52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a List {Week 43 of 52}

Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

I don’t know about you but my mind is busy. I have a million different things I’m trying to keep track of, a full to-do list I’m scrolling through and my memory is always at capacity. That doesn’t serve me well when I set out to spend money. If I’m heading out without a plan, I’ll return having spent more money than I wanted: impulse buys galore and unplanned purchases. It happens every time, regardless of what I’m shopping for!

Groceries: This one is most common. Plenty of people make lists before they head out, and those people, according to statistics, overspend far less than those who don’t. I like to make a meal plan, write up my list and then hit the store for those items and only those items. That way, if my eyes wander to a splurge, I don’t feel bad about grabbing it up because I haven’t been aimlessly wandering, throwing food into my cart {which is what I do without a list!}.

Clothes: I do not like clothes shopping {I highly recommend the online route, which is also a great way to save money!}, but if I have to shop, I make a list of exactly what I need. When I was school shopping for my kids, I had a list of exactly what each child needed. New shoes, 3 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, etc. I’d take the child and the list and purchase only what was on the list. If I had just headed out the door to the store, I would have more than likely purchased full wardrobes, unnecessary clothing items, and spent much more.

Errands: Not only will having an errand list save gas because you have a plan to head from point A to point B instead of puttering around town, but if you stick to your list, you will be less likely to make extra stops. My list also helps me see if I need to pack a lunch or snacks. I overspend when I’m out running errands when I end up starving and nowhere near home.

What do you use a list for? Do you find it saves you money?

How Much Can You Save:  25%+. Statistics show that people save on average 25% when they make a grocery list. That adds up to some HUGE savings over the course of a year!

More Ways to Save:

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use the Library {Week 23 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Kick the Soda Habit {Week 24 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Improve Your Credit Score {Week 25 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Online {Week 26 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Lodging {Week 27 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Play for Free {Week 28 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save Big on Birthday Parties {Week 29 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Back to School Clothes on the Cheap {Week 30 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Inexpensively Entertaining {Week 31 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used College Textbooks {Week 32 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used {Week 33 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy In Bulk {Week 34 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Skip a Meal {Week 35 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Medical Expenses {Week 36 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Christmas Spending {Week 37 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Reduce Convenience Foods {Week 38 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Stop Paying Interest {Week 39 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Eat Less Meat {Week 40 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Curb Impulse Buying {Week 41 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Do Holiday Shopping AFTER the Holidays {Week 42 of 52}