Looking for frugal living tips and ways to save money? We have a huge list to show you an easy way or two to save extra money. Whether using gift cards to save money, saving money at the grocery store, at thrift stores, we have creative ways and the best frugal tips.
Tips For Frugal Living
Would you love to know 50 ways to save money?
Here are some general tips on how to be frugal, ways to save money in your household, with your kids, and when feeding your family. Do you have a tip for frugal living?
What does it mean to be frugal?
Frugal living is a lifestyle where you actively learn ways and go out of your way to not spend as much money and save money through the different aspects and areas of their lives. Through budgeting, using less, going without, or changing how you use things and spend money will allow you to live a more frugal lifestyle which will make more comfortable in the long run.
How To Be Frugal
To be frugal means use less money. Whether it’s a good deal or learning to use what you have, like they did in the great depression, a frugal person will avoid spending a lot of money, avoid food waste, and learn basic life skills that will help them buy less.
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Best Frugal Living Tips
1. Goal Chart
Make a goal chart and as you save the amount of money or pay off debts, mark them off and reward yourself. (Ex: we can’t get that camera until our car is paid off). The expense of the camera is minor compared to the interest I’ll save by paying off debts early.
2. Budgeting System
We do the packets budgeting system. All spending money we take out at the beginning of each month. We then pay for everything with that cash, when it is gone there is no more till the next month. This budgeting method works for us, find one that works for you!
3. Wait Before Making Large Purchases
Wait for a minimum of 24 hours before purchasing any pricey item. Oh, and see if you can find something comparable used first!
4. Fix It Before Replacing
If something breaks try to fix it or do without before going out and purchasing a replacement. Try not to hire someone to fix things, rather swap services (see Craig’s list).
5. No More Impulse Buys
To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. And stick to it. You’ll find that you buy a lot less with this system.
6. Surround Yourself With Frugal Minded Friends
Surround yourself with frugal-minded folk. If you don’t have any friends who are willing to make a frugal journey with you try looking online, maybe get a great frugal book, or browse the websites One Income Dollar or the Prudent Housewife. Both great inspirational blogs. We found it is easier to save when we’re not surrounded by spend-happy folks.
FRUGAL TIPS FOR GROCERY SHOPPING
7. Price Sheets Comparing Prices
Use a price sheet so that you can know if a sale is really a bargain or if you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
8. Buy Manager Special Meat and Freeze It
Buy meat that is on Manager Special (expiring that day or shortly after). Cook that day and eat/freeze.
9. Make Meat Go Further
Mix ground beef with an egg and several handfuls of quick oats (makes the meat go farther). Use in meatballs, meat loaf, etc.
10. Bake Your Own Bread
Bake your own bread “ let the yeast sit in sugar water till it smells fermented and use half the yeast (the most expensive ingredient in bread). Artisan bread is the cheapest to make per loaf.
11. Make Your Milk Last Longer
If you are big milk drinkers, buy whole milk and a box of dry milk and make your own mock-2% milk by mixing half whole, half non-fat dry reconstituted milk. You have two gallons for a fraction of the cost.
12. Go Meatless A Couple Nights A Week
Go meatless 1-2 nights a week. You can substitute dry beans. They are VERY cheap and filling.
13. Make A Meal Plan
Meal plan and coordinate so that leftovers can be utilized fully, yet keeping variety. (Ex: Tacos day one, use left over taco meat day 2 for stuffed peppers).
14. Stretch Your Groceries
Try to stretch as much time between shopping trips. The fewer times you go shopping, the fewer chances you have to impulse buy.
15. Make A Shopping List and Stick To It
ONLY shop from a list. If it is not on the list DO NOT BUY IT. It is best to make a check off inventory list of all things you could need and highlight what you’re out or low on.
16. Eat Before You Shop
Eat something small before you go. It is harder to resist the temptation to over buy when you have an empty tummy.
17. Keep Your Change
Keep your change (dollar bills and coins) use this as your fun fund.
18. Buy Generic
Buy generic “ many times this is considerably less than the alternative even if you have coupons.
19. Use Coupons
Use coupons if you prefer something name brand and only if you buy that item regularly. Also, ask if your grocery shop has double days.
20. Ask If You Can Clip The Coupons From Library Newspapers
Rather than buy a newspaper for the coupons, go to your library, usually they do not mind allowing you to clip the coupons you need ¦ and your kids can attend story time at the same time! If you are new to couponing, then this book is a helpful start.
CLEVER WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AROUND YOUR HOME
21. Do You Dishes By Hand
Wash your dishes by hand. I have a hard time with this one, I know it saves water/energy, but I love the convenience of my dishwasher!
