Using essential oils can SAVE money by not having to buy things like cleaning supplies or personal care items. Even making one thing makes a difference!
I’m sure there was a moment in time when you questioned what exactly made boxed macaroni and cheese, taste like cheese when all you did was open a packet of yellow powder.
I’ve had many moments like this with food, and non-food.
You know how a bottle of conditioner says to apply and wait a couple of minutes? Sometimes I spent those minutes trying to read the labels on the bottles in the shower.
I could get through the descriptions just fine but got stuck when it came to the ingredients. I mean, how in the world do you even say “Cocamidopropyl Betaine?”
When I started using essential oils, I knew it was an upfront investment and a learning curve.
But I also knew that if I kept at it, essential oils would SAVE money in the long run.
And I was right!
And the good news is, you don’t need a lot of oils in order to start saving money.
Let me explain.
Why I Choose Young Living Essential Oils
First, I choose to buy my oils from Young Living.
You don’t have to buy from Young Living if you don’t want to, but essential oils are powerful and potent, so make sure that whoever you buy your oils from is a reputable company that controls the entire growing process.
After all, there’s no point in making things yourself to get rid of harsh chemicals, only to buy oils that are diluted or contaminated with chemicals and pesticides, right?
P.S. I also love buying essential oils from Plant Therapy on Amazon.
Psst! I called 15 of the most popular essential oil companies and asked if I could tour their farms. 14 companies said no because they couldn’t tell me where their oils were grown.
And I don’t mean they couldn’t give me an address – I mean, they literally didn’t know.
All of the 14 companies told me that their oils were pooled together from various farms, with inconsistent growing practices and no way to know whether or not the oil was contaminated. One company specifically told me that their leaders specifically kept that information withheld, that not even the employees knew were the oils came from.
The only company that said yes? That said I could tour the farm and see the growing, harvesting and distillation process? It was Young Living.
Second, I chose to get my feet wet with a Premium Starter Kit.
I’m always looking for a good deal, and since it’s 58% off compared to buying everything on its own, how could I say no?
Once I became familiar with the 13 oils in the Premium Starter Kit and figured out how to use them throughout the house, I started adding to my collection.
How I Save Money with Essential Oils without Getting Overwhelmed
Third, I focused on one room at a time.
This is how I was able to keep my expenses down AND prevent me from getting overwhelmed while learning how to make things myself.
I started with the laundry room and made a linen spray. I’m prone to forgetting about clothes in the washer, so this helped to keep my clothes smell nice and clean. This also eliminated the need to buy fabric refresher.
Then I moved onto laundry salts. Adding 1-2 Tablespoons softens the water naturally, so I didn’t have to use dryer sheets anymore.
Slowly but surely, I switched over the whole house from store-bought items to homemade items instead. And with each switch, I saved more money!
I’m sure this collection of 30+ Practical Ways Essential Oils Can SAVE You Money isn’t the end all be all, and I’m sure I’ll think of more ways as soon as finish typing up this list.
But it’s a starting place, and it’s a great reference if you’re looking to use more natural options in your home.
30+ Practical Ways Essential Oils Can SAVE You Money
In lieu of fresh herbs.
Unless you are growing your own garden, fresh herbs and spices are going to be costly from the grocery store. In place of fresh herbs, you can use 1-2 drops of essential oils.
- Basil. Fresh basil, $2 vs. 2 drops of Basil Essential Oil, 22¢
- Mint. Fresh mint, $3 vs. 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil, 4¢
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon Sticks, $5 vs. 1 drop of Cinnamon Essential Oil, 25¢
- Nutmeg. Ground nutmeg, $4 vs. 1 drop Nutmeg Essential Oil, 13¢
- Clove. Ground cloves, $5 vs. 1 drop Clove Essential Oil, 15¢
- Ginger. Fresh ginger root, $4 vs. 1 drop Ginger Essential Oil, 15¢
In lieu of zest.
Similar to the cost of fresh herbs, a fresh lemon or lime is going to cost you more than a drop or two of essential oils. Plus you won’t need to come up with something to do with the INSIDE of the lemon after you zest it.
- Lemon. Fresh lemon zest, 80¢ vs. Lemon Essential Oil 6¢ per drop
- Orange. Fresh orange zest, 70¢ vs. Orange Essential Oil 2¢ per drop
- Tangerine. Fresh Tangerine, 30¢ vs. Tangerine Essential Oil 3¢ per drop
- Lime. Fresh lime zest 50¢ vs Lime Essential Oil 3¢ per drop
Natural First Aid Kit
Nothing can replace the hospital in the event of a true emergency. But when you face seasonal ailments, bug bites, and acute issues, essential oils will assist your body and bring comfort.
