Money saving tips for moms can feel like wishful thinking…
But, did you know? Moms juggle the equivalent of $60,000 in unpaid work every year¹? I mean…we’re talking babysitter, chef, teacher, therapist, chauffeur, and referee; sometimes all before noon. But with all that hustle comes one major challenge: making the family budget work and still having a life.
Yeah, I’ve been there. I remember opening my bank app one night like, “Okay… so it’s either pay the hydro bill or buy strawberries that actually taste like strawberries.” Not even the fancy kind. Just not-mushy ones.
Motherhood is beautiful, don’t get me wrong. Snuggles, baby giggles, messy art projects; yes. But also? Random expenses popping up like whack-a-moles. And while coupons are great in theory, I needed real, practical tips that didn’t require a PhD in budgeting.
So, I started keeping a list. Not some Pinterest-perfect spreadsheet. Just real, useful, sometimes weird tricks that actually helped me stretch our budget without losing my mind. Some of these I learned from other moms. Some were the result of hilarious fails; like the time I bulk-bought three giant jars of peanut butter because they were on sale… and then my son suddenly decided he hates peanut butter now.
If you’re trying to make the most of your money; whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or managing everything from home; you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it; 22 money-saving tips that actually work for moms.
Money Saving Tips for Moms: Cut Your Grocery Bill Without Going Extreme
1. Meal plan around sales and pantry staples
I used to plan meals based on what I felt like eating. Big mistake. Now I start by checking what’s already in the pantry, then build the week’s meals around that and store flyers. Weirdly, we eat better and waste way less.
2. Use one credit card to track grocery spending
We use our Walmart MasterCard for all grocery runs (we buy groceries mostly from Walmart); keeps things simple. Plus, I earn points with every purchase, so it’s like I get a little thank-you credit towards future groceries. It’s low-key one of my favourite money-back hacks.
3. Always, always buy groceries online
This one is non-negotiable for me. Every Saturday, I do a Walmart pickup order through the app; no delivery fees, just pull up and they toss it in the trunk. It keeps me from wandering the aisles and ending up with a $14 wall decor I absolutely do not need (but feel spiritually drawn to). When I used to shop in-store, I’d spend around $160 and still forget essentials. Now my orders are closer to $100 and I’m actually set for the full week. No mid-week panic runs. No impulse sushi!
4. Buy in bulk—but only when it makes sense
Costco is great, but also kind of a trap. I only bulk-buy things we actually use up regularly: baby diapers, baby wipes, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent, garbage bags. If it’s something perishable or snack-y (looking at you, giant popcorn packs and family-size chip bags), I skip it unless I know we’ll finish it before it turns into a stale regret. If you know, you know.
5. Shop at local ethnic stores or farmers markets
Our local farmers market? Total hidden gem. I get fresh fruits, veggies, and even local honey for way less than what I’d pay at the big-box stores; and honestly, it just feels good knowing I’m supporting a local farmer or small business owner. I still double-check prices on my Walmart app (just to be sure I’m actually saving), but 9 out of 10 times, it’s a way better deal and better quality.
Money Saving Tips for Moms: Tame Your Utility Costs With Small, Smart Tweaks
6. Lower the thermostat—just a bit
We dropped the heat by 2 degrees in winter and no one noticed…except my hydro bill, which did a happy little dip. I’ve embraced the cozy sock life and honestly, I’m not mad about it.
7. Turn off heaters when you’re not using them
I used to forget our heaters were even on, running in the background while we were out. Total money drain. Now I do a quick “heater check” before leaving the house. Makes a bigger difference than I expected.
8. Wash laundry in cold water & air dry when possible
Our washer lives on the cold setting now. No one has ever complained and my delicates last longer. In the summer, I hang-dry everything in the balcony; baby clothes, towels, you name it.
9. Know your hydro plan like you know your toddler’s snack schedule
Most moms know what snacks their kids like and exactly when they’ll ask for them. You need to know your electricity plan the same way. Are you on a flat rate? Time-of-use pricing? Tiered rates? It matters a lot. We’re on a tiered plan, which means we pay a lower rate up to a certain usage threshold. So I track our usage online and do my best to keep us under that line. If you’re on time-of-use pricing, try to run the dishwasher, washing machine, or charge devices outside peak hours (usually 4–9 PM). Just understanding your plan and making tiny shifts can lead to surprisingly real savings.
Money Saving Tips for Moms: Find Free (or Almost Free) Fun for the Kids
10. Libraries, parks, and nature walks = goldmine
Our library is basically our second living room. They have story time, puzzles, toys and even Puppet play. My son loves it, and I love that it’s 100% free. And parks? They’ve got swings, slides, fresh air, and bonus nap after energy burn.
