Each week I share real ways I saved money, hoping these practical tips might help you do the same.
Check the Resources Page for a collection of money-saving tools and ideas.
If you already follow the “How I Saved” series, feel free to skip to the deals below.
If this is your first time, here’s why I publish these posts: small choices build big results. When you focus on small, consistent savings, those amounts add up and free up money for debt repayment, savings, or things you enjoy.
I love tracking savings not to boast, but to share concrete strategies that work. I look for discounts across groceries, dining out, clothing, gifts, and fuel—basically anywhere money is spent.
My primary goal is to pay off our mortgage within the next two to three years, so every dollar saved supports that mission. Over the past few years we’ve paid off thousands in debt, and working toward being debt-free has made these frugal habits worth the effort.
I typically combine sales with coupons and occasionally use other thrifty tactics. Below are the savings from Week 9 — February 26 through March 4.
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Grocery Savings
Grocery shopping is one of the simplest ways to cut spending. Plan your trips around store sales and pair those sales with coupons for the best results. I aim for at least 50% savings when possible, but any consistent reduction helps.
I use coupon matchup sites to plan deals; they list sale items and the coupons that match, which saves time and effort. Printable coupons are another great resource for extra savings.
This Week’s Grocery Trip
I wasn’t feeling well this week, so I only shopped at Aldi. One reason I like Aldi is the quick, predictable shopping experience—stores are smaller and trips are faster than larger chains.
Aldi Shopping Trip
Aldi is consistently affordable, often 20–50% cheaper than other stores on many staples. Because of that consistent value, I count an estimated 30% savings for Aldi purchases in these reports.
Before my regular Aldi closed for remodeling, they gave me three $5-off-$30 coupons for other locations. At the other store I bought almond milk, eggs (48 cents each), turkey lunchmeat, and a hummus quartet with four flavors—my favorite was the cilantro jalapeño. These small staples add up to meaningful savings when purchased at Aldi.
Amount Spent: $26.47
Amount Saved (30% estimate + $5 coupon): $12.94
I use a collapsible shopping basket for Aldi trips; it holds a surprising amount and makes quick store layouts even easier to manage.
Gasoline Savings: $3.12
One local station raised prices suddenly, so I filled up at a nearby station that hadn’t increased yet. Filling up a bit earlier saved me a few dollars compared with the higher price.
Miscellaneous Savings
I’m signed up for text deals from several stores and restaurants. This week I received a 15% off text coupon for a restaurant we planned to visit with my dad, which reduced our bill.
Total Miscellaneous Savings: $3.40
Grand Total Savings for Week 9: $19.46
It’s a modest week, but small savings stack over time. I also had low spending this week, so the relative benefit remains valuable.
Total Saved Year-to-Date: $772.67
March Mortgage Principal Paid: $2,400.26
Catch up on past “How I Saved” posts to see more examples and ideas.
Don’t forget to review the Resources Page for additional money-saving tools and tips.
What are your favorite ways to save money? How did you save this week?