Frugality means being economical in your spending and living within your means. It’s not about depriving yourself of things you want or need, but rather making smart choices when purchasing items that will last a long time.
The best way to save money is by using coupons, shopping at thrift stores, buying generic brands, cooking from scratch, growing your own food, and finding ways to make the most out of what you have.
We are sharing the best tips on how to live frugally, so you can save more money for the important things in life.
Below, we have a range of hacks that will change your life, so keep reading!
Table of Contents
Frugal Living Tips Save Money On Food
1. Create A Meal Plan
A meal plan is an easy way to save money on your grocery bill.
You should always make a meal plan for the week. People who make meal plans end up saving hundreds of dollars a week, because they know exactly what they need to buy, and make.
That means less time saved wondering what to cook, as well!
2. Use Up Leftovers
In America, it’s estimated that 40% of the overall food supply is wasted every year.
It’s an awful statistic, and it’s up to all of us to reduce our global food waste.
While it’s not only great for the environment, using up any leftovers is also good for saving money. This means that the food you buy will last for longer, and it means you’ll need to go to the shop less.
Whether it’s meals, or just an extra bit of vegetables — don’t go throwing away leftovers.
3. Unplug Small Appliances
Even when they are not in use, small appliances can drain electricity. Unplug any appliances that you’re not using to save money.
4. Cook Cheap Meals
Look, I’m not saying that you need to live off stew, but I’m also not saying you should be eating steak every day.
You need to be mindful of how the meals you prepare costs. It could be that you’re cooking meals that require very expensive ingredients. You don’t have to get rid of these meals, but try only cooking them once a week, or twice at most.
Vegetables, fruit, beans, and rice are pretty inexpensive and can add volume to meals.
5. Keep Your Freezer Full
A lot of people do not know this trick.
Freezers work more efficiently when they’re full. Ideally, you should ensure that your freezer is full of food (that you will eat). Frozen vegetables are very cheap and can make preparing food easier.
Or, you can freeze gallon-sized bottles of water, as they will make the freezer fuller.
6. Drink Water
Water is essential, we need to drink enough of it every day, but not everyone does.
Let’s face it, as a nation — we drink too much soda. If you want to live frugally, you should try to avoid drinking too much soda.
While you might not think it’s that expensive (after all, it’s soda). Some people might realize they spend $5 a week on soda. In a month, that’s $20 — all on soda!
If your tap water is bad, you can invest in a cheap water filtration pitcher. It’ll be better for your health, and you’ll save money in the long run.
7. Brew Your Own Coffee
If you spend money every week on getting a coffee from Starbucks, then you need to change your priorities.
Instead, buy a coffee flask, and start taking your own coffee.
Invest in higher quality coffee, so that you can make coffee that is even better than what you would get at a chain coffee shop. You’ll still end up saving money every week!
8. Don’t Leave The Refrigerator Freezer Door Open
The refrigerator door needs to stay closed. When it stays open, cold air escapes, which makes the fridge inefficient. Not only is this annoying, but it’s also wasting energy, which is bad for the environment, and your bills.
9. Eat At Home
Eating at a restaurant is expensive, and should be considered a luxury expense.
Cooking at home saves money, and it’s healthier.
It’s not that you can’t dine in restaurants, but if you’re going to a restaurant more than once a week, this is not living frugally, and it is money wasted.
If you saved the money you would spend on going to a restaurant, you would realize that you have an extra $100-200 each, if not double.
10. Eat Whole And Healthy Food
Junk food is expensive.
Healthy food (while also sometimes costly) will save you on medical expenses in the long run.
We’re not trying to tell you how to live your life, but looking after your health is a bit part of living frugally.
If you’re broke, just remember that junk food like ramen noodles can be made into a healthy dish, when you use the right recipes!
11. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Stop throwing away your empty glass bottles!
You can reuse them for seasonings, or even repurpose them (they could be a great storage container for paintbrushes).
12. Don’t Over Use The Oven In The Summer
Look, this really depends on what climate you live in, and if you have air conditioning. If you live in a colder climate, or have no air conditioning, then this suggestion is not appropriate for you.
But, if you live in a hot climate — try being mindful of how much electricity is being used. If it’s boiling, and you’re always using the oven, but your air conditioning is on full, that’s going to use a lot of electricity.
Try eating food that does not require extra energy (like salads), or try cooking outside.