22. Air Dry Your Clothes
Wash clothes in warm water and only if you have a full load to do. Dry your clothes on the line and if you don’t like the crunchy feel, stick them in the dryer for 5 min with a wet rag after they’ve hung out.
23. Wash Your Clothes Less
Wash your clothes inside out so they will look nicer longer and only wash if something is truly dirty.
24. Save Fabric Softener
If you like fabric softener, put some on a towel and throw it in with the dryer. A quarter size spill on the towel can do about 3 loads “ a great way to save softener! Also, to make your detergent go farther, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the load and use half the detergent. Baking soda is a soap booster and is cheaper than Arm & Hammer.
25. Use Your Dryer/Stove To Help Heat Your Home
In the winter, use your dryer and stove during the early evening to help heat your home. In the summer, use them in the very early morning (or not at all) to help keep your home cool.
26. Long Term Meal Prep
Cook all your meals for a 2-week period (esp. in the summer) so that your oven only has to do the work one time for multiple meals. Keep meals in the freezer and re-heat with the microwave “ uses less energy, and you save time. Also, having home-cooked freezer meals cut down on the tendency to order take-out when you’re having an exceptionally busy day. It is possible to do this with a refrigerator’s freezer.
27. Turning Your A/C Up
In the summer take a cold bath/wash rag to help you feel cool before bed, and keep the thermostat as high as possible or the A/C off if possible (we live in TX “ its not possible). Each degree change can save up to 3% on your energy costs!
28. Lighting A Room With A Mirror
In a room that has a tendency to be dark, put a mirror near the light to refract the light around the room. One light bulb has the power of two with this trick!
29. Unplugging Appliances
Unplug items (toaster, shaver, cell phone charger, TV) when not in use. Small amounts of electricity are still being used even if they are off, but plugged in.
30. Buy From Garage Sales Or Places That Sell Used Items
Use Craig’s List to purchase used items (furniture, etc.) or freecycle or go to garage sales. We’ve even gotten a number of items from the curb on trash day!
31. Buy Paint From The “Oops” Counter At Home Depot Or Lowes
Buy paint from the oops counter at Home Depot or Lowes. Also, if the color of your walls allows, add a faux finish over the existing color. This uses a lot less paint and allows you to spruce up more rooms at a fraction of the cost.
32. Use Cell Phone Or House Phone Not Both
Cut your cell-phone or house phone, you don’t need both. If possible, become a single-phone family. For long distance, calling cards are great! You can usually find cards with under 2 cents a min! Pay-as-you-go cell phone plans are great if you are not a big phone user.
33. DIY Cleaners
Make your own household cleaners. Vinegar, baking soda, Hydrogen peroxide, borax & bleach are all really cheap and you can make any and every household cleaner from laundry detergent to the equivalents of Windex and Comet from mixtures of those ingredients.
34. Shop Around For Insurance
Check your insurance. We were able to save $600 a year when we switched companies, combined our house and auto onto the same plan, and added $500 to our deductible.
35. Get A Programmable Thermostat
Get a programmable thermostat for your household heat and water heater. You can turn the temps down an hour or two after you go to bed, or during the warmer times of the day, or the times when you typically don’t use your hot water. No reason to heat what is not being used!
Frugal Living: Saving Money on Personal Errands
36. Learn To Cut Hair
Get a hair cut kit and cut your hubby’s hair. I have been cutting my husband’s hair for over 20 years which has saved us conservatively $5000. Cut your kid’s hair! For yourself, if you don’t trust your husband or friend to cut your hair {I don’t}, be aware that longer hairstyles do not need to be maintained as frequently as shorter ones.
37. Buy Used Clothes
Buy clothes for your kids used “ they grow out of them so fast new is not worth it! And used usually look just as good!
38. Buy Less Toys
Limit the number of toys your children are able to have in the house. This will lower the clutter, increase the value of the toys you currently own, increase your children’s creativity as they learn to play with less, and also will decrease spending on toys.
39. Try Home Remedies For Minor Illnesses And Injuries
Try home remedies before Doctor visits. Those co-pays can add up and its amazing how a humidifier, Vitamin C & some good ole ™ rest will make the bugs go away!
40. Make Gifts For Holidays
Make gifts for holidays and birthdays, often these mean more than ones purchased at the store as they show you put time and effort into the recipient.
41. Make Your Own Personal Hygiene Products
Make your own personal hygiene products (or do without).
42. Use Cloth Diapers
Cloth diaper your kiddos. If you use this cloth diapering method your whole stash can cost less than a hundred dollars and can potentially be handed down to future kiddos. Cloth diapering also encourages early potty-training!
43. Make Your Own Baby Food
Make your own baby food by pureeing what the rest of the family is eating, or you can use dehydrated and powdered veggies “ if you like the convenience of those pricey jars.
