15 Ways to Save without Coupons.
When I became serious about saving money to stay home full-time, I quickly realized it wasn’t about clipping a million coupons. It was about shifting the entire way I thought about our finances and changing old habits. These are the ways that I turned our finances around, paid off our debt, and got to stay home full-time with my precious boys! These are the ways to save without coupons! I am sure they will help you as well!
Ways to Save without Coupons
- I unplug our cords when not in use.
- I don’t let foods expire.
- I cut household items in half.
- I think of creative ways to re-use and re-purpose items.
- I follow these steps to save on our printer paper and ink.
- I paid down debt every payday to eliminate extra interest accruing.
- I use it all instead of throwing away the end of a bottle.
- I started setting realistic financial goals.
- I freezer cook and freeze bulk foods.
- I pack food instead of eating out.
- I save on our cable bill and cell phone bill.
- I eliminated unwanted subscriptions and saved on the subscriptions I did want!
- I started to menu plan our meals.
- I started a stockpile.
- I started making some of my own common household items like do it yourself foaming hand soap and laundry detergent.
What are some ways you save without coupons?
This post may contain affiliate links.
67 comments
Sarah
May 9, 2012 at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
Layne, your links aren’t working.
Layne
May 9, 2012 at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
Oh no! Thanks for telling me – Let me do some checking!!!
Layne
May 15, 2012 at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
Sarah – all the links are working now. Thanks for letting me know – hope you enjoy all the information!!
Charlotte
January 11, 2013 at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips! Definitely can do these on a daily basis to help save money!
Layne
January 11, 2013 at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for stopping by, Charlotte!
Katrina @ The Interrupting Cow
January 11, 2013 at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips! I have been meaning to start freezer cooking, I just haven’t yet.
Layne
January 11, 2013 at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, Katrina! I am going to be doing another session here in January as our last meals are getting really low!
Cristine
January 11, 2013 at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips. I’m big into not over purchasing. I hate when we buy too much of an item and it never gets used. Now we buy only what we need and it has cut down on costs. I’m hoping to cut down on a few more expenses this year too – here’s to a big savings in 2013!
Megan
January 11, 2013 at 9:29 pm (UTC -4)
Those are some fantastic tips! It’s interesting how when you stop to think about saving, you can come up with all kinds of ways to do it over time.
amber
January 12, 2013 at 1:24 am (UTC -4)
thanks for all of the great money saving tips .
Layne
January 12, 2013 at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for stopping by, Amber!
Jenni E.
January 12, 2013 at 2:25 am (UTC -4)
I love learning easy tips like this that can wind up saving a bundle! I even make sure to crush each box or bottle that goes into the trash bag so there’s no wasted space. Wasted space = more trashbags haha!
Layne
January 12, 2013 at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
That’s a great idea Jenni! Thanks for stopping by
Janell Poulette
January 12, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips! It’s great to have them all in 1 article.
Layne
January 12, 2013 at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks Janell!
Shauna
January 12, 2013 at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips…we have such issues with allowing food to expire, we are horrible, LOL…
Layne
January 13, 2013 at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Shauna, it’s so easy to forget about food! I still work at it. I hope you’re able to save more this year!
Bonnie Caselman
January 13, 2013 at 6:17 am (UTC -4)
We’re already making our own laundry soap but I know we can use at least some of your other tips too.
Layne
January 13, 2013 at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
That’s great, Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by.. I hope this info helps!
Cosby
January 13, 2013 at 8:12 am (UTC -4)
Gereat Tips !!!
Layne
January 13, 2013 at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Thanks!
Fidza Hamdan
January 14, 2013 at 12:43 am (UTC -4)
Excellent tips and it takes a lot to change old habits. Need to think positive in order to keep up
Thanks for sharing!
Layne
January 14, 2013 at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Thinking positive sure makes a difference, doesn’t it Fidza? Thanks for stopping by!
Marthalynn
January 14, 2013 at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
These are such good tips that can be implemented right away. And I agree, it’s all about building new habits! Every little bit helps. Thanks so much for the motivation.
Layne
January 15, 2013 at 12:05 am (UTC -4)
Thanks so much for stopping by, Marthalynn!
Kristin
January 14, 2013 at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips…especially on printer ink. It’s amazing how quick your cartridge runs out. It’s a major drain on your budget!
Layne
January 15, 2013 at 12:04 am (UTC -4)
Thanks, Kristin! Every little bit helps!
Thanks for the comment!
Gina Brickell
January 14, 2013 at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
I have seen some of these tips on other blogger sites and have been wanting to try some of them. I would love to start making my own laundry detergent because I spend so much money on it. I’ve seen some good recipies to do that that I’m going to try. I have a difficult time unplugging cords when not in use.. I guess that’s what you mean.. You really need to change your old ways and habits and I bet you COULD save tons!! That’s a goal of mine this year for sure!!
Layne
January 14, 2013 at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
It definitely is a daily choice. One step at a time! Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon Siqueiros
January 15, 2013 at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Layne, it’s a daily choice. I think most of us women are trying to cut back and save!! I’ve finally got my husband following alot of these tips too.
I recently bought some little spatula tools to help me scrape the bottoms and sides of my personal products (face creams,serums,lotions etc) You’d be surprised how much product is left in these bottles with skinny/small necks. Sometimes I feel these companies do this on purpose so we have to buy replacements sooner…..it’s like they don’t care about waste. A perfect example of this is, I’ve used St Ives face scrub for 20+ years. This last tube I bought I noticed you can’t unscrew the top off any more…..it’s things like that that really bother me…..well, I’ve rambled on enough!! Thanks for this very informative post
Layne
January 15, 2013 at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Hehe! The little spatula is a great idea! I usually cut the tubes to scrap out the rest of it.. it IS insane how much is left in there!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment!
