The following is a reader tip from Leah of Life Around the Coffee Cup:
When we look at our budgets so often we think it’s about cutting coupons or cutting line items, like cable or eating out. However, my family and I have saved over $1200 over the past 3 years — and we didn’t have to cut coupons, cut back, or even cut a line item out of our budget.
Instead, we made literal “cuts” in order to reduce our spending!
I cut my family’s hair!
I’m not a professional, but after some guidance from my husband on what he wanted, I was able to cut his hair without any trouble. This last year I even confidently helped him navigate changing to a new style. I also cut my son and daughter’s hair.
I usually get mine cut with a coupon, gift certificate, or by a friend.
We also cut t-shirts into reusable disinfecting wipes, cut flour sack bags into reusable “paper” towels, cut surplus veggies and fruit into small chunks for the freezer, and cut raggedy jeans into upcycled shorts.
When it comes to our budgets, we can get pretty creative with cutting. And all of it is a really good way to accomplish a goal (like becoming debt-free) or to take on a money-saving lifestyle.
Do you literally cut anything to help with your budget? If so, I’d like to know what!
Bethany says
We use our kids’ old burp cloths as kitchen towels/ drying towels/ hand towels in the bathroom. I would like to start cutting my family’s hair but my husband is very picky, and I know my 3 year old won’t sit still… Lol
Belinda says
I buy reusable water bottles to fill at home, or use small soda bottles.
We seldom eat out, but we always use coupons and order water to drink.
Instead of buying multiple expensive cleaners, I buy only store brand bleach for heavy cleaning; and use baking soda, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol for minor cleaning and sanitizing.
Store brand Listerine in a spray bottle also makes a great cleaner for the bathroom and smells fresh, too. It can also replace air freshener spray in the bathroom…..just tell family members to only spray it inside the toilet bowl, not into the air 🙂 (much healthier than breathing aerosol sprays)
cheryl says
– Cut the cable, almost. Got rid of the bundle and have internet only. Put up an antenna and get over 20 FREE channels. Got an Ooma VOIP phone at under $4 a month. Save over $100 a month. Have Amazon prime for streaming services and free 2 day shipping, provides all the content we need.
– Oil changes are at home
– Garden provides alot of fresh fruits and vegetables at a big savings
– At home haircuts. Started having my guy cut mine when we were first dating because I had gotten too many bad haircuts at the salon and paid way too much $$. He does a great job and years later, no one except him is allowed to cut my hair. It would be insane for me to go back to the salon and let some scissor happy stylist screw it up, then come home and ask him to fix it. Started doing the children’s hair a couple years ago. Same reason: bad haircuts by the “pros”. Savings for me and two children are over $900 a year with better results.
– Seeing grays so my stylist became my colorist as well. $15 for henna every 3-4 months versus over $100 per salon visit. Henna does not contain the toxic chemicals the salons use that have been linked to cancer. Why color it and then have to shave it off for chemotherapy? Over $350 a year saved plus my health which I cannot put a price on.
– Making gifts versus store bought. A basket of pickles, jams, honey, etc. canned at home or from farmer’s market is welcomed more than something to clutter the home.
– Most meals at home. Lower costs, I know what is in the food and we avoid the preservatives, food colorings, soy and excessive sugar. Healthier too eating fresh fruit and vegetables versus fast food junk food.
Elizabeth says
Early in the week I try to cut up a big batch of carrots and celery. Throughout the week I pack some of the sliced vegetables along with a sandwich for lunch for work. It is a quick and easy way to throw together a lunch and saves me money when I would be tempted to buy a take-out lunch.
I find I often have jeans that wear thin/get holes in the seat of the pants or the inside upper legs. (This happens more often to me lately as the fabric of jeans has trended toward being thinner and cheaper these days than the sturdy denim that you used to get with jeans.) Obviously, this means I can’t wear them in public. But I cut up old t-shirts and use the fabric to patch the jeans (sewing the patch inside the jeans with denim-colored thread) and I wear the jeans while I’m doing chores around the house. It saves me money to wear old jeans rather than buying new jeans just to wear when I’m cleaning the house.
I often find that when I buy a sheet set, the fitted sheet develops a tear while the pillowcases and top sheet are just fine. I recently cut up a fitted sheet to sew into pillowcases. I like to use multiple pillows on my bed and I don’t always get enough pillowcases in a sheet set, so this saves money on having to buy extra pillowcases.
And last but not least, I cut up paper that has a blank side (from junk mail, fliers handed out at work, etc.) to use for scrap paper and save on buying notepads.
FELICIA says
My father is a contractor (retired). When he has small jobs i collect all the old ply wood. I literally cut the ply wood to create bean bag toss games, like carnival ones. i paint and design them. I sell them on ebay for over $150 each which cost me less than $10 to create. So i cut unwanted ply wood scraps to make money for my family!
Stephanie says
We cut our kids winter pajamas (that mil purchases) into summer pajamas by cutting off the legs and arms. Works like a charm.
