Hey friend. Can I ask you a question?
What’s more awkward: Someone asking you for money or having to ask someone for money?
Why is money so, so, so… Cringe?
Let’s face it, being broke sucks.
I’ve been there with overdue bills, maxed-out credit cards, and the constant stress of making ends meet.
And no, This isn’t another stop buying lattes, stop going out, invest more, save more, or “manifest it queen” type post.
This is real stuff I picked up from my grandma, mom, and personal life experiences.
I also share the psychology of money and how to change your beliefs and relationship with it.
Let’s start and discover creative (and free) ways to reduce your utility bills and save money.
Creative Ways to Reduce Utility Bills and Save Money
You’ll want to take notes and screenshots or save this on Pinterest. I’m giving you a lot of ideas. Brace yourself. Snack on a cookie 🍪🥛( watch your crumbs)
Electricity
You might not see a big difference in your bill, possibly because of other legal issues your utility provider is caught up in. They’re getting fined like crazy for producing “dirty” energy and passing those charges to their customers. Do you see an increase in your bill for no reason? That could be why. (It’s a whole thing and why I went Solar to lower my bill.)
- Still, be diligent about turning off lights and unplugging energy-draining electronics when not being used.
- Also, lower your thermostat at night; your body temperature naturally drops, and you sleep better in cooler temperatures. You can even learn to program your thermostat so you can “set and forget and save.”
Water
Ok, so I learned this from the previous owners of my house, who were not born in America. They lived so uniquely. They were very nice people, and I love the house, but they didn’t directly tell me this stuff, So you can imagine my face when I found this out. ( I wish I could see yours)
- Place a brick or a water-filled bottle in your toilet tank to reduce water per flush. ( I found a Fabuloso bottle filled with water in the back of my toilet 🤣) It’s weird, but it really works. Seriously, how many times does the toilet flush in your house? That’s a lot of gallons of water.
- Also, lower the water pressure under your sinks and shower to conserve water. Get under the sink and behind your shower thing (look for screws), find the valves, and close them a little. Play around with the water pressure to discover what you’re willing to tolerate.
- Consider using your dishwasher if you have one. Depending on your model, it may actually use less water and save time.
I went from $148 a month to a $90 a month water bill. I moved from a tiny apartment to a 4 bed 3 bath home. And the water use increased. These three things were the noticeable difference. I hope they can help you.
Insurance
Shop around every 6–12 months. Many companies offer discounts to new customers, so switching can lead to savings. Remember, they are agents, and they’d rather get a little than none. 🤫
Internet & Cable
Ok, so now you have to get a little sneaky, sort of. Call your internet or cable provider and mention you’re considering canceling. They will panic and may offer you a discount to keep you as a customer.
I used a version of this script many times. It worked. If it applies to you, try it. Copy it into AI for other ideas for the services you might have.
“Hello, good afternoon. I am a current customer, and unfortunately, I’ve fallen into some difficult times, and I need to cancel my services. Your current rates strain my finances, and [other company] is offering a better deal. I would love to remain a customer if you can match their rates or maybe even offer me a better one. Can you help me, or should we continue to cancel?”
More Practical money-saving tips I learned from Being a Single Mom
Here’s what stands out from my experience and what I found helpful.
1. Slash Your Food Expenses
If you need to save money, no matter how much, you must get crafty with your food budget. Food is expensive, and saving money here means investing more time in meal prepping and cooking. And I know you dont have much extra time because you’re overworked and underpaid. So here’s what I learned:
- Meal Prep: Cook large batches of meals like soups, chilis, or meats and freeze them. This saves time and money on days you don’t feel like cooking. ( you can get cheap, homemade, healthy meals fast…win!🏆 )
- Bulk Buying: Purchase things like rice, beans, and pasta in bulk. Buy meat in larger quantities and portion it out before freezing.
- Smart Swaps: Instead of pricey canned or bottled beverages that you drink, brew teas or make infused water.
To start. Look at your bill, see what food group you spend the most on, and find ways to reduce that. Use AI if you must for idea generation.
2. Seal Up and Save
These tips are for your house. Search Pinterest for more ideas on any DIY projects these tips may inspire.
- Drafty windows and doors can drain your wallet because you’re “heating the outside,” so to speak. It sounds foolish because it is. That’s why using weatherstripping or even tape to seal gaps is a good idea.