Obviously, we do not mean every single day, we just suggest being mindful.
13. Keep Any Condiments From Fast Food Places
Fast food restaurants usually give you too many condiments.
Instead of throwing them out, keep them, and use them when you’re at home.
You’ll end up saving a bit more money, and you’re being less wasteful!
14. Try Using A Slow Cooker
Slow cookers use less energy than an oven, so they’re a great option to use.
Plus, there are lots of recipes that can be made in a slow cooker.
15. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are expensive, and most people don’t know that they can use some natural products to clean their homes.
There are tons of recipes on how to make different cleaning products with baking soda and lemons, and your kitchen will smell of citrus!
16. Try Using An Instant Pot
An instant pot is a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, combined.
They use a lot less electricity than ovens, and they cook food very well.
17. Keep A Well Stocked Pantry
Look, a well stocked pantry can help you save a lot of money.
If you have all the tins and bags of pasta and rice you need, you’ll never go hungry, and you can make sure you do not go back and forth to the shop.
You can get all sorts of tinned beans and legumes, which are great for protein.
18. Bake Your Own Cakes
Why is birthday cake so expensive?
One great way to live frugally is to start baking your own cakes. You’ll save so much money, and you might even find that baking is a new hobby!
19. Cook Once, Eat Twice
This is great advice.
If you can prepare food in bulk, that’s amazing — you’ll save so much time, and it’s often cheaper.
If not, chop up extra vegetables while you’re cooking, so it’s all prepared for you later on. It’s a massive time saver, and time is money!
20. Don’t Buy Branded Foods
The media lies to us all. That $10 jar of tomato sauce is not better than the $1 jar of tomato sauce. I mean, it could be — whichever jar has less ingredients overall, and is organic, is probably better.
With that said, most of these ‘branded’ products are not that healthy, even if they advertise as healthy. You need to check the ingredients list, because most times? Not that different from unbranded products.
21. Make A Grocery List
We already told you to make a meal plan, but make sure you create a grocery list, too.
This way you know exactly what products to buy when you go to the store, and you don’t buy any unnecessary extra food.
22. Eat More Meatless Meals
Now, we are not telling you to go vegan!
What we are advising you to do, is spending less money on meat.
Meat is expensive, we all know this.
Plus, you don’t need to eat meat every day, to get your weekly source of protein. There are beans, lentils, and all sorts of other foods you can eat for your protein. It’s cheaper, and it’s healthier overall.
23. Eat From The Pantry
The next time you think, “I have no food in this house!”, go check your pantry.
See how many days it is until you’re due for the grocery shop, and try to make something with all the food you have in the pantry. If you have some rice and beans, or some pasta and veggies — you’ll be saving money.
24. Grocery Shop Less Often
The next point is to go to the grocery shop less often.
Try grocery shopping only once a week.
Or, if you need to pick up fresh vegetables, be strict, and only get the vegetables when you go to the shop. No unnecessary extras!
25. Start A Garden
Most people can start a garden, and most people love gardening. Not only is it a healthy hobby, but you’ll be gardening to produce your own fruits and vegetables.
If you live in a small flat, you can still grow a small garden, even if it’s only one or two plants on your windowsill.
26. Avoid Using Disposable Items
Disposable products can slowly add up to a lot of money. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it’s not a frugal way to live.
It might seem easy to buy paper plates and disposable plastic cups, but you’re wasting a lot of money.
Instead, try buying plastic plates, and plastic cups, that will last. This is great for any birthday parties, or for picnics.
27. Use Cloth Napkins, Not Paper Napkins
Again, avoid disposable items.
Most people use paper napkins, but why? Think about how many packs of paper napkins you’ve bought, and will ever buy. That’s so much wasted money!
Instead, purchase some cloth napkins. They’re not that expensive, and they will last you a lifetime. Plus, they look a lot fancier than paper.
28. Say Goodbye To Paper Towels
Yep, some of you will hate this suggestion — but no more paper towels!
Paper towels are oddly expensive, and for what? You do not need to buy them!
Instead, you can purchase tea towels for drying plates and, or use old rags to clean the kitchen.
29. Don’t Waste Water
You don’t need to leave the water running when you wash dishes. Just make sure that you clean all the dishes, and you rinse the soap off. Otherwise, you’ll be adding to your water bill.
30. Make Sure To Use A Product Completely Before Opening Another Product
Yeah, this is a simple trick, but isn’t food waste the worst?
