How to Find an Extra $1000 in Your Budget This Year

Wouldn’t you love to find an extra $1000 in your budget this year? It’s totally possible!

Most of us forget that little bits add up over time. What if you could save $500 this year and make $500 this year? That would be an extra $1000 in your budget. And you can do it painlessly. Here’s how.

If you click through one of my affiliate links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

Contents hide

1 Here’s how it works

2 Here’s how to save (at least) $500

3 Here’s how to make (at least) $500

4 Related posts & links:

Here’s how it works

Save $10 a month in one category for a minimum of 10 months this year = $100

Do this for 5 categories, and that’s a savings of $500!

Make an extra $10 a month for a minimum of 10 months this year = $100

Do this five times, and you’ve just put an extra $500 in your pocket!

Here are easy ways to make it happen.

Here’s how to save (at least) $500

Save on feminine products by purchasing eco friendly versions. Etsy has loads of options. Check HERE, HERE, and HERE. Could you save about $10/month for a total of $100 this year? Now, yes, you would have to invest in the product first, but the cloth versions last for years. And no, they’re not gross! So easy to deal with. Just get yourself a wet bag like THIS.
Say NO to Netflix. At $8/month for 12 months, that’s a savings of $96 this year. Instead, get free DVD’s from the library, borrow from a friend, watch on Amazon Prime Video, or just cut down on the TV watching and pursue a hobby or side gig. Are you paying for cable? Cut that bill and you’ll likely save loads more than just $100/year.
Cut something out of the grocery budget. Could you cut the soda, bottled water, or maybe a high priced treat you get each time you go to the store. When we cut out sugar and carbs, our cravings went down and we don’t actually eat as much as we used to. If you really make an effort, you could cut out $10/month for at least 10 months and save $100. If you don’t go shopping, but rather take advantage of online ordering, you will notice more discipline with what gets put in your cart.
Eat out less. I know, eating out is fun! But if you eat out a lot instead of cooking at home, you could be spending a lot of extra money. You could save $10/month ($100/year) by curbing the eating out habits of one or two people in your house. If you take the whole family out to eat often, then cut back the $30-50+ that a family costs just 2-3 times this year, and that’s also $100 saved.
Cut the kids’ hair at home. You can buy hair clippers very inexpensively. And you’ll save loads of money each year if you don’t take the kids to the barber shop. Could you save at least $10/month for 10 months this year? And if you have multiple kids, you might be saving even more!

Here’s how to make (at least) $500

Sell your kids’ outgrown clothing. After my kids have worn clothes for a season, I bundle them in a lot and have had great success selling them on eBay. They’re not always super popular brands, and they have usually been worn by more than one kid! You’d be amazed at the money you can make with outgrown clothing you were going to get rid of anyway. It takes just a few minutes to photograph, write a description, and list online. Sell 3 lots of clothing for $30 each and you’ve made an extra $90!
Sell your kids’ toys and games. Just like the clothing lots, I have sold lots of preschool games or toys and made a good profit. Sell three lots at $30 each this year, and you have another almost $100 in your wallet.
Okay, I have to keep going with this trend of selling off your excess things. Sell household items. Because most households have too much stuff! Sell off excess household goods and easily bring in $100 this year. You can do it little by little or in big lots. I’ve had success selling furnishings, old frames, tablecloths, vacuum cleaner bags still in the package, decor, small appliances, even broken electronics (of course, make sure you disclose if something is broken)!
Sell outgrown shoes, boots, and accessories. I’ve sold shoes on eBay that were used but still in good condition. I’ve sold shoes that I bought but they didn’t feel comfortable. I’ve bundled a dozen extra scarves and sold as a lot. I’ve sold outgrown kids’ snow boots (not to mention snow pants or wetsuits). What is just taking up space in your house that you could get rid of? Downsize and make extra cash. Without trying too hard, I am able to make $200-400 a month selling off our outgrown items or picking these things up cheap at thrift stores or yard sales and reselling. Buy a package of unopened vacuum cleaner bags at the thrift store for fifty cents and resell for $12? I’ll do that all day, every day. You can too!
Flip a few things you get for free. If family or friends are trying to declutter, volunteer to take their junk off their hands. Go through it and sell the best things. It’s free, so it’s all profit. Get on various online selling groups and when items are offered for free (or super cheap!), take the risk, pick it up, and re-sell it for a profit. Yard sales are a great way to score items like this. We recently bought two nearly new themed Monopoly games at a yard sale. Paid a couple dollars. They each sold for $30-40!

There you have it! You might be a one full-time income family like we are, but you can make a few changes and start saving (and earning) $100 a month or more. This is only the tip of the iceberg. What are your best tips? Share below!

Want to teach your kids how to manage their money well? It’s starts with a system. Check out our kids chore system and why we pay them.

How to Find an Extra $1000 in Your Budget This Year

Here’s how it works

Here’s how to save (at least) $500

Here’s how to make (at least) $500

Related posts & links:

Homeschool

Work With Me