11. Rotate toys and books to keep things “new”
I stash some toys away and bring them out in a few weeks. Instant excitement. My son acts like Santa showed up.
12. Kids don’t need fancy toys to be happy
I have a personal rule: I don’t spend money on expensive toys my son doesn’t actually need. At this age (he’s one), he couldn’t care less if something costs $5 or $50; he’s way more into colors, sounds, and textures than brand names. Honestly, he plays with my spatulas and mixing bowls more than half his actual toys. So why blow money on things they’ll ignore in favour of your kitchen drawer?
Money Saving Tips for Moms: Reduce Subscriptions Without Feeling Deprived
13. Track all your subscriptions—it’s shocking
I used my budget tracker one night and realized we had two music services, three streaming services, and an exercise app no one touched. Canceled all the fluff and saved nearly $40 a month. That’s a dinner out!
14. Switch to free or ad-supported versions
We only keep Netflix and Prime Video, and honestly, that’s more than enough for us. We got Netflix on a lifetime discounted plan, and Prime Video is bundled with our Amazon Prime membership; which actually saves me more on shipping than the membership costs. We used to have it all—Disney+, Paramount+, you name it—but once we realized we weren’t really using them, we hit cancel. No regrets.
Money Saving Tips for Moms: “Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?” Money-Saving Habits
15. Thrifting is your secret weapon
I’ll be honest; I used to walk right past thrift stores without a second thought. Then a Canadian mom friend casually mentioned she buys most of her stuff second-hand, so I gave it a shot. Now I do a thrift run every week because I’ve found everything from brand-new clothing with tags to home decor, cute bags, shoes and even toys; for literal pennies. Total game changer.
16. Don’t buy it unless you actually need it
Sounds simple, but it took me a while to get this one down. I have a personal rule: no duplicates. That means no buying another black sweater just because it’s on sale, and no cute mugs unless one breaks (and believe me, I’ve been tempted). It helps avoid impulse buys and keeps the clutter in check; two wins in one.
17. Declutter and sell what you don’t use
Every month, I do a little “house sweep” and ask myself, What haven’t I touched in months? If I don’t use it, I list it on Facebook Marketplace. Recently, I sold my son’s old bottle sterilizer and used that money to buy an air fryer; zero guilt, zero out-of-pocket. It feels so good to clear space and make money at the same time.
Money Saving Tips for Moms: Budget Like a Pro With Tools That Actually Work
18. Use a simple budget tracker
I use my own budgeting template to track everything; groceries, utilities, subscriptions, you name it. Writing it all down keeps me aware of where every dollar is going.
19. Use specific credit cards/accounts for different expenses
We assigned certain cards for certain things; groceries on one, subscriptions on another. It keeps everything neat and easy to track. We also set up separate bank accounts for savings goals like Emergency fund, Vacations.
20. Set one tiny savings goal per month
Some months, I save $10 in coins. Other months, I sell stuff we don’t use anymore. These tiny goals feel super doable; and they add up over time. It’s like slow and steady wins the budget game.
21. Keep a very close eye on your debt (like, don’t blink)
If you don’t track your debt regularly, it’s way too easy to fall behind; and trust me, the interest and penalties snowball fast. I use my budget tracker to list every loan, credit card balance, and even those sneaky “0% interest” installment plans (because they still count!). I’ve also set up auto-payments for all of them, so I don’t have to stress about missing a due date and getting hit with late fees. It’s not fun to think about debt, but ignoring it makes it 10x worse.
22. Know your banking fees like you know your coffee order
After working in banking for over 5 years, I can tell you; banks love to sneak in little charges here and there. I make sure every one of our accounts and credit cards has no annual fees or comes with perks that actually make them worth it. I also keep an eye on promotions and offers (banks run them all the time), so instead of paying to keep my money in the bank, I’m getting rewards, points, or even cashback just for using the right products. Basically, I flipped the script.
Final Thoughts
Being a mom means wearing a hundred hats and juggling a thousand tasks; often on a tighter budget than we’d like. But every small choice, every budget-friendly swap, every smart habit? It adds up. You’re not just saving money. You’re creating stability. And maybe even carving out a little breathing room for yourself, too.
So whether you try one or all of these tips, just know this—you’re doing a freaking amazing job.
Now it’s your turn: What’s one money-saving trick you swear by? Drop it in the comments below. Let’s build the ultimate mom-powered budget vault together.
PS: Want a quick-start guide to saving money on everything? Grab my free checklist: “Money-Saving Tips for Moms That Actually Work.” Print it, stick it on your fridge, and use it as your budget sidekick.
References – Introduction
Hochschild, A. R., & Machung, A. (2012). The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home. Penguin Books.