Have a great day!
JKAP
January 18, 2013 at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Layne, I already do most of these things, so I didn’t think I’d find anything new in your list. But I did!
The power strip idea and the one here about cutting the tube are great! Do you have a way to get the end out of products that have dispenser pumps (especially the stuff stuck in the pump mechanism)? I know I’m throwing away body lotion. I try not to buy dispenser pumps for that reason, but they have become ubiquitous (I say it’s a plot to get us to buy more product, but my husband thinks I’m somewhat paranoid about beauty and cleaning products). What about those new shampoo and conditioner bottles with oval lids that you can’t remove? Do I have any option other than to take heavy duty kitchen shears to them?
Layne
January 18, 2013 at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Hello! I have a super sharp knife in the kitchen that I attack those bottles with
I just put them on a cutting board and chop! Probably not the most glamorous thing.. but better than losing a bunch of product! Thanks for the comment!! 
Colleen Boudreau
January 15, 2013 at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips! thanks.
Layne
January 15, 2013 at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
You’re welcome Colleen, thanks for stopping by!
She
January 16, 2013 at 12:44 am (UTC -4)
I have been a penny pincher for so long the only other thing I can think of too cut is the high cost retailers keep charging. I cut, save and don’t buy unless it’s really needed and buy when it’s on sale only to where the high cost is killing me. You have offered really good advice, now if retailers would just reduce our costs a few cents it would help tremendously.
Layne
January 16, 2013 at 5:23 pm (UTC -4)
I agree! I would love to see prices come down some! I know that would help so many people! Thanks for stopping by!
sandra
January 16, 2013 at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
great advice, though some seem more time consuming than i would like. it seems easier to clip a coupon in those instances
Layne
January 16, 2013 at 5:19 pm (UTC -4)
Everything you do has to be weighed with what the benefit is for your family. I hope you have a great 2013. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra!
Ginny
January 17, 2013 at 11:28 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips, thanks!
Layne
January 17, 2013 at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
You’re welcome, Ginny! Thanks for stopping by!
Leah CB
January 18, 2013 at 12:37 am (UTC -4)
I love all of these tips. I’m not so great at couponing. I really wish I could do something with our grocery budget. Since I can’t I save other ways. But I’m with you on #7! I’m a notorious upside down bottle. They are in my fridge, my cabinets, my bathroom. We have one of those squeezie things on toothpaste. I cut my lotion tubes open! Also I wanted to mention composting is great for using less garbage bags. I started over the summer & really saw my bag usage go down. I had less in my recycle bin too!
Layne
January 18, 2013 at 12:48 am (UTC -4)
Leah, composting is an excellent idea! Thanks for mentioning it!
tami s
January 18, 2013 at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
I like the foam soap recipe. stopped buyng because it is expensive and it does not seem to last as long as regular soap. Wth your recipe, we may be back to foaming hand soap!
Layne
January 18, 2013 at 11:56 pm (UTC -4)
I LOVE my foaming soap! I can’t believe how long it lasts!
Thanks for the comment, Tami!
Rebecca
January 20, 2013 at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
thanks for awesome tips on ways to save.
Layne
January 20, 2013 at 11:19 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca!!
Trish F
January 20, 2013 at 7:57 pm (UTC -4)
All great tips. After reading tip 3, I have visions of you cutting a toilet paper roll in half. LOL I hope you don’t do that.
Layne
January 20, 2013 at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
LOL.. heavens no, Trish!! Although, I’ve heard of some people doing stuff like that! I’m all for frugality within reason.
Thanks for the giggle!
Michelle Tucker
January 21, 2013 at 12:09 am (UTC -4)
Great ideas! I have started making our own laundry soap and it saves a bundle!
Layne
January 21, 2013 at 12:27 am (UTC -4)
Amazing how those little changes add up, huh Michelle?! Thanks for stopping by!
Kate b
January 21, 2013 at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the $ saving ideas.
Layne
January 21, 2013 at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
You’re welcome, Kate! Thanks for stopping by!
Dawn
January 21, 2013 at 5:03 pm (UTC -4)
Some great information!!
Layne
January 22, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, Dawn!
Susan Smith
January 21, 2013 at 5:26 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips, I do most of them. I buy a lot of store brands which saves money and usually is as good as the brand names.
Sherry
January 21, 2013 at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
I love all these ideas, especially the DIY Handsoap and laundry detergent. Thank you so much for sharing your list!
Layne
January 22, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
You’re welcome.. thanks for stopping by, Sherry!
Holly Trudeau
January 21, 2013 at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
Great ideas! I always forget to unplug cords when I’m done, I need to start leaving post its around appliances to remind myself!
Layne
January 22, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
I use post its all over too, Holly! Thanks for the comment
Jacy T
January 21, 2013 at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
Little actions add up to huges savings over time!
Layne
January 22, 2013 at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
They sure do, Jacy! Thanks for stopping by!
She
January 24, 2013 at 3:49 am (UTC -4)
Excellent tips..and with todays economy we all need to save a few extra bucks a month..and to think it’s only going to get worse..I hate the though of tougher times ahead.
Shannon
February 7, 2013 at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
I appriciate the ideas, some are new to me and every little bit helps
Layne
February 7, 2013 at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for stopping by Shannon! I hope you’re able to put some of these to use!
Michelle
April 20, 2013 at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Great tips! I’m definitely a fan of making my own items – it saves so much money and I feel better because I know what exactly was put in them.
Layne Quintanilla
April 20, 2013 at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you, Michelle! I have loved making our own things!