(And Honestly, I Don’t Miss Them)

I used to waste so much money on little things that didn’t really matter — and I didn’t even realize how much it added up until I started tracking my spending. Once I became more intentional with my money, I realized I could make a few small shifts that would save me over $300 a month without feeling deprived.

These aren’t extreme budgeting hacks or cutting out every fun thing. These are simple, realistic changes that make a huge difference in our monthly budget while helping us spend on what actually matters to our family.

1. Buying Full-Price Items 💸

This was one of the first habits I cut — and honestly, it was the easiest. I almost never buy anything full price anymore.

Before I make a purchase, I always check for:

• Coupon codes → Using tools like SimplyCodes or Honey

• Cashback apps → Rakuten, Upside, Fetch

• Store discounts → Loyalty rewards, free shipping promos, and seasonal sales

Nine times out of ten, there’s a discount available — and those savings add up fast. It’s a simple shift in habit, but it’s saved us hundreds.

2. Overbuying Groceries We Don’t Use 🛒

Food waste used to be one of our biggest hidden expenses. I’d go to the store without a plan, grab “extras,” and by the end of the week, half of it went bad in the fridge.

Now, I’ve started meal planning around overlapping ingredients so nothing goes to waste. For example:

• Buying one pack of chicken and using it for two different dinners

• Using the same bag of spinach for salads and smoothies

• Planning recipes where veggies can be reused instead of buying too many random items

By using what we already have and cutting impulse buys, we’ve lowered our grocery bill and reduced waste — a win for our budget and the planet.

3. Takeout & Delivery Fees 🍕

I love a good takeout night, but the delivery fees, tips, and impulse add-ons were eating into our budget big time. Now we:

• Limit ordering in to once or twice a month

• Pick up the order ourselves when possible to avoid delivery fees

• Keep a few “easy dinners” on hand for the nights we’re tempted to order

BONUS TIP: If you don’t want to cut out takeout altogether, look into the credit card perks that you could be missing out on. (Ex. one of my cards allows me to get free DashPass for the year, which saves $$ on those delivery fees.)

This simple shift has saved us $50-$75 per month without cutting out the fun completely.

4. Trendy Purchases & Impulse Shopping 🛍️

Instagram ads, TikTok “must-haves,” endless haul videos… they make it so easy to feel like you need the latest thing. But nine times out of ten, I didn’t actually need those products — and they’d sit unused anyway.

Now, I ask myself one simple question before buying anything:

“Do I already own something that serves the same purpose?”

If the answer is yes, I skip it. Most of the time, I realize I already have what I need — and my wallet thanks me for it.

5. Buying New Instead of Reusing 🌿

Whether it’s clothing, books, toys, or home goods, I’ve embraced secondhand shopping and reusing whenever possible. Some of my favorite swaps:

• Thrifting baby clothes instead of buying full-price

• Reusing gift bags and fabric scraps for presents

• Borrowing e-books from Libby instead of buying every book brand new

• Using Facebook “Buy Nothing” and “Moms Pay It Forward” groups for free items

These little changes have saved us hundreds each year without sacrificing quality or style.

The Mindset Shift: Spending Intentionally

Saving $300 a month didn’t happen because I stopped enjoying life — it happened because I stopped spending on things that don’t actually bring value to my life.

Now, instead of filling my cart just because something’s on sale or “everyone else has it,” I make sure my purchases are aligned with our priorities:

• Creating memories as a family

• Staying on top of our debt payoff journey

• Building long-term financial freedom

It’s not about restriction. It’s about awareness, intentionality, and simplifying where we can — and the impact has been huge.

Final Thoughts

These five small changes added up to $300 in savings every single month — money we now put toward things that actually matter to us.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And sometimes, the biggest wins come from the smallest shifts. 💛

If you’re ready to start saving, start with just one of these tips this month and see how it feels. You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.

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5 Things I Stopped Buying That Saved Me $300 a Month