Each Thursday in 2025, I’ll be answering a query on cash and/or budgeting. When you’ve got a query you’d love for me to reply in an upcoming put up, please submit it right here.
This week’s query is:
“I might love so that you can share some money-saving methods you are feeling are well worth the effort and time.” – a reader
I really like saving cash, however you understand what I really like much more? Saving cash in ways in which truly make a distinction with out taking over my whole day. As a result of the reality is: time is cash, too!
The most effective methods to determine if a money-saving technique is value your effort is to think about it when it comes to return on funding (ROI).
Ask your self:
✔ How a lot does this save me per hour?
✔ Is {that a} good hourly “wage” for my effort?
✔ Would I quite spend my time doing one thing else that gives a greater return?
And right here’s the very best half—each greenback you save is tax-free! Not like earned earnings, you don’t need to pay taxes on cash you didn’t spend.
So, what money-saving methods are literally value your time? Nicely, that’s going to be totally different for each individual, however I’ll share 5 money-saving methods within the kitchen that may enable you get the wheels delivering your mind as to what could be value your funding of time for the cash saved:
5 Cash-Saving Methods That Are Definitely worth the ROI for Me (Kitchen Version!)
1. Making Home made Uncrustables – Saves $0.80 per minute
My children love Uncrustables, however they’re dear? As a substitute of paying practically a greenback per sandwich, I make my very own in batches and freeze them. It takes round 10 minutes to make a dozen, and the financial savings add up shortly.
💡 Value it? Completely! That’s practically $50 saved per hour!
2. Checking Grocery Retailer Gross sales Flyers – Saves $1–$2 per minute
Earlier than I place my Kroger supply order, I spend about 10 minutes scanning the gross sales flyers for the very best gross sales, digital coupons, and BOGO offers. By specializing in what’s on sale and planning meals accordingly, I save wherever from $10–$20 every week—typically extra!
💡 Value it? YES! It’s a straightforward solution to stretch our grocery price range with little or no effort.
3. Planning My Menu Round What We Have on Hand – Saves $1–$2 per minute
Meal planning doesn’t need to be difficult! As a substitute of beginning with what sounds good or simply making an attempt to provide you with concepts, I test my pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what I could make with what I have already got. This reduces waste, prevents pointless grocery runs, and saves cash.
Tip: Want some fast and straightforward meal concepts — many that may use objects you might have already got readily available? Obtain my free cheatsheet: 60 Meals to Make As a substitute of Getting Takeout.
💡 Value it? 100%! Bonus: It additionally retains meals from going dangerous!
4. Bringing My Lunch to Work Each Day – Saves $1–$2 per minute
Shopping for lunch out can simply price $10–$15 per meal. Packing my lunch takes possibly 5–10 minutes within the morning, nevertheless it saves me $50+ per week. That’s over $2,500 a yr!
💡 Value it? Indubitably! And I eat more healthy, too!
5. Meal Prepping on the Weekends – Saves $30–$40 per hour
Spending an hour or two prepping substances (chopping veggies, marinating proteins, making a giant batch of rice or soup or muffins) makes it so a lot simpler to throw meals collectively throughout the week. Not solely does it forestall the “let’s simply seize takeout” temptation, nevertheless it additionally saves money and time.
💡 Value it? Sure! The time financial savings alone make it a no brainer!
Not Each Cash-Saving Hack is Value It
Whereas I really like a superb frugal win, not each trick is a superb use of my time. For instance:
🚫 Driving throughout city to avoid wasting $0.10 per gallon on gasoline – That’s just a few {dollars} in financial savings for an additional 20-minute journey. Nope!
🚫 Saving cash on groceries I received’t use – If I spend 20-Half-hour gross sales and digital coupons and plan a purchasing journey that saves some huge cash however I’m shopping for issues we received’t even use, that’s not saving cash.
🚫 DIYing all the things – Some issues (like do-it-yourself laundry detergent) may not truly save that a lot if you think about effort and time.
What Cash-Saving Methods Are Value It for You?
I’d love to listen to from you! What’s a frugal technique that saves you good cash for the time invested? And what’s one thing you tried however realized wasn’t well worth the effort? Drop your ideas within the feedback! ⬇
FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Assist You Keep away from Takeout!
Supper time simply acquired a lot simpler!
