Are you a Homemaker on a budget? Do you want to be?
In today’s economy, a family would find it very difficult to survive on one income. Women who want to be homemakers are often barred from doing so simply because it’s too expensive. It’s a major struggle when everything revolves around technology and a fast-paced life. But if you want to be a homemaker, there are ways to work it into your budget.
If you are committed to making this lifestyle work, you can stick with these budgeting tips.
The Once a Month Splurge
Everyone deserves a treat now and then, but sticking to a homemaking budget means being able to say no to an excess of splurges and wants. Adopt a strict policy of not spending unnecessarily except once a month. Family members can decide what they want on splurge day, whether it’s a takeout delivery night or something they’ve been eying on Amazon. Allow them to get a few things, but make sure they understand that it’s only for one day (or one weekend if you want to do it that way), and after the day passes, they must wait until next month. This includes coffee runs!
Homeschool on a budget
Homeschooling is on the rise in the United States. It may feel intimidating initially, but it can save a lot of money on childcare. On average, childcare costs more than $1200 a month—for some people, that’s an entire paycheck.
But staying home with your children and teaching them yourself can be a huge money saver. If you have other stay-at-home mother friends in your neighborhood, you could combine your resources and skills to provide homeschooling and daycare for one another.
Decide what’s a need and what’s something you don’t need
Sit down as a family and decide what things in your life can go. People don’t realize how much they spend on just little costs. For instance, daily coffee at Starbucks, $7+, may seem like nothing, but that’s almost $150 a month.
This may be hard to do, as we are used to our creature comforts. But you may find that giving things up is easier than you think, especially if you want your budget to support your homemaking goals.
Side hustles
You could earn a little extra with a side hustle. Whether it’s an Etsy shop, craft babysitting, or even something like driving for Uber, you can make a little income that can go towards your budget. Just because you are a homemaker doesn’t mean you are barred from earning a little money on the side.
Cook from scratch
If you are a beginner, check out my blog on how to start cooking (Cooking Essentials). But cooking things from scratch can be a huge money saver. Make your own sauces and seasonings, pantry supplies, and bread.
Backyard homestead
Backyard homesteading is growing in popularity. You can grow herbs even if you live in an apartment or have a balcony or windowsill. You could even have a few chickens with enough room in your yard. Just ensure you look up the law for your local community. Many do not allow roosters. But you could get eggs every morning, which alone could save you on your monthly costs.
If you live in an urban environment, you might find community gardens. Grow what your family eats the most; produce is extremely expensive!
Find some free things to do on a budget
Take advantage of free museum days or outdoor activities that may be offered in your area. Go to the park or take a hike. You could pack your lunch for the day, which would also help cut costs. There are many ways to find free or cheap entertainment that won’t cost much and might be more enjoyable.
Buy in bulk and go to thrift stores
Shop for clothes at your local thrift store. You can find home decor and antiques there as well. If you have a large family, buying in bulk may be cost-effective. Many farms and ranches offer things like picking your own produce or opportunities to buy an entire animal, like an entire pig or half or a quarter of a pig, and that could save on your meat costs if you freeze the meat and ration it.
My husband and I are a family of two with no children. I buy the family value packs of chicken thighs and then separate them. I can often get four or five meals out of them.
Live outside the city
This may be hard to accomplish, and it may not work for everyone, depending on your needs, but the further away from the city, the cheaper the housing costs. If commuting is something you’d be able to handle, consider finding a home out in a rural area. Or, if your job allows you to work from home, take them up on that.
Make a monthly budget and see where to cut costs
Keeping to a budget may seem daunting, but when you learn to account for every dollar you spend, you can see where to cut costs.
Cut out the subscriptions
Cut out all the gym memberships, TV subscriptions, and other subscriptions that you don’t use. My husband and I only have Amazon Prime. We’ve never had Netflix, Hulu, or any of the others, and we can get by with just one subscription. We also still use a DVD player. It may seem like something that’s pretty outdated, but I’ve very much appreciated my DVD player when Amazon has gotten rid of my favorite shows!
Home remedies and eating healthy
Being healthy is way better than spending money at the doctor’s office. Of course, you should never neglect your health, and if you feel sick, go to the doctor. However, consider learning some home remedies for minor illnesses and injuries. Cut down on the costs of doctor’s visits, co-pays, and pharmaceuticals.
Some insurance companies allow for one wellness check a year, and if you are healthy, you pay attention to what you put into your body and take care of yourself. That may be all you need.
Walk places or use public transportation
If you live somewhere with decent public transportation or are in a walkable area, consider using those resources instead of driving and using gas. You could ride your bike places too and get enough exercise to get rid of that gym membership.
Do a walkthrough of your kitchen ingredients and plan meals from there
Planning your meals every week is big. This prevents unnecessary spending. Before you plan your meals, do a walk-through of your kitchen and pantry and take an inventory of all the food you have. Then, plan some meals using your ingredients and go from there.
Account for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Consider meal prepping, especially for lunches.
Buy large roasts and cut them into portions
This is something I recently discovered to be beneficial. It’s easier to do because I don’t have children, but even if you do, you might still account for this. Buy a large roast, like a pork butt. Maybe one 8 pounds or more. Take it home and split it into smaller chunks.
I bought a 10-pound pork butt and cut it into thirds. I used it over time to make crock-pot meals like pulled pork, carnitas, and other delicious meals. I froze it, and I used each chunk. It lasted me a good two months before we finally used it all. I think we got maybe 6 or more meals out of it.
Have one vehicle
If you can manage without two vehicles, consider getting rid of one. This will cut down a lot on gas, car payments, and insurance.
Downsize your home
Do you really need an enormous home? Do your children really need their own rooms, or could they share? Do you really need a guest bedroom? Decide on how much house you really need.
Make your own cleaning supplies
You can save costs by making your own cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and other household products. They will be natural and not full of chemicals, too.
Cut down on the smart devices
You don’t need to have the latest technology or the latest cell phone model. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Learn to get some use out of that cracked cell phone till the very end. And you don’t need a Keurig or a Roomba or all the other Wi-Fi devices that require high-speed internet connections. A regular coffee pot will do, or better yet, learn how to cook it and filter it yourself on the stove.
Conclusion
Not everyone can afford to live in a one-income household. Not everyone is able or willing to make the kinds of sacrifices that may be needed to make it work. It’s much easier said than done to give up all the comforts you are used to, but becoming the homemaker you’ve always dreamed of may be more achievable than you think if you are willing to make the sacrifices and put in the hard work.
And you don’t have to do it alone either. So many people are out there trying to get back to the slower pace of life, and maybe some in your neighborhood if you reach out to them.
