Hey there, budget-conscious parents! As a mom of three little ones, I’ve become somewhat of an expert in the art of stretching dollars while still keeping our home running smoothly (and maintaining my sanity in the process!). Today, I’m sharing five things I’ve completely stopped buying that have made a HUGE difference in our family budget without sacrificing quality of life.
1. Pre-Packaged Snacks and Lunch Items
Remember those cute little pre-packaged snack packs and lunchables? They were my go-to for years! While they’re undeniably convenient, they were seriously draining our monthly food budget.
What I do instead: I now dedicate one hour each weekend to prepping our own snack boxes using reusable containers. We buy ingredients in bulk and create our own fun combinations. My kids actually enjoy helping with this process, turning it into quality time rather than just another chore!
Money saved: Approximately $120 per month (That’s nearly $1,500 per year! 😱)
Cute tip: Invest in some kawaii bento accessories and colorful silicone cups to make homemade snack boxes feel special. My kids get excited about their “special snack boxes” even though they’re just homemade versions!
2. Brand Name Cleaning Products
As a mom who’s constantly cleaning up messes (seriously, where do they all come from?!), I was spending a small fortune on fancy cleaning products with cute packaging that promised to make cleaning easier.
What I do instead: I’ve switched to making simple DIY cleaners using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Not only are they more budget-friendly, but they’re also better for our health and the environment!
Money saved: About $45 per month
Cute tip: Store your homemade cleaners in adorable spray bottles with custom labels. You can find the cutest bottles online, or upcycle old ones with washi tape and pretty labels!
3. New Children’s Books
My little bookworms could easily go through dozens of new books each month if I let them! While I believe strongly in encouraging reading, buying new books all the time was becoming a serious budget drain.
What I do instead: We’ve embraced our local library’s digital borrowing system and set up a monthly book exchange with other families in our neighborhood. We also frequent secondhand bookstores for special finds.
Money saved: Approximately $60-80 per month
Cute tip: Create a special “library day” tradition with your kids. We bring our kawaii tote bags and stop for a small treat afterward, making it a special outing they look forward to!
4. Excessive Kids’ Clothing
I used to be that mom who couldn’t resist cute kids’ outfits, especially when sales hit. But I quickly realized my children were outgrowing clothes faster than they could wear them—sometimes items still had tags when they no longer fit!
What I do instead: I’ve embraced the capsule wardrobe concept for my kids with high-quality basics that mix and match. We supplement with seasonal secondhand shopping and clothing swaps with friends.
Money saved: Around $150 per month during shopping seasons
Cute tip: Turn decluttering outgrown clothes into a fashion show! My kids parade in items before we decide if they still fit, and it makes the whole process fun rather than tedious.
5. Individual Streaming Services and Subscriptions
We had somehow accumulated subscriptions to nearly EVERY streaming service, plus various apps and monthly boxes for the kids. Those “just $9.99 per month” fees add up quickly!
What I do instead: We did a complete subscription audit and narrowed down to just 2 services that our family uses most. For everything else, we utilize free library resources or share accounts with family members when allowed by terms of service.
Money saved: About $75 per month
Cute tip: Create a “Family Entertainment Fund” jar with the money you save. Let kids help decide on a special outing or experience once it fills up!
Tracking These Savings Changed Everything!
Once I started actually tracking these savings in my budget spreadsheet, I was shocked at how quickly they added up. These five simple changes alone save our family approximately $450 per month—that’s $5,400 per year going toward family experiences, our emergency fund, and the kids’ college savings!
Ready to start tracking your own savings?
If you’re inspired to find your own “quit list” items, having a proper system to track those savings makes all the difference! My Premium Matcha Budget Tracker makes it super simple to visualize where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back without sacrificing what truly matters to your family.
The cute matcha theme makes budgeting actually enjoyable (I promise!), and the mobile-friendly design means you can update expenses on-the-go—perfect for busy parents!
What things have you stopped buying to save money? Share in the comments below!
