Saving money like it's my job

With the arrival of Emma, I cut down working at DermUs to just one or two Saturdays a month. And it has sort of bothered me that I haven't been contributing much income, especially since I seem to be the one spending the most. Why does online shopping have to be so easy?? :)

Recently I've been struggling a little with how I can contribute financially. Should I get an evening job? Can I make money from home somehow?

While browsing Pinterest one day, this image caught my eye:

click on the image to read

I couldn't help but to read. Why wasn't I doing this stuff??? So here's my plan to help to continue growing our savings account.

1. Stop shopping online!!! Seriously, I'm at home all day, why do I need another cute sweater that no one will see? Just knock it off. :)

2. Budgeting

3. Monthly meal plans. I've never done this before but it makes so much sense. I never need to wonder what to make for supper.

4. Grocery list. I always make a grocery list.....sometime it gets left at home. :) Most of the time it's a hodgepodge of food items and I wander the store looking for things to turn into meals. But now with the meal plans I have a super organized food list. YAY!!!

5. Make the things I can. DIY stuff is everywhere and I'm hopping on that bandwagon. Why spend money when I can make those things for soooooo much less. Here are the things I'm making myself/plan to start making.

*babyfood-- it's cheap, it's easy, why not?

*'breakfast' bread--cereal and milk cost a small fortune!! So I make a few different kinds of breads found in my friends Rachel's cookbook. We also have yogurt, oatmeal, or eggs depending on the morning. But we're done with cereal around here for awhile.

*white bread--once the bread in the freezer is gone I'm making this stuff!!!

*disinfectant wipes--there are lots of tutorials out there but this is the one I used.