Leah says
I should do this! My kids are so tall…I sometimes have to cut their jams in January.
Cindy says
I just started cutting my husband and boys’ hair. When they wore their hair longer it was hard to cut right so we just went to the cheapest place and used coupons whenever possible. Now they all wear their hair short and I can use the clippers. Anyone can do that!
As for the dogs, they just don’t get groomed other than baths and brushing at home.
Cindy says
Oh yes, I also cut up old clothes for rags as many of you mentioned. I even cut up old jeans and used to make quilts for the boys’ beds when they were young!
Leah says
My grandma made us quilts out of jeans too!
Ann says
I cut my husbands hair several times to save money. I really paid attention to the beautician and how she cut it and just tried to model her. I have also cut our own meat instead of paying a butcher.
Leah says
My husband had actually never had anyone but his mom cut his hair his whole life so switching to me was a big transition.
kariane says
We do all of the things listed in the above article.
I love that she mentions cutting up extra food as one of her ways to cut her budget. It’s such an important, but often overlooked, budget and financial issue. I wrote about more ways to reduce food waste here: http://everydaymindfulliving.com/34-ways-to-reduce-food-waste/
Leah says
This is a really good post! Thanks for sharing.
Harry King says
Recycling is the best way to cut spending. We can reuse stuff and make use of it for different things. We just need to let our imaginations work.
Leah says
My husband likes that website freecycle so you can also recycle other people’s stuff too.
Julie C says
We cut out the middle man and buy direct from the co-op that delivers whole foods right to our front door without a deliver fee!
We cut budget bread out of our eating plan; we grind our own wheat to increase health with protein from freshly ground whole wheat bread made with raw honey and healthy oils.
We cut milk out of our breakfast and haven’t been to the doctor since; I think we were getting too much dairy even just serving half a glass of milk at breakfast each day.
We cut up our oats into oat flour for gluten free bread for 4 of us.
We cut out processed meats and slice our own turkeys bought around Thanksgiving for healthy sandwiches in my husband’s lunch.
I definitely cut everyone’s hair here to save money (even my own!)
We cut coupons to save on toiletry costs.
We cut 95% of meds out of our home and use essential oils that I blend myself (to cut out expensive blends we use!)
We cut drink soda out of our life other than the occasional splurge with pizza.
We cut fresh flowers and herbs in our garden to enjoy beautiful bouquets in our home.
I have cut plants in our yard and put them in rooting hormone to propagate new plants. Now if I could just grow stevia without killing it. 🙁
We dug up over grown raspberry plants and cut out the grass to grow a whole new line of raspberry bushes which are offering us free berries now! I’m so thankful our daughter asked and asked us to buy the raspberry bushes on the reduced rack over 5 years ago! 🙂
We cut out fancy programs and invested in textbooks to save money on home education; you’d be surprised what your children can teach themselves when they become self-motivated learners in your home!
We cut out drivers ed and are teaching our children to drive.
We cut out computer games and taught our children how to enjoy work; now 3 of them have their own businesses and anther just finished her first novel.
We cut out eating out as a family every week and now enjoy an occasional meal out for a real treat!
We cut out expensive beef from the store and buy right from the grass fed beef farmer right down the road; such a blessing to have healthy meats to buy at a great costs!
I’m working on cutting out worry and depending on the Lord to provide our needs; He is greater than all!!
Leah says
I hope my kids start their own businesses. That is so cool.
Luba says
I cut my husband’s hair too. The first time it definitely did not look professional; now I am getting better with practice!
When we got married, I cut up my credit cards (never had debt; just went to paying with cash or debit card).
I’ve also stopped cutting out coupons and now get high quality personal care items and vitamins at a great discount–without worrying about rain checks, expired coupons, or sales. 🙂
Oh, and we have all but cut out eating out and are buying healthier food to eat at home. 🙂
Leah says
I don’t cut coupons either and instead use online services like thrive market and vitacost to get my products at a discount.
guest says
I cut thin slices from home cooked round roast, ham or turkey breast for sandwiches instead of buying $5 a pound sandwich meat.
Leah says
My grandma wanted me to take her meat slicer and I thought I’d never use it. Now I think “man I want a turkey sandwich”
Charlotte says
I have been cutting out hamburger meat from our main dishes and adding beans or turkey meat instead.
I cut out many name brand cleaners and use vinegar with a scrub pad instead.
My husband is a firefighter and he trades services with other firemen or church folks. Instead of paying out money, he will simply help them with electrical services and then they will pay him back by maybe doing yardwork for us. It pays to get to know some firemen- they often have a second job like tiling, a/c and heat, painting, electrical work, teach CPR and so forth. They call it doing “favors.” They may do something for you and maybe a year later call in their “favor.”
Leah says
I love trading for stuff! Great idea.
Bonnie says
I was able to get a lot of house repairs/work done with bartering. Both bathrooms got tiled, daughter’s room got painted, bathroom closet was repaired and freshly painted. I purchased all of the supplies and they provided the labor.
