Think you’ve heard it all when it comes to living on the frugal side of life? Here are four lesser-known tips that are so simple and smart, you’ll wish you’d been doing them all along.
Live Without Convenience
You’re accustomed to buying a cup of coffee on your way to work because it’s convenient.
It’s also insanely expensive compared to making it at home — and nowhere near as inconvenient as you might expect.
Yes, it requires you to alter your schedule slightly, and it might take some time to be comfortable with it.
But the only reason we see many things as convenient is because we’re used to it.
How is being stuck in a line after a barista has to remake a latte while you’re already late to work convenient? We’d rather toss double the coffee for a fraction of the price in a thermos and be out the door.
You can apply this mentality to much more than coffee, too; life convinces us that convenience is important, but that’s just not always the case.
Cut Back on Your Wardrobe
Clothes are a major expense, even if you aren’t someone who only wears designer. Yes, this is technically another tip that suggests you just “spend less,” but it’s important to know where you should cut spending and why.
Because simplifying your wardrobe can help you decide on outfits faster. You’ll only have the essentials: versatile pieces that work together.
There’s no need for more than a few stand-out statement pieces, and everything will feel more cohesive.
This tip is a two-fer if you want to up your financial and fashion game without spending excess on fast fashion. Invest in timeless pieces that are built to last.
Make a Stock Bag
Hopefully, if you’re reading this, you’re already cooking at home, which also means you probably find yourself in the company of veggie scraps often.
But when you’re grocery shopping, how often do you reach for the $3-6 dollar carton of vegetable or chicken stock? It’s a common ingredient that you’re paying too much for — because the cost could be zero.
Every time you prep veggies, especially carrots or onions, save the scraps in a freezer-safe bag and tuck them away.
Then, on your meal prep days (which you also totally have because you love saving money and time), toss everything in the bag in with a few quarts of water and let it cook away on a low flame as long as you’d like.
Have a Snack Before You Shop
You’ve heard you shouldn’t go to the grocery store hungry. And you’ve probably seen the insanity of what can happen if you do, coming home to three frozen pizzas and a tub of ice cream that wasn’t on your list.
But snacking before you go shopping, or even before you leave the house, can help you save money.
We’re used to flying out the door in a hurry, thinking that since we aren’t hungry now, we’ll be fine. But how long will you be gone?
Where are you getting your next source of food from?
If the answer is, “Oh, I can just pick something up on the way,” you’ve identified the issue — you’ll opt for something fast, expensive, and likely pretty unhealthy, too. Either pack a snack when you’re on the go or have a bite to tide you over so you don’t overspend on an $8 smoothie because you haven’t eaten in eight hours.
