These are the things we don't buy to save money for our family. Not buying them has saved us hundreds of dollars every year. I'm always trying to think of new ways to make do, or do without. If you have things you don't buy, I'd like to know what they are!
5 6 Things We Don't Buy to Save Money
1. Haircuts – Look at this umbrella cape! Isn't it funny? I couldn't resist using it for this post. It seems practical, but downright absurd for the haircut recipient. It's tempting to buy this on Amazon, because I really don't like the haircut cleanup aftermath. The only one I could find with decent reviews, and that ships via Prime is this Hair Catch Cape Anyone ever try this cape? 🙂
Now about giving my family haircuts…
For my girls, I trim their bangs or give them bobs. For the boys and my husband, I wield a mean set of WAHL clippers. (I bought ours at BJs) I cannot tell you how much money this has saved our family over the years!
2. DVD's – We rent these from library, or they are given to us as gifts.
3. Chicken Stock – Whenever I make a roasted chicken, I save the bones and make great broth to keep in the freezer. I also save extra vegetables in the freezer for the day I make stock.
Related: Read how to make stock using my Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe
Related: Read How to Stretch a Rotisserie Chicken (Includes a chicken stock recipe)
4. Cinnamon Sugar – We make our own. It is so simple and quick to do. I just mix half a cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon together and put it in our old cinnamon sugar container.
Related: Read How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
5. Lawn Maintenance – We get busy in the yard as a family. The children pick up sticks and rocks, and we all work together to weed and rake. I trim the bushes, and my husband (or myself) will mow the lawn.
Bonus Item – Shaving Cream (for myself). My husband likes to use shaving cream for his beard, but I use conditioner on my legs. It works wonderfully.
Great ideas! We do all of these too, except for my hair cuts. I only get mine cut every year or so and get it done free by donating it to Wigs for Kids. Hubby pays for his, I haven’t gotten brave enough to try. I cut my daughters and our dogs though, maybe I should give it a try!
I couldn’t believe when I discovered they actually make and sell cinnamon sugar. It is so simple to make! I do the same as you, using an old cinnamon container.
I also now do all of our own hair cuts. I used to pay for mine 1-3 times a year but recently discovered that the pony tail method I use on my daughter can be easily adopted for myself. It’s not perfect but it’s better than paying for one with money I do not have. I’d still like to go get it done. I enjoy it. But until we are in a better place financially, that’s $25-75/year I can save.
We’ve never hired out lawn care either. I’ve always figured that’s something “rich folks” in fancy suburbs do, not us normal people. 😉
You are brave, Julie! I’ve seen that pony tail haircut method recently. Tempted to try that for myself. I have a friend who uses electric clippers on her hair, all by herself! I don’t know how she does it.
YouTube is where I watch hair cutting tutorials for fancier cuts, like the bobs for my girls.