Emilie says
I have cut my own meat from roasts for things like stroganoff.
I cut open tubes like toothpaste, moisturizer, lotion bottles, etc.
My mother in love cuts all the hair at our house.
I cut words from magazines and decorate ten cent notebooks bought on back to school specials into journals for my writing, gratitude and bible studies.
I cut cereal boxes for organizing and into magazine holders.
My boys cut the lawn and cut a neighbor’s for money.
Leah says
I love the journal idea! I cannot wait for back to school sales!!
Christy says
I tried cutting my son’s hair once. We had to pay to have it fixed. Neither he nor my husband will let me near them again!
Leah says
This is what happened when I tried to cut my own. We’ll see if it ever happens again.
Delorise says
I cut up worn out underwear and socks to use for dust cloths and general purpose cleanup around the house. I also cut the comic pages from the newspaper to wrap gifts in–why waste money on wrapping paper!
Sarah says
I also use old socks as rags and I love the comic wrapping paper idea.
Maureen says
I read somewhere that you take socks and put them on a swiffer mop
You can wash and reuse or toss when they’re real dirty.
I have a lot of mismatched or missing socks
Julie@frugallyblonde says
Great tips! I cut my son’s hair and have my hair cut at a beauty school. I love Aveeda beauty school, they give you a back massage, hair cut and mini facial for $18.
Leah says
I want to find one of these!
Reelika @Financially Wise On Heels says
Awesome! I’m the same way, I always cut my son’s hair and sometimes my own as well. I also cut old clothing to use these for cleaning. I have almost paperless kitchen, because I use the cloths all the time as napkins, etc. I think it makes sense to cut the toothpaste as well, but I don’t know why I haven’t done it yet. Great idea!
Leah says
Paperless kitchen! I love it!
Cate R. says
We cut our own grass and other unwanted lawn growth instead of paying to have someone do it. We cut up our own produce when it’s a better deal than getting pre-cut/ packaged (same for cheese). I cut (and paint) my own finger and toe nails instead of going to a nail salon.
I also cut hubby and boys hair and think I do a better job than the salon anyway.
Leah says
Good ones! And I think it’s so easy to over look how important they can be to saving money.
Renee says
When my husband has a button up shirt that gets a hole or tear in it that cannot be repaired, we cut it up and make cloth napkins out of it. I cut my husband’s hair, he cuts our son’s hair, and I trim our daughter’s and my own hair.
Leah says
Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to try trimming my own hair again. I just had a pretty crazy disaster. It’ll take some time.
Flo says
Trade with a friend–cutting your own hair is really tricky. It’s harder than starting your own IV!!
Florence says
How about cutting up your credit cards!
lydia @ frugaldebtfreelife says
Amen to that!
Leah says
That’s true.
Teresa says
My son got too tall for his sweatpants, so I made cutoff shorts for him and he was so excited. I also cut up old bath towels to make rags.
Leah says
I love my cut off sweat pants! Best idea ever.
Lana says
I have cut my husband’s and then 5 children’s hair for 37 years. It would be interesting to know how much has been saved!
Leah says
This is some math I would like to see. For just your husband, not accounting for inflation, it’s almost $13,000. For 5 kids for approximately 20 years of their lives it’s $7,000. You saved $20,000!
Theres says
I cut the fronts off greeting cards and make them into gift tags or bits for making my own cards.
I’ve also cut the sewn ends of pillow cases and run a casing for elastic to make wonderfully-comfortable 100% cotton slips for the summer.
Sarah says
That’s a great idea!
Leah says
My sister cuts the front off greeting cards and glues them to new ones that she makes. This is such a good idea that I need to get going with.
Jen F says
I cut the tube of toothpaste to be able to get the last bit out. Same with lotion.
Emilie says
I do this too, also moisturizer.
Leah says
Good thinking!
Leah says
I never would have thought of that! I make my own toothpaste now though so it’s not in a tube.
Jessica says
I cut dryer sheets in half. A half sheet works as well as a whole sheet 🙂
I am also the family’s barber.
Instead of taking my cat to the groomer, I cut his claws myself with a special pair of $4 cat nail clippers.
Leah says
Jessica, when we get a pet some day, I’ll try to be brave and cut their nails. That would be so great.
Rink says
Start when they are kittens. I do my cat’s nails. He doesn’t like it but he did put up with it.
Emily says
I, too, cut old clothing into rags that we use for everyday cleaning. It means I’ve only had to purchase one package of paper towels (12 rolls), which has lasted us over a year and a half plus. Additionally, I made my own cloth napkins (from old textiles) that have saved us quite a bit on paper products.
I also cut up bars of soap for the shower and distribute as needed – I find they dissolve too quickly when left whole.
Leah says
Emily, cut your soap? That’s a good idea! I think it dissolves too fast too. My husband says it’s the same and hates tiny soap pieces. I smell an experiment.