HOW TO BE FRUGAL WITH ENTERTAINMENT
47. Don’t Eat Out
Eat out rarely if ever! If you do eat out, only drink water. Also, check your newspapers for discounts and grand openings; you can usually get more for your buck then.
48. Have Get Togethers At Home
Invite people over to your home rather than meeting them at a restaurant. You’ll have more time to chat and if you plan your meal well, will save a bundle too!
49. Watch Movies At Home
Get movies for your Friday night from the library or Netflix. They are free or a small monthly charge much less than cable/satellite. Amazon has many movies to stream for a dollar.
50. Make Popcorn At Home
Make your own homemade microwave popcorn bags! They taste better and are both cheaper and healthier!
51. Eliminate One Of Your Bills
Either eliminate or see if you can combine any of the following: Internet, Television, Long-Distance, Cell Phones “ We found that a calling card saves us tons on what would have been a long distance phone bill, and we get the TV shows we want through online streaming for free.
52. Baby Sitting Swap
Set-up a baby-sitting swap with a friend who has children. You’ll save money and know that someone experienced is watching your kids.
53. Find Events For Date Nights
Find dates that are more events than just going out to eat. These can sometimes save your budget and are usually more memorable.
54. Skip The Zoo Go To Cabella’s
See if you are near a Bass Pro shop or Cabella’s. We take our kids there instead of the zoo. It’s free to walk around and the stuffed animals don’t move so you actually get to see them! Call ahead of time and be there for the fish feeding.
BENEFITS OF BEING FRUGAL WITH MONEY
What are the benefits of frugal living?
- Less debt
- More money saved for emergencies
- Learn to choose experience over stuff
- Learn to appreciate what you have
- Waste less
- Practice life skills
- Will learn how important a budget is
- Will have a tendency to be more generous
And there are many other benefits as well!
FRUGAL LIVING FAQS
The 50/30/20 saving method is a budgeting technique that divides after-tax income into three separate spending categories:
1. 50 percent of income should be spent on needs like rent or mortgage payments, groceries and utilities.
2. 30 percent of income can be spent on wants like dining out, entertainment, travel, and clothing.
3. 20 percent of income should be saved for long-term goals like retirement or saving for a down payment on a house.
The 30-day rule helps people avoid impulse purchases. The 30-day rule is a strategy to help you save money by creating a buffer between the purchase decision and your actual payment. Under this method, when you want to make a big purchase, stop and wait at least 30 days before pulling the trigger. The 30 day time frame allows you to assess if they really need or want the item, if there are cheaper alternatives, and if you really can afford to make the purchase.
Yes! You actually can save money even if you already are leading a frugal life. Here are some things that might have been overlooked:
-Sticking to your budget.
-Cutting back on luxuries or finding cheaper alternatives.
-Automate your savings with automatic transfers.
-Maximizing your use of discount and loyalty programs.
-Cut out unnecessary recurring expenses like gym memberships, cable subscriptions, etc.
-Barter, negotiate and shop around for things you do want to buy.
-Find extra money with a side hustle or freelance gig.
Frugal behavior involves making informed decisions about spending and managing money.
MORE FRUGAL LIVING TIPS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG
Looking for more money saving discounts and tips? We have some more! We hope these tips help you and your family save money this year. We have a few more ideas on how to be frugal. Take a look at these additional ideas for frugal living:
- Save Money on Free Educational Apps for Kids
- How to Be Frugal on Vacation
- Teach Kids about Frugal Living
- Meal Planning can save you so much money.
- 12 ways to save money with kids.
- How to save money as a stay at home mom.
- These budgeting tips can help you save money.
- Save money while school shopping!
- Check out these piggy bank tips for kids!
What money saving tip do you have? Share it with us in the comments section!
Reading through this blog did make me chuckle, but reading through the comments afterwards made me laugh even more.
You guys over in the USA really don’t know how good you have it sometimes. Over in England, we don’t get the shopping coupons like you get over there. Occasionally they will be in the local papers, but you are always limited to one coupon per customer. Washing dishes by hand? I would loove to have a kitchen big enough to put a dishwasher in it. Air conditioning? What’s that? Oh yes, that’s right. Its that thing that guzzles the expensive fuel in the car. A/C in a house of here is almost unheard of, or needed for that matter. We just don’t have your climate. (Unfortunately!)
Washing clothes in cold water. Yep. Machines over here are rarely plumber in to the hot water supply. Normally they are cold fill, then the machine heats the water. But yes, it is obvious that the lower the temperature, the quicker it heats and saves on energy bills.
