Ways We Save Saturday

Hey friends! It’s Saturday so that means it’s another week of Ways We Save Saturday – where I share all the small and simple ways we save money throughout the week. Here goes!

{Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read disclosure here.}

1. Made my daughter’s new window valence

I didn’t technically make it this past week, but forgot to include it on last week’s list! While the Super Bowl was going on, I was hard at work trying to remember how to sew. I’ve sewn a little bit in the past, but it’s been a while. I also had to figure out a new machine that was given to me.

The entire curtain cost me about $15 in materials and turned out really cute. I’m looking forward to sharing how I made it and how it turned out. Stay tuned!

2. Shopped The Dollar Tree for some Valentine’s Day goodies

I always check The Dollar Tree for cheap little items around the holidays. We keep Valentine’s Day very simple in our house, but still like to get a few fun things for the kids (and each other). They go bananas over a simple things like balloons and a box of candy! There were so many cute options when I visited the store.

3. Ordered à la carte for dinner

Some dear friends offered to watch our kids for us so we could get out for a little Valentine’s Day meal! I could have included that in my list – we saved money by having sweet friends! 🙂

My favorite restaurant these days is Chuys (yummy!!) and I’ve realized that their entrees are far more food than I can eat in one sitting. Lately, in order to save money (and my waistline!), I’ve been ordering a chicken fajita soft taco from their à la carte menu. After I down a ton of their chips with salsa and creamy jalapeno sauce, I’m usually stuffed already, so a simple taco is perfect for me.

4. Charge the car battery

Okay, so this week was a bit of a fiasco with our family vehicle. We have a 2001 Toyota Sequoia that we really love and plan to drive until it dies as we save for a newer car, but it decided it didn’t want to start when I was in the middle of the Wal-Mart parking lot. Thankfully, Kev had a planning period and was able to rescue me so that I could be on time for early preschool pick up.

After Kev’s work day, we had to figure out how to get the vehicle from Wal-Mart over to our mechanic. I was so annoyed with the situation (the battery was brand new and was already dead after a only a few errands that morning) and just wanted to get it towed.

Kev was adamant that he try to charge the battery at home and then see if he could get it to start and drive directly to our mechanic. (We borrowed a charger from our neighbor but the one we used can be found HERE). I’m so glad I listened to him because it worked out just fine and we saved a lot of money!

5. Shopped at Home Goods

I love Home Goods and could browse the store every day. I snagged a cute set of salt and pepper shakers the other night and saved $2. Not a huge savings, but still fun.

I was not digging my old ones that coordinate with my 15 year old dishes. My taste has completely changed and I’m hoping to slowly replace them as I am able. I thought the little mason jar shakers were so cute! (Please excuse the messy utensils and the Santa spatula- ha!)

6. Returned an item I didn’t love

I ordered a few things from Old Navy a couple of weeks ago and had been contemplating what to do with some PJ shorts. I wasn’t loving them (way too short!!), but since I got them for practically nothing with my credit card rewards I couldn’t decide whether it was worth returning them. We were talking about less than $2!

Well, I decided to return them. I tried them on again after a couple of weeks of debating and I realized there was absolutely no purpose in me keeping something I would simply not wear. I returned them and then ended up finding a cute shift dress on the clearance rack! 🙂

There you have it! I hope you have a great weekend!