An example would be, if you have half a container of yogurt open, do not open the other container.
The first yogurt will end up going off, and you will have wasted your money.
Just be mindful of what you use, nothing major!
31. Fill Up The Dishwasher
Don’t use the dishwasher until the end of the day, or until the dishwasher is full. It saves money and reduces water waste.
32. Do Not Use The Heat Dry Setting On The Dishwasher
Unless you have a disability, or you’re planning a dinner party, do not use this setting.
It is a waste of electricity, which means a waste of money!
Instead, let the dishes air dry. It’s simple, and costs no money. It’s better for the environment, too.
Frugal Living Tips Save Money On Cleaning And Hygiene
33. Take Military Showers
Military showers are cheap. I don’t advise always taking a military shower, but if you’re in a rush anyway—it saves money.
It’s pretty much the following:
- Turn the water on
- Rinse
- Turn the water off
- Use soap
- Turn the water on
- Rinse
- Turn the water off
It couldn’t be more simple. The only reason we actually wrote it out, is because so many people think a military shower, is a short shower. Nope! You only use the water when needed, cheap, and environmentally friendly!
34. Stop! Do Not Leave The Water Running!
In general, you should avoid leaving the water running.
Don’t use the shower, if you’re not actually using the shower.
Many people switch the water on, and then get a towel, brush their hair, and so forth. This is a waste of money, and a waste of water.
35. Don’t Waste Toiletries
You can save money by using up your toiletries before buying new ones.
Manufacturers want you to buy more products over time. They want you to throw away old products, so you can buy more. That’s why product design is always terrible.
To avoid wasting toiletries, here are some tips:
- Shampoo, conditioner, and soap should be stored upside down.
- Add water to shampoo, conditioner, and soap when the product is low.
- Cut the top off toothpaste to use the remaining product.
37. Make Sure To Dry Your Razor
To prolong the life of your blade, dry it after each shave. Store your razor in a dry, cool place.
38. Use Basic Products, Not Branded
Most branded products are not better than non-branded products.
Avoid buying products that are extremely expensive, and go for trusted products that are cheaper.
You can still use good products, but good products are not the same as expensive products.
39. Share Toiletries With Your Partner
I’m not saying use the same toothbrush, but I am saying you can use the same toothpaste, and the same body wash. It’s all the same, and it’ll save money.
40. Install A Low Water Toilet
It is estimated that a low-flow dual flush toilet can save Americans up to $25 per year.
I’m not saying buy a new toilet, but if you are going to buy a new toilet, you may as well save a bit of money.
41. Say No To Fix Leaky Faucets
Not only are leaky faucets annoying, but they cost a lot of money.
Generally speaking, leaky faucets can end up costing an extra $20 a month, depending on what faucet, and how bad the faucet is.
In most cases, it’s pretty easy to fix a faucet, and there are tons of YouTube videos.
42. Install A Low Flow Shower Head
Low flow shower heads are actually worth the investment. They save people a lot of money each month, and again, they’re good for the environment.
In the past, people thought that low flow shower heads were only for cheap holiday resorts, but they’ve improved the technology, so that’s no longer the case.
43. Don’t Buy Wasteful Toiletries
If you don’t need more soap, don’t buy more soap.
If you don’t need more shampoo, don’t buy more shampoo.
This is not about wasting your old toiletries, it’s about making the most of what you have, before you go spending money on things you do not need.
44. Only Shower When Necessary
Some people need to shower every day, other people need to shower every two, or three days.
Everyone is different, and it depends on what type of job you have, if you play sports, and so forth.
If you don’t need to shower, then don’t shower. It’s a waste of money, and time.
45. Use Homemade Cleaners
There are tons of articles online on how to make homemade cleaning products for the bathroom. It’s usually much cheaper, and you don’t need to use such harsh chemicals.
46. Buy Toiletries In Bulk
If you do need to buy toiletries, get them in bulk.
Typically, there are tons of offers on toiletries, which means it’s cheaper to buy in bulk, than to buy an individual product.
47. Try Installing A Timer On The Hot Water Heater
To do this, you will first need to check what time of day the water is cheaper in your area.
It could be that the water is cheaper at a certain time of day, like in the evenings. If so, you should put a timer on the heater, so it only comes on this time of day.
That means you will have to schedule your showers, but you’ll save a lot of money.
