One Habit that Saved Me Money Every Single Day
Our family has saved money for years. Thirty-five, almost thirty-six years to be exact. Saving money wasn’t something I had to work up to. My husband and I were always on the same page, so I didn’t feel like I had to sacrifice anything or do without. For us, I guess it just felt easy, but I know that’s not the case for others. Saving can seem daunting or feel like you’ll never get ahead.
I know some of the things I write about here on House of Six seem very simple, but that’s because they are. Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is something that you have to stick to. In this blog post and the next two posts over the next two weeks, I want to focus on three easy ways to save that anyone can do. They seem simple because they are, and you can implement them right now.
My first easy way to save money was to stop focusing on what I was buying and start paying attention to what I didn’t buy.
It’s reverse shopping, and you can download a Reverse Shopping List for groceries here on House of Six in the Freebie section.
What Is a Reverse Shopping List?
Most of us are used to writing down the things we need to purchase.
Milk. Bread. Shampoo. A new sweater. Takeout on Friday.
A Reverse Shopping List flips that idea on its head.
Instead of writing down what you buy, you write down what you almost bought—but chose not to.
It might look something like this:
Didn’t order takeout → saved $25
Put back a candle at the store → saved $18
Skipped a second coffee → saved $5
Used pantry ingredients instead of a grocery run → saved $40
At the end of the day, you haven’t just “been good with money”—you can actually see what you saved.
The Reverse Grocery List (in my Freebie section) allows you to write down what you already have on your shelves and your fridge, so you know what you don’t need to buy and won’t buy seconds of. Writing down the items you didn’t buy helps you to focus on what you have saved.
Reverse shopping
Write down items you don’t spend money on and the cost savings to you.
Why This Works So Well
When I was raising four children on one income, I didn’t want to waste money—but I also didn’t want to feel like we were going without.
This method helped me shift my mindset.
Instead of thinking:
“I can’t have this.”
It became:
“I’m choosing not to spend—and look what that choice is giving me.”
It turns saving money into something positive rather than restrictive.
The Power of Small, Daily Decisions
What surprised me most was how quickly it added up.
A few dollars here. Twenty dollars there.
It adds up
A few dollars here, a few dollars there - over time you become more aware of your spending.
It doesn’t feel like much in the moment—but over a week, or a month, it becomes significant.
More importantly, it builds awareness of the things you don’t actually need to buy.
You start to notice:
How often you reach for convenience spending
How many purchases are actually impulse-based
How capable you are of pausing and choosing differently
It may feel like a waste of time to write these things down, but once you see these amounts on paper, you can see where you are saving and how you can save further.
You don’t need to do this forever, but try it for at least one month so you can see the amounts adding up in your pocket. And once you notice those things, you naturally start spending less—without forcing it. Saving will become a part of you over time.
How to Start Your Own Reverse Shopping List
You don’t need anything fancy to begin.
You can use:
A small notebook - https://amzn.to/40ZOqKj (American Amazon site - You can find many pretty, fun small notebooks on Amazon!) https://amzn.to/3NEAkuS (Canadian Amazon site - these are really cute!)
A notes app on your phone
A printable (if you love something a little prettier—I always do) - You can download a free Reverse Shopping List for groceries here in my Freebies section, or head over to my Etsy shop, Slater Digital Studios, for more printables that you can use every day.
Freebies section
GRAB this for FREE!
Then simply start this habit:
Each time you don’t buy something, write it down.
That’s it.
No rules. No pressure. No perfection required.
Some days you might only have one entry.
Other days, you’ll be surprised at how many choices you made.
Make It Feel Good, Not Restrictive
One of the most important parts of this habit is how you frame it.
This is not about guilt.
It’s not about tracking every penny or judging your spending.
It’s about noticing your power in the small, everyday moments.
You’re building confidence with money—the kind that doesn’t come from strict rules, but from awareness and intention. And usually, every good habit starts with awareness and your intent.
A habit
It’s all about how you frame it.
A Small Shift That Changes Everything
Saving money doesn’t always come from big changes.
Sometimes it comes from simply paying attention and giving yourself credit for the choices you’re already making.
The Reverse Shopping List is one of the easiest ways to start.
It’s simple.
It’s encouraging.
And it works.
And over time, those small “didn’t buy” moments turn into real savings. You’ll start to feel a little more in control, a little more intentional, and a lot more peaceful.
***Please note that the Amazon links above are affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you.