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What Saved Us Money This Month
Each month, I share something that genuinely saved us money in our own household. It’s never about fancy hacks or extreme measures — just real-life habits, swaps, or small skills that make a noticeable difference over time. If it fits your situation, you can try it too.
This month’s money saver: Replacing the windscreen wiper blades on our cars ourselves.
Why it worked
Replacing wiper blades is one of those jobs many people pay someone else to do simply because it feels unfamiliar. But in reality, it’s quick, straightforward, and requires no special tools. Each car took only a few minutes, and the entire job was finished in about half an hour.
By doing it ourselves, we saved $20 per vehicle compared to having an auto store fit them. For our family, that added up to $80 saved in one go — which is more than a full week’s grocery budget if you’re following the Super Shopper Food Challenge.
That’s a meaningful saving for very little effort.
It’s also satisfying to know the job was done properly, at our own pace, without booking time or waiting around.
Try this at home
If you’re replacing the entire wiper blade, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the old blades
Unclip the old wiper assembly from the wiper arm. Carefully lower the wiper arm onto a cloth placed on the windscreen to prevent accidental damage.
Step 2: Select the correct clip adaptor
New wiper blades usually come with multiple adaptors. Compare the old blade with the adaptor options, choose the matching one, and snap it into the new blade.
Step 3: Fit the new wiper blade
Clip the new blade onto the wiper arm the same way the old one came off. Make sure it locks securely, then gently lower it back into position. Ready for the next rainy day.
If you’re only replacing the rubber inserts, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the wiper blades
While rubbers can sometimes be replaced while attached, it’s often easier to remove the blades entirely. Again, protect the windscreen with a cloth.
Step 2: Remove the old rubbers
Use pliers to slide the old rubber out of the blade. Some blades have small end clips that need pressing; others will slide free with gentle pressure.
Step 3: Fit the new rubbers
Check that the new rubbers are the same width as the old ones. Some cars use different sizes on each side. Slide the rubber through each claw of the blade and secure it at the base.
Step 4: Trim to size
Wiper rubbers are multi-fit. Trim them to length, leaving about a 25 mm overhang past the last claw.
Small jobs like this add up. Learning one simple skill can save money every time the task comes around — and that’s the Cheapskates way.
Replacing wiper blades is one of those jobs many people pay someone else to do simply because it feels unfamiliar. But in reality, it’s quick, straightforward, and requires no special tools. Each car took only a few minutes, and the entire job was finished in about half an hour.
By doing it ourselves, we saved $20 per vehicle compared to having an auto store fit them. For our family, that added up to $80 saved in one go — which is more than a full week’s grocery budget if you’re following the Super Shopper Food Challenge.
That’s a meaningful saving for very little effort.
It’s also satisfying to know the job was done properly, at our own pace, without booking time or waiting around.
Try this at home
If you’re replacing the entire wiper blade, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the old blades
Unclip the old wiper assembly from the wiper arm. Carefully lower the wiper arm onto a cloth placed on the windscreen to prevent accidental damage.
Step 2: Select the correct clip adaptor
New wiper blades usually come with multiple adaptors. Compare the old blade with the adaptor options, choose the matching one, and snap it into the new blade.
Step 3: Fit the new wiper blade
Clip the new blade onto the wiper arm the same way the old one came off. Make sure it locks securely, then gently lower it back into position. Ready for the next rainy day.
If you’re only replacing the rubber inserts, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the wiper blades
While rubbers can sometimes be replaced while attached, it’s often easier to remove the blades entirely. Again, protect the windscreen with a cloth.
Step 2: Remove the old rubbers
Use pliers to slide the old rubber out of the blade. Some blades have small end clips that need pressing; others will slide free with gentle pressure.
Step 3: Fit the new rubbers
Check that the new rubbers are the same width as the old ones. Some cars use different sizes on each side. Slide the rubber through each claw of the blade and secure it at the base.
Step 4: Trim to size
Wiper rubbers are multi-fit. Trim them to length, leaving about a 25 mm overhang past the last claw.
Small jobs like this add up. Learning one simple skill can save money every time the task comes around — and that’s the Cheapskates way.