Living frugally sometimes feels like a cheat code no one told you about; how on earth are people saving money in today’s economic climate? Here’s the twist: once I actually gave some weirdly frugal habits a real shot, I found myself way happier and way better off financially. Here are five things I started doing that honestly made me look at money (and life) completely differently.
Cooking from Scratch
My idea of “cooking” used to be microwaving leftovers or maybe boiling some pasta and tossing it into some jarred sauce. But when the takeout bills started piling up, I figured it was time to give “real” cooking a try. It can’t be any more embarrassing than how much I spend on late-night tacos.
I was surprised to discover the joy of cooking and the satisfaction of knowing exactly what went into my meals. Now, cooking is routine for me, so I’m saving money, living a healthier lifestyle, and still enjoying tacos whenever I please.
Embracing Secondhand Shopping
I used to think thrift shops were just for people who liked collecting weird antiques or old band t-shirts. But I decided to give it a try, and I was missing out on some true gems. I found clothes and home stuff for a fraction of the price—and a lot of it still looked brand new.
Shopping secondhand helped me expand my personal style without overspending, and the thrill of “the hunt” became a fun challenge. Trust me; you’d be shocked at what people just give away.
Cutting Back on Subscriptions
Subscription creep is a real problem that not enough people talk about. One minute you’re signing up for a free trial, next thing you know you’re paying for six streaming services, a fitness app, and some random monthly snack box you keep forgetting about until it arrives at your door.
I decided to cut back on the ones I barely used or could easily live without. I cut out anything that didn’t spark joy (or at least couldn’t justify anymore). And just like that, I had extra money each month and less clutter on my phone and TV.
Practicing Mindfulness
My spending used to be all over the place. Walk into Target for toothpaste, leave with a cart full of stuff I didn’t even remember picking up. It was a problem, at least until I started practicing mindful spending.
I started making myself hit the pause button before any purchase—sometimes just for a few minutes, sometimes overnight. I ask: Do I really need this? Will I use it? Can I borrow or DIY it instead? I stopped bringing home random junk, my place is less cluttered, and I just feel more in control of my life.
Doing a No-Spend Challenge
This one sounded impossible at first, but it’s honestly one of my favorite habits now. For a month, I challenged myself to buy only the essentials—no coffee runs, no new clothes, no random Amazon splurges.
And to my delightful surprise, not only was it easier than I thought, it was fun. I rekindled my love for old hobbies, got (even more) creative with meals, and had friends over for a cozy night in instead of an expensive night out. I realized most of my spending was just habit, not actual need. My savings saw a nice boost, and I even started appreciating the things I have so much more.
