thru, eating healthy will help you and your kids improve your overall physical wellness—and that’s important right? Here are six money-saving tips for working moms:
- Research What Grocery Store Fits Your Needs
Depending on what you need, different grocery stores can help you maximize your savings. It may seem too time consuming to visit different stores, but if you plan in advance, you can actually save a lot more money. Many have adopted price-matching policies for competitor’s coupons, so evaluate your discounts and go from there. If Whole Foods is having their weekday special on chicken, you may not want to buy all of your cleaning supplies there too. Compare prices between multiple stores for staple items so you can keep a running list.
- Know Where to Find Coupons
Coupons can save you a lot of money if you know where to look. Many grocery stores have entire sections on their website dedicated to coupons. Others have apps you can download, such as Whole Foods, and specials on certain days of the week if you’re in the know. It may seem old fashioned, but the newspaper is still a great place to find grocery store coupons—except not usually on Sundays, so try mid-week for the best deals.
- Download Grocery iQ & Save
Grocery iQ is a detailed grocery list platform that allows users to build customized lists and save them for future use. You can build your list using barcode scanning or even voice recognition. This app is great for busy moms to keep them on track with planning and avoid impulse buying when in the store. It also features integrated coupons for various grocery stores, allowing users to maximize savings.
- Cook From Scratch
While it’s tempting to buy pre-packaged food, you can save a lot of money by cooking from scratch. Some grocery stores even offer pre-packaged produce, which might seem like a convenient option, but it’s double the price of regular produce. A great rule of thumb is to cook twice the amount if you can and freeze half, saving you time in the future. If you plan in advance, you can make your efforts last longer while saving a ton of money.
- Invest in a Slow Cooker
Slow cookers are a fabulous investment for people who don’t have time to cook meals from scratch each night. Not only do they cook large quantities of food at once, you can usually throw in the ingredients and leave it for up to 8 hours. You can even invest in slow cooker liners, which means you don’t have to clean anything—just simply throw the liner away after each use. For a busy mom, slow cookers are a lifesaver.
- Don’t Buy Name Brand
For some items you’re buying such as toilet paper or paper towels, it’s ok to be a brand snob. But for most items at the grocery store, you can save a lot of money by purchasing brands that are on sale—even if you don’t normally buy them. Store brands are also always good to go with, especially at Publix because they are quality products and usually at a discounted price.
What are your tips for working moms looking to save money? Leave them in the comments below!
