No one wants to overspend. And yet, we all fall into traps of paying more than we need to each day. Take your household from “meh” to “OH YEAH!” as you save money with these five essential items.
A Coffee Maker
A fancy lady coffee can be fun now and then but a regular habit of buying our coffee on the go really adds up. Invest in a decent coffee maker at home and you’ll be able to brew enough for your whole household for less than you pay for one single order. You can even purchase an aerolatte handheld frother and your own syrups to whip up your restaurant favs.
Don’t get carried away when purchasing your pot, either. There are plenty of great models available for $25-$35. I always make sure ours can be programmed the night before.
- Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, Bundle with 1 Month Water Filtration $34.99
- Aerolatte Handheld Milk Frother with Stand, Black $14.64
- MatchaDNA Silver Round Tip Milk Frother and Cappuccino Maker (1 Pack)
- Coffee Syrups
Energy Saving Light Bulbs
While they may set you back initially, purchasing energy saving light bulbs like CFLs and LEDs will save you money in the long run. These energy efficient models mean you’ll spend less on your electric bill and replace them less often. Some of them are designed to last as long as 13 years based on a 3 hours/day usage.
- TCP 60W Equivalent CFL Mini Spring A Lamp, Daylight (5000K) Spiral Light Bulb (10 Pack) $19.35
- Tenergy LED Light Bulb, 9 watts Equivalent A19 E26 Medium Standard Base, 5000K Daylight White Energy Saving Light Bulbs for Office/Home (Pack of 16) $22.99
Crockpot
I LOVE my Crockpot. It’s a money saving fiend when plugged in on my counter. I’ve used mine to make rice, baby food, baked potatoes, soups, meats, and even breakfast. Like your coffee maker, look for a middle of the road model rather than purchasing pricey. On Black Friday, I’ve picked up $4 and $5 slow cookers that have lasted me for a decade.
Here are some well rated and affordable models:
- Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S Cook’ N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker, Silver $25.49
- Hamilton Beach 33761 Wrap and Serve Slow Cooker, 6 Quart – White $36.51
- Hamilton Beach 33461 Stay or Go 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker $29.45
Glass Leftover Dishes
Purchasing your lunch each day eats your food budget up! Instead, plan your lunches out just like your dinner. Whether you batch cook an entire week’s worth of lunch or simply eat leftovers, it’s smart to pack those items well. Choosing glass dishes for your leftovers allows you to see what’s your refrigerator so it doesn’t go to waste. The heavy weight of glass also keeps items from melting in the microwave or getting smashed.
- Glass Meal Prep Containers Glass 2 Compartment (5 Pieces) $25.59
- Pyrex Simply Store Glass Rectangular and Round Food Container Set (18-Piece, BPA-free) $34.55
Water Filter Pitcher
The über frugal might argue you don’t even need this luxury to consume this life giving, affordable beverage. But if you’re still drinking bottled water, this might be a good in between step for you. Purchasing bottled water adds up quickly. You can easily filter your own water at home and carry a reusable bottle of your own. You’ll save money and reduce waste, too. Just one filter can offset 300 bottles.
- Brita Large 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher with Filter $26.99
- Ello Syndicate BPA-Free Glass Water Bottle with Flip Lid, 20-Ounce – Coral $10.55
- Waterdrop Extream Long-Lasting (200 Gallons), 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher with Wooden Handle – Fast Filtering with Ultra Adsorptive Material $22.49
What items would you add? What should every frugal household have to save money on a regular basis? Chime in in the comments and share your favorite products and brands with me!
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage releases September 25th from Zondervan Harper Collins Christian and is already available for pre-sale now everywhere books are sold.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
