How to Save on Food

I don’t know about you, but my grocery costs always skyrocket when my kids are out of school. It’s like they turn into snack monsters (or maybe I just notice it more because they’re spending more time at home). Here are a few ways to keep food spending in check.

1. Meal plan. 


Never underestimate the power of having a plan. When you think through your family’s meals in advance, you’re way less likely to fall back on last-minute, pricier options like delivery. My free Meal Planner & Grocery Savings Guide can help with this!

2. Shop with a list. 


Look through your pantry to see what ingredients you already have and make your list based on that. Challenging yourself to stick to the list (even when your kids are shopping with you) helps prevent impulse buys. And remember to buy generic instead of name brand whenever you can to avoid paying more for the exact same ingredients! I unpack even more grocery savings tips in this article.

3. Make a budget. 


This is actually my biggest tip for saving money on all your expenses, not just food. Just like with meal planning, having a plan for your money helps you make sure you don’t overspend. An app like EveryDollar (this is Ramsey’s budgeting app and the one I swear by) makes it easier to see which spending categories you could cut back in so you can put that money toward other things.

4. Try the “snack budget” hack. 


You can use a budgeting mindset to save on your kids’ snacks too. Get some cute bags or baskets (old Easter baskets work great) and give each of your kids two or three snacks for the day. They can choose when to eat them, but that’s their “snack budget.” That way, they’re not constantly raiding the fridge.

5. Find fun alternatives to restaurants. 


Try themed nights at home with inexpensive ingredients, like cereal night, build-your-own sandwich night, or the classic Taco Tuesday. Turning a meal into a picnic—either outside or on your living room floor—can be super fun for kids. And since summer can bring a lot of social events, hosting potlucks where everyone brings something can take a lot of expenses off your plate (no pun intended).

How to Save on Gas

Even when you’re not driving the kids to school every day, gas can still be a big expense during the summer (especially if your kids still have a lot of activities going on like day camps or sports). Here are a few ideas for saving in this area.

1. Fill up your tank on Sunday. 


It might sound crazy, but nationwide, this is the most common day to get gas at the lowest price possible.¹ Monday is a close second, with later in the week generally not being as affordable.

2. Shop around. 

Sometimes it’s worth driving to a different part of town to get better prices. Apps like GasBuddy or Waze search your area to help you find the cheapest gas prices, so take advantage of those.

3. Join a membership store. 


We love places like Sam's Club or Costco for the free samples and surprisingly cute kids clothes, but another upside is they usually have some of the best gas prices around. (#notsponsored 🙈)

4. Carpool. 


If your kids are hanging out with their friends even more than usual during their summer break or participating in the same activities, see if you can coordinate transportation schedules with their parents. 



You can find even more gas savings tips in this article!

How to Save on Kids Activities

Speaking of saving on gas, strategically planning your kids’ summer activities means fewer places to drive to, and more savings.

1. Narrow down the paid activities. 


If your kids are into a bunch of different activities that cost money, ask them to narrow it down to just their favorite one or two for the summer. They might complain at first, but it will be okay. I promise!

2. Find free activities. 


Libraries, community centers, parks, churches and museums often offer free activities for families, especially during the summer months (think movies in the park, summer reading programs, clubs and free classes). And here’s my list of 101 free things to do with kids for plenty of other ideas.

3. Try a no-spend challenge. 


This is a great way to teach your kids about money and cut down on spending at the same time. You can choose a day, a week, a month or the whole summer like I did with my kids and help them see how much they can actually save with a little self-control. You and your spouse could even participate (aside from the essentials you need to buy) to put some extra motivation in the game. Make sure to celebrate in a fun way when you’re done with the challenge!

4. Look for used gear and supplies. 


I love looking through places like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Goodwill or Play It Again Sports for affordable sports gear that other kids have only used a few times before outgrowing. Same goes for craft supplies, beach toys, you name it—secondhand can still be great quality.



One other thing that’s helped me as a lot as a mom, especially when it comes to my kids’ activities, is keeping comparison in check. It’s easy to look at everything other families are doing during their summer break and feel pressure to spend more. But I’d encourage you to keep social media use to a minimum and just enjoy the time together as a family without feeling like you have to go all out or plan a ton of activities.

How to Save on Travel

Of course, summer is a big travel season, so here are some ways to vacay on a budget.

1. Do a staycation.


I know, I know . . . This isn’t the most glamorous option, but it can be so fun to take a few days to explore new things around your city or the next town over. And it’s definitely cheaper than flying.

2. Use a travel app.


If you are going to be flying, apps like Skyscanner and Going are amazing. There’s a longer list of apps, along with a whole bunch of other travel hacks, in this article from my friend George Kamel.

3. Buy snacks and souvenirs in advance.


Especially when you’re going someplace like Disney where they jack up the prices, buy all your essentials like water, snacks and sunscreen ahead of time. And you can find Mickey ears that are just as cute as the ones at the parks for way less on Amazon or Etsy. Can you tell planning Disney vacations on a budget is one of my passions?

4. Use a carry-on instead of checking bags. 


If you can manage to pack light, you can skip a lot of hassle and fees. (Plus, capsule wardrobes are super chic.) But if you do need to check your bags, weigh them first to avoid paying extra!


No matter what your summer looks like, I hope you enjoy every minute of it. I’ll be in touch soon with more simple ways to take control of your money and create a life you love!