For better or for worse, we live in an age of instant gratification, limitless credit or debt, and fast fashion. Our ancestors never had anything remotely close to the luxuries we have access to today, yet they were generally doing just fine for the most part.
In terms of frugality, our grandparents never had cluttered closets or pantries; instead, they made the most of the things they already had.
Here, we have listed all the ways you can increase your household’s frugality by making the best use of what you have and skipping the things you don’t need.
Plan Meals and Make Grocery Lists
If you have a grocery list when visiting the supermarket, the chances of buying things you don’t need are significantly lower. (That is if you stick to the list, of course.)
It’s great to stock up on non-perishable staples when they are on sale, but if you’re going to be buying perishable food that is not on your list, then the chances of you potentially wasting money are higher. Planning your meals will also ensure that you only spend money on the things that you need instead of purchasing things that you don’t need.
Cook From Scratch
Back in the day, there weren’t many, if any, fast food options out there, and our grandmothers had to resort to cooking everything from scratch. The best part of cooking your meals is that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your body and your family’s bodies.
Another obvious bonus is that you will save quite a bit of money, plus it’s a chance for you to bring out your creative side in the kitchen.
Embrace Sewing
Sewing can be one of the most rewarding hobbies out there. There’s nothing quite like sewing a clothing item or something for home decor yourself and then wearing it or using it in your home. You will get a lot of joy out of this one!
Ditch Disposables for Reusables
By swapping reusables for disposables, you won’t only be saving the planet from excess waste, but you’ll also be saving money since you won’t need to buy disposables when they run out. Think about ditching cotton pads, wet wipes, menstrual pads, and the like for options that are washable and reusable.
Composting
Instead of chucking your food waste in the trash, you could be saving it to make nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Repurposing and Upcycling
If you can just get a little imaginative, then you’ll soon find that everything has potential. By this, we mean that old glass jars can be used as storage, and fabric scraps can be used for making patchwork quilts.
Embrace DIY
Most things in your home can be DIYed if you try. There are so many recipes online for DIYing and making cleaning products from scratch, and YouTube also has a ton of video tutorials for DIY projects. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then we recommend you try this one out!
