I’ve been writing about frugal living for more than 5 years. I write about money-saving tricks, frugal tips, and ways to make money. Along the way, I have adopted many of these tips in my own life. Some of them I wish I had started sooner.
Automate Your Savings
Eliminate the guesswork from your savings goal. Delete the notifications reminding you to put money aside. Stop being tempted by money that isn’t meant for spending. You can do all three of these things by setting up automatic withdrawals so money goes directly into your savings every payday (or whenever’s convenient for you).
Switch to Native Gardening
We used to spend quite a bit of money on gardeners (even if it was just to mow the lawn and trim the hedges). We’ve since switched to a native ground cover and started prioritizing native plants. This lets us skip the lawnmower and helps us save money on gardening. Also? It’s great for the environment, so I feel like I’m doing my small part.
Shop Your Pantry Before Grocery Shopping
Before you head to your grocery store, see what’s in your pantry, fridge, and freezer first. We’d even say it’s smart to build your entire meal plan around what you already have. This eliminates food waste and can even inspire you to try new recipes. It’ll also prevent you from buying a duplicate can of chickpeas when there’s already one sitting at home.
Using What You Have
“Waste not, want not” was the motto of our grandparents. And they had a good reason: we’re too quick to waste things because it’s too convenient to replace them, even if it’s more expensive. They didn’t have the luxury of buying new things whenever they wanted, and to be honest, most of us don’t either. So apply this mindset to everything and get creative with what you have before you worry about what you don’t.
Make Things from Scratch
There was a day when food had to be made from scratch. And sure, it’s nice to have modern conveniences, like getting sushi in forty minutes. But this is arguably one of the most common ways people waste money: they don’t cook at home enough (or at all, in some cases). Cooking from scratch is almost always cheaper, and it’s a valuable life skill that you can always lean on to improve your diet and your finances.
Eat Less Meat
Your reliance on meat is sending your grocery prices sky-high. Even if you’re not ready to commit to a vegetarian lifestyle, simply making a conscious effort to eat less meat will make your next grocery receipt significantly less shocking. And if you are eating meat, reduce the amount per meal and stretch it with vegetables and healthy grains.
Stock up on Essentials
There are some things you always need. Stock up on essentials when they go on sale to save in the long run. This helps you take advantage of sale prices but also helps you avoid a last-minute panic. No more paying more than full price at the pharmacy for toilet paper at midnight.
