Let’s save some
MONEY
I'm a Brooklyn mom of two girls, and I know firsthand just how expensive it can be to raise kids in New York City! I created this website to share money-saving tips with other moms—so you can spend less on everyday essentials and more on the things you love.
SWAGBUCKS: FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING
One of my favorite online tools for saving money is Swagbucks. It is a rewards widget that works with so many online retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Gap, Old Navy to name just a few. Everytime you make a purchase through Swagbucks on one of these partner sites you get points. You can then redeem these points for gift cards ($5, $10, $25, $50, $100). Unlike many other tools I have found, the rewards add up quick! It also works with big ticket purchases like appliances on Home Depot or Travel on Expedia. That’s where you really see the cash back discounts add up quickly.
MEAL HACK: ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
I don’t know about you but over the last few years my grocery bill has sky rocketed. So I am always looking for ways I can save on meals for my family and cut down on the amount we spend on food. One of my favorite meal hacks is buying a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store (prices range from $4.99 Cosco-$7.99 Wholefoods). If you buy a whole uncooked chicken it is often more expensive than the rotisserie ones. Not to mention the extra time of preparing it and cooking it yourself! You can put together an easy side - we often pair a rotisserie chicken with a banquette & cheese, a vegetable or a salad. The best part is you can use the rest of the leftover chicken for another meal like tacos, quesadillas or chicken salad sandwiches.
QAPITAL SAVINGS APP
Since becoming a parent, one of the biggest challenges I've faced is saving money. Kids are constantly growing out of clothes, discovering new hobbies, and needing things—from lessons and summer camps to birthday parties and school events. The Qapital savings app has been a game changer for helping me consistently put money aside for these ever-changing needs. What I love most is that I can set up automatic deductions into a separate account, completely separate from my regular bank accounts. Within the app, I create different savings "goals" like a rainy day fund or summer camp, then choose how much and how often money is transferred from my checking account. If my balance is low, Qapital will automatically skip the deduction and try again at the next scheduled time. It's also easy to move money back to my checking account or make extra deposits when I want to. Overall, though, it’s a great tool for building savings—and you can even invite a family member to contribute toward shared goals.
SAVE MONEY GARDENING WITH CUTTINGS
Saving money in the garden is easier than you might think—especially when you grow new plants from cuttings of ones you already have. Propagating from cuttings is one of the most budget-friendly and satisfying ways to expand your garden without spending a dime on new plants. Whether it's herbs like rosemary and mint, houseplants like pothos or philodendron, or perennials like hydrangeas and lavender, many common plants can be easily rooted in water or soil. Instead of buying duplicates, you simply snip, root, and replant—turning one healthy plant into many.
Not only does propagating cuttings save money, but it also reduces waste and makes gardening more sustainable. Instead of discarding trimmings after pruning, you can give them new life and even share them with friends and neighbors. Over time, this practice can help you fill out your garden beds, create lush indoor plant displays, or even start a plant swap community. Plus, watching a new plant grow from a single cutting is incredibly rewarding—proving that a little patience and care can go a long way in both gardening and saving money.
RENTING VS. BUYING CLOTHES
Renting clothes with services like Nuuly is an easy way to save money, especially if you are craving something new but don’t want the long-term commitment of buying. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars each month on new clothes, Nuuly offers access to a rotating closet of name-brand and designer pieces for a flat monthly fee. You can rent six items at a time—whether for special events, workwear, or everyday style—and return them when you're ready for a fresh batch. This approach not only keeps your wardrobe exciting but also significantly reduces the cost of keeping up with seasonal clothing trends.
Beyond the financial savings, renting with Nuuly is also a more sustainable option. Rather than contributing to fast fashion waste and overcrowded closets, you’re reusing quality pieces that are professionally cleaned and maintained. You get the benefit of high-end clothing at a fraction of the price, without the guilt of overconsumption. Plus, if you fall in love with an item, Nuuly often offers the option to buy it at a discounted rate. It's a flexible and budget-conscious way to stay fashionable while being mindful of both your wallet and the environment.
NEW YORK CITY CULTURE PASS
The New York City Culture Pass is a fantastic way for residents to save money while exploring the city’s world-class cultural institutions. Available for free to anyone with a library card from the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, or Queens Public Library, Culture Pass offers complimentary access to dozens of museums, gardens, and historical sites across the city. Instead of spending $25 or more per ticket at places like the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or the Guggenheim, you can reserve passes online and enjoy these experiences at no cost—making cultural outings much more budget-friendly.
However, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. Culture Pass reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can book up quickly, especially for popular institutions or weekends. Each library cardholder is typically limited to one reservation per cultural institution per year, and you may be restricted to a certain number of active reservations at a time. Additionally, passes must be reserved in advance online and are only valid for the date selected—there are no walk-ins or date changes allowed. Despite these restrictions, Culture Pass remains an excellent resource for affordable access to New York City's vibrant cultural scene, as long as you plan ahead.
SKIP THE SALON AND TRY SUN IN INSTEAD
One thing I have had to majorly cut back on after having children is visits to the salon. Try using Sun In as a budget-friendly alternative to salon highlights that can help you achieve a natural sun-kissed look without the hefty price tag. Going to the salon for highlights can easily cost over $150 per session, especially in New York City and for more complex treatments. Sun In, on the other hand, is an affordable drugstore product—typically under $10—that gradually lightens your hair using heat from the sun or a blow dryer. It’s easy to use at home and ideal for people with light to medium brown hair who want subtle, sun-lightened tones.
With Sun In, you not only save money but also time! There’s no need to book appointments, sit through hours in a stylist’s chair, or worry about maintaining expensive color jobs. With a little patience and the right technique, you can build your highlights gradually and even target specific sections for a custom look. While it may not deliver the precision of a professional stylist, it’s a great option for low-maintenance, budget-conscious beauty—a great solution for busy moms.
Your Local Library Can Save You Hundreds
Using your local library is one of the most underrated ways to save money. Instead of buying books, audiobooks, or even magazines, you can borrow them all for FREE with a library card. Most libraries now offer digital access as well, through apps like Libby or Hoopla, where you can instantly download eBooks and audiobooks right to your phone or tablet. This can easily save hundreds of dollars a year for families with kiddos who go through books quickly. Libraries also offer free access to newspapers, streaming movies, language learning tools, and more—all without monthly subscription fees.
Beyond books, libraries are a valuable resource for free community events and educational opportunities. You can take advantage of story times for children, workshops on personal finance or technology, and even resume help or job-search support. Many libraries lend out things like museum passes, tools, or crafting equipment—saving you from having to buy things you only need occasionally. By making regular use of what your library offers, you not only cut down on spending but also gain access to experiences and resources that enrich your life at no extra cost.
MONTHLY TIPS
Sign up to receive monthly money saving tips in your inbox.
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase or take an action. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the content we create.
We only recommend products and services that we believe provide value and are relevant to our audience. However, we encourage you to do your own research before making any purchasing decisions.
By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for the products, services, or content provided by third-party sites.