48. Don’t Be Wasteful
You do not need tons to use tons of products. Whether it’s shampoo, or toothpaste — do not use too much. Instead, use a small amount, and you will end up saving money.
49. Buy Reduced
Look, reduced does not mean that they’re bad.
Maybe the box is damaged, or maybe they’re old products that will still last a long time. Buying reduced products is a great way to save money.
50. Buy Foaming Hand Soap
Foaming hand soap is just as effective as regular soap, but lasts much longer. This means you’ll need to buy less hand soap, which makes for great savings.
51. Buy A First Aid Kit
I mean, everyone should have a first aid kit. It’s important to have one as you will have all the supplies you require if someone ends up hurting themselves.
However, it also means if someone has a couple of scratches, you do not need to go to the hospital (depending on how bad the scratches are).
52. Buy A Bidet
This is not going to be ideal for everyone, but bidets are very cost-effective, and hygienic.
Frugal Living Tips Save Money On Laundry
53. Wash Clothes In Cold Water
Cold water is better for washing clothes. In fact, you can save up to $60 a year by using cold water.
Another reason to use cold water is because when you wash clothes in hot water, the fabric shrinks.
So, if you want to save money on laundry, try using cold water instead of hot water.
54. Use A Clothesline To Dry Laundry
Clotheslines are a great way to dry laundry.
You can hang your clothes outside, and they’ll dry within hours. This means you do not have to spend money on using a dryer.
They’re also very cheap, and easy to install.
55. Make Sure To Wear Clothes More Before Washing
If you only wear an item of clothing once or twice, it’s unlikely that it needs to be washed.
The only exceptions are clothes that have stains, or clothes that are sweaty.
However, underwear should only be worn once.
56. Buy High Quality Pre-Owned Clothes
Buying high quality pre-used clothes is a great way to make sure you’re getting good value for your money.
High quality pre-used clothes usually come from reputable retailers, which means the clothes should last a long time.
There are tons of charity shops that sell great clothes, but you can also check out online websites.
57. Wash A Basket Of Laundry
Do not use the washing machine if you’re only washing one or two items. This is wasteful. Instead, wash a basket of laundry.
58. Make Sure That The Lint Filter On The Dryer Is Clean
When a lint filter is clean, it reduces the risk of fires.
However, dryers run more efficiently when the lint filter is clean.
59. Be Mindful
It’s easy to get stains on clothes, however — try being more mindful. If you’re baking in the kitchen, wear an apron, so your clothes do not get ruined.
60. Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
This is only good if you have a lot of spare time — which some people do.
If you have spare time, try to make your own laundry detergent. It’s not easy, but it does save money.
61. Buy Non-Branded Laundry Detergent
In most cases, non-branded laundry detergent is just as effective as branded laundry detergent. There’s no need to spend extra dollars on a brand.
62. Or, Try To Use Less Branded Detergent
Not everyone is bold enough to completely stop using branded laundry detergent.
If that’s you, then try to compare washing your clothes with branded and non-branded. If you notice no difference, then you know you’ll be happy.
63. You Don’t Always Need Fabric Softener
You do not need to use fabric softener when you wash towels.
It has a negative effect on towels, and will actually make towels less soft.
64. Be Smart: Don’t Over Dry Clothes
Check that your clothes are dry before you try to dry them, again.
While it’s very common for clothes to not dry the first time in a tumble drier, many people do not check. This is a waste of money, and is very dangerous, as it can start a fire.
Frugal Living Tips to Save Money In The Household
65. Install LED Bulbs
LED bulbs are much cheaper than incandescent bulbs. They last longer, too.
66. Unplug Electronic Devices
Unplug all electronics such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., when not in use.
67. Turn Lights Off
Turning off lights saves energy, and helps cut down on electricity bills. It’s a waste of electricity to use a light in a room that you are not in.
68. Be Mindful Of The Heating
Set the temperature of your home to a comfortable setting to save money.
You do not need to be living like you are in Spain. However, everyone is comfortable at a different temperature. The point is, just be mindful that the heating costs a lot of money.
69. Check Your HVAC System
Make sure that your HVAC system is working properly. A broken air conditioner or heater can cost thousands of dollars.
Plus, a broken HVAC system can cause mold growth, which can lead to health problems.
70. Do Not Leave Windows Open
Windows should always be closed during winter months. The reason is that windows let cold air into your home, which makes your house colder.
With that said, you need to open your windows daily, but for a small amount of time. This is because everyone needs to make sure their house is ventilated.
71. Buy Surge Protectors
Surge protectors help prevent damage from electrical surges.
These are especially important for computers, phones, and other electronic devices.
This means there’s less chance of these products breaking, and less chance that you will have to spend money replacing them.
72. Close The Doors
Close doors when they’re not being used. This will keep the house much warmer and save energy.
73. Ceiling Fans: Set To Counterclockwise In The Summer
This is a really great tip that a lot of people do not know.
The direction of the ceiling fan should be changed, depending on whether it is summer, or winter.
When you set your fan to run counterclockwise during the hot summer months, you’ll get more airflow, and thus, cooler air.
74. Ceiling Fans: Set To Clockwise In The Winter
In the winter, fans should be set clockwise.
This is because this way, the air blowing out of the vents will be moving away from you.
This means that the air coming in through the vents will be warm and humid, rather than cool and fresh.
75. Sell Unwanted Items
Sell any unwanted items. This will mean extra money, and a cleaner environment.
For example,
If you have a sofa in your garage that you no longer need, sell it!
Even if you sell your old sofa for only $20, that’s 20 extra bucks, and a cleaner house.
76. Use Air Conditioners During The Day
Use an air conditioner during the day instead of using it at night.
During the day, the heat is usually lower, so you don’t need to use as much power.
77. Keep The Shades Drawn
Keep the shades drawn if the temperature is high. This will avoid any excess heat from sunlight.
78. Don’t Use Too Many Lights
You don’t need to have four lamps in a room. Reduce the amount of lights that are on, and use energy saving bulbs.
This is a good idea because it reduces wasting energy.
79. Use Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are great. They can save people up to 25% on their energy bill.
This is because they reduce the amount of thermal energy that is lost. Thermal energy is typically lost due to windows that are ineffective.
Plus, they help to keep heat out of the house in the summer months.
80. Don’t Buy Too Many Household Cleaning Products
It’s better to buy fewer cleaning products. You won’t waste too much money, and you’ll also save some space.
81. Insulate The Attic
Insulating the attic is a great idea. It helps to cut down on the amount of heat that escapes through the roof.
82. Buy A Space Heater
A space heater is a must-have item. If you live in a cold area, then a space heater is essential.
They are very effective at keeping the house warm.
83. Use Multipurpose Cleaning Tools
Multipurpose cleaning tools are a great idea.
For example, an indoor broom can be used to clean both floors and ceilings (cobwebs).
84. Use Blankets
Instead of turning the heating on, use blankets when you are cold. If it’s too cold, then of course, use the heating, but if it’s only slightly cold? Try using a blanket first.
85. Turn Off The TV
Make sure that you switch off the TV if you are not using it.
86. Make Sure You Keep Filters Ducts Clean
Replace filters regularly to avoid the cost of damage and repairs.
87. Insulate Pipes
Pipes that aren’t insulated can cause drafts and heat loss.
88. Do You Need Cable TV?
Not everyone watches cable TV anymore. If you do not watch cable TV anymore, why are you still paying for it?
Think about how often you watch cable TV and see if it’s worth canceling.
89. Say Goodbye To Landline
Now, we don’t think this is good for everyone. However, most young adults do not need a landline as long as they have great cell reception, so it saves money.
90. Pay For Netflix
Netflix is cheap, and it has tons of great movies and shows. Consider paying for Netflix instead of cable TV.
91. What About Hulu?
Hulu is another great option instead of cable TV, which is still pretty inexpensive.
Frugal Living Tips Save Money On Travel
92. Only Own One Car
If you have a partner, question whether you really need two cars.
In most cases, one car is needed. It might be that two cars are ideal due to different work locations, and independence, but having one car will dramatically reduce costs.
93. Can You Work From Home?
If you can work from home, then you should work from home.
Unless you don’t like working from home, then… stick to the office.
However!
If you do like working from home, you will save so much money, as there will be no more wasted money on gas each day!
94. Make Carpool Cool
If your coworkers live near you, it might be a good idea to carpool every day. That way you both end up saving money.
Likewise, if you and your partner have a similar route to work, you two can also carpool.
95. Take Advantage Of Free Public Transport
Public transport is free in many countries. This means that you could take advantage of public transport without spending any money. Sometimes it’s free for people under a certain age, or over a certain age. It’s usually discounted for students.
