7 Easy Ways to Save Money at Home: Budget-Friendly Hacks for Everyone
First of all, when I say easy ways to save money at home, I mean surface-level changes you can make. They won’t be effortless. Nothing in life is that way.
But we aren’t going deep, moving to a smaller house, or examining our reasons for overspending. Today, we’re just exploring some simple changes and strategies to help you spend less money during your everyday home life.
As with all things about frugal living, not everything will work for everyone. Please take what works for you and leave the rest โค๏ธ.

You’ll find practical, straightforward tips that fit into your daily routine. Let’s explore solutions for easy savings.
1. Eat at Home. Always.
Cooking at home is one of the most effective ways to save money. Every time you eat out or buy a pre-made meal, you pay for the convenience. If you are going through a drive-through because you’re too busy to make dinner, I get it.
But cutting that habit will save you more money than anything else.

If you have no time to make a “real” dinner, serve everyone sandwiches, pretzels, and carrot sticks. They had that for lunch? Oh well.
You can embrace meal prep to help end your fast food runs. Or you could just make all your meals a lot (a lot!) more simple.
On days you have the energy and time to cook from scratch, the savings are huge. A meal at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a restaurant. For instance, cooking a simple chicken and vegetable stir-fry at home might cost you about $3 to $4 per serving. That same meal at a restaurant? You could be looking at $10 to $15. When you multiply these savings by the number of meals you eat weekly, the total savings can be pretty eye-opening.
My best tips for eating at home 100% of the time:
- Make a meal plan for the week, even if it’s super simple.
- Create a recipe binder of your favorite recipes
- Plan a leftover night 1-3 times per week.
- Alternate easy and hard cooking days
This one change might be all you need to fix your budget. It’s that huge.
2. Fix Your Grocery Budget
When it comes to grocery shopping, being smart doesn’t just mean hunting for discounts. (And definitely not extreme couponing!)

Just like in our first strategy, you pay for convenience at the grocery store. Pre-chopped lettuce, prepackaged snacks, all these are killing your food budget. Stick to basics. You can set aside 45 minutes to prep all that produce when you get home. Or assign the task to an older child.
My favorite ways to save money on groceries:
- Try a discount store, like Lidl or Aldi. The prices are truly the best!
- Buy in bulk. Buy basics, like frozen meat and flour, at Costco or Sams Club… but resist everything else
- Stay out of the store. Get groceries delivered to avoid impulse purchases
- Avoid Pre-Cut, Pre-Packaged Items: Convenience costs extra. Buying whole produce or block cheese and doing the prep work yourself can save money.
- Buy Frozen Fruits and Vegetables.. Frozen produce is often cheaper than fresh. It is as nutritious and can be used as needed, reducing waste.
- Stop buying out-of-season produce. Fresh strawberries in winter are dead to you. Let them out of your life. Return to the freezer aisle.
Before you do any of these, focus on eating at home more. That’s still the biggest thing.
You can get more tips on how to save on your grocery budget too.
3. Lower your power and water bills
These can be a huge monthly expense. Sometimes they feel out of your control. Before you go buying new Energy Star appliances (they won’t pay for themselves, no matter what the sales person tells you!), try these simple changes first.

- Layer Up, Thermostat Down. One simple way to stay warm without cranking up the thermostat is to dress in layers. Wearing a sweater, cozy socks, or using a throw blanket can keep you comfortable. It also allows you to lower the thermostat a few degrees. This can make a notable difference in your heating bill.
- Strategic Use of Curtains and Blinds. Use your curtains and blinds to your advantage. During the day, open them to let in natural sunlight and warmth. Do this especially on south-facing windows. At night, close them to keep the chill out and retain heat.
- Use Oven Heat Wisely. When you use your oven, make the most of it. Bake or roast many items at once to maximize the energy used.
- Switch to Smart Power Strips. Traditional power strips continue to draw power even when appliances are off. Smart power strips can detect when a device is in standby mode and cut off power, saving electricity.
- Use Ceiling Fans: You can use ceiling fans year-round. In the winter, run them clockwise at a low speed. This helps circulate warm air that rises to the ceiling back down to living spaces. It does not create a draft.
- Insulate and Seal. Insulate your home. Seal any drafts around doors and windows. This can reduce heating needs. It’s an upfront investment that pays off in the long run.
- Use a Humidifier. In colder months, using a humidifier can make the air feel warmer. This allows you to keep the thermostat lower. Moist air retains heat better than dry air.
- Cook with Lids on Pans: This simple cooking habit can reduce energy usage. When you cook with lids on, food cooks faster.
- Wear clothes twice. Every outfit change or set of PJs tossed in the laundry when they’re still clean adds to more laundry. That’s more water, electricity, detergent, and TIME!
They seem small, but they add up. And as you know, energy gets more expensive every year. Start good habits now.
4. Reusable saves you money
When it comes to saving money at home, turning to reusable items can be an. effective strategy.

