Each Thursday in 2025, I’ll be answering a query on cash and/or budgeting. When you have a query you’d love for me to reply in an upcoming publish, please submit it right here.
This week’s query is:
“I’d love so that you can share some money-saving methods you’re feeling are well worth the effort and time.” – a reader
I like saving cash, however you recognize what I like much more? Saving cash in ways in which truly make a distinction with out taking over my complete day. As a result of the reality is: time is cash, too!
Top-of-the-line methods to determine if a money-saving technique is price your effort is to think about it by way of return on funding (ROI).
Ask your self:
And right here’s one of the best half—each greenback you save is tax-free! Not like earned revenue, you don’t need to pay taxes on cash you didn’t spend.
So, what money-saving methods are literally price your time? Effectively, that’s going to be completely different for each individual, however I’ll share 5 money-saving methods within the kitchen that may enable you to get the wheels handing over your mind as to what could be price your funding of time for the cash saved:
5 Cash-Saving Methods That Are Well worth the ROI for Me (Kitchen Version!)
1. Making Home made Uncrustables – Saves $0.80 per minute
My children love Uncrustables, however they’re expensive? 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 rapidly.
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 one of the best gross sales, digital coupons, and BOGO offers. By specializing in what’s on sale and planning meals accordingly, I save anyplace from $10–$20 every week—typically extra!
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 attempting to give you concepts, I verify 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 simple meal concepts — many that may use objects chances are you’ll have already got available? Obtain my free cheatsheet: 60 Meals to Make As a substitute of Getting Takeout.
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, but it surely saves me $50+ per week. That’s over $2,500 a yr!
5. Meal Prepping on the Weekends – Saves $30–$40 per hour
Spending an hour or two prepping elements (chopping veggies, marinating proteins, making an enormous batch of rice or soup or muffins) makes it a lot simpler to throw meals collectively throughout the week. Not solely does it stop the “let’s simply seize takeout” temptation, but it surely additionally saves money and time.
Not Each Cash-Saving Hack is Price It
Whereas I like a superb frugal win, not each trick is a good use of my time. For instance:
What Cash-Saving Methods Are Price 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 received a lot simpler!
Ship me my FREE record of meal concepts!
