Ways to Save Money as a One Income Family

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For You 5 Ways to Truly Savor Your Quiet Time with God April 5, 2017 Taking Time to Focus on What Really Matters Today March 29, 2017 20 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Today March 22, 2017 16 Bible Verses For Wives And Moms Who Are Fighting For Their Families March 15, 2017 8 Simple Ways to Share God’s Love with Your Little Ones All Day Long March 8, 2017 Teaching Yourself To Crave God’s Word February 22, 2017 Why God Gives Us More Than We Can Handle February 15, 2017 The Greatest Love Story Ever Written: The Life Of Jesus February 9, 2017 10 Things To Do Instead of Just Saying the Words “I’ll Pray For You” February 2, 2017 Makeover Your Morning Self-Care Routine in 5 Easy Steps January 29, 2017 Previous Next

Your Faith How to do a Prayer Walk through Your Home April 12, 2017 5 Ways to Truly Savor Your Quiet Time with God April 5, 2017 Taking Time to Focus on What Really Matters Today March 29, 2017 20 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Today March 22, 2017 16 Bible Verses For Wives And Moms Who Are Fighting For Their Families March 15, 2017 8 Simple Ways to Share God’s Love with Your Little Ones All Day Long March 8, 2017 10 Christian Books to Nurture Your Marriage in 2017 March 1, 2017 Teaching Yourself To Crave God’s Word February 22, 2017 Why God Gives Us More Than We Can Handle February 15, 2017 The Greatest Love Story Ever Written: The Life Of Jesus February 9, 2017 Previous Next

Your Marriage Taking Time to Focus on What Really Matters Today March 29, 2017 16 Bible Verses For Wives And Moms Who Are Fighting For Their Families March 15, 2017 10 Christian Books to Nurture Your Marriage in 2017 March 1, 2017 Extending Christ-like Grace to Your Husband March 25, 2016 1 Easy Way to Brighten Your Husband’s Day: Learn His Likes and Dislikes March 21, 2016 The Mirror Of Marriage: When The Reflection Is Not Very Pretty March 11, 2016 5 Small Things that can Make a Big Difference in Your Marriage March 4, 2016 Supporting Your Husband’s Spiritual Leadership March 2, 2016 The Blessing of an Easy-Going Nature February 29, 2016 Keeping Christ at the Center of Your Marriage February 26, 2016 Previous Next

Your Family How to do a Prayer Walk through Your Home April 12, 2017 Taking Time to Focus on What Really Matters Today March 29, 2017 20 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Today March 22, 2017 16 Bible Verses For Wives And Moms Who Are Fighting For Their Families March 15, 2017 8 Simple Ways to Share God’s Love with Your Little Ones All Day Long March 8, 2017 Dear Fellow Mom: You Are Not a Failure January 21, 2017 Ways to Save Money as a One Income Family June 30, 2016 Becoming a Daughter-in-Law April 18, 2016 The Blessing of an Easy-Going Nature February 29, 2016 Trusting God in Difficult Times February 8, 2016 Previous Next

Your Home How to do a Prayer Walk through Your Home April 12, 2017 Taking Time to Focus on What Really Matters Today March 29, 2017 Ways to Save Money as a One Income Family June 30, 2016 A Complete Guide for Reducing Your Grocery Bill {By Half} June 30, 2016 1 Easy Way to Brighten Your Husband’s Day: Learn His Likes and Dislikes March 21, 2016 Lessons from an Unmade Bed: Choosing Encouragement over Nagging February 17, 2016 The Ministry of Homemaking February 7, 2016 Previous Next

Blogging Tips Choosing a WordPress Theme: Free vs. Premium January 31, 2017 Previous Next

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When my husband and I first got married, we hoped to be able to live only on his income and just consider my income to be extra money. We had a loose idea of how we would put this into play but hadn’t really worked on the specifics. We knew that God would provide while also expecting us to be good stewards of His incredible provision.

Then less than two months after getting married, we moved to a different state (meaning I left my job of 7 years) and, two months after that, I found out I was pregnant with our first child! It was officially time to work out the details to make my dream of being a stay-at-home wife and mom a reality!

*Update: We’ve been living on one income for the past two years now and are still living happily and frugally while using every suggestion on this list!

