Saving money regularly should be everyone’s habit.
However, some people take the concept to a whole new level.
Here are things people do to save money that even other frugal people might consider a bit extreme.
Save on Gas by Consolidating Errands
This might not sound very extreme, but waiting for one specific day to run all weekly errands is a surprisingly effective way to cut down on gas spending. Consolidating errands by doing errands that are close together at the same time is a great way to save gas (and time).
Keeping the Heat Uncomfortably Low
The heat piles up electric bills when left on for too long. The workaround? Stocking up on throw blankets to stay warm instead of reaching for the thermostat. You can also layer up with sweaters and sweatshirts. Keep a glass of hot water or a hot water bottle nearby to keep your hands and feet warm.
Cutting Lotion Bottles in Half
When a lotion bottle seems empty, it usually contains about 6–8 more ounces of product inside.
Cutting the bottle in half to get every last drop may seem extreme, but that’s a lot of lotion going to waste otherwise. You can do this with shampoo and conditioner, too.
Freezing Chicken Bones To Make Broth
Chicken bones and leftover vegetable scraps don’t have to go in the trash.
Freeze them and use them to make broth. The same logic applies to bread ends: freeze them, then bake a bread casserole with eggs, milk, sautéed onions, and bread cubes.
Re-Using Gallon-Sized Ziploc Bags
Re-using Ziploc bags strikes some people as unhygienic, and to be fair, there’s one hard rule: never reuse bags that have held raw meat.
For everything else, wash and reuse freely.
Buying Powdered Versions of Sauces
Instead of buying liquid sauces, marinades, and condiments, some frugal shoppers decide to buy the powdered versions. They last significantly longer, stretching the dollar further.
Taking this further, you can make everything from scratch and save even more. There is basically nothing you can’t make a version of yourself.
Keeping Windows Open at Night
Keeping windows open at night, with a bedroom fan if needed, is another effective way to cut the electricity bill. Some people rarely touch the AC at all. You can save a lot on your AC bills.
Using Cloth Instead of Paper Towels
Paper towels are expensive and single-use. A practical alternative is to buy cheap terrycloth shop towels and use them as bar mops. Handkerchiefs also double as surface cleaners around the house.
Unplugging Appliances
Unplugging appliances may not save a dramatic amount at year’s end, but every little dime adds up to big savings over time, and for many, it simply becomes a habit. Unplug everything you don’t use and all your stuff before you go to bed or before you leave the house.
Cutting Your Own Hair
A professional haircut is expensive. Cutting your own hair is a solid frugal move that saves significant money over the long run.
Can’t do it yourself? Barter with a friend who can.
The Two-Tea System
Here’s a creative one.
When making a morning cup of tea, pour hot water into a regular mug with the tea bag for about 30 seconds, then transfer the tea bag to a large thermos of hot water and let it steep indefinitely. By the time the first cup is finished, the thermos is already ready to go. One tea bag turns into two full cups.
Skipping Daily Showers
Not everyone can skip frequent showers, but some are willing to cut back to three or four times a week. Grooming wipes and antiperspirant help keep things fresh in between.
Dumpster Diving for Food
Dumpster diving has become more common, and people do find useful things. Diving specifically for food, however, is questionable. There’s no way to know the condition or safety of discarded food items. So if you do it, then do it at your own risk.
Re-Using Cooking Oil
Frying oil doesn’t have to be a one-time-use item. It can reasonably be reused at least once, though some people stretch it much further.
The key is straining it first. Pour the used oil through cheesecloth into a jar to catch crumbs and debris before storing.
Thrifting as a Date Night
Restaurants make going out an expensive habit. One creative alternative: skip dining out entirely and spend date nights thrifting, hitting the Costco food court, or grabbing $3 burgers from a local gas-station chain and eating them in the park.
Meal Prepping Salads for Work Lunches
One of the most impactful strategies on this list: meal prepping salad ingredients every Sunday night, then supplementing with a little fresh lettuce from the salad bar at work.
The result? Savings of over $1,000 a year compared to buying lunch daily and a lunch that coworkers may mock, but the bank account doesn’t.
Read More:
- 14 Frugal Living Tips To Learn From Warren Buffett
- People Who Grew Up Poor Share the 20 Ultimate “Poor” People Hacks
- 15 Tips for Frugal Living on a Tight Budget
