Frugality often comes with a set of “rules” that, while generally sound, don’t always work for everyone.
Sometimes, spending more or disregarding conventional money-saving advice is the most practical and economical option in the long run.
Here are a few unconventional frugal living tips that defy traditional wisdom but make perfect sense in real life.
Major Caveat: Please don’t take these examples as an excuse to spend more money or buy things you don’t need. They worked for people (real people, if you must know), but that doesn’t mean they will work for you.
The point of this article is to stress that every person’s life and situation are different, and therefore, their frugal living strategy will be different.
Meal Delivery
One surprisingly effective way to stay within a grocery budget, without the stress of meal planning or cooking, is to use a meal delivery service.
I know! Hear me out!
If you hate cooking or don’t have a space to cook properly, having prepared meals delivered can make it easier to stick to a fixed monthly grocery budget.
Even with the convenience factor, it’s possible to keep total food costs well within budget while also saving time and avoiding takeout.
Look for meal prep and food subscription companies offering promotions, and take advantage of them.
Auto Maintenance
Knowing how to do your own car maintenance doesn’t mean you always should.
Taking the responsibility of doing this and then not doing it is just not worth it. So, if you aren’t going to do it anyway, then make sure to hire a professional to make sure it gets done.
Outsourcing this task to a professional can be more cost-effective than risking major vehicle issues from neglect.
Earning More by Working Less
Sometimes, working fewer hours or choosing less conventional shifts, like weekends, can actually increase the amount of money you are taking home.
For families with young children, the cost of weekday childcare and commuting can outweigh the benefit of a full-time Monday-to-Friday job.
Signing up for off-peak shifts can reduce expenses and improve work-life balance.
Drinking Only at Bars
This may sound counterintuitive, but choosing to drink only in social settings, such as bars, can help curb other spending habits.
It prevents mindless online shopping or late-night spending sprees that often accompany home drinking.
The tab might be higher per drink, but having a set place to drink will make it less likely for you to overindulge.
You will also hopefully drink less and save money by not buying alcohol for your house.
Spending To Support What You Value
Sometimes, it’s worth spending more to support local businesses, farms, or institutions you care about.
Spending more money at companies you value might be worth it for you and make you happier with your spending. After all, its not about spending nothing but about spending mindfully.
Post-Holiday Gifting
If you won’t be kicked out of the family chat, consider this: rather than buying gifts during the peak of the holiday shopping season, giving IOUs and shopping after Christmas can lead to huge savings.
End-of-year sales mean huge sales, and that means better gifts for a lower price.
High-End Appliances
A top-of-the-line washing machine might seem like a splurge, but it can save thousands in dry cleaning costs.
Models that handle delicate fabrics like wool, cashmere, and dress clothes allow you to care for high-maintenance garments at home, saving both time and money over the years.
Sometimes spending more on large items like appliances might be worth it.
Grocery Delivery Services
Grocery delivery might seem like an unnecessary luxury, but it can actually be a frugal choice for people with packed schedules.
For a small monthly fee, you won’t need to make time-consuming trips, and it can help avoid impulse buys and ultimately stick to a planned grocery list.
Shopping Strategically at Nicer Stores
Whole Foods and other “nicer” stores might not be the cheapest grocery stores, but they can serve as a budgeting tool.
The higher prices encourage disciplined planning and discourage impulse purchases.
When you shop smartly and with a list, you can do some bulk shopping at some stores and then shop at the higher-end stores for the last-minute items. It can actually save you money.