96. Keep Car Tires Inflated
It’s important that you keep your tires inflated. If you drive around with low pressure, then you risk damaging your vehicle. This means you will have to spend money on repairs.
97. Always Keep Water In Your Car
Keeping water in your car means that you always have water to drink when you need it. This means less money spent at overpriced gas stations.
98. Check Who Sells The Cheapest Gas
Gas prices vary greatly depending on where you buy it. So, it pays to check who sells the cheapest gas before buying.
99. Avoid Tolls
Toll roads are expensive.
It can be less expensive to drive a different route, even if it’s a few more miles.
100. Buy A Bike
Bicycles are an affordable form of transportation. They’re cheaper than owning a car, and they’re environmentally friendly.
101. Don’t Use Your Car As Storage
The heavier your car, the more fuel the car requires.
So, avoid using your car as a storage space (some of you do!).
102. Buy Discounted Holidays
Why pay full price for a holiday?
Unless, travel websites will have offers on, which can almost be half the price of the usual costs. When choosing a holiday, make sure you get a discount.
103. Make Sure To Travel During Off Peak Seasons
Traveling during off-peak seasons can mean huge savings on airfare.
For example, flights during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Spring Break are always more expensive.
104. Try Camping
Camping is great fun, and it’s cheap too. You don’t need to worry about finding accommodation.
You just pitch a tent, enjoy nature, and go to sleep.
105. Game Nights
Game nights are a lot of fun. Board games are very inexpensive, but there’s also lots of modern games that you can play with friends, and family.
106. Be An Early Bird
Early birds tend to get better deals.
In most restaurants, it’s cheaper to get food before a certain time.
107. Staycation
Choose a holiday location that is near to your home, and you can drive to, instead of flying on a plane.
Even if it’s only two hours away, it’s still a holiday, and it’s much cheaper.
107. Walk To Locations
Walking is a great way to save money. For example, if you want to visit a shop, walk rather than taking a bus or taxi.
108. Insurance Rates
Insurance rates vary from company to company. Check to make sure that you have the best rates.
109. Combine Errands
If you combine several trips into one trip, this can save you money.
For example, you could combine going out to a restaurant with getting groceries.
Frugal Living Tips Save Money On Bills
110. Shop Around
Shop around to find the lowest prices. Whether it’s the cheapest sofa, electric company, or coffee — make sure you get the best deals.
111. Get A Credit Card With 0% Interest
A credit card with no interest for 12 months can save you hundreds of dollars. It’s worth looking into.
112. Don’t Pay For Banking
Don’t pay for banking services unless absolutely necessary. No one should be paying for banking, so make sure that you are not being scammed.
113. Always Return Items You Don’t Like
If you don’t like an item you bought, return it.
A lot of people do not return items because it takes time to do so. It’s better to spend time returning an item, than wasting money.
114. Go Shopping At Local Stores
Shopping in local stores means that you’re supporting your community. This helps keep small businesses alive, which benefits everyone.
Plus, they usually sell certain items much cheaper than supermarkets.
115. No Spend Month
No spending month is a good idea.
The premise is you only spend money on bills, and the food shop you budgeted for.
It shows you how much money you waste in a month, and how much money you could save.
Of course — you should spend money, but a lot of people waste money on things they do not need, and are surprised by how much money they spend.
116. Cancel Subscriptions
Cancel subscriptions that you never use. If you cancel them early, you may even get a refund.
This will help you save money over the long term.
117. Create A Budget
Create a budget. This allows you to see where you are spending money, and what you can cut back on.
118. Shop The Sale
Sale shopping is a great way to get bargains.
You can often find clothes at half price, or even less.
119. Use Coupons
Try to use coupons when buying anything. They are available online, and in newspapers.
120. Price Matching
Most companies will offer a price match. That means, if the item is sold cheaper at another store, they will sell it to you for the same price.
121. Avoid Late Fees
Avoid late fees. Make sure you pay all your bills on time.
Late fees can add up quickly, and you might end up having to pay more than you initially planned.
122. Automated Savings
Set up automatic payments into different accounts. This will ensure that you always have money saved.
123. Refinance Loans
Refinancing your loan can save you thousands of dollars.
124. Make Sure To Pay Off Debt
Make sure to pay off debt as soon as possible. This will reduce the amount you owe, and give you more money to put towards other expenses.
