A list of Frugal Living Habits That’ll Change Your Life
- Plan Long-Term Purchases That Will LAST
Frugal people are always looking for a long-term solution, not just getting something quick and cheap to save money in the moment.
A thrifty shopper won’t be afraid to spend a little bit more money on something they know will last them longer.
Like buying a more expensive cell phone because it will stay useful for several years when a less expensive option will be obsolete soon enough.
Things like appliances, vehicles, and houses are long-haul investments that you want to get the most value out of- but don’t forget about little stuff from silverware to clothes.
When you do need to buy things, be sure to do your research so you save more with every purchase- for example, do you know the best time to buy appliances?
2. Use Coupons, cashback apps & discount and Avoid Paying Full Price
Buy smarter by only buying when savings are highest! And don’t forget to look for coupons and deals to never pay full price on items that cost more.
3. Start A Budget ASAP To Stop Overspending Habits
Knowing how much you spend every month can be truly eye-opening. People get close to spending almost as much as they make and get into a lot of financial hardship because of it.
So a very essential step to becoming frugal is to track your spending and make a budget. You need to limit your spending, not necessarily going bare-bones, but enough that you can put extra money towards savings or retirement.
This is all about living comfortably now, but also settings aside money for your future to live on.
4. Reduce Monthly Bills Where You Can
This may seem like a no-brainer to you, but many people don’t know to start spending less at home.
Some people think bills are impossible to shrink, but we’re here to tell you it can be easy to save on monthly bills! You can also try it by hand, I say start with the nonessentials like cable- do you need a lot of channels you don’t even watch? Think about alternatives to cable that can save you so much money!
5. Seek Better Value From All Purchases
Whether it’s a new pair of sneakers or a meal from the grocery store, people who live frugal life seek the most value even when they want to save money.
Frugal living is all about getting the most out of your money- a.k.a. more bang for your buck!
Instead of looking for cheaper options, think about quality as well as price with whatever you buy.
You want your purchases to continue working and provide good usage years down the road, like a great laptop or cell phone.
If you buy the $50 sneakers instead of buying the $20 pair, it’s because they will last you 3 years and are high quality.
Cheap sneakers may only last you 1 year, so you’ll spend $60 over 3 years on cheap pairs rather than just $50 on a high-quality pair.
6. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle All Your Things
Now, this is more than just a catch-phrase so people can save the planet- it’s also a way to help you be frugal and spend less on stuff.
What other use can you get out of old stuff? You can upcycle those items and give them new life.
You have stuff that you could donate, and that’s great! But don’t forget to make that spent money work harder for you and go the extra mile.
That old shirt that’s too big? Make it into a pillowcase, a reusable grocery bag, a dog toy, or any number of endless possibilities.
7. Keep Receipts & Actually Make Returns Happen
Whenever you buy items you’ll use, like utensils, clothes, shoes, or whatever else, make sure you keep the receipt.
You don’t need the receipt forever, but it’s important for the next step: return things you don’t need!
You may buy a shirt and realize it’s too small or too big, or you may realize you already own 3 potato mashers and no one needs that many- but you can’t get that money back without a receipt.
We also find that many people regret an impulse buy the next day but don’t return the stuff because they can’t find the receipt or they tossed it.
I suggest using one of these little accordion guys – keep it in your car, and as soon as you sit down, put it in there, so you can always find it later.
8. Start a Money-Making Side Hustle
Living frugally means understanding the importance of saving money but also understanding that you can only save so much before you cut into your happiness.
Saving a ton of money is possible, but making more income can make a bigger impact on your life.
Create a life you love by finding ways to increase your income, and one of the most powerful tools you can use to find side hustles is Steady.
Figure out the skills, experience, and passions you already have and find a way to make money with them
9. Put Savings First- Save For Your Future
Have you heard of the saying “always pay yourself first”? This means that you should put money into your savings/investment accounts before spending your money on other things.
A good habit is to automate your savings. Not only do you want your savings right in your budget every month, but setting them on autopilot makes it easy and effortless.
10. Pay Off Debts & Avoid Interest
This may be the most important and best frugal living tip for people to change their lives and improve their finances.
Make it a point to tackle any and all debts you’ve got against you BEFORE you get heavy into saving and investing.
The sooner credit card debt or student loan debt are off your shoulders, the sooner you’ll have more cash available to put into savings!
If you’re currently struggling to get out from under your debts because your income just doesn’t stretch far enough, start a side hustle.
11. Keep Yourself Out Of Debt
Now that you’ve paid down debt, it’s time to keep more from happening!
It’s fine to keep using credit cards, but you need to budget and make sure you have a balance you can easily pay off month to month.
Credit card debt can happen quickly and make it harder to save for your retirement or for a rainy day.
There are plenty of ways to avoid more credit card debt, always make a plan for your money to avoid overspending.
12. Think deeply before Shopping
When you’re going to buy something, think of it in terms like this- can you live without it? Do you really need it right now or have a plan for it?
Going out with friends and being social is one thing- you don’t want to give up on a good time, but buying a new swimsuit for summer or a cute top may not really matter in the grand scheme of your life right now.
Look at what you’re buying, maybe talk a picture, and walk away. You can check it out again a day or two later- but if you forget to, well, then it may not have been so important, right?
13. Be Your Own Handyman
Learning how to repair your own items can save you thousands of dollars every year. You may have some easy-to-fix house problems you could fix yourself!
