I am very interested in ways that people save money without sacrificing their quality of life, especially when it also saves time and energy, so I decided to list some of the ways that my family and I have saved money recently.

– I bought a huge, beautiful entertainment center that is much nicer than I had even hoped for and it was only $25 at a Habitat thrift store. The money went to a good cause and I have wanted an entertainment center like that for three years. My parents bought the same brand but a slightly less nice model new at a wholesale store for $200. Savings- $175.00

– I use a binder type planner and instead of buying new pages I bought a single hole punch for .99 cents and printed and made my own using PrintablePlanners.net. Click HERE to print your own. – Savings- $12.00

– My sister and I found two matching solid wooden bookshelves being thrown away. I needed bookshelves since my cheap pressboard bookshelf fell apart after my last move (I was still using the three remaining shelves). I priced other cheap pressboard book shelves at $25-35 dollars each but the ones I got for free were much nicer. Savings- Over $70.00

– I recently found a perfect fitting suit jacket at Goodwill for $3.99. The brand is the same as a suit jacket I bought on sale new a year ago for $45 dollars. And I got a 10% discount for showing my student ID. Savings- $45.00

– For a family birthday we went to GatorLand. They are having a sale until the end of Feb. where Florida residents get in for only $9.99 vs. the usual $22.00. Savings- $72.00

– Making huge family breakfasts- eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, and coffee, instead of going out to eat during a family weekend vacation. Savings- $100.00

– Getting 6 small bags of pet food for free in the mail just by signing up for free samples. Click HERE to see a picture. Savings- $12.00

– Getting the books that I have wanted to read recently from the library instead of buying them- Savings- $65.00

– Doing my own nails. Click HERE to learn how to do a 6 Step French Manicure– Savings- $25.00

– Couponing for groceries and other household products (just this month) Click HERE to see where I find my deals. – Savings- Hundreds!