We are lucky in the UK to have free healthcare, so that is one thing we do not have to worry about. I am by no means putting down the writer of this post, or anyone else. But a lot of these money saving tips are things that are just not available to us in the UK, meaning that I for one, have spent the last 7 years struggling to make ends meet and going without. My husband has just started work for the first time in 4 years last month, and I will be starting a new slightly higher paid job next week, going from part time to full time. Things are finally looking up for us. We can get those debts paid off, and bring our rent fully up to date (thankfully, I have a landlord who has been very understanding at times when things had gone from bad to worse!)
I just have the logistical nightmare of sorting after school childcare to worry about for a bit.
I feel lucky with my lot, and am glad to be able to report that there is light at the end of the tunnel. But being as frugal as I can will be something that will stay firmly on my list!
Claire,
You are right. Some people should be glad to have so much to complain about.
Congratulations on the new jobs for you and your hubby. Happy new year!
Obviously not all of these ideas will work for everyone. It is a nice and well thought out list. I do think a lot of these tips are great for the environment as well which is a nice bonus. For us time is money. I make a lot of money and I spend a little more on a few time savers like the dishwasher 🙂 . By saving time I can make more money. Also I pay for every thing on credit cards, but I never carry a balance. My airline miles allow me to see a little more of the planet. We eat out a lot but when we do cook at home it is from scratch and we are vegetarians. So maybe there are these little balances for us all. I need to remember the thermostat idea, I like that one. Thank you for the article , it was great!
Take your family fishing. It’s a way to entertain the kids, make memories that’ll last a lifetime and if you’re lucky feed the family, too.
here’s an idea for being frugal… don’t have six kids. seriously. why do you need six? you’re really not helping the overpopulation problem (unless they’re all adopted?), and you’re more than likely unable to give them all the attention they deserve. if you only had 2 you wouldn’t even have all these supposed money problems. maybe then you could afford to give them normal childhood experiences like going to the zoo. sorry, but i find having way too many kids to be a really immature and irresponsible thing to do. it doesn’t just effect your life, it effects theirs’ and the rest of the world.
That’s a really harsh comment! The blog author isn’t attacking anyone’s lifestyle choices, but merely giving individuals advice on ways to save money. Not all of her suggestions will work for every person, obviously, but why be so mean to someone who is obviously trying to help others? If they want to have six or more children, and they can afford it, who are you to question their rights? There are so many children born to parents who don’t want, neglect, and/or abuse them, and here is a couple who is trying to provide for their children. Shame on you for your ugly comment!
To the author: I found several of your ideas very helpful. We live around the St. Louis area and our zoo offers free admission so we take advantage of this for our children. Our family also clips coupons, shops garage sales and craigslist, and keeps hand-me-downs for our children. I plant a garden every summer and keep herbs indoors all year. We make right at a six-figure income, but it took losing our home to forclosure, and being in over our head in credit card debt to make us change our ways. Keep posting your ideas because a lot of people appreciate it!
Krista, you’re nasty and in the new year should keep your judgmental, rude comments to yourself.
There are some wonderful ideas here. Times are tough for a lot of people now, and for some of us, tips on saving are always welcome, and if the tips are green on top of being frugal, well…that’s definitely a big bonus. My kids are grown and out on their own now, but as for the toy thing I can tell you this…when my kids were little I used to put some of their toys away and every month or so switch off, and it was kinda like Christmas when I brought out the “new” ones. As for saving on electricity, gas and and water, well shouldn’t we all be doing that anyway, as much as we can? If you save a dollar here and a dollar there, it really adds up. I actually enjoy looking for solutions for waste. It can be a challenge for sure, and I sometimes get a little obsessed lol. My husband and I both enjoy cooking and try to cook ahead and freeze and it’s really working for us. But I was noticing how much trash we accumulate on our cooking days, LOTS of paper towels, napkins, etc. So when I found floursack dishcloths on sale I bought a few packages, cut them into fourths, gave them a little hem, and they are now napkins. Cheap dollar store washcloths rolled up and put in a basket on my counter are now paper towels. We will still use paper towels for some things, but I won’t miss the expense of buying so many napkins and paper towels! And the cloth napkins and paper towels don’t take up enough room in the laundry to worry about. It has always been my opinion that we use far too many disposable products and they are expensive and wasteful when used all the time. I search the internet for ways to save and for DIY projects that recycle and save money, and I really enjoyed reading this blog…thank you 🙂
There are some wonderful ideas here. Times are tough for a lot of people now, and for some of us, tips on saving are always welcome, and if the tips are green on top of being frugal, well…that’s definitely a big bonus. My kids are grown and out on their own now, but as for the toy thing I can tell you this…when my kids were little I used to put some of their toys away and every month or so switch off, and it was kinda like Christmas when I brought out the “new” ones. As for saving on electricity, gas and and water, well shouldn’t we all be doing that anyway, as much as we can? If you save a dollar here and a dollar there, it really adds up. I actually enjoy looking for solutions for waste. It can be a challenge for sