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Most moms want to maximize their home economy. We want to invest in tools that will:
- Help us spend less overall
- Last a long time and hold up to daily life
I often think carefully before making a purchase. Typically, I subject my poor husband to many rounds of discussion about whether something is truly worth our money. (He is very patient with me!)
But I realized—it might be helpful to you, dear reader, to share some of the items I’ve found most valuable in keeping down the cost of running a home. These are things I’ve used for years. Some serve multiple purposes, some just do one job really well, but all of them help keep our household running frugally and efficiently.
🏡 1. Dish Towels
Back in 2021, when I had just three children, I decided that paper towels were a serious waste of our finances. We went through them at a horrifying rate! We had a few kitchen towels, but paper products still outweighed their use. That’s when I had had enough.
I bought a set of basic dish towels on Amazon—just 15—and we still use them today. I also added to the collection with a few old, no-longer-presentable hand towels.
In our old house, we had a deep drawer to store them. In our current home, I use a pretty woven basket, which works just as well. And no—I never fold them. They’re used so quickly that folding them would be a waste of time!
What we use them for:
- Cleaning counters
- Rising bread dough
- Wiping sticky fingers and faces
- Soaking up bacon grease
- Lining containers with fruit
I wash them on the hottest setting to keep them fresh and ready for the next day.
🧴 2. Reusable Spray Bottles
I bought these back in 2019—and they’re still going strong. If you want to be extra frugal, fill them with your own homemade citrus peel vinegar cleaner.
Lately, I’ve been enjoying Plant Therapy’s Germ-Fighting Multi-Surface Cleaner in bulk. It smells lovely and I feel comfortable using it around my children. You only need 1 fl oz of cleaner per 16 fl oz bottle, and the $88 gallon makes 128 bottles—just $0.69 per bottle. You really can’t beat that!
👗 3. Aprons
Aprons are a must for the homemaker—especially with children. I wear mine daily, all day long. It’s the best way to protect my clothes while managing the messes that come with a household full of little ones.
I actually inherited two of my aprons from my mom (which makes them extra special), but I love this style linked above. Pockets are essential! As I tidy up a room, I constantly find small items that belong elsewhere. Into the pocket they go, and they get returned when I make it to that part of the house.
📝 4. Magnetic Notepad
Shop Magnetic Notepad on Amazon
Since becoming a mom, I’ve found large planners overwhelming. Pre-kids, I loved weekly planners. Now? I need something simple and visible.
Enter: the magnetic notepad. I keep two on the fridge at all times—one for the grocery list and one for weekly meal ideas. Anytime I realize we’re out of something, I jot it down before I forget.
You’ll also find magnetic clips on the fridge holding random recipes I’m testing or notes to myself. I guess that shows where I spend most of my time—haha!
🫙 5. Mason Jars
Shop Mason Jars on Amazon
Drink Lids for Mason Jars
What would life be without mason jars?
In our house, mason jars are the ultimate multitaskers:
- Drinking glasses
- Salad dressing shakers
- Chia pudding cups
- Pencil holders
- Spice jars
- Leftover soup storage
You name it—a mason jar probably holds it. There are so many clever lids you can buy to customize them for whatever you need. I especially love the drinking lids—they make mason jars so versatile.
✨ Final Thoughts
These are the household items that help me stay frugal, reduce waste, and run our home more efficiently. I hope they bless you as they’ve blessed me.
If you have a favorite frugal tool you use every day, I’d love to hear about it!
Blessings,
Payton
thecontentedhearth.com 
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