Frugal living doesn’t need to be hard!
Obviously, there are some really hard ones out there (no, I’m not going to toilet train my baby to save money on diapers), but there are some really easy frugal living tips that you’ll actually stick to because they are that simple!
Make a Budget With the First Payday Plan
A budget can seem overwhelming, but that is only because you didn’t have access to the First Payday Plan, a budgeting tool I made that is literally as simple as plugging a few numbers into a piece of paper. You can easily see how much you spend and how much you need to save. Easy-peasy.
Get the First PayDay Plan now (it’s free)!
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Program your thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures when you’re not home, saving on heating and cooling costs. This is especially useful if you work outside the home and are away for long stretches. Have the temperature adjust when you leave, and right before you come home, so you’ll save money without even noticing. You set it up once, and you don’t need to adjust anything when you leave the house.
Make Your Coffee at Home
Brewing your coffee is not only cheaper but also allows you to customize your cup just the way you like it. And it tastes better. Use an electric coffee maker that has a timer to turn on right before you wake up. So simple, and you wake up to fresh coffee every morning!
Automate Your Savings
Set up automatic transfers to your savings account to make the process effortless. You don’t need to do anything. Just set it up once, and then you are done. Many investing firms, like Vanguard, even let you set it up so they determine how much to deposit into your Roth IRA each year. You don’t even need to do math!
Switch Phone Plans
Phone bills can add up, but low-cost carriers are starting to win customers because of their easy, low-cost billing systems. For example, Mint Mobile is super cheap and very easy to use. You can easily switch plans in your app, and you don’t need to sign any contracts.
Wait Before Buying
One simple rule: leave online shopping carts alone for 24 hours before checking out. This delay helps reduce impulse buys. As a bonus, you might even get a discount code emailed to you just for waiting.
Stick With Generic Brands
In most cases, generic brands work just as well as name brands and cost much less. Unless there’s a noticeable difference in quality, skip the label and save the cash. Coupons and store sales can help bridge the gap if you do need something specific.
