Living frugally doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or convenience. A few well-placed strategies can lead you to enjoy a better life while keeping your spending in check. We’re covering four modern frugal living hacks that feel like cheating but can help you save big without any extra hassle!
Cashback Apps and Rewards Programs
Leveraging cashback apps can honestly feel like getting paid to shop. Cashback apps like Rakuten and Honey allow you to earn money back on your purchases, both online and in-store. By simply linking your credit or debit card, you can earn a percentage of your spending back.
Combine this with rewards programs from your favorite retailers, and you’ll find yourself racking up points that can be redeemed for discounts or even free products. We only recommend doing this with stores you already frequent; signing up for rewards programs at stores you wouldn’t normally spend money at can backfire and actually lead you to spend more.
Meal Prep and Batch Cooking
Cooking at home is one of the best ways to save money. People argue it’s time-consuming, and it certainly can be: unless you have a plan. Enter meal prep and batch cooking—a game changer for busy lives. Spend a few hours on the weekend preparing meals for the week ahead.
Not only does this save you money by reducing the temptation to eat out, but it also saves time during the week and avoids decision fatigue. Everyone’s felt the stress of deciding what to do for dinner when you’re already hungry — meal prep makes this a thing of the past.
Plus, you can control portion sizes and ingredients, leading to healthier eating habits. Once you get into a flow of things, it’ll feel like you’re gaming the system (and probably eating the best you have in your life).
Utilize Subscription Services Wisely
Subscription services can feel like a luxury, but when used strategically, they can actually save you money. Consider services like streaming platforms or even beauty boxes. Subscribing to a service that aligns with your lifestyle gives you access to high-quality products or experiences at a fraction of what you’d pay for it in a store.
We’d like to underline that you want to use these services wisely. Subscription services are rarely a frugal way to live long-term, so just be sure to evaluate your subscriptions regularly to avoid unnecessary costs. Everything is a subscription service these days, and it’s easy to end up experiencing lifestyle creep with things you don’t even own.
Thrift and Swap Your Way to Savings
Why buy new when you can score amazing deals at thrift stores or swap meets? Thrifting has become a trendy way to find unique clothing, furniture, and home goods without breaking the bank.
Plus, many communities host swap events where you can trade items you no longer need for something new-to-you. This saves money and promotes sustainability, so it’s a major win that feels like a secret hack to unlocking a more stylish and eco-friendly lifestyle.