Maintaining your vehicle is a great example of this. Learning how to replace your own brakes and complete your own oil changes can save you hundreds of dollars by itself. Add in some drywall repairs, driveway sealing, roof patching, electrical work, and plumbing and you are now a money-saving savage.
The saying “knowledge is power” is so true. Most basic handyman/repair skills can be learned by a simple search on YouTube or Google.
14. Entertain Yourself More At Home
Going out for entertainment is not a bad thing, but doing so in moderation is better for your wallet. Learn how to stay entertained at your house and spend less cash while still enjoying yourselves.
Buying a device like an Amazon Fire Stick is a great way to stay entertained at home!
Some great at-home entertainment ideas include a campfire, dinner with friends, game night, DIY projects, and movie nights.
Even better you could try to make some extra money in your spare time.
15. Invest in Smart Appliances
There are so many gadgets out there that use less energy and make life easier.
We have a few examples to share, but my favorite one is smart bulbs. You can use your phone or Alexa to control when they turn on and off, plus they save you money by using less power.
Not only are there smart bulbs, but you can get better washers, dryers, thermostats, and more.
16. Eat Out Less- prep your own meals
Cooking at home can save you a whole ton of money.
Learn how to cook for yourself and any meal you make could be cheaper- and maybe even better tasing!
There are a lot of cheap recipe ideas and monthly meal planners to get you started. Your grocery store has so much to offer with premade meals and even just fresh produce and fun sauces.
Start with some basic meals and work your way up.
17. Bring Food On The Go
You can bring your own coffee or own lunch when you’re out on the town or hanging out.
You should make plans to go out and do it potluck style- bring your food with you so you spend less while you’re out.
So, you can take a hike, go walking at the park, or make it a beach day- but you can make it cheaper and more frugal by bringing your food with you.
18. Don’t Waste Food
On that note, you should find ways to use up everything in your fridge and pantry as much as possible- waste not, want not.
You may be throwing out food because you didn’t meal plan or get to it quick enough, and you have to toss it because it gets gross.
That’s just tossing out your hard-earned cash!
Before you think about grocery shopping, use up what you have at home or buy a few things to work with what you have in the pantry.
19. Buy Supplies In Bulk
It may be an upfront investment, but in the long run, buying food and things in bulk can save you money.
You can use shopping apps to price compare, but oftentimes, per unit, you’ll be saving on everything you buy, plus taking fewer trips to the store.
You do have to consider storage ideas for all the food and house stuff you buy, but having a stacked supply for the kids is never a bad thing in our house!
20. Build an emergency fund
Now you may have a great savings account started, but is it enough to cover some problems you may run into?
One of the most important aspects of personal finance is having your emergency fund set up. This is money reserved and specifically put away for unforeseen expenses such as car repairs, deaths, and surgeries.
The last thing you want to deal with during a crisis is where the money is coming from. Take the stress off an already stressful situation and have your “crunch-time” fund set up.
This will also prevent you from going into debt when something comes up and you don’t have the money to pay for it.
Normally 3–6 months worth of living expenses set to the side is more than enough for an emergency fund, but everyone’s situation is different.
21. Travel cheap
You shouldn’t cut out fun from your life to save money. Being frugal isn’t about living a shadow of a life and putting off any joy!
There are plenty money saving tips so you can travel cheap and enjoy yourself, including booking trips and hotels earlier and finding cheap places to stay.
Your budget will affect how often or how far you can travel, but there are many fun staycations you can try too to save money and enjoy time as a family.
22. Buy a reliable used car
Buying a used car should be your only option when it comes to frugal living.
Cars are a depreciating asset so “investing” in a new one- or even worse financing a vehicle- can kill your financial future.
Use websites to research, compare, and find the worth of vehicles you’re thinking about. also use Consumer Reports when purchasing a car.
Buying a reliable car is important in steering clear of large expensive repairs. Brands like Honda and Toyota are rated top-notch when it comes to reliability.
23. Never gamble with your money
Save your money and put it elsewhere that’s more important in your life. Better yet invest that money.
24. Declutter your house
Clutter makes you feel sick. Less around the house is less to clean and less to deal with.
If you don’t need it anymore, don’t like it, don’t fit it, never use it, etc., send it straight to the donation pile and wish it good riddance!
Better yet, have a garage sale and earn a few extra bucks, that you can put towards paying off those debts or building up your savings.
I have sold used books, old clothes, and even house hold items using websites like bunted and depop to make money and get more space to myself.
make sure your home is super well organized so you can eliminate the risk of buying duplicates because you forgot you had something or, worse, couldn’t find it!
How Do I Live a Frugal Lifestyle?
You can start living a frugal life by making more intentional life decisions, being more active in how you buy things.
Become selective about your spending habits and make sure that your purchases align with your budget goals.
How Can I Become Very Frugal?
The amount of money you spend should balance out with how long it lasts. You can become very frugal by becoming informed of your spending choices and learning to use a budget.
Understand the difference between spending less money and money-making, and make sure that you get good, lasting use out of everything you purchase.
Is Frugal Being Cheap?
No.
Cheap is seen as stingy, like it’s spending as little as possible at every turn, even if the item may break or not last long.
Frugal living tips will tell you that spending your money isn’t bad if you buy something that’ll last.
Plus, being frugal doesn’t mean you’re likely to skip out on fun things like dinner with friends or parties!
Those things every now and again won’t break the bank and are important in life, and people that live frugally get that.
Saving money is essential, but you’re allowed to buy things you want or that bring you joy!
Don’t worry about splurging on a nice cup of coffee from time to time, just make your own coffee more often and don’t get a coffee every day of the year.
