Working moms, please share your frugal tips.

[maryannsms]

Always eat fresh and healthy food if you are looking to being frugal. Fresh homemade food is always healthier and is less expensive than junk. Also, because it is clean, it safeguards your health and keeps away from doctors and medication. That will save you money right there and then.

[carlitasway]

I cooked dinners on sat and sunday for the week and it has saved me money because I would've totally hit the drive-thru numerous times if I hadn't done that. It was also a lot healthier. That forces me to menu plan. I also menu plan breakfasts. I buy frozen pancakes and french toast sticks because it keeps them full longer than cereal. I know I could be even more frugal if I cooked from scratch and froze them but I hate making pancakes. I make a realistic grocery list of what we use for snacks and stuff and buy for the week on the weekend and I only buy what's on the list. If I forget something then tough cookies I have to wait until the next week to get it(unless it's major like toilet paper or deoderant). I guess it just all comes down to planning as much as possible. It makes things cheaper and easier.

[dmarie]

I am lucky when i go back to work there is a uniformed color black/white and khaki, Good old Goodwill or St vincent 2 black slacks and 2 white blouses and 2 khaki sweaters, shoes must be black so that was easy walmart for 5.00 on clearance. I take a sandwich with me and a water bottle, When i have to work pass 4 then everything is tossed in the crockpot. when working i plan most meals for crockpot that way if called in i'm covered. I use family or friends for daycare and trade off either daycare or some kind of service, like my neighbor if she watches my son then i mow her lawn or when it's time to wash window's i help her out that way etc. Or my nieces always need clothes and i work in a clothing store and get a wonderful discount so if they babysit i use my discount and buy them things i can afford.