If you are currently living on one income, would like to eventually become a stay-at-home parent, or are just looking for ways to cut costs so you can pay off debt, save more, and give more, then I hope you’ll find some of these suggestions helpful!

Here are some ways that we’ve been able to cut our expenses and thrive on one income:

This one may seem hard at first, especially if you’re used to watching a lot of TV, but we found that not having cable is actually better for us. First, we save lots of money (cable bills can easily be $50-100/month). But, also, we have more time together. We get outside and exercise more, read more, spend time together just hanging out. And it always feels like a special treat when we go somewhere that has cable (like staying in a hotel for a weekend trip). Overall, getting rid of cable has only enhanced our quality of life and our marriage. Also, our library has tons of free movies so we usually pick up a movie to watch over the weekend or during an at-home date night.

Before we were married, I had a cell phone plan that cost around $90 a month and my husband had one that was around $40 (he shared a plan with others). We learned about a great cell phone provider called Pure Talk USA through some friends of ours. PureTalk offers low cost monthly plans. We started out paying $35 each for 2 plans (for a total of $70 a month). Then we got a discount for referring a family member. Now we only pay $60/month for both phones. It’s great and so inexpensive!

We realized that we were spending way too much money on groceries and household items each month so we made some changes. I learned how to use coupons, store sales, and rebate programs such as Ibotta and Checkout 51 to save money each month. If you sign up for Ibotta using my link , you’ll get $10 just for redeeming your first rebate. Check out this post for more information on how we were able to cut our grocery bill in half!

By saving money on groceries, we’re able to buy more for less so it’s always cheaper to prepare a meal at home than it is to purchase one in a restaurant. It’s also healthier and usually tastes better! We stopped thinking of “going out” as a treat and instead placed value on making and sharing meals in our home together.

We invested in a sewing machine , a wood burning art kit , and some tools. Ever since then, we’ve been able to make most of the gifts we give people for Christmas and birthdays. I started sewing some easy baby items, like burp cloths and wipes. Also, I make some beauty products like skin cream and sugar scrub as well as household products like all-purpose cleaner from vinegar and water. Making all of these little things versus buying them has added up to big savings over time!

We bought cloth napkins and cloth kitchen towels so that we wouldn’t need to buy paper napkins or towels anymore. We also bought cloth diapers and reusable diaper covers in preparation for our daughter’s birth. We’ve saved so much by not having to buy these things each week!

We changed the way we thought of “splurging.” Together we have learned how to appreciate the little things and to change what we think of as luxury items. Going out for ice cream feels like a special occasion. We have at-home date nights that are relaxing and romantic. Some of our best memories are from enjoying things that are free, such as hiking together, walking along the beach, serving others at a soup kitchen. We have so much fun with these things and the bonus is everything else feels like a special treat!

Thankfully, my husband has always been frugal and money-savvy. I have learned so much from him since we started dating and especially since we got married! He created a budget for us using a Google document so that we can easily log on to check or update it as needed. The budget includes areas of spending, saving, and giving. If you’re thinking of making a budget, make sure you take into account all of your bills and monthly expenses, saving for emergencies, and giving such as tithes, offerings, and charity. When you take the time to itemize your expenses, you might be shocked by how much money you’re spending in unnecessary places. And how that $5 a day on coffee adds up over time (It’s nearly $2000 a year if you spend that each day, just in case you were wondering!).

We pretty much don’t buy clothing unless it’s on sale or from a secondhand store. We bought a ton of stuff for our daughter at Once Upon a Child, which is a great secondhand store that carries gently used clothing, toys, and other baby/toddler items. I buy most of my clothes from Target using their Cartwheel app or online using Ebates so that I always have savings or cash back coming my way.

For example, I was able to buy many of my maternity items online through Ebates at Motherhood Maternity. Every item was on sale and then I got cash back from Ebates for making the purchases. Such a great deal!

If you don’t have an account with Ebates , check them out. You get cash back from shopping at tons of places online. You’ll get $10 just for signing up using my link and making your first purchase. And then you can get rebates for making purchases and referring friends!

If you’re struggling with budgeting, debt, or trying to live on one income, there are several great Christian budgeting books out there.