- Got Old Blankets? Hang them as makeshift curtains or block indoor doorways to keep the cold out and the heat in. Every bit of warmth saved translates to lower utility bills.
3. Community Resources Are Gold
- Don’t overlook local community outreach programs. If you qualify, consider reaching out for help. They offer assistance with food, clothing, and utilities.
- Also, check out online freecycle groups or local swaps for things.
4. Stretch Your Essentials
When your shampoo or dish soap is running low, add a bit of water to extend its life. It might seem trivial, but these small savings add up over time. I mean, the first ingredient in the darn thing is usually water anyway 🤷🏼♀️
5. Revamp Before Replacing
OK, this one might seem obvious, but Instead of buying new clothes or shoes, clean up and repair what you have. Go closet shopping and discover new things you’ve forgotten about. This will take away that urge to shop just for fun.
If you need something “new,” explore local consignment shops or take advantage of really good sales. You can find quality items at a fraction of the cost. (and you get a unique piece..win-win)
6. Leverage Cash Back and Subscriptions
- Cash Back Apps: Use apps like Rakuten (my favorite) to earn cash back on everyday purchases.
- Delivery Services: If you use services like Instacart, plan your shopping when cash-back percentages are higher. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) The savings can offset membership fees.
Example: Rakuten is free. Instacart is $10 a month. I choose to pick up most of my groceries at my local store. The store gives me lower fees and also a cash back reward, which is more than the Instacart monthly fees. That’s how you get your money to work for you. Plus, I saved time and energy, and I didn’t impulsively buy those delicious pastries I wanted but definitely didn’t need. 🍩
7. Mindset Matters
Changing your financial situation starts with changing your mindset. Identify and challenge limiting beliefs about money. Educate yourself and adopt a growth mindset.
Remember, small, consistent actions lead to significant change over time.
How to Change Your Relationship with Money (Psychology)
Alright. This is the part where we discuss the psychology of money and how to build a better relationship with it.
You can enjoy the video or keep reading, or go wild and do both.
And The Money Game Goes Like This…
Money. It dictates our choices, fuels our desires, and shapes how we live our lives.
It significantly affects our well-being, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
We relentlessly chase after it, constantly feeling like we have just enough to get by but never enough to feel secure. And while we work tirelessly to earn it, too often, our labor feels fruitless, leaving us feeling unfulfilled.
Although capitalists indeed run the world and poverty is still an issue worldwide, there is still hope in each individual through creating a better relationship with money.
If you’re ready to change your relationship with money, let this article motivate you with practical solutions so that you can play the money game better.
The Psychology of Money: Why Your Mindset Matters
The psychology of money explores our relationship with money as well as our behavior toward it.
According to this article from the Harvard Business Review, our psychology (mental) and emotions (feeling) are closely related to how we view and manage our money.
Most people believe that success with money depends on intelligence, education, luck, or some sort of mathematical ability that they don’t have.
Although these are all possibilities for financial success, the reality is that your success with money is heavily dependent upon your behaviors, beliefs, and experiences interacting with it.
In order to improve your relationship with money and to see better results in your life, your beliefs toward money need to be reevaluated.
How to Change Your Beliefs About Money
Are you ready to shake up your money beliefs and make it rain?
Send a few dollars bills my way…ok I’m kidding. (Maybe. 😉)
Let’s get serious.
Mindset is everything when it comes to improving our lives, and money is no exception.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, and no, this isn’t some Law of Attraction gimmick or some brainwashing technique.
It’s an internal investigation and self-reflection on your unhealthy beliefs about money.
If you hold unhealthy or harmful beliefs, they will influence your actions, keeping the negative loop (unconscious belief ➡ automatic action ➡ confirmation of belief ) in your mind.
The goal is to reframe unhealthy beliefs with a more accurate or positive belief so that your actions match those beliefs. Then, you will see improvements in your finances and recognize the opportunities available based on who you are and where you are in life.
You need a little enlightenment. Thats all.
Here are a few simple steps to help you change your money beliefs.
1. Identify Your Money Beliefs
The first step in changing your mindset about money is to identify your beliefs about it. Duh right!?
But don’t be fooled, this step can take some time and you may find yourself repeating it often.
Identifying beliefs requires deep internal reflection, remembering the past, and a level of awareness many people aren’t equipped with.