- Seasonal Support. Over-the-counter nasal spray, $14 vs one drop each of Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint, 27¢
- Bug-be-gone Roll-on. Popular name-brand spray (with harmful DEET!), $5.50 vs Homemade Bug Repellent, $3.30
- Bug Bite Soother. Leading soothing rub, $4.50 vs DIY Owie Blend, $1.20
- Chest rub. Commonly used vapor rub, $7 vs. two drops Raven Essential Oil Blend, 14¢
- Cut & Scrape Salve. Ointment, $7 vs DIY Owie blend, $1.20
Instead of common Store-bought Personal Items
This is where the savings really start to add up. It’s easy to think the cheapest product on the shelf is the best deal. But in reality, you can make that product at home for MUCH less.
Even if the price is close to the same, a DIY product using ingredients you can pronounce is much healthier for your family in the long run.
If you aren’t sure what your products typically cost, your go-to store most likely has the prices listed online. Or use a notebook to start tracking what you’re spending on household items.
Seeing the numbers of what you ACTUALLY spend is always an eye-opener. (This is what I teach my Grocery Budget Bootcamp students to do! Enrollment is currently closed, but you can join my FREE 5-day Crush Inflation Challenge and start saving money on groceries tomorrow!)
- Hand Purifier. Hand sanitizer, $5.60 vs DIY Homemade Hand Gel, $2.87
- Bath bombs. Store-brand lavender bath bombs, $5 vs 10 drops lavender essential oil, $1.14
- Hand Soap. Foaming hand soap $3 vs DIY Thieves Foaming Hand Soap, $2
- Skin Creme. Name brand healing ointment $17, vs DIY Homemade Healing Lotion, $4
- Salt Scrub. Popular salt scrub brand, $5 vs DIY Detoxifying Body Scrub, $2.50
- Post-sun skincare. Generic aloe vera gel, $10 vs DIY After Sun Spray, $3.90
- Deodorant. Leading brand of deodorant, $5 per 2.6oz tube vs Young Living Toothpaste (weird, but it works!) $6.75 per 4oz tube
- Toothpaste. Natural toothpaste, $5.15 per tube vs DIY Homemade Toothpaste, $1.56 per ounce
- Shaving Cream. Common foam shaving cream $5 vs Homemade Whipped Shaving Cream, $4
- Sore Muscle Rub. Name-brand muscle rub $5 vs two drops Cool Azul Essential Oil blend, 30¢
In lieu of household Items
It’s nice to keep the house smelling clean and fresh. By simply diffusing essential oils you will benefit the body in more ways than one.
- Candles. Store-brand candles, $5 vs diffused oil of choice, 6-20¢ per drop
- Room Spray. Popular name brand spray, $3 vs DIY Linen Spray, $1.66
Instead of cleaning items
DIY cleaning products really pack a punch. In fact, using these homemade products around the house instead of bottles with warning labels, keeps your home much safer! Especially if you have young children.
- Surface Wipes. Common household wipes, $6 vs Thieves All-Purpose Cleaner, 34¢
- Wood Cleaner. Generic wood polish, $6 vs DIY Furniture Polish, 66¢
- Mold and Mildew Cleaner. Name-brand tub cleaner, $5 vs 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil, 70¢
- Carpet Deodorizer. Popular carpet powder, $5 vs DIY Carpet Deodorizer, $3.60
- Fabric Softener. Natural brand fabric softener, $4 vs DIY Epsom Salt Laundry Booster, $1.50
If you want to join my education-based essential oil community, you can do that here. I’m sure you have questions, and with 1700+ members who have been using oils day in and day out for several years, I’m sure we have answers!
Kelly Soo
You are the reason why I choose Young Living!. For four years I have been talking myself out of YLEO, because I just can’t think of the ways how they could have third party accountabilities if they monopolized the whole seed to seal? Who is going to make audit the process and progress and certified and deemed honest? The answer is US! And the openess to give tours to consumers. PLUS your blog teaches me how to buy certain thing that from YLEO that will not break your bank. I have signed up with a missionary for Malaysia because she was the first and only one sharing YLEO with me four years ago. I felt I want to honor her with my signing up. Thank you Tiff.
Tiffany
We’re all a big family Kelly – welcome!! ♥