Here are a few we love:

Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples by Matt Bell

Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn

The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples: A Lifetime Approach to Spending, Saving, and Investing by Larry Burkett

Using these tips, we’ve been able to thrive on one income, which is a huge blessing! It’s not always easy but, for us, it’s absolutely worth it!

How about you? What are some of your money saving tips?

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Patty 7 months ago Reply Excellent suggestions! I totally agree with this list! We did cut our cable and it has made a very positive impact on our home. I still struggle with eating out, though. I do enjoy it and there’s no clean up afterward. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! God bless, Patty Bree Post Author 7 months ago Reply Thank you so much, Patty! Also, I love your website! Your writing is always so encouraging! 🙂

Excellent suggestions! I totally agree with this list! We did cut our cable and it has made a very positive impact on our home. I still struggle with eating out, though. I do enjoy it and there’s no clean up afterward. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips!

God bless, Patty

Bree Post Author 7 months ago Reply Thank you so much, Patty! Also, I love your website! Your writing is always so encouraging! 🙂

Thank you so much, Patty! Also, I love your website! Your writing is always so encouraging! 🙂

Michelle 6 months ago Reply Great tips! We are a one-income family, and while it is a struggle at times, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend so much time with our daughter. One thing we do is try to take advantage of all the free activities at the library, monthly free day at the zoo, etc. Michelle http://www.tranquilbydesign.com

Great tips! We are a one-income family, and while it is a struggle at times, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend so much time with our daughter. One thing we do is try to take advantage of all the free activities at the library, monthly free day at the zoo, etc.

Michelle http://www.tranquilbydesign.com

Martika 5 months ago Reply I love LOVE this post! My husband and I are in the process of cutting down our budget and it can get hard! But your post brought so much more encouragment! Thank you for sharing your ideas!

I love LOVE this post! My husband and I are in the process of cutting down our budget and it can get hard! But your post brought so much more encouragment! Thank you for sharing your ideas!

Lauren 2 months ago Reply Hi! I enjoyed reading this article and have used many of them over the past 16 years I’ve been at home with my 2 children. I’d add that I’ve used my education and corporate job experience to be offered a few side gigs over the years. Also, I wanted to mention how odd it was that u recommend books on Amazon when one of your tips is use the library. This made me think it was contrary to your great advice. Otherwise, these tips really work. Our family of 4 has lived them successfully, paying off cars and taking nice vacations, at the same time. We put extra toward the principals on our loans, bought cars a few years old with low mileage, and saved 1-2 years for a cruise. Worth every sacrifice for the memories! Good luck for many years to come. The time you have with your children is priceless. Lauren

Hi! I enjoyed reading this article and have used many of them over the past 16 years I’ve been at home with my 2 children.

I’d add that I’ve used my education and corporate job experience to be offered a few side gigs over the years.

Also, I wanted to mention how odd it was that u recommend books on Amazon when one of your tips is use the library. This made me think it was contrary to your great advice.

Otherwise, these tips really work. Our family of 4 has lived them successfully, paying off cars and taking nice vacations, at the same time. We put extra toward the principals on our loans, bought cars a few years old with low mileage, and saved 1-2 years for a cruise. Worth every sacrifice for the memories!

Good luck for many years to come. The time you have with your children is priceless. Lauren

Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom 4 days ago Reply These are such great tips! We do most of these things too…the exception being the making your own gifts one. I do it a little bit but neither my husband or I are very crafty. I can sew, but I hate it and so I tend to avoid it. But you are making me reconsider that! Also, I noticed your book recommendations. Good choices! Another book that I love is Randy Alcorn’s Treasure Principle. A little book but packed with wisdom about how to view our finances.

These are such great tips! We do most of these things too…the exception being the making your own gifts one. I do it a little bit but neither my husband or I are very crafty. I can sew, but I hate it and so I tend to avoid it. But you are making me reconsider that!

Also, I noticed your book recommendations. Good choices! Another book that I love is Randy Alcorn’s Treasure Principle. A little book but packed with wisdom about how to view our finances.

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About Welcome to Faithfully Committed! My name is Bree, and I’m so happy that you’re here! I started Faithfully Committed out of a desire to love, support, and pour into other women who are working hard every day to be amazing women, loving wives and moms, and passionate followers of Christ. Read more...

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