Being frugal is about spending money wisely and getting the most out of it. It’s not, as many people incorrectly think, about depriving yourself or being a cheapskate.
Here are several random tips for how you can enjoy life while not wasting so much money.
Use Wi-Fi As Much As Possible
Your smartphone doesn’t need a data plan to access the internet; all it needs is a Wi-Fi connection. Having a data plan is still a good idea, but connecting to Wi-Fi as much as possible means you can go with a cheap data plan.
Free TV Still Exists
An antenna can still pick up the traditional channels that were out there before cable. If you don’t need specialty channels, this can work for you.
Utilize Libraries
Modern libraries are far more than places to get books. You can go online, watch movies and TV, play video games, and more. There are also library apps that give you access anywhere you go.
Pay in Cash
Some people find that cash helps them spend more carefully. The idea is that since cash has a physical presence in your wallet, spending becomes more tangible since you literally see the cash dwindle. The counter to that is…
Use Rewards Cards
Rewards cards pay off all kinds of bonuses that users love. If you’re worried about the interest, carefully budget your spending and always pay off the balance each month.
For Live Events, Buy Tickets After They Start
This doesn’t always work, so only do this for events you’re okay with missing. Drive to a place close to the site where you can park for free, wait until the event starts, and then buy tickets online or through an app. Often, prices drop drastically after events begin. Once you get to the venue, parking is also easier because everyone else is already parked and inside.
Do a No-Spend Week Once a Month
This teaches you to live frugally by getting by with what you’ve got. It also makes it easier to transition to what some others go for: a no-spend month.
Drop Amazon Prime
Unless you’re doing a lot of streaming, Amazon Prime may be costing you money. You can still get free shipping without Prime if you spend a certain amount.
Buy Season Passes for Local Theme Parks
Season passes can save you a lot of money, even if you go only a few times. They’re especially great for water parks, so the kids have a fun place to cool off in the summer.
Get Restaurant Apps
Most chain restaurants have apps that offer special savings that people without the apps don’t have access to. Many also have special clubs you can join for free or a low monthly fee that let you take advantage of in-person deals.
Cut the Cable
Cable companies have long been notorious for charging whatever they wanted and providing poor customer service. Now, many people are discovering that with streaming and the internet, they don’t need cable anymore. And it feels good.
Share Streaming Services
Some services, like Netflix, are making it a lot harder to share, but there are others that aren’t. You and some friends can go in together on a subscription you can share among multiple devices.
Use Facebook Marketplace
You can find great deals on all sorts of things here and narrow your searches to only free items. It’s also a place where you can sell things you don’t want or need.
Check Colleges and Universities
If you live near one, keep an eye out for deals when the school year ends. Many students moving out of dorms, apartments, and houses need to get rid of furniture and other items. Sometimes, you’ll find stuff that’s free.
See What’s in the Outlet
When you’re shopping online, go to the outlet section if the site has one. You’ll find steep discounts on items that never sold and on items with slight defects that don’t affect their performance at all.
Get the National Parks Pass
Do your vacation plans involve visiting our wonderful national parks? The annual pass for the national parks currently costs $80. Some national parks have a $35 entrance fee and others have per-person surcharges, so the pass easily pays for itself after a few visits, and it’s good for all the national parks.
Skip the Ice and Use Your Own Container
The next time you get a soda at a convenience store, use your own container and don’t get ice. You’ll get more of the drink, and if you’re using an insulated tumbler, the drink will stay cold for a long time. Plus, it won’t get watered down as the ice melts.
Use Cash Tips for Your Spending Money
If you have a job that pays a decent wage and also includes cash tips, use those tips as your spending money. There are no withdrawals from your bank account; it almost feels like free money.
Shop for Groceries When You’re Full
When people shop while they’re hungry, they tend to buy more. They’re especially prone to impulsive purchases of items that look tasty but which they normally don’t eat. That hunger is turning it into eye candy.
Use Cruise Control
Everyone knows cruise control helps you avoid getting speeding tickets. Many don’t know that you usually get better gas mileage when you use cruise control, so you also save money that way.
