There are some things that we need to spend money on. It’s all good and well to say to live on less, but what about things that are necessities? Or at least very important?
How do you save money on that? Here are some great and different frugal living tips to help save money on everyday necessities.
Lawn Maintenance Through Planting Native Plants
An ingenious way to make lawn care easier on yourself?
Plant what you would already love to grow in that spot. Native plants have lower maintenance requirements because they’ve already adapted to the local environment.
This strategy slashes through water budgets and cuts back on the need for costly pesticides and fertilizers. Plus, many local governments also provide rebates or discounts for residents who choose drought-resistant landscaping, making savings even greater.
Better Health Through Preventive Care
Ever heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Be proactive about limiting your healthcare expenses in any way you can, including preventative practices. Routine check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations can both ensure you’re in good health and take the stress off your bank account.
You can also make sure to get generic prescriptions since they contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name version. This tactic keeps healthcare at least somewhat affordable, even with the exorbitant price-gouging you’ll often find at your local pharmacy.
If you can’t do that, then ask your pharmacist if GoodRx can give you a discount. *Yes, it’s that easy.
Lower Bills With Energy Efficient Upgrades
Utility bills can eat a large part of a budget, but you can find a way to offset these, like with energy efficiency upgrades. Many are switching to LED lighting, which consumes up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and lasts far longer.
You can also capitalize on government incentives for energy-efficient appliances. Programs typically offer rebates to incentivize the purchase of Energy Star-rated appliances that use less energy and water. Sealing windows and doors, adding insulation, and installing programmable thermostats are relatively easy changes that can also significantly cut heating and cooling bills.
Cheaper Home Maintenance Through Bartering
Home improvement is a major expense for homeowners. But you can harness the power of talking to your neighbors to save money. For example, if one neighbor is skilled in plumbing and another in landscaping, you can exchange services instead of paying for them.
This only works if both parties have trade skills or are willing to put in the work. But it’s an incredibly valuable way to get things done around your home for a fraction of the price.
Cheaper Groceries With Seasonal Shopping and CSAs
It’s time to become better grocery shoppers. Find out where to shop to find the best deals, avoid being easily enticed by endcaps, and gleefully spend a good part of Saturday cutting coupons. But the real secret to cheaper grocery hauls is less obvious—buying seasonal produce and leveraging farmers’ markets or CSAs (community-supported agriculture).
Only buying fruits and vegetables in season has many benefits, including that they taste better. But when the harvest is plentiful, that also means the farmer needs to sell their bounty as quickly as possible, leading to better prices on foods when they’re at peak ripeness.
