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 submit, 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 really like saving cash, however you already know what I really like much more? Saving cash in ways in which truly make a distinction with out taking on my complete day. As a result of the reality is: time is cash, too!
Probably the greatest methods to resolve if a money-saving technique is price your effort is to think about it when it comes to return on funding (ROI).
Ask your self:
How a lot does this save me per hour?
Is {that a} good hourly “wage” for my effort?
Would I relatively spend my time doing one thing else that gives a greater return?
And right here’s the perfect half—each greenback you save is tax-free! Not like earned revenue, you don’t should pay taxes on cash you didn’t spend.
So, what money-saving methods are literally price your time? Effectively, that’s going to be totally different for each individual, however I’ll share 5 money-saving methods within the kitchen that may enable you to get the wheels delivering your mind as to what could be price your funding of time for the cash saved:
5 Cash-Saving Methods That Are Definitely worth the ROI for Me (Kitchen Version!)
1. Making Home made Uncrustables – Saves $0.80 per minute
My youngsters love Uncrustables, however they’re expensive? As a substitute of paying almost 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 shortly.
Value it? Completely! That’s almost $50 saved per hour!
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 the perfect 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!
Value it? YES! It’s a simple approach to stretch our grocery price range with little or no effort.
3. Planning My Menu Round What We Have on Hand – Saves $1–$2 per minute
Meal planning doesn’t should be sophisticated! As a substitute of beginning with what sounds good or simply attempting to provide you with concepts, I examine 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 it’s possible you’ll have already got readily available? Obtain my free cheatsheet: 60 Meals to Make As a substitute of Getting Takeout.
Value it? 100%! Bonus: It additionally retains meals from going unhealthy!
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, however it saves me $50+ per week. That’s over $2,500 a 12 months!
Value it? Indubitably! And I eat more healthy, too!
5. Meal Prepping on the Weekends – Saves $30–$40 per hour
Spending an hour or two prepping substances (chopping veggies, marinating proteins, making a giant batch of rice or soup or muffins) makes it so a lot simpler to throw meals collectively in the course of the week. Not solely does it stop the “let’s simply seize takeout” temptation, however it additionally saves money and time.
Value it? Sure! The time financial savings alone make it a no brainer!
Not Each Cash-Saving Hack is Value It
Whereas I really like a great frugal win, not each trick is a good use of my time. For instance:
Driving throughout city to save lots of $0.10 per gallon on gasoline – That’s just a few {dollars} in financial savings for an additional 20-minute journey. Nope!
Saving cash on groceries I received’t use – If I spend 20-Half-hour taking a look at gross sales and digital coupons and plan a purchasing journey that saves some huge cash however I’m shopping for issues we received’t even use, that’s not saving cash.
DIYing the whole lot – Some issues (like home made laundry detergent) may not truly save that a lot if you consider effort and time.
What Cash-Saving Methods Are Value 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!
Dinner time simply obtained a lot simpler!
