Saving Money So You Can Do More Genealogy

One of the comments I hear a lot from family history researchers is that they are unable to afford  the website subscriptions, books, research trips, or vital records they need  because it’s all too expensive.  And let’s face it, genealogy can be an expensive hobby.  Like most hobbies it can take over your life and your spare change.

I’ve seen a lot of people do an enormous amount of research utilizing free sites, libraries and networking.  They are able to get the research they need done without purchasing subscription memberships. Blogger Miriam Robbins Midkiff has a great series on Frugal Genealogy on her blog Ancestories.  A few postings in this 10 part series include Website Subscriptions and Genealogy Records.

One way you can save money so that you can spend more on genealogy is by cutting your food costs.  Now, you may think I’ve lost it but I am serious.  By using coupons, you can save tons of money and then use that money for a book, subscription, or vital record.

Now, I’m not talking about just clipping coupons and that’s it.  I’m talking about using manufacturers’ coupons with store coupons and sales.  No, you don’t have to make coupon clipping your new hobby to see substantial savings.  And even if you don’t like canned or frozen foods, my guess is that you do use paper towels, toilet paper, band-aids, shampoo and other items, all of which have coupons.

Just as an example, I went to the grocery store today and I saved $53.00.  That was 39% of my grocery bill.  Not a huge amount of money but that could pay for a few books or vital record certificates. Now if you were to put away what you saved you could quickly afford what you want on your genealogy wish list.

Some places to learn more about using coupons so they save you the most include The Grocery Game and the Coupon Mom .

You don’t have to go overboard, just try a few things and then make a commitment that the money you save goes towards your genealogical fund.  Saving on groceries could mean spending more on genealogy and who doesn’t like that?