These 15 essential frugal living tips aren’t groundbreaking. They’re just the kind of advice that actually works. You probably have heard of them before, but everyone needs a reminder every now and then.
If you’re ready to stop wasting money on things that don’t matter (and maybe have a little more left for the things that do), this is your list.
Create a Budget
It might seem like common sense, but sometimes, the biggest thing you can do to implement frugal living is simply create and stick to a budget. Getting organized with your finances starts with ensuring you know exactly what you’re spending and where your money is going.
Creating a budget that plans out how much you make and how much you’ll spend on specific items and ensuring that you don’t stray from your budget can save you a great deal of money.
Cook at Home
One of the easiest things you can do to save money is to cook at home. Planning your meals out a week ahead and making a grocery list before going to the store can save you a lot of money. If you plan out meals, you can assess what ingredients you already have at home to afford to purchase extras. By having a list that you stick to, you can avoid impulse purchases and spending more than your budget allows.
Buy Generic Brands
You’d be surprised at the difference it can make in your expenses if you simply buy generic or store-brand items instead of the name brands. Usually, name brands are more expensive, and you’re spending more money to receive the same item.
Use Coupons and Discounts
You can almost always find a coupon or discount for an item you’re planning to purchase if you’re just willing to look a little. Finding a coupon or discount can help you save on purchases and will save you money in the long run. Download coupon apps on your phone so you can easily get all the discounts you need.
Shop Secondhand
You can often find secondhand items for less than half the price if you bought them new. No matter what you need, you can usually always find it secondhand, and many times, you don’t even have to sacrifice quality.
Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
Many people are paying for subscriptions and memberships that they aren’t actively using, and they don’t even realize that their money is going toward them. You can save money by assessing what subscriptions or memberships aren’t getting used or if you have duplicates. You can also look at your subscriptions and see which ones you aren’t using as often as others to save money.
Cut Back on Dining Out
Dining out is expensive; even when you think it isn’t much, it can add up over time. You’d be surprised at what the costs can be at the end of the month when you’ve been eating out, even just a few times. You can save immensely by eating at home and not ordering in or eating out.
DIY Cleaning and Beauty Products
You might want to DIY your own cleaning and beauty products for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is to save money. Most DIY cleaning products cost less than a dollar to make and can save you substantial money.
Comparison Shop Before Purchasing
Don’t just accept the first price that you see when making purchases. You can find a cheaper price almost every time if you’re just willing to look around for it. You can call insurance, internet, and cable companies and ask prices until you find the cheapest.
Limit Impulse Buying
Impulse buying gets the best of all of us, and it can end up costly. Usually, you’ll spend money on something you don’t need and regret it later. Telling yourself to wait a specific period of time, think a day, before purchasing something you want can help you think if the purchase is necessary.
Negotiate Prices
Never settle for a bad price. You can always find a better price, and sometimes, it’s worth taking the time to negotiate. When you call around and negotiate prices, it’s usually helpful if you’re already an existing customer, as there are usually better deals.
Reduce Energy Consumption
A lot of people’s money goes toward their energy bills. This can be easily fixed by installing energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs. Over time, this will help reduce your electric and gas bills. You can also ensure that you turn off any lights before you leave the house and at night to cut down on your energy consumption.
Utilize Public Transportation
When you take advantage of public transportation, you can offset gas and insurance costs. You can either opt to bike, take the bus, or use the subway, depending on where you’re located, and you’ll be surprised at the costs you can cut down merely by utilizing public transportation.
Save on Water Usage
Water costs can be a lot, and you can save more than you think by simply being more mindful of your water usage. Try not to let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth. You can take shorter showers instead of baths and turn the water off while you shampoo or soap.
Plan and Prioritize Purchases
Planning out what you’re going to purchase and prioritizing the most important purchases can help you save money. By having a plan of what you’ll buy before you make a purchase and knowing what the most important item to purchase is, you can be more purposeful and organized with your purchases.
Get Stuff for Free
Cutting down on spending doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do without things you need and want. There are so many easy ways to get stuff for free if you use a little creativity and know where to look. Reach out to friends and online groups for items, especially clothes, that people are giving away. Join swaps and trade with friends to share things you need.