Let’s dive into some everyday items. When swapped for reusable versions, they can lead to significant cost savings.
- Beeswax Wraps: Replace cling film and aluminum foil for food storage.
- Cloth Diapers: A cost-effective alternative to disposable diapers.
- Reusable Shopping Bags: Swap out plastic bags for sturdy, reusable totes.
- Silicone Baking Mats: Use instead of parchment paper or aluminum foil for baking.
- Reusable Water Bottles: Avoid buying single-use plastic water bottles.
- Cloth Napkins and Towels: Replace paper napkins and towels in the kitchen and dining area.
- Glass or Stainless Steel Food Containers: Durable alternatives to disposable plastic containers.
- Reusable Coffee Filters or Pods: These can replace disposable paper filters and single-use pods.
- Washable Cleaning Cloths and Mops: Replace disposable cleaning wipes and mop refills.
- Metal or Bamboo Straws: A sustainable alternative to single-use plastic straws.
- Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags: Use in place of disposable plastic bags for lunches and snacks.
- Menstrual Cups or Reusable Pads: Long-lasting and cost-effective compared to disposable menstrual products.
Each of these swaps contributes to cost savings over time. They also help reduce household waste. And that saves you money on trash removal, too.
5. Find a practical hobby
Alright. Crafting ccan be an expensive waste of time and money, or it can be a moeny saving hobby.
If you can develop a practical hobby, it will absolutely save you money over time. Why?
- You can give it as gifts for much less than. store bought (but with the same value)
- You can make quality items that last longer
- It keeps you busy, which always saves money

The key to making this work is to pick one hobby. Be picky! Accumulating tons of craft supplies you’ll never use is not a great strategy for saving money.
Here some hobbies that not only allow you to create something but can also help you save money:
- Quilting. Create beautiful, cozy quilts that you can use at home or give as thoughtful gifts.
- Crocheting and Knitting. Make everything from scarves and hats to blankets and sweaters.
- Canning and Preserving. Preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables for year-round use.
- Sewing. You can tailor your own clothes or create new ones. You can even make home decor items like curtains or cushion covers.
- Woodworking: Build furniture, decorative items, or even small repairs around the house.
- Soap Making. Craft your own soap. It can be less expensive and more natural than many store-bought options.
- Jewelry Making. Create your own jewelry for personal use or as unique gifts.
- Pottery. Make your own dishes, vases, and other pottery items.
- Home brewing. Brew your own beer or cider at a fraction of the cost of buying it retail.
- DIY Home Decor. Create wall art, decorative pieces, or upcycle old furniture for a fresh look.
These hobbies provide a creative outlet. They also empower you to create useful and beautiful items, which can save money in the long run.
Once you get good at a particular craft, you might even be able to sell your creations. You can sell on Etsy or keep it small and local.
6. Keep Your Home Clean and Organized
This is a subtle yet powerful way to save money.
Think about it: when your living space is messy and chaotic, it’s tempting to escape. You might head to a coffee shop, restaurant, or mall to get away. But when your home is a place of calm and order, staying in becomes a lot more appealing.

Let’s take your kitchen, for instance. A clean and well-organized kitchen invites you to cook. When countertops are clear and everything is in its place, the thought of cooking isn’t overwhelming. It’s inviting. As we’ve discussed, cooking at home is always cheaper.
And it’s not just about cooking. A tidy living room calls for a movie night in, instead of trip to a movie theater. A cozy, well-arranged reading nook might encourage you to catch up on your reading right at home.
When your home is a place you love to be, you’re less likely to seek entertainment and relaxation elsewhere. This leads to more savings. It’s a win-win โ a sanctuary that brings peace to your life and your wallet.
Moreover, when you enjoy being in your home, it curbs the impulse to constantly change or upgrade your surroundings. When you take pleasure in your current setup, you don’t feel the need to redecorate or buy new items often. This not only saves money but also encourages a more sustainable lifestyle.
A clean and organized home isnโt just about aesthetics. Itโs a space that helps you save money by reducing the desire to seek fulfillment outside your own four walls.
The practical side of cleaning and organizing saves you money too. How?
- Everything lasts longer when its well-maintained
- No pest problems
- No wasted food you’ve forgotten about
- You won’t but duplicates because you can’t find what you need
You might not think about it this way. But, keeping your home clean and organized can save you a surprising amount of money.
7. Make Saving More Fun than Spending
Think about the last time you made an impulse buy. It felt good in the moment, but how long did that feeling last? Often (always!) the joy we get from buying things is fleeting.
But I get it. Spending money is fun. So, how do we hack our minds and make saving just as much fun?

To make saving money fun and rewarding, focus on perspective and creativity. The trick is to treat saving like a game or a challenge. Set specific, achievable goals and track your progress. This could be as simple as saving for a new gadget, a holiday trip, or even an emergency fund.
Some practical ideas:
- Print out a savings tracker and watch your money grow
- Set up a no-spend challenge
- Save a set amount of money per day
- Do an all-cash spending month where you don’t use your credit cards at all
- Try this Pen and Paper Budgeting guide and see how it works.
The key to making saving as much fun as spending is to change the narrative. It’s not about what you’re giving up, but what you’re gaining in the long run.
More Resources
Saving money at home is a big topic. If you’re interested in exploring more, there’s plenty to learn.
- YNAB. Helps with tracking expenses, creating budgets, and setting financial goals.
- Zero-Waste Home is a blog that focuses on sustainability, and that will almost accidentally save you money.
- How to Save Money as a Homemaker. Goes even deeper ๐
I hope that as you read these tips you’re encouraged. and feel like saving money at home is fun and doable. In so many, many ways, being frugal improves your home life. It is not a loss, but a gain.
Really โค๏ธ. Now go clean your kitchen.

By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.