125. Find Free Stuff
Find free stuff. There are many websites out there that provide freebies, such as magazines, newspapers, and books.
126. Increase Your Income
This is pretty obvious, but if your income is low, try opting for a job that pays better. It’s always good to check what other companies pay for the same job, or to look at other jobs.
127. Pay With Cash
Pay with cash whenever possible. This will help you avoid any unnecessary charges.
128. Do Not Impulse Purchase Items
Impulse purchases cost you money. Try avoiding these. It’s okay to want to buy something, but think about it for a couple of days, or weeks, before you decide.
129. Check Bills And Credit Card Statements For Errors
Check your bills and credit card statements regularly. You’ll be able to spot any mistakes, and make changes accordingly.
130. Take Advantage Of Discounts
Take advantage of discounts. Some stores offer discounts for students, seniors, military personnel, and others.
131. Make Money From Your Hobbies
If you enjoy doing something, then why not turn this hobby into a source of income?
For example, if you like sewing, you could start selling your creations.
132. Invest Your Savings
Invest your savings. This will increase your returns, and you’ll earn more money.
Frugal Living Tips Save Money—General Tips
133. Negotiate
Negotiation is an art form. It takes practice to become skilled at it. But once you learn how to negotiate effectively, you’ll realize that you can get much more for your money. Negotiation is especially useful when you need to purchase items that aren’t cheap.
134. DIY
DIY projects don’t necessarily require expensive tools. Many people prefer to do their own work because it’s much cheaper. If you’re looking for some new home improvement ideas, consider tackling one yourself.
135. Always Use Discount Codes
Always use discount codes. They can save you a lot of money.
136. Repair Items
Repairing things is often cheaper than buying new ones. Look around your house and see what you can repair instead of replacing.
137. Free Education
There are tons of online courses that are free, or inexpensive. You can also learn a lot from YouTube tutorials, and articles. You don’t always need to attend a class to learn.
138. Free Events
Free events are everywhere. It could be museums, parks, free outdoor concerts, or even sports.
139. Shop In Different Stores
Don’t just go to one store. Go to several stores to find the best deals on products.
This might mean that you get your vegetables from one shop, frozen food from another, and canned food from another shop.
140. Buy Bulk Food
Buying bulk food is great. Buying in large quantities means that you won’t have to spend so much money per unit.
141. Cheap Haircuts At Cosmetology School
Cosmetology school offers cheap hair cuts. It means students get to practice, and you get a reduced haircut.
142. Avoid Shopping At Convenience Stores
Convenience stores are usually very expensive. Most of the items are overpriced, so it’s best to avoid them.
143. Buy Secondhand Books
Second hand books are a good way to save money. You can pick up used books at bookstores, thrift shops, garage sales, and other places.
144. Sell Old Clothes
Selling old clothes is a great way to save money. There are many websites where you can sell your old clothes.
145. Rent Out Your Space
Renting out space is a great way to make extra cash. A lot of people have a spare room they can rent out.
You can rent out your basement, attic, garage, or any other unused space. It’s also ideal if you have a second home.
However, you should always be safe. Make sure to always do a background check, as you do not want someone dangerous in your house.
Never rent out a space if you have a family, as it is too dangerous.
146. Look For Free Community Classes
Community classes are available all over the place. You can take them at community centers, libraries, churches, schools, universities, and many others.
These classes are usually free, but you may have to register first.
147. Don’t Budget To The Point Of Unhappiness
Budgeting shouldn’t cause unhappiness.
Instead, try to budget without feeling stressed about it. This will help you stick to your budget better.
If you get stressed with your budget, as you feel like you have no money for yourself — change your budget. There should always be part of a budget that allows for dinners, clothes, etc.
148. Don’t Waste Money
With that said, don’t waste money.
If you want an item, but you know it’s too expensive, save your money. That means you won’t be left with no money for the month, and instead you can buy that item in a couple of months.
149. Get Great At Cooking
Cooking is a great way to save money.
It’s also a great way to stay healthy. If you’re cooking, you’ll eat healthier, which will make you happier.
No one likes cooking if you’re a bad chef.
So, challenge yourself to become a better chef!
150. Be Happy
Yep, be happy and proud of your choices to live frugally.
If you are miserable, it’s going to be miserable.
If you are proud that you are saving money, it will make you want to save more money.
Mind over matter.
Summary
There you go, 150 ways to save money. We hope this list helps you live frugally!