This year is all about saving money every day while trying to increase your income potential. If you did one thing each day that could save as little as $5 over the course of a year, you could have an extra $1800 in your pocket at the end of the year. Not all of these tips may apply to you, so to keep it fair, not all of them will apply to me.

I have extensive food tastes. I love oysters on the half shell. I salivate over fondue. Some of this is not my fault. My parents were foodies. I knew what croissants were from a very young age, but I don’t think I knew what a donut was until near 11. We cooked and baked from scratch and we would go to the ocean and buy crab and oyster fresh from the pier for pennies. Now, I still have these same cravings, but I’m much more conscious of my budget now then I knew to be when I was younger. I also don’t have the time I wish I did to locally source my own fresh foods.

My compromise is “happy hour.” Happy hour is where I find half-price sushi rolls at Kobe Sushi in Las Vegas, or where I get $4.99 cheese fondue at Gustav’s in Portland. Don’t even get me started on Yardhouse…I might cry.

We try to move family dine-out meals or meetings to happy hour times. The downside was my husband’s family thought I was a lush for a while because I always suggested my favorite time of day. I’m not sure they were happier when they found out I was frugal. In all seriousness, happy hour saves us $20-40 a month, and lets us eat the foods we like. I’m all for win-win.

Thank you to scaredykat for the genuine Gustav’s fondue photo (appears to be a mini-pot, $2.99 at happy hour).

365 Days of Saving Money: $2030 Annually (Running Total)

Andi B.

Andi B.