7 Money-Saving Hacks Stay-At-Home Moms Rely On

The word “wais” is a common compliment for stay-at-home moms (SAHMs). It translates to “wise” or “cunning,” which is a perfect description for mothers who constantly come up with ways to make family and home life smoother, happier, and more comfortable.

From cooking and budgeting to DIY crafts, cleaning hacks, packing for travel, organizing storage, gardening, and providing basic first-aid–stay-at-home moms know it all. Not to mention all the hacks that come with raising children!

With the rising prices of almost everything, being ‘wais’ has become even more essential. Families need to ensure they’re getting the most out of every peso spent.

We asked the true experts in being wais–SAHMs–from the Smart Parenting Village, an online community of over 100,000 parents, to share their tips and tricks for helping out financially. Beyond earning money from side hustles, these moms have tested and proven budget-ving strategies that have positively impacted their family finances.

From one wais na nanay to another, here are the top tips and tricks to help your family financially.

7 Wais tips to stay on budget

Buy and Sell Preloved Items

The most popular tip from the moms in the Smart Parenting Village is buying and selling preloved items. Amber Myst Canto shared, “Binebenta ko ang used na pinaglakihan ng mga bata and I usually buy sa thrift store.”

Ched Elle, a mom of one, added, “I sell my baby’s outgrown things (our little one grows so fast kaya most of her clothes and shoes are seldom used and sayang if we just keep their things, better to sell and make some money out of it).” At the same time, she also buys used items that are in good condition, “I use the money I receive from selling my little one’s things to buy thrifted shoes and clothes (maging mapili lang sa binibili para di sayang yung money, and in that way, “budgeted” yung pambili ng things nya and umiikot lang sa para sa needs ni baby yung money).” A revolving budget from selling preloved items to buying preloved items seems like a good idea. No additional budget required! 

During the pandemic, Roanne Jane Debil-Aguilar, mom of one, set up a garage sale in their village and sold household items they no longer use. She then used the earnings to start a small food business–selling puto. Shesold her child’s outgrown items such as breast pump, bottle sterilizer, walker, playpen and jumperoo. She said, “Pati clothes, shoes and cloth diapers ng baby ko, I sold them. We also bought most of the baby items preloved para tipid.”

Decluttering and selling preloved items can be a family activity that also teaches kids the value of money and material things. 

Joy Bongala-Imperial, a mom of two, shared, “Buy kids clothes in thrift shops (dami sa IG), aside from wala ka masyado kaparehas ay mura pa. Just make sure to disinfect properly.” Thrift shopping is a treasure trove of good-quality clothes at much more affordable prices. 

Carleen Aguinaldo, who transitioned from being a corporate working mom of 14 years to a SAHM, patiently searches for second-hand books. She explained, “For books ng anak namin, matiyagang naghahanap ng book sale, 2nd hand books online (excluding school books).”

There are many ways to sell your preloved items, such as posting on Facebook Marketplace or joining a local online community group dedicated to buying and selling. Garage sales are also a great option. 

‘Wais’ Grocery Shopping

SAHMS are masters of grocery shopping! With limited budgets but increasing prices, grocery shopping needs to be strategic.

Ched Elle emphasized, “KEEP A GROCERY LIST! Be strict with it or at least konting wiggle room lang, so you don’t go over budget.”

Even the timing of grocery shopping is important. Ched Elle explained, “Don’t shop when you’re hungry! You’ll end up buying things you don’t need. Also, try to buy groceries for a week to 10 days at a time para less labas in a month (because if lalabas, you’ll eat out, window shop, etc.).”

Joy Bongala-Imperial shared, “We buy meat, vegetables and fruits sa palengke every two weeks, and portion those for two weeks consumption. Yung fruits lang ang ilang beses binibili since madali masira. We go to the grocery every two weeks for all our needs para iwas bili sa tindahan.”

Carleen Aguinaldo follows a slightly different but effective approach: “Sa palengke kami namimili ng meat and vegetables. I go to the grocery lang para sa milk, canned goods and snacks. We do weekly pamamalengke para fresh pa. Nagpupunta din kami sa membership groceries lalo na kapag wala nang mga sabon panlaba, panghugas ng pinggan, other toiletries na better in bulk. Kasi mas mura talaga for us, saming family of three eh umaabot ng three to four months ang mga laundry/dish soap.”

