Okay, maybe we don't have to completely stay away from stores though that probably would save quite a lot, but running to them less can help save money too. This is the way I was raised and I try to do that now that I am grown as well.
My goal is to going shopping once a week at most (preferably every two weeks) and only go to the super Walmart (which is my major shopping trip), once a month. I also try to combine other errands together. For example: We are invited over to a friends home tomorrow. As we go there and back I also have come up with some other errands that need to be run such as: Pick up something at the church building, drop off recycling and buy some stuff for an upcoming wedding. That could have been 4 separate trips but instead I combine it all into one trip.
The benefits I find in combining trips are this:
- I save money on gas.
- I save wear and tear on our vehicle.
- I save time.
- And I have less stress of rounding children up, getting them loaded and then unloaded many more times.
- Keep a running list of things we need at the grocery store. That way when I do go I can get everything.
- Keep a list of errands I need to run. So when I do have to go out I will remember what other errands I want to do at the same time.
- Keep water bottles, snacks and kids magazines in the van so even if errand running gets long, the kids stay happy.
- Avoid unnecessary trips to the store by being willing to substitute and make do. Here is a list of food substitutions you can make.
For more ways to save money have fun checking out all the Frugal Fridays links at Life as MOM.
