Here we are, at the end of another month. Time to look back at the ways I saved money this month. Just like every month, I do this to help encourage you to look at every opportunity to save. Some of those ways are simple some involve a little more creative thinking. This month is a little different as we spent a lot of time on the road.
I’d love it if you would also tell me the ways you saved. I am always looking for new, creative ways to save…or reminders on some typical ways.
Shopped a salvage store
Our old sofa was from the 1970s. Even worse, it was a sleeper sofa that was completely sunken in. The only way the couch was even remotely comfortable was to put all the spare blankets in the house under the cushions. A friend gave us a sofa they were getting rid of. That one was comfortable for a couple weeks but Matt wouldn’t even sit on it. It hurt his back too much. I managed…until my miscarriage. All that time on the couch killed my back. So we took some money we had in savings for another purpose and decided to go buy a new sofa. We checked out three stores that would have furniture in our price range ($600). We ended up finding an amazing sofa with reclining ends for $530 at a local surplus and salvage store. We looked it up when we got home. We saved more than $200 by buying it there, not from an actual furniture store.
Free birthday dessert
Matt’s birthday was the beginning of the month. We were out shopping for a new couch and it was almost dinner time. Since we saved so much on the couch, we decided to go to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner, his favorite place. We are signed up for e-mails with a number of restaurants, Longhorn being one of them. Matt was able to get a free slice of key lime pie. I’d prefer the chocolate stampede but not my birthday. 😉
Stayed with friends
We had a number of competitions not near home. Instead of having to pay for hotels, we were able to stay with friends. Considering we stayed away from home seven nights, we easily saved $500 by not having to use hotels (based on an average of $80/night).
Ate free food
This one is a bit of a stretch and makes us sound like moochers. However, it is also true. A friend ordered pizza after a competition and didn’t want to deal with leftovers. Matt ate four pieces so he wasn’t hungry by the time we got to dinner with friends, all he had was a coffee and pie.
Treated laundry stains
I sat in tree pitch trying to get out of the way to time at a competition. And I mean, I really sat in pitch. In my favorite shorts, of course. I only paid $2 for them but they would be $10-20 to replace. It took me two day and multiple different methods but the cooking oil finally got the pitch out.
Alright, now it’s your turn! How did you save money this month?
Shannon @ Of The Hearth says
I feel like we’re practically bleeding out money these days (we just moved and have been house hunting). We just made an offer on a house yesterday. If it’s accepted then we’re about to spend a lot of money.
Anyway, I looked at a couple of thrift stores this week for clothes for my daughter. I didn’t find much on these visits, but I’m getting a good idea of which stores are worth checking. .
Shannon @ Of The Hearth recently posted…Getting Exercise as a Busy Homemaker
Julie says
I go through those “bleeding money” times too. Thrift store scouting trips are always helpful!
Marina @ Parental Journey says
Wow, good for you! I am trying to think how I saved money, but nothing comes to my mind.. I will need to write that down, I think I will be so proud when I read that at the end of the month.
Andrea says
It is always great to hear of new ways to save money! It sounds like you got a great deal on your sofa!
Thanks for linking up to This is How We Roll linky party!
Andrea recently posted…A Benchmark Summer – Chapter 1: The 24-Hour Labor
Emily says
Great deal on your sofa. It looks comfortable. My birthday was this month too, so we went to Firehouse Subs where I was able to get a free sandwich. I also used some scrap fabric to make a curtain for our kitchen and made some DIY baby wipes. Every little bit counts!
Emily recently posted…How to Organize Any Space for Free
Linda says
I was able to save quite a bit this month. I planned my meals before shopping trips and made a list to cut down on impulse purchases. I have also been using several different apps such as Shopkick, Ibotta, Checkout 51, and RetailMeNot to name a few. While clothes shopping for school I found an online coupon saving me $100 if I spent $200. Outfitting two school agers and myself ( I am a teacher.), this was not a hard task. We even got in on an end of the season sale. Our anniversary is also in August. For our short weekend getaway we chose to go to the Biltmore in North Carolina. My husband has relatives near by who we also stopped by to visit. They also provided us with meals. A friend of the family works at the Biltmore and gave us a free tour which included the grounds not open to the public. It was a wonderful trip. Finally, my birthday also falls in August. We have a small restaurant near our home. We have signed up for the birthday club where they offer a free. meal on your birthday. Needless to say, that’s where we went for my birthday. I am very happy with my savings in the month of August.
Julie says
Great job!! Sounds like August is a busy month for you. 🙂
Linda says
August has always been a busy month for my family and myself. It’s the final few weeks before everyone goes back to school (and work in my case.).