Frugal living sometimes gets a bad rap. After all, who wants to sit in a cold, dark room eating stale leftovers every day?
If that’s all you think frugal living is, then I have some news for you! Frugal living doesn’t mean you can’t have anything you want, and we do turn on our lights sometimes.
Here are 7 frugal living tips for you to try that don’t feel cheap or miserable at all.
Create a Budget
It might seem like common sense, but sometimes, the biggest thing you can do to implement frugal living is create and stick to a budget. Getting organized with your finances starts with knowing exactly what you’re spending and where your money is going.
Creating a budget that outlines how much you make and how much you’ll spend on specific items, and ensuring you don’t stray from it, can save you a great deal of money.
Read More: The 9 Best Budgeting Apps To Make Managing Your Finance Easy
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. This way you can get what you want… just spend less!
Start a Cheap Hobby
Not all hobbies are expensive. Replace costly social outings with frugal alternatives like reading, walking, or learning a new skill online. Local libraries and community centers are goldmines for free or low-cost leisure activities.
Learn To Cook
Cooking at home is one of the most powerful ways to save money. Buy ingredients in bulk, cook from scratch, and freeze leftovers. You’ll eat healthier, reduce food waste, and dramatically cut your monthly food expenses. If you teach yourself some really good recipes, you can have absolutely delicious recipes and still save money.
Use Your Local Library
Libraries are packed with free resources beyond books, like museum passes, board games, craft tools, hobby kits, and free classes. They’re a hidden gem for budget-conscious families and lifelong learners. It’s a great way to have fun that isn’t miserable.
Plan an Extravagant Stay-Cation
Get creative with your vacation this year by staying home.
You don’t have to stay inside; bonus quirky points if you camp out in the backyard! Staycations can also mean exploring your hometown and falling in love with your favorite places all over again. You’re saving on airfare and accommodations, so not only do you have a more flexible budget, but you can afford to splurge a bit more and go big!
Collect Your Rainwater
Rainwater is a free natural resource you can use to water your garden. You can go all-out and install an irrigation system (which is more expensive up front, but makes using rainwater easier) or use a rain barrel. Either approach will let you harness the power of Mother Nature to help save money on your utilities. This is especially good for those of you with greener thumbs!
