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!

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1. Swim lessons at the YMCA

My kids just wrapped up their first session of swim lessons at our local YMCA and they loved it!   I signed them up for another session this week.  We are members of the YMCA, so we get a discounted rate on lessons, but the price for non-members is still very affordable compared to other places.

I can’t compare the quality of the different programs, but we certainly saved money by using our local YMCA.  We’ll see how it goes in the next session, but we’ve been pleased so far!

2. Planned a menu for the week

I’ve talked about the benefits of menu planning before, but there are some weeks when it’s a challenge.  #reallifepeople

This week, I took a little more time than usual and really enjoyed planning out our meals for the week.  I looked through my recipe binder (filled with some of my favorites) and then checked my Pinterest boards to try a new recipe.  I enjoyed the process of planning out our meals and then creating my shopping list based on that menu.

We always save money eating at home and we are much more likely to eat at home when I shop based on a weekly menu.  All around, I find that menu planning is a huge help to our family!

3.  Grocery shopped at Aldi

It mention Aldi a lot on these weekly posts,  but I have to share some of these prices that I found this week.  Eggs were 60 cents/dozen and 2% milk was $1.97.  I can’t find those kinds of prices anywhere else around town!

I was really excited that I got so many items and only spent $102. Granted, I didn’t have any meat this week (since I stocked up last week), but I was still excited since our fridge and pantry were pretty bare at the end of last month!

3.  Checked out books from the library

I was really tempted to buy 2 new books from Amazon this week, but decided to borrow them from our local library instead.  The monetary savings is always nice, but I’m also trying to be much more deliberate about what books I purchase.  Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has really challenged me to evaluate why I purchase books and to make sure we only purchase those books that will bring us joy and not end up as clutter.

 4.  Ordered clothes from ThredUp

I took some time this week to look through the children’s spring clothes and made a clothing inventory list so that I could see what they still needed for the warmer temperatures.  I bought a few items recently at a local consignment sale, but decided to see what I could find secondhand at ThredUp.  ThredUp had some great brands for a fraction of the retail price and also used a 15% off coupon!  The box should arrive next week!

5.  Found a good deal on backpacks…and jumped on it!

One way I save money is by buying all year round.  I try to keep my eyes peeled for great deals on items we’ll need, all throughout the year.  When I was out this weekend, I spotted some book bags and lunch boxes that were on sale in the stores.  Then, I saw a sign that said there was an additional 20% off!  I decided to go ahead and grab one of each so that we’ll be all set in the fall when Brady starts kindergarten.  Brady was excited about his Batman book bag and lunch box and I was happy that saved over 50%!

Well, there you have it!  I hope you have a great weekend!

What are some of the ways you saved money this week?  

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