Each Thursday in 2025, I’ll be answering a query on cash and/or budgeting. You probably have a query you’d love for me to reply in an upcoming put up, 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 definitely worth the effort and time.” – a reader
I like saving cash, however what I like much more? Saving cash in ways in which truly make a distinction with out taking over my total day. As a result of the reality is: time is cash, too!
Probably the greatest methods to resolve if a money-saving technique is value your effort is to think about it by way of 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 slightly spend my time doing one thing else that gives a greater return?
And right here’s the very best half—each greenback you save is tax-free! In contrast to earned revenue, you don’t need to pay taxes on cash you didn’t spend.
So, what money-saving methods are literally value your time? Nicely, that’s going to be totally different for each particular person, however I’ll share 5 money-saving methods within the kitchen that may show you how to get the wheels handing over your mind as to what can be value your funding of time for the cash saved:
5 Cash-Saving Methods That Are Well worth the ROI for Me (Kitchen Version!)
1. Making Do-it-yourself Uncrustables – Saves $0.80 per minute
My youngsters love Uncrustables, however they’re dear? 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.
Price it? Completely! That’s practically $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 very best gross sales, digital coupons, and BOGO offers. By specializing in what’s on sale and planning meals accordingly, I save wherever from $10–$20 every week—typically extra!
Price it? YES! It’s a straightforward option to stretch our grocery finances with little or no effort.
3. Planning My Menu Round What We Have on Hand – Saves $1–$2 per minute
Meal planning doesn’t need to be sophisticated! As a substitute of beginning with what sounds good or simply making an attempt to give you concepts, I test 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.
Price 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 perhaps 5–10 minutes within the morning, but it surely saves me $50+ per week. That’s over $2,500 a yr!
Price it? Certainly! And I eat more healthy, too!
5. Meal Prepping on the Weekends – Saves $30–$40 per hour
Spending an hour or two prepping components (chopping veggies, marinating proteins, making a giant batch of rice or soup or muffins) makes it so a lot simpler to throw meals collectively through the week. Not solely does it stop the “let’s simply seize takeout” temptation, but it surely additionally saves money and time.
Price it? Sure! The time financial savings alone make it a no brainer!
Not Each Cash-Saving Hack is Price It
Whereas I like a very good frugal win, not each trick is a good use of my time. For instance:
Driving throughout city to avoid wasting $0.10 per gallon on gasoline – That’s only some {dollars} in financial savings for an additional 20-minute journey. Nope!
Saving cash on groceries I gained’t use – If I spend 20-Half-hour gross sales and digital coupons and plan a buying journey that saves some huge cash however I’m shopping for issues we gained’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 think about effort and time.
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 definitely worth the effort? Drop your ideas within the feedback! 
FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Assist You Keep away from Takeout!
Time for dinner simply bought a lot simpler!
