If you’re buying these regularly, you’re overspending. Frugal people know the secret alternatives.
Here are some of the most effective strategies people have used to save money.
Alcohol
One of the quickest ways to save money is by cutting back or eliminating alcohol and other vices. Many people don’t realize just how much they’re spending until they make a change. One person shared that quitting drinking had an immediate effect on their wallet, noting that the amount they saved was “mind-blowing.”
Not only did it improve their health, but it also gave them the perspective on how expensive this habit really was. For another individual, quitting alcohol and other substances resulted in over $1,000 in savings within a year. They also moved to a more affordable area, reallocating the money they saved into personal development, like therapy and fitness, and the benefits were more than just financial—they felt healthier and more productive as a result.
Entertainment Costs
Entertainment subscriptions can quickly add up. One effective way to save is by rotating your streaming services. Instead of subscribing to multiple services at once, switching between platforms every month allows you to pay for only one service at a time. This approach keeps your entertainment budget under control while still giving you access to a wide variety of content.
Delivery Fees
Food delivery services, while convenient, often come with hefty markups and fees. One person found that ordering takeout, especially through services like Uber Eats, was far more expensive than picking up the food themselves.
Between delivery fees, tips, and higher menu prices, the cost could end up being several times more than if they had just gone to the restaurant. By cooking at home or picking up food themselves, they managed to save a significant amount of money.
Viral Items
In a world of influencer marketing, it’s easy to buy things you don’t actually need. One person found that they saved a significant amount of money by stopping purchases based on influencer recommendations. Instead, they started purchasing products they genuinely needed after evaluating their own lifestyle and routines, which led to much wiser and more cost-effective decisions.
Packed Lunch
For many, buying lunch out can quickly drain a budget. By making lunch at home, one person realized they were saving a substantial amount—about 10 euros every day. In the past, they’d often grab takeaway several times a week, but after the increasing costs and additional fees, they decided to start meal planning and prepping at home. This simple shift helped them save hundreds of euros and made eating at home much more enjoyable.
Red Meat
Meat, particularly red meat, can be one of the most expensive items in a grocery cart. By reducing their intake of steaks and opting for cheaper alternatives like chicken, one person found they were able to save a considerable amount on their grocery bill. They also discovered that cooking healthier meals at home was not only cheaper but also more rewarding and fulfilling.
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