The best frugal living tips are the ones that work the best for you- the ones that will help you start living frugally and make your life easier. Are you looking for the best frugal living tips? Here you go!
Budget
Creating a budget that works and then STICKING TO IT is the best and biggest frugal tip anyone can give you.
Budgeting your money, like with the cash envelope system, gives you a structure to your spending, allowing you to spend money on what you want and not spend money on things you don’t want to spend money on. That is the definition of living a frugal life and living below your means.
When You Find a Great Deal, Buy In Bulk
Buying items in bulk when they are on sale is a great way to save money- not only do you save money, but you have to go to the store less. When an item is on sale, has a coupon, or has a great cashback deal, then grab a few.
This is a particularly great tip for meat and chicken. If meat is on sale, have your butcher cut it up into smaller pieces and then wrap them separately.
Label everything clearly! Buying large amounts of meat is usually cheaper than buying individually cut pieces.
Reduce Your Shopping Trips
The more time you spend in a store, the more likely you are to spend money. Make a shopping list of the main things you need so that you have a guide to help you stay on task. (Want to save more on groceries? Here are some easy ways to save on groceries)
Buy Items on Sale and Then Plan Your Meals Around That
The number one way to save money at the grocery store? Plan your meals around what you buy, not the other way around.
Eat at Home
We experiment with food at home! We don’t go to bakeries; we figure out something fun with the kids from home. You can make so many meals and treats at home with a little planning and creativity.
Stock Your Freezer
Keep your freezer stocked with meals so you don’t need to get takeout when you are stressed or overwhelmed. When you cook, then double the recipes so that you have food ready to eat.
Soups freeze well and are great for this type of thing. This is particularly important before a major holiday (Pesach, anyone?) or if you are having a baby. Have freezer meals ready to go so you can save money on take-out.
Keep Old Fruit
Keep frozen fruit and vegetables in your freezer so that you can make quick smoothies and vegetable dishes in a pinch.
You can take the slightly browning fruit (from those bananas you bought on sale and that no one eats even though your kids told you that bananas are their absolute favorite food) and freeze them for really cheap snacks and smoothies.
Avoid Cleaning Help
We clean one floor together as a family every Sunday, and we often turn it into activities. Keeping your messy house clean helps you avoid the need for cleaning help, and being organized will often save you money.
Get the Kids Involved
Train your children from a very young age to do age-appropriate chores and household cleaning according to their ability. Have a list of things that need to get done nightly, weekly, and monthly. Make it a fun family activity you can do every night.
Wear Hand-me-Downs
My kids and I wear really lovely hand-me-downs. You can trade with other families or shop at thrift stores to get nice clothes for you and your kids.
Automate Everything
Bills, savings, fun money, etc., should all be automated. Use the extra mental bandwidth to implement money-saving systems.
When you automate, you don’t have to second tons of time thinking about money: living a frugal lifestyle does not mean that you are always concerned about money.
Use the Library
If you decide to invest in a Kindle or other e-reader, you can also get tons of free e-books online. I love using my library’s Libby App to get free books downloaded to my Kindle- no matter the time of day.
Don’t think you will only save money on books! Libraries also offer many other services- some have games you can borrow, discounted passes to museums, and many other free or cheaper things. Get a library card!
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This post was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
A Dime Saved
Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.