But if you’re here, you’re probably strong enough to do it.
Here’s how:
Take time to contemplate and think about your experiences with money and what you’ve been taught about it.
- How does it make you feel?
- Do you view money as a source of security, happiness, or stress?
Write down your thoughts and feelings about money and see if you can identify any patterns or themes.
If you need more help with this screenshot or this image, pin it (Pinterest) for future reference. 👇

2. Challenge Your Limiting Money Beliefs
Once you’ve identified your beliefs and values about money, it’s time to challenge unhealthy or harmful beliefs.
Here’s how you challenge them:
Ask yourself if your beliefs are serving you or holding you back.
For example, if you believe you can never have enough money, ask yourself if that’s true and identify any behaviors reinforcing this belief.
Now, here comes the challenging part…. You have to mentally reframe a better belief and reinforce that belief with your behaviors.
It’s also important to note that your mind and body will resist change because humans are creatures of habit. It can feel like a challenge to sort out your emotions and thoughts when they don’t match up. And there’s no clarity on what you should do.
So go easy on yourself; this stuff takes time, and no, you’re not crazy… the system sucks, but that is not this post.
So here’s what you can do…
Increasing awareness of your relationship with money is a great first step. You’re doing great!
3. Adopt A Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is about embracing change, growth, and learning versus being stuck in a fixed mindset where you believe your abilities and circumstances are set in stone.
A growth mindset allows you to see the opportunities that are already available to you.
Being open to change will increase your awareness of new possibilities, including better ways to reach your financial goals.
This means you are open to learning new things and exploring different approaches to your beliefs.
4. Educate Yourself About Money
Some people have insatiable desires to obtain large amounts of money. And the power and will to stop at nothing to achieve it.
Their secret is that they achieve it through various formal and self-education methods. They educate themselves through experience and are open to learning new skills and mindsets to help them reach their goals.
Education is a powerful tool for changing your mindset and behaviors around money.
You can start by learning the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing. Read books, articles, and blogs about personal finance, listen to podcasts, or watch videos to learn more.
Think about what your money goals are and what steps are needed to get there, and then find resources to learn about it.
The more you know about money, the more confident you’ll feel in your ability to manage it.
Unhealthy Mindsets About Money
Here are some of the common negative money beliefs that can have an impact on your finances:
Scarcity Mentality: The belief that there is never enough money to go around and that there will never be enough in the future. Instead, try adopting an abundance mentality.
Impulsive Spending: The belief that making purchases is okay without considering the long-term financial consequences. Instead, resist the urge to buy things just because it’s on sale.
Fear of Investment: The belief that investing in the stock market or other financial instruments is too risky or not worth the effort. Instead, make smart investments that support your future.
Avoiding Budgeting: The belief that budgeting is too restrictive or unnecessary, leading to overspending and financial instability. Instead, focus more on knowing how much money comes in and where it goes every month.
The “Get Rich Quick” Mentality: The belief that quick and easy money can be made through high-risk investments or get-rich-quick schemes. Instead, accept that financial success can take some time.
Need a little help planning?
Download my free Meal Planner and Self-Reflection Journal.
- Plan budget-friendly meals that save both time and money.
- Reflect on your money beliefs with journaling prompts designed to rewire your mindset around wealth.
- Create actionable goals to build financial stability.

Click the link below to grab your free guide and take the first step toward a better financial future.
✨ Bonus Contemplation: 10 Money Quotes That Will Inspire You to Think Differently About Money
These 10 quotes about money will provide you with the inspiration and motivation you need to make better financial decisions so that you can reach your financial goals.
Contemplate or journal each quote that inspires you to take action in your life.
- Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. – Jim Rohn
- You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you. – Dave Ramsey
- Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are. – James W. Frick
- Money is worthless unless you use it to improve your life and the lives of others around you.” – Unknown
- “Money can’t buy friends, but it can get you a better class of enemy.” – Spike Milligan
- “Money is neither my god nor my devil. It is a form of energy that tends to make us more of who we already are, whether it’s greedy or loving.” -Dan Millman
- “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” -Bob Hope
- “So you think that money is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?” -Ayn Rand
- “Many folks think they aren’t good at earning money when what they don’t know is how to use it.” -Frank A. Clark
- “Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.” – Nelson Mandela
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