I’m not a huge fan of clipping coupons.
Even with the latest tech making it easier than ever, it just hasn’t always resonated with me, even though it’s often considered the fast track to the good frugal life. But I’ve instead looked for other ways to save money that didn’t involve couponing, and these four didn’t disappoint.
Using Loyalty Programs
Signing up for a loyalty program is like enjoying the fruits of couponing without the extra labor. Loyalty programs offer copious benefits, including built-in discounts, freebies, points, and so much more. The benefits vary between programs, so it’s not always worth signing up for one.
But for businesses I frequent, signing up for a loyalty program has been a game-changer. I’m spending my money there anyway, so why get something in return? Even the punch card at my local coffee shop is seeing some more action these days. I just make sure I’m not doing it with every business, otherwise that becomes a way to “justify” money I wouldn’t normally spend, and that’s not the best way to use these programs.
Swapping and Bartering
I’m a decent home cook, and I’ve recently been excited about pickling and making preserves. And while I find it enjoyable and easy, I’m learning that others don’t. So I’ve started offering up my chef-adjacent services for other things, mainly baked goods (because I am not a baker, that’s for sure). Truthfully, I don’t know if this tip saved me more than couponing.
But since I was doing it anyway, it presented itself as an option that didn’t involve spending money. And if there’s something you’re good at that other people see value in, you could do the same.
Meal Prepping
Okay, I know I just finished saying I was a good cook, but I didn’t say I was an organized cook. I wasn’t always the best at planning meals, to the point where I’d often get so overwhelmed by options that I’d eventually just throw my hands in the air and order in.
But now?
I’m a meal prepping machine, and it’s made my life easier and my financial burden lighter. Couponing often makes meal prepping even cheaper; you can use coupons to help inform your meal plan for the week and double-dip on the savings. But even if you don’t clip a single coupon, meal prepping is inarguably a way to save money and use your groceries efficiently.
Enjoying Free Time With Free Things
The only thing better than spending less money is spending no money. And when I realized I wasn’t a fan of couponing, that became my new goal: how much could I enjoy life without spending an arm and a leg on entertainment?
It turned out I could enjoy it a lot. Dinner out with friends became walking coffee dates through the park or potlucks at one of our apartments. An expensive matinee movie at a theater became going to the museum on a free day. No or low-cost entertainment is legitimately everywhere if you do a little digging.
