6 Frugal Habits That Instantly Reduce Stress and Monthly Bills

Dealing with money is stressful. Even if you have a lot of it, dealing with money is a lot, and many people avoid dealing with their finances because it’s a lot.

Adopting these habits in your regular life will reduce your stress (and your monthly bills) so you can spend your time and energy on the things you actually care about!

Automating Bills

Paying bills is a pretty big pain, and if you don’t keep track of them properly, you can end up racking up some pretty hefty fees. That’s a pretty silly tax to pay, especially if you have the money to pay them. Take the time to set up as many bills as you can on autopay.

If they don’t charge you more for it, put them all on one credit card, and then you can monitor just one card to make sure everything is being charged properly. This way, you won’t ever have a missed payment. 

Meal Prepping

When it comes to saving money on food, meal prep is your greatest tool. Cooking in batches and saving pre-portioned helpings for later will not only help you resist the temptation of dining out but also save you time in the kitchen throughout the week.

Make a big batch of stew, soup, or other bulk meal and divide it into containers to use as easy meals later. You can even freeze some as a healthy alternative to a store-bought frozen dinner later.

Unplugging Unused Electronics

If you aren’t using it, why does it still need to draw power? These items steal electricity from you by continuing to draw on it even when they aren’t being used. You might think they are off, but really, they are still using electricity (especially if they have some sort of sensors or lights). 

Cancelling Unused Subscriptions

Many of us hardly use some of the subscriptions we pay for every month.  Are you paying for a streaming service that you bought a few months ago just to watch one show or movie and then forget about it?

Review your subscriptions, decide which ones you barely use or can live without, and free up brain space (you’ll be shocked about how much freer you feel.)

Using Thermostats Wisely

Although there may be an upfront cost to install it if you don’t already have one, programmable thermostats can help you save money in the long run. They can be set to automatically change the temperature at night or while you’re away from home, reducing your cooling and heating bills.

Keeping a Simplified Budget

The cornerstone of financial stability is a well-thought-out budget. By tracking your income and expenses, you gain a clear picture of where your money goes, allowing you to make informed decisions and prioritize savings.

You don’t need anything fancy; a simple pen and paper budget will work really well. As soon as you decide where your money is going, you will have a huge mental load off your head every time you shop or spend money. 

Feeling overwhelmed by your finances? Our simple, printable budget planner makes it easy to track where every dollar goes. Download it free now!
 

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