How to Save Money on Essential Items

People look for ways to save money for a variety of reasons. Maybe you need to cut spending to make up for financial changes in your household. Maybe you want to build your savings or save up for a downpayment on a house. One of the first ways to save money is to eliminate unnecessary spending. Then, it’s time to look for ways to save on the essentials. Here are a few tips to help.

Look for Coupons

Many grocery stores offer sales and coupons. Manufacturers may post discount offers on their websites or send periodic coupons when you submit your email address. Numerous websites post discounts for a vast array of essential products. With a little effort, you can find all sorts of coupons such as total restore offers, discounts on food items, and more.

Buy Second-Hand

Clothes and shoes don’t last forever. It seems like your kids outgrow their clothing every few months. Even when you’re careful with your clothing, accidents happen, and fabrics get ruined. Buying everything new gets expensive. Shopping at second-hand stores is a great way to save money. You can find all sorts of gently used shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, and more, all at steep discounts. Some items may still have the tags on them, too.

Shop at Discount Grocery Stores

Buying groceries is unavoidable. After all, you and your family need to eat. Even so, this doesn’t mean that you need to spend a ton of money every week to feed everyone in your household. Check out your area for discount grocery stores. You’ll find off-brand and discount groceries, giving you the same quality food, produce, and home essentials at a much lower cost.

Save on Prescriptions

If you or anyone in your family need medication, you know that prescriptions can be costly (especially if you don’t have insurance). Instead of paying high prices out of pocket, take a look for discount prescription cards. Places like GoodRx and Optum offer free discount cards that can save you as much as 80% on generic and name-brand prescriptions. All you need to do is type in the name of your prescription, medication type, and your dose information, and the websites find nearby pharmacies with offers. You can then print your card and take it with you when you go. It’s a simple solution that enables you to save quite a bit on your essential medications.

Make Your Own Cleaners

The cost of cleaning products can add up quickly. Did you know that you could make many of your own cleaning agents at home with a few simple ingredients (most of which you likely already have in your cabinet)? For instance, you can make a simple all-purpose cleaner with water, vinegar, and lemon essential oil. Not only do you save money by making cleaning products at home, but you also help to protect the environment.

Grow Veggies at Home

If you have space, consider setting up a veggie garden in your front or backyard. Plant veggies (and fruit) that your family eats on a fairly regular basis, such as cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, blueberries, and strawberries. Even if you only have a small patio or window box, you can still grow a couple of staple vegetables. In addition to saving money, you’ll also almost always have fresh produce on hand.

Use Reusable Items

Are there items in your home that you use frequently? Do you pack sandwiches in plastic bags for lunches? Do you use napkins or paper towels frequently? If so, you might consider switching to reusable items. Get silicone zip bags for lunches and use cloth napkins instead of paper. While these items cost more upfront, they’ll save you money in the long run (and they’re better for the environment).

Some expenses are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean that you need to spend an arm and a leg to get them. Following these tips, you can get what you need and have some money left over.