6 Budget Hacks to Make Your Money Last (Like Mac Salad at a Potluck)

In our island home, we know how to make things go farther—whether it’s a tray of mac salad at a potluck or your paycheck at the end of the month. With the cost of living always on the rise, local families are getting creative to stay ahead. Here are six practical, island-style ways to stretch your budget, plus tools from Bank of Hawaii to help you stay on track.

1. Make a Budget Plan That Reflects Real Life

Start with the essentials—housing, food, transportation—then layer in savings and lifestyle spending. Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track where your money actually goes.

Pro Tip: Use Bank of Hawaii’s mobile banking tools to set spending alerts and track your expenses in real time. It’s like having a financial dashboard in your pocket.

2. Buy in Bulk and Meal Prep, Island Style

With food prices going up, buying in bulk and cooking at home is key. Do what local families do: share Costco runs, prep big-batch meals (think: kalua pig, chili, or shoyu chicken), and meal prep for the week and freeze portions for later.

Pro Tip: Set aside a line in your budget for sale and bulk buys. You might splurge this week on trays of frozen chicken, but that can save you next month when you need to feed the family.

3. Repurpose and Reuse Like a Chef

No food waste here because leftovers are just tomorrow’s ono lunch. Transform spicy poke into ono fish tacos, rice into fried rice, or BBQ chicken into musubi. It’s not just smart—it’s delicious.

Pro tip: Meal planning and meal prep help reduce waste and save money. Use a simple weekly planner to map out meals and avoid impulse takeout.

4. Cut Transportation Costs: Carpool and Consolidate Trips

Fuel costs are always trending up. If you work in town, link up with a coworker to share rides. Run all your errands on one day to save gas—Costco, Longs, and the post office, one loop.

Pro Tip: Keep tabs on your car’s fuel efficiency. If it drops, it may be time for a tune-up  or repair.

5. Automate Your Savings—Even If It’s Small

Saving doesn’t have to be big to be effective. Even $20 per paycheck adds up over time. The key is consistency.

Pro Tip: Open a Bank of Hawaii savings account with automatic transfers and start building your savings today.

6. Enjoy Hawaii Without Spending a Lot

Free (or nearly free) fun is everywhere. From sunsets at Ala Moana to hiking Makapuu to BYOB pupu nights with friends, you don’t have to spend big to live well.

Pro Tip: Follow us on Instagram for local events, community news, and ways to support small businesses near you.

Final Thoughts: Budgeting is a Skill

Just like making the perfect mac salad, the key to making your money stretch is simple: preparation, creativity, and consistency. Whether you’re saving for a house, planning for a trip, or just trying to survive the weekly grocery run, small shifts can create big impact.

Ready to get serious about your budget?

Let us help you and book an appointment with a local expert to start today.

Lono’s Hawaiian Mac Salad Recipe: Creamy. Tangy. Comfort in a bowl.

Servings: 8–10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours (optional but recommended)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti noodles
• 2 ½ cups Mayonnaise (Best Foods)
• 6 boiled eggs
• 4 Large Potatoes
• 8 oz of imitation Crab Meat
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain well and place in a large bowl.
2. Cook eggs by placing them in a pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Then, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the eggs sit for 10-12 minutes for a fully cooked, hard-boiled egg. Cool the eggs in an ice bath before peeling to make them easier to peel and prevent a green ring around the yolk.
3. Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until fork-tender (usually 10-20 minutes). Drain and let them cool.
4. Chop up eggs and Imitation Crab.
5. In a separate, small bowl, Fold the mayo mixture into the noodles, chopped up eggs, potato cubes and imitation crab until all the noodles are evenly coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (best if overnight).
7. Gently stir before serving, add a little more mayonnaise if needed.

Local Tip: Make extra. It somehow tastes even better the next day.

Lono Kealoha is a Senior Vice President at Bank of Hawaii and serves as the Director of Community & Employee Engagement. He also holds the role of President of the Bank of Hawaii Foundation, where he leads initiatives focused on community impact and employee involvement. And he makes the best Hawaiian food. (We might be a little biased.)