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Last updated on April 9th, 2022 at 12:04 am
Have you ever gone to the store and restocked on an item only to come home and find out you already have a ton of it? Yup. I hate spending extra money on something I already have. It’s one of the pitfalls of not staying organized. There’s some surprisingly simple ways to save money with organization, as long as you commit to sticking to them.
Most of these little organizing tricks have taken me years to figure out. It takes practice to use them, but every time I do, I never regret it!
Here’s what I do daily to make sure save money by staying organized.
#1 Keep lists
This list is mostly for our grocery list. We keep a magnetic notepad on the side of the fridge where we can add food and other things to the list as we find we need it. When it’s time for me to meal plan, I’ll grab the same list and add to it.
For us, this is easier than going digital. But there are apps out there that the whole family can access to add things to the list. For us, analog is just easier.
#2 Similar supplies are stored together
One of the steps in organizing is grouping like items together. Keeping all your oral care supplies, sunscreens, and all your cans of baked beans together can keep you from over-buying (or under-buying!). You can take a quick glance into that item’s home to check if it needs to go on your list.
#3 Use a planner
I finally understood the beauty of using a planner a little more than a year ago. Since having a baby, my brain doesn’t work the same as it used to. I can’t remember things! Now if there’s something that needs to get done, I write it in my planner.
This saves me from forgetting to pay bills or return library books. All that could cost me money if I forget.
#4 Set a Budget
I admit, we’ve been really bad at this lately. But organizing our finances shouldn’t be at the bottom of our list. But having a budget helps us to keep track of where the money’s going. Organizing your money can get you closer to your goals and save you in an emergency.
Earlier this year, I read The Total Money Makeover. I also use Every Dollar to organize, but I’m thinking of switching back to Mint since I can connect my accounts for free.
#5 Meal Plan
Knowing exactly what I’m making for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks every week saves us a lot of money (and time). I don’t have to go to the store every day, and I can take advantage of sale days. I can also limit my trips to Costco and Walmart where I end up buying extra things I don’t need.
#6 Style Guides
Why is it so hard to shop for clothes? I used to buy tops that could only be worn one way. Cost per wear wasn’t really there.
Since I started following Putting Me Together, I’ve stopped that nonsense and started buying reworkable clothes. I shop completely differently than I did before now that I know what I’m doing. The nice thing is, you can get a style guide to help you figure out a reworkable wardrobe.
These six ways to organize are simple enough and can help you save money in the long run. It took me years to figure these things out. Try them out now instead of waiting!
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