The timing of grocery shopping–whether weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly–is important. Knowing where to find the best prices, whether at local markets, membership stores, or grocery chains, can make a big difference in managing the household budget.

Meal planning is a must

Like grocery shopping, meal planning is a must for staying on budget.

Rhapsody Key Bermejo, a mom of two, said, “I make meal plans, though hindi ako nag-keep ng lists. Kasi mas alam ko yung hindi need bilhin sa need bilhin. We stick to the budget. From food to necessities to baon ni eldest sa school.”

“Create a weekly menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner para hindi hirap sa planning ng food for the day (kapag nahihirapan mag-isip, dun na pumapasok yung ‘mag-order na lang’ para hindi na mahirap mag-isip),” Ched Elle advised. She also suggested, “Buy snacks for the household so you guys won’t be tempted to order food outside.” Ched Elle shared her actual meal plan for a week.

Carleen Aguinaldo also makes a meal plan for the week, “Cook at home and may meal plan na for the week para lesser bili at kain sa labas. Usually yung food sa tanghali namin mag-mommy, yun na din pagkain sa hapunan kasama ang daddy.” She even plans birthday celebrations, “Pag birthday month, dun kumain sa mga may mga birthday promo para libre yung isa!” Some of the restaurants that have birthday promos are Vikings, The Alley, TongYang, Dad’s, Ramen Nagi and Yabu. 

Amber Myst Canto follows a similar practice. “Madalas ding magluto, yung luto na abot hanggang hapunan para tipid sa gasul at ingredients.”

Meal planning not only eases the pressure in each meal preparation but also help you make the most of what’s already in your pantry. It can even include food deliveries or eating out if your family enjoys that once or twice a week.

Buy in bulk

Another popular tipid tip is to buy in bulk. Ched Elle explained, “Buy rice by the sack instead of per kilo (you can save a hundred by doing this, more or less). The same goes for items like shampoo, conditioner, and laundry detergent. Buying these in big portions can save you a few few pesos compared to buying in small portions.” Every peso counts!

Take advantage of online sales

Many moms take advantage of the ‘online budol’ in Lazada and Shopee, especially during the sale period. Rhapsody Key Bermejo shared, “Lessen your online budol. I only budol during mega day sale para isang bagsakan lang at tipid, then next month ulit. Mostly mga essentials ng mga bata online.”

When used for essentials and needs, online sales can be a great way to save money and get discounts. Joy Bongala-Imperial shared, “Buy baby needs like diapers and wet wipes in bulk during online sales.”

Ched Elle also recommended taking advantage of vouchers, “Collect vouchers sa blue and orange app and then compare prices sa groceries. Then order kung saan mas cheaper (my baby’s diapers and toiletries are always bought during sale, laking tipid!).”

Carleen Aguinaldo has made it a habit to compare prices online and in physical stores, “When we shop sa malls, minsan chinecheck ko muna price sa online shopping app, kapag mas mura dun tapos free shipping naman dun na lang.”

Aim for breastfeeding and use cloth diapers

Although breastfeeding isn’t entirely free, it still saves a lot of money compared to formula feeding. Roanne Jane Debil-Aguilar said, “Breastfeeding at cloth diaper kami para tipid for at least two years. We didn't actually get money from it but we saved money. Imagine, 2 years worth of formula and 4 years worth of diapers ang na-save, although we sometimes use disposable diapers.”

Be smart about online banks and credit cards

Contrary to popular belief, credit cards can be beneficial if used wisely. Joy Bongala-Imperial shared, “Use cashback credit cards for bills and grocery payments to make the most of it. Make sure lang na huwag gamitin yung budget mo dito sa ibang bagay, then pay your credit card bills on time in full amount due.” Some benefits of credit cards are cashbacks, dining discounts, and airline miles. 

“Nilipat ang savings sa mga digital banks kasi mas malaki ang interest compared sa traditional banks. Minsan meron pang promo na cash back,” Carleen Aguinaldo added. She shared what online banks she uses, “Maya for long-term savings kasi 6% up to 15% interest daily credit of interest. Seabank for daily/short-term savings minimum 3.5% interest daily credit din. Pati yung kay daughter from BDO Junior Savers Club eh nilipat ko din sa GoTyme. Monthly credit naman 3.5% minimum interest.”

Share your tested and proven tipid tips over at Smart Parenting Village.

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