5 (EASY!) Ways To Save As A Busy Working Mom

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9 years ago I (very unexpectedly) became a working mom after started blogging here in Passionate Penny Pincher. I had no idea that blogging would turn into a viable full time job, but over the years it's turned into so much more than I ever expected.

Because of the time that it takes to work online, I slowly learned simple (easy!) ways to save as a busy working mom. I figured out little tricks that would make life easier (and more affordable) for our family, and realized even with just a small amount of planning I could easily save.

So, here are a few of my tricks. While I don't save as much as I did way back when I first started couponing, I still save a bundle simply by being strategic each day. I promise these tips will work for you too if you take just a few minutes to plan ~ without adding too much time to your already busy day!

1 – Shop Amazon well.

This is huge. Amazon has oodles of great deals . . . however Amazon doesn't alway have oodles of great deals.

For example, sometimes Amazon will have an amazing coupon and sale on things like Huggies, Charmin and Tide, and their prices will be significantly less than the prices at Walmart, Sam's and Costco (plus they deliver right to your door, saving you time and gas too!)

But, their prices aren't always the very best deal, so be sure to follow an awesome coupon or frugal blog (um, might I suggest Passionate Penny Pincher? you can sign up for free deal alerts right HERE), so that you really do always get the best price.

2 – Be savvy at Aldi.

I love Aldi.

Love it. 

If you don't have time to clip a single coupon, shop Aldi. 

The only thing I wouldn't buy at Aldi is their name brand items (for example ~ Tide at Aldi is much too expensive, but Aldi's brand of laundry detergent is an incredible deal).

So shop Aldi strategically (you can see how their prices stack up right over HERE), and you'll save your family possibly hundreds of dollars, every single month.

3 – Always shop with a grocery list and menu plan.

Shopping with a grocery list (and menu plan!) will save you a bundle  every time you shop. If you shop randomly without any plan, you'll waste both time and money, and will likely come home from the grocery store without any meals to show.

Before you head to the store, determine your weekly menu plan and have a good idea of what you're purchasing prior to heading to the store. (You can even take advantage of grocery pick up services like Kroger Clicklist and Walmart Grocery Pickup – these can save you a bundle if they limit your “extra” purchases because you have a plan in place!)

And if you struggle with menu planning (you're not alone!) check out these amazing menu plans from my friend Tiffany at Eat at Home Cooks. For less than $2 a week you can access 4 different types of menu plans (slow cooker, no sugar, whole foods & more), along with color coded grocery lists to make grocery shopping easy.

(You can also try out sites like eMeals to easily menu plan or get more freezer cooking ideas at Freez Easy. )

4 – Manage your time well by limiting driving (and therefore spending too.)

This may sound so simple, but determine to be really strategic in your shopping and errand running so that you're not wasting precious time out and about between stores. As crazy as it sounds, I do as much as I can to only leave my house during the day on Thursdays except when driving my kids to activities in the evenings, which saves me time, money, and gas.

Because I'm completely an early bird, I work out bright and early (I usually leave for the gym no later than 5AM), and if I have to make a trip to the grocery I do it on my way home by planning strategically. I limit my errands to one day each week (that's the day I deposit checks, pick up dry cleaning, or make any doctors appointments for if at all possible.

I also really purposefully plan what locations of town I choose to do business at. For example, my physician, optometrist, our kids pediatrician and even dentist are within in a 3 mile radius of my home. (I know that doesn't work for everyone, but for me it makes getting to those appointments so much easier!) I also try if at all possible to have my kids attend sporting activities within a few miles of our home ~ as driving all around town for three kids sports and music activities could waste a ton of time (and eventually money if it means we're not eating at home.)

As you're planning your day (whether you work at home or outside of the home) really consider how to make the most of each hour of the day. If you waste time driving an hour back and forth to an appointment that could be made closer to home, you've lost time as well as money. Or, if you need a loaf of bread (but that's the only thing you need), consider how you can possibly make a loaf at home (because ultimately a trip to the store will take you much longer than baking a loaf of bread, plus you'll spend more once you're there!)

Really use your time purposefully by strategically planning your day and using your time wisely. It sounds like such a small thing, but I know this simple strategy will alleviate so much stress in your life!

5 – Give yourself oodles of grace.

If you're a working mom working at home or out of the home give yourself oodles of grace. For years I struggled thinking I needed to work full time, coupon full time, clean full time, cook full time, and parent full time.

Then I realized I just don't have that many full times in me. 

There are things I've let go. Our family occasionally eats a meal out because I don't have time to cook. I don't clip as many coupons as I once did (but I'm seriously in love with Kroger digital coupons and Ibotta ~ I do use those all the time because they're so easy to do!)

I make simpler recipes now, and we have a cleaning lady that comes every other week. (Y'all. As a penny pincher I feel some serious guilt over that one, but finally realized that my only day off was most of Sundays, and I was spending almost all of Sunday cleaning my house and leaving nothing to my family. That wasn't worth it for me.) 

Decide what really matters to you, determine to save as much as you can when you can, and then give yourself grace to be the best mom and wife while also working to help your family's finances.

Are you a working mom? I'd love to hear what other tips you'd add to the list too ~ leave a comment to share!