Home Habits That Save You Hundreds Every Month

October 14, 2025

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Saving money doesn’t have to mean living by candlelight and eating beans from a can.

If you’ve ever looked at your monthly bank statement and wondered, “Where did it all go?”, you’re not alone. Between a mortgage, groceries, utilities, and those sneaky Amazon orders that somehow appear at your doorstep, the costs of everyday living add up fast. The good news? A few smart home habits can help you save hundreds each month—without sacrificing comfort or style.

1. Meal Plan Like a Pro (and Actually Stick to It)

Before you roll your eyes—hear me out. Meal planning isn’t just for Pinterest moms and fitness influencers. It’s one of the easiest ways to cut your grocery bill in half. By planning your meals, you waste less food, skip unnecessary grocery runs, and reduce last-minute takeout temptation.

Try this:

Pick 3–4 core meals per week and rotate them (just YouTube some meal prep ideas).
Cook once, eat twice (a.k.a. leftovers are gold).
Use freezer-friendly recipes to save both time and money.

Bonus: You’ll also cut down on food waste—great for your wallet and the planet. For a simple, no-fuss solution, try a magnetic meal planner board for your fridge.

We've been trying to eat more protein so when we meal prep, I do some research on ideas, buy the meat in bulk and prep it all on a Sunday for the week ahead! P.S. our Blackstone Griddle was probably my favorite investment last year for this!

2. Get Cozy with Energy-Efficient Habits

Energy efficiency isn’t just about saving the planet (sorry Earth, the world doesn't revolve around you! jk.. )—it’s about lowering your bills without noticing the difference. A few tweaks can make your utility bill shrink faster than your kids’ socks in the dryer.

Try these small shifts:

Unplug devices when not in use (yes, that coffee maker too, unless you program it!).
Swap old bulbs for LED lights—they use 75% less energy.
Set your thermostat so that it doesn't needlessly switch on and off.
Use smart plugs or timers for lamps and appliances.
Read our article on home winter time energy efficiency!

Consider investing in a smart thermostat. It learns your habits and adjusts the temperature automatically, saving you energy (and arguments about who touched the settings).

3. Buy in Bulk—but Only the Smart Way

Wholesale clubs can feel like budget heaven… until you realize you bought 48 rolls of paper towels and forgot where to store them. Buying in bulk can save you serious money—but only if you do it wisely. Listen, we love Costco, sometimes we spend way to much BUT most of the time we strategize on how to save.

Here’s the rule: Bulk up on the things you’ll actually use often (like paper goods, cleaning supplies, and frozen foods, meat for meal prep). Skip the perishables unless you’ve got a plan to use them or freeze them before they spoil. Also, time your bulk purchases when things go on sale for double savings! We're always scanning Costco's monthly savings list.

For better storage, check out stackable airtight food containers—they’ll make your pantry look organized and keep bulk foods fresh longer.

4. Declutter and Simplify Your Spending

Clutter doesn’t just take up space—it costs you money. You buy duplicates of what you already own, forget about unused items, and waste time searching for things. Organizing your home leads to more intentional spending.

Try this weekend project:

Go room by room and toss, donate, or sell what you no longer use.
Set up zones for items—kitchen gadgets with kitchen gadgets, cleaning supplies with cleaning supplies.
Use clear bins and labels so you always know what you have.
Read our Kitchen Organization Guide.
If you have a chest freezer, read our Chest Freeze Organization Guide.

Once you’re organized, you’ll find yourself buying less—because you’ll finally know what you already own.

5. Automate Your Savings—Set It and Forget It

Want to know the sneakiest home habit that saves the most money? Automating your savings. By setting up automatic transfers to your savings account right after payday, you make saving effortless.

It’s the “pay yourself first” approach—and it works. You’ll adjust to the money you have left without even realizing you’re saving. Pick up a copy of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get your budget straight!

Try apps like Qapital or Digit that round up your purchases and move the spare change into savings automatically. It’s like a digital piggy bank for grown-ups.

6. Fix It Before You Replace It

We live in a throwaway culture—but small fixes can save you hundreds. Before replacing that leaky faucet, flickering lamp, or worn-out chair, see if a quick repair will do the trick. YouTube tutorials and basic tool kits go a long way.

And if you’re not handy, find a local repair shop or service on apps like Nextdoor—it’s often much cheaper than buying new.

Final Thoughts: Small Habits, Big Savings

Building better financial habits at home doesn’t happen overnight—but the effort pays off month after month. A few mindful changes can reduce stress, simplify your routines, and help your family reach your bigger financial goals.