In 2026, everything feels new and flashy. And maybe some things are. But the fact of the matter is that even outdated frugal tips are still quietly saving people tons of money.
These frugal living tips are working quietly in the background, saving people money and helping them build modest wealth.
Here are some “outdated” frugal tips that quietly save a ton of money today.
Hanging Laundry To Dry
Hanging your laundry to dry, as opposed to using a dryer, saves you money in two ways.
First of all, it helps you reduce your electric bill. With rising costs, this is no small matter. But it also helps in another way. Drying your clothes is better for your clothes and will help them last longer and fade more slowly. This will help you keep your clothes for longer, so you won’t have to buy new ones.
Cooking From Scratch
Cooking at home is seriously the most underrated frugal living tip. Especially, now that delivery apps and fast food stores are so expensive (there is no $1 menu anymore), and you have to pay service fees and tips every time you do anything.
Buying pre-made food is also ridiculously expensive and adds up so quickly. If you regularly use the apps to calculate how much you are spending on fees and tips, you will quickly realize how much you can save just by cooking your meals at home from scratch.
Get a free meal planning printable here!
Buying Generic Brands
Generic brands are very often just store brands without the labels. There are very few items where it is worth spending extra on name-brand items. Make it the default to buy generic and then splurge for the few items you really want.
Keeping the Thermostat on Low (Or High)
Keep your thermostat a few degrees lower in winter and a few degrees higher in the summer. Layer up in the winter and use other ways to keep cool in the summer, and save on your electric bill. If you work outside the home, then get into the habit of raising or lowering your thermostat before you leave.
Caveat: never lower your thermostat too low in the winter, even if you are not home, as this can cause your pipes to freeze and will turn into a very costly mistake.
Canceling Unused Subscriptions
Everything is a subscription now, and that means that you probably have at least one or two subscriptions that you signed up for that you don’t really need.
This is a monthly cost that you can easily cut. Go through your subscriptions, cancel what you don’t need, and see if you can challenge yourself to cancel a few that you don’t really need. Maybe you can live without it. You can always sign up again if you really need it.
Driving Cars Long Past Payoff
You don’t need a new car. I said it, and I meant it. Cars are meant to be driven for a really long time, and just because it’s been a few years or your loan is paid off doesn’t mean you need a new one. Drive it until you can’t anymore.
This is where the real savings come into play. Imagine putting your car payment into savings or debt payoff every month. Those numbers get real big, real quick.
Shopping Secondhand First
The thrift stores and secondhand stores are overflowing. Everyone buys and discards so much nowadays. That means that you can easily find cheap items to buy second-hand. Make it a habit to shop secondhand first and see what you can find. You can save some serious money this way.
Repairing Before Replacing
Just because something breaks doesn’t mean you need a new one. If there is an item, chances are there is a YouTube video or a Reddit post that tells you how to fix it. do some sluehting before tossing it.
Eating Leftovers Multiple Times
That big pot of soup that you made? That chicken you roasted? Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Use up those leftovers multiple times a week if needed, and save money and eat good food. Fridge and freeze your leftovers properly so they can easily be eaten.
Using Libraries Regularly
Libraries are the best free resource still available to you. You don’t need to buy books, magazines, or even ebooks as the library has all that for free. Your library can also have some other resources, such as free tutoring, free museum tickets, free seeds for your garden, or other items. So, pop in and ask the librarian for help!
DIY Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products is really very easy and very cost-effective. You can save a lot of money just by mixing your own supplies. Get some easy recipes here.
Waiting Before Big Purchases
Making quick decisions and purchases will cost you in the long run. Pause and wait before making a big purchase to make sure it’s really the right choice. Make mindful choices, and you won’t regret what you spend your money on.
Avoiding Convenience Fees
Convenience is nice, but it costs a lot. Do your best to avoid those fees by picking up items yourself, waiting a few days, or otherwise avoiding those pesky fees. They really do add up nd it’s better to save that money for when you really need to pay for convenience.
