Living frugally doesn’t mean being a cheapskate or living off beans and rice. It means getting more out of your money and what you spend it on.
Here are some awesome ways to live frugally without shivering under three blankets in a cold apartment!
More Mileage From Paper Towels
Say you use a paper towel to soak up a small water spill. It isn’t really dirty, so spread it out and let it dry. Then use it to clean a window.
Check Out Goodwill and Facebook Marketplace
You can find great deals on good-quality items, and sometimes you can get them for free. You can also sell items you don’t want or need.
Estate Sales
When someone dies or there’s a need for a homeowner to quickly sell off belongings, an estate sale may occur. It’s an opportunity to get bargain rates on things that may be of great use or that might have a high resale value.
Dine In
Unless you’re preparing gourmet meals, any meal enjoyed at home will be far less expensive than one at a restaurant. You’ll save even more money since you’re not adding tips to the bill.
Libraries
Libraries still exist! You can still borrow books instead of buying them. Many libraries now also offer free or really cheap internet access.
Live Below Your Means
Pretend that instead of earning what you do, you’re really earning x percent less than that. Then budget according to that “new” salary. This will help you prioritize necessities and save money.
Eat Leftovers
Every year, people toss literally millions of dollars worth of uneaten food into the trash. It’s like throwing money away. Leftovers are great for lunches and the next night’s dinner, and they also mean less cleanup.
Automate Savings and Investments
Everyone knows they should save money for retirement and emergencies, but it’s hard to do that manually. If you have a 401K or a similar account, you can probably arrange for a certain amount from every paycheck to go into it before taxes and before the money hits your main account. Do it!
Adjust the Thermostat
Room temperature is 65 F, but there’s no law that you have to keep your house at that temperature. In the winter, lower the thermostat and get cozy with a blanket or an extra layer. In the summer, you can raise it a little and still be fine.
Loctite
Have you ever noticed that Krazy Glue and Gorilla Glue work but don’t seem to last that long? Try Loctite instead; it can make repaired items last longer and also save you on repair solutions.
Basic Car Maintenance
Are you taking your car to the shop for oil changes, fluid refills, and wiper blade replacements? If yes, why? These and other basic maintenance procedures are easy for most people and can save hundreds of dollars a year.
Freeze Food
Frozen food lasts a long time, from months to even years depending on the type of food. When you find a good price on something perishable you eat a lot of, buy a lot of it, and freeze it (assuming it’s okay to freeze it).
Buy In Bulk
Whether you’re freezing or not, buy in bulk whenever you can as long as what you buy won’t go bad before you use it. Bulk prices are typically way lower than per-package prices.
Live With More People
If you’re a loner, this won’t work, but anyone else should consider this. Roommates and family members mean splitting the rent, and that translates into huge savings. Say your rent is $1000 and three people are paying it; that’s about $667 you’ve freed up each month!
Downsize Your Home
We often get trapped into the idea of big cars and big homes as status symbols. Both come with bigger payments. If the kids are grown and moved out, you don’t need that big house and can save a lot on mortgage payments and property taxes.
Work From Home
Remote work was getting rolling several years ago, and the pandemic made it a big thing that a lot of people want as a permanent gig. From just an economic perspective, think of the savings on gas, stops at Starbucks and convenience stores, wear and tear on the car, etc.
Dry Laundry Outside
If you have a sunny spot in the yard, hang washed laundry there to dry. Your electricity bill will be lower, and you can enjoy that fresh air scent in your clothes and linens.
Cancel Unused and Underused Subscriptions
A lot of subscriptions are self-renewing. Are you paying for ones you don’t use? Also, are you getting the most out of the ones you do use? For example, if you’re paying for Amazon Prime each year but rarely watch or order anything, you might be better off without it.
Costco
You can get great deals at Costco. The downside is the inconvenience of going there if there isn’t one close by, but if you go regularly, you’ll quickly recoup the membership fee and enjoy great savings.
Price Match
Before you buy something, especially online, check to see if competitors have the same item at a better price. Retailers will usually match prices and will sometimes offer even sweeter deals to earn your business and your loyalty.
Read More:
- 6 Best Apps To Scan Receipts for Money
- The 15 Best Reading Apps for Book Lovers
- The 9 Best Budgeting Apps To Make Managing Your Finance Easy
