Frugal Living Tips

Frugal living may not sound like the most glamorous way to live life. From penny-pinching to couponing to strict budgets, some people won’t even give it a second thought.

The truth is, living frugally isn’t just about being strict with money. It’s about being resourceful and intentional with your money.

Frugal living has so many benefits that can make your life simpler and more enjoyable.

True, it may seem like the more money you make, the more you feel like you deserve to spend it. It’s not an easy lifestyle to adopt. Still, years of overspending and living beyond your means can be detrimental to your financial future.

What does it mean to live frugally?

It’s actually a pretty simple concept. You live within your means and don’t spend money on anything that is unnecessary. Frugal living is more about focusing on a few financial priorities and trying to be conscious of the money you spend.

It’s about thinking about your important life goals and how changing your finances can help you reach those goals.

The basic rules for living frugally are simple. Minimize the waste you create, maximize the value of what you spend your money on, and learn to let go of the idea that money equals happiness.

You work hard for your money, and you want to make sure it’s being put to the best use for you and your family. Here are 16 tips to help you start to live frugally.

16 Frugal Living Tips

1. Create a Budget and Stick with It

Sit down and create an honest budget. Eliminate anything in your budget that you don’t really need and be honest.

This is the most important step you can take to living frugally and setting yourself up for success.

2. Meal Plan

Take time to create a meal plan that utilizes all your groceries.

Your meal plan should allow you to either have no leftovers and leave you with enough leftovers for a second or even a third meal which ultimately leaves you without having to spend as much on groceries.

3. Stock Up Your Freezer

Use your freezer to capacity. If there is something on sale, stock up and keep it frozen.

It’s a great way to save you money, especially when it comes to meat.

4. Drink More Water

This tip doubles as a tip to keeping your family healthy. Drink more water and skip the soda and juice, and you not only cut down on your sugar intake but also cut down on your grocery bill.

5. Make Your Own Cleaners

Skip the store-bought cleaners and make your own using everyday household ingredients. Again, this one has a dual purpose, healthier for everyone!

6. Use Cloth Napkins

Paper towels and napkins can be very wasteful and can put a dent in the budget. Build up a healthy supply of cloth napkins and even a few microfiber cloths you can use for cleaning.

7. Drink Coffee at Home

We all need a good cup of coffee in the morning, but it adds up when you make the daily trip. Use a traditional coffee maker and if you need a little flavor, use a flavored creamer.

They make them for just about every fancy coffee flavor you can think of.

8. Reduce Your Subscription Costs

Monthly subscription services add up, and most people hardly use them. Think about narrowing your subscriptions down to only the essentials, Netflix for movie nights, for example, and cutting the rest.

9. Use Coupons Whenever You Can

If you can avoid paying full price for anything, do it. Most things go on sale at some point, and if you are patient, there’s always a better deal.

There are quite a few apps on the market that can help you find the best deals and even give you discount codes to help you save.

10. Adjust Your Thermostat

Managing your home’s heating and cooling is a great way to save money on your bill.

Try to use open windows to cool down in the summer and use a wood stove or warm blankets to keep you warm in the winter.

11. Embrace Your Local Library

If you love reading, save money and don’t buy your books. Visit your local library instead.

It can be a fun outing for you, and your family and kids love having a wide selection of books to choose from.

12. Sell Things You Don’t Need

There are things you probably have sitting in your home that hardly get any use.

Declutter your home and sell things on the online marketplace or have a yard sale.

13. Buy Store Brand, Not Name Brand

Store brand groceries and products are just as good as the name brand, yet they cost a fraction of the price.

Find the generic versions of the items you need by checkout the lower shelves.

14. Don’t Eat Out

Eating out can drain your budget even if it is a great time. Take time to prep your meals for the week.

If it’s a date night you’re missing, spending time with your partner cooking a homemade meal is just as romantic as any restaurant outing.

15. Thrift for Clothes When You Can

Thrifting for clothes isn’t just shopping at the goodwill.

You can look online on many apps or find second-hand boutique stores that sell gently used clothing that is stylish and half the cost of the clothes you’ll find at department stores.

16. Wash and Reuse

Instead of tossing empty jars, baggies, and plastic containers in the trash, wash and reuse anything you can and invest in glass food storage containers.

These are just a few tips you can use to start on your frugal living journey.

You can make small steps to live a more frugal and simple life. The benefits are many, and you and your family can live a happy, healthy life.

For more tips on living a simple, frugal life, you can check out my YouTube here or browse my website to help you reach your goals.