We all know being a SAHP (stay at home parent) doesn't bring in any money, no big secret there right? Just because you don't have a form that comes in weekly or even every two weeks with your name and s.s. number on it doesn't mean you can't bring some money in or help with your financial situation! Come on your a stay at home parent, you got this! So I'm going to explain what I do, embrace yourself ok, ready, here I go.......
1) Price match
Pretty basic here. I price match at my Walmart when ever I can. My hubby doesn't do this and the reason I say when ever I can is because it's about a 20 minute drive for me to get this done. Yes I know it's a little out of my way but the savings I get seem worth it for me. Now this option won't work for everybody but since I live in the DFW area it does because of the variety of stores we have.
2)Coupon
I'm not a extreme couponer but I do coupon. I only buy four papers per week which for me works. We are a family of four and we live in an apartment so our space is limited and if I were to buy more papers depending on the item, I wouldn't have room for the stuff. So if you have a bigger family and or more space then buying more papers may work for you. I have saved hundreds if not thousands by using coupons and working off of sales. If your in the DFW area I can give you the info on the class I took which she has her personal blog on FB where her students post deals and scenarios, extremely helpful. This is how I've scored good deals by looking at what other people have posted. Join FB groups,follow people on Instagram, or look at couponing websites. (I'll make a list of a few websites on the bottom.)
3) Meal plan
This is fairly easy. You look into the fridge, pantry, under the cabinets, on the floor, where ever you have your food and make a list of what can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How many times have you looked into the fridge or freezer and have said, "We have nothing to eat!" What does this normally lead too.... Going out to eat or running to the store to make a meal. Which can lead to spending more money then you expect.
As you can tell number one, two, and three go together. If you work off of sales and use coupons you save money then you meal plan based off of what is on sale to extend your dollar. So if chicken, tortillas & cheese are on sale then you can have; chicken enchiladas, chicken chalupas, chicken soap, grilled chicken, chicken strips, or arrroz con pollo (chicken and rice). If popcorn is on sale then you buy enough popcorn to get you through for a couple of weeks. Of course if you have the room and money! Never go over your budget just because but try to balance them out.
Non traditional ways:
4) Swagbucks
Now this I love because it's simple. You go online to look things up but which search engine do you use? Bing, Google, etc etc. Why not sign up for Swagbucks. I have Swagbucks set up as my home page so when I open the internet it comes straight up and I "search" for whatever I'm looking for. It's the same as using Google or Bing or which ever web search site you use but this one gives you points then in turn you earn gift cards. Last year I only earned $40 which my goal this year is to earn double. If you follow them on FB they give out codes you enter on their site which earns you points. You can do surveys, poll questions , print coupons and watch videos to earn points. The more time you have on your hands they more points you can earn. Please click on the link below... http://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=9181596
5) Shopkicks
Now this is an App you can download which will give you points for entering stores (walk-ins), scanning products (scans) and/ or purchases. This is really easy. When you are about to enter a store you open the app and if you get points for walk ins it will detect your location and viola, points. Once you open the app and it detects our location you are able to see what items you can scan to get more points. Sometimes it doesn't always work the way I want it to but it usually does. Oh and sometimes the store doesn't even have the item your looking for, talk about frustrating. Hey I get frustrated only because I'm really trying to get all the points I can! Overall though, I really enjoying using this app! It's a must try!!!! Here's my referral link.. http://get.shopkick.com/star40055
6) Checkout 51, Ibotta, & Snap by Groupon
These are also apps that can be downloaded but are a little different that Shopkicks. They provide money back on different items that change on a weekly basis. Example; this week on Checkout 51 you can earn .25 for either the purchase of a pineapple, garlic, potatoes, avocados or bananas. On Ibotta you can earn .20 on lettuce. And on Snap you can earn $2.00 for purchasing 2 packs of Pur gum. Once again every week the items will change and these are the items that are currently offered to me. You may think .25 or .20 is nothing but if your buying bananas why not get .25 back?
In my mind set every penny counts! If you collect all your change for one year you really don't know how much you'll have. Every single penny (.20) will add up before you know it.
Once again this is what I do and I've only written about it because I know it works. I would never want to tell you about something that doesn't work. I can't guarantee any financial amount, it can be more or less. In no way am I being compensated for endorsing theses apps.
Websites: www.krogercrazy.com
www.krazycouponlady.com
If you are using any other money making apps let us know. Sharing is caring!!! :)
