MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Whether it’s the grocery bill or the cost of heating your home through a long Davison County winter, paying for daily expenditures has become noticeably more expensive.
The cost of everything from housing to food to entertainment has seemingly risen dramatically in recent years, and while South Dakota generally boasts a lower cost of living than the coasts, Mitchell residents certainly aren’t immune to feeling the pinch.
As parents navigate these rising costs, they can keep these pointers in mind to save money on daily expenses.
Rethink Your Entertainment Expenses
A report by Adwave noted that the cable television penetration rate dropped from 88% in 2010 to just 35% in 2025.
While families may have cut costs to reduce what they spent to watch their favorite shows, the explosion of television streaming platforms has made it possible that some families are actually spending more on TV now than they were when they had cable.
Parents paying for multiple streaming subscriptions each month may be able to cut back by bundling subscriptions. Alternatively, cancel seldom-used platforms and take advantage of free resources—the Mitchell Public Library offers free access to books, movies, and digital media right here in town.
Make a List Before Going to the Grocery Store
Shoppers know how easy it can be to make impulse buys.
Whether you’re navigating the aisles at Coborn’s or stopping into County Fair Food Store, shopping without a list makes it easy to succumb to temptation.
Parents can make a list prior to leaving for the store and only purchase the items that make the cut. Over time, making a list and sticking to it could save a considerable amount of money.
Make Use of Cash Back Offers
Some credit cards feature cash back offers where users earn cash back on all purchases (though some cards limit cash back to certain categories, such as gas).
Even a cash back offer of 2% can save parents a considerable amount of money over time, but only if cardholders pay the balances in full before interest accrues each month. For example, a 2% cash back card used to make $10,000 worth of purchases over the year can earn cardholders $200 in cash back rewards.
Be More Efficient While Driving
Gas is a big monthly expense for families.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average driver spent $201 per month on gasoline in 2024. Families might spend even more driving kids to and from Mitchell Kernel games, dance recitals, birthday parties, and other activities.
Parents can reduce their gasoline consumption by resolving to be more efficient when running errands around town—like hitting the shops along Sanborn Boulevard and Havens Avenue in a single trip. The fewer short, separate trips drivers make, the more efficiently their vehicles consume fuel.
