The 10 Money Saving Secrets That Actually Work for Families

Saving money wasn’t a priority growing up. My sister and I were always well provided for, and we had family who could step in when needed. But it wasn’t unusual to overhear my mom on the phone with bill collectors or feel the stress radiating off her while paying the monthly bills.

“Robbing Peter to pay Paul” was a regular phrase in our house—meaning my mom had to juggle due dates and grace periods, sometimes relying on credit cards or even borrowing from me. These moves kept us afloat, but they weren’t solutions. Managing debt is not the same as getting out of it.

Even as a child, I saved obsessively, determined to avoid the money-stress I saw around me. I rarely bought anything, and when I did, it was usually on something practical—like a silver utensil set I bought on Black Friday and didn’t use until ten years later when I moved in with my husband (we still use it!).

Now that we’re managing our own household, our financial mindset hasn’t changed much. Whether times are tight or we have a bit extra thanks to juggling life as a working mom, we lean on a few frugal living habits that make a big difference. These aren’t flashy money-saving hacks—but done consistently, they truly add up.

1. Arrange Outings Around Mealtimes

Eating out adds up fast. You’re not just paying for the food—you’re covering that business’s labor, utilities, rent, and marketing. Unless you’re traveling all day, most local adventures can fit between lunch and dinner.

To achieve this, we:

Eat a large breakfast and pack snacks
Invite friends to BYO meals–whether its a TV dinner, sandwich, or burgers they can cook on our grill, it takes the stress away from hosting when everyone brings their own food
Make zero-effort dinners like salad kits and chicken tenders once we’re home

2. Establish No-Spend Weekends

We often wish for slower weekends, filled with books, tea, puzzles, or walks. But when Saturday rolls around, it’s easy to over-plan and overspend.

We started designating no-spend weekends to reset. Try:

Visiting free museums or parks
Window shopping as an experience, not a buying spree
Enjoying what you already have at home or finally tackling that pesky honey-do list.

3. Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without

This Depression-era phrase is still gold. Just because you can buy something doesn’t mean you should.

Being frugal often means saying:

“I like that—but I don’t need it.”

I once wore boots with holes and patched-up work pants for years. That might be a bit extreme for you, but the idea still holds. Money saving is about using what you have. And when something you owned is gone, ask yourself—do I really need a replacement? And if so, does that replacement have to be new or costly to be effective?

4. Pause Before You Purchase

Impulse buying is exactly what corporations want. Checkout lines and one-click buttons are designed to override your better judgment.

Try this instead:

Wait 24 hours before buying something
Better yet, wait a week—or 30 days
Keep a running “wants” list and revisit it later

Often, the thrill fades, and you realize you don’t want it after all.

5. Ask Others (or Ask God) for What You Need

If you want or need something, don’t be afraid to:

Add it to your holiday wish list
Ask friends or family
Pray and wait

When I was pregnant, we hoped for a second freezer but didn’t have the money. Six months later, a neighbor—completely unaware—offered us one for free. Less than a year later when I lost my job, I was worried about buying a book for my daughter’s birthday. Also unaware, a stranger bought her one in the checkout line of Kohls, and then one of my husband’s patients gave him a gift card to a children’s bookstore. God is so, so good like that.

6. Avoid the “Lost Cause” Fallacy

I’ve seen too many posts that say things like:

“I’ll never afford a house, so I might as well buy that $6 latte every day.”

Inflation is real. But giving up entirely? That’s a financial dead-end.

Small daily splurges do add up. Even if it feels slow, saving something is always better than saving nothing.

7. Don’t Equate Price With Quality

We research every big purchase before buying. Thanks to our library’s free access to Consumer Reports and online reviews, we’ve learned:

Expensive does not equal better.

More features = more room for error.

Let’s face it, high-tech items often break faster. Our appliances are basic and reliable—no WiFi oven required. I’ve also had clothing from certain fast fashion companies last for over ten years with good care, because while I’d love to spend $200 on a sweater that will last a lifetime, that one sweater won’t keep me clothed every day of the week.

8. But Know When to Spend More

Sometimes, the pricier option is the smart choice in the long run. For example:

Gutter guards saved us from annual cleaning costs and overcoming our fear of heights.
Better insulation during our basement reno slashed our energy bills.
Better quality food means (hopefully) less healthcare costs later on.

If it saves time, safety, or ongoing expenses, it may be worth the upfront cost.

9. Get a Library Card

Libraries are one of the most underrated money saving tools.

Ours offers:

Free events and kids programs
Movies, TV shows, puzzles, and books
Digital access to audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines
Free research tools like Consumer Reports and Ancestry.com
Free tutoring

Check yours—you might be surprised. If not, see what your community center has to offer, or local churches and schools.

10. Always Shop With a List

My husband joked that I should title one of my money saving habits “Make your husband feel guilty for spending money at Home Depot.”

The temptation to overspend at our favorite stores is real. For me, Wholefoods and Starbucks are where I could really break the bank if I’m not careful.

Keep a running list of wants and needs on your phone or fridge. If it’s not on the list (or on sale), don’t buy it. It’s not that you can’t ever treat yourself—it’s about keeping treats intentional, not impulsive.

These habits may not be revolutionary on their own, but when practiced together, they create a lifestyle shift. And over time, that shift has brought our family peace, purpose—and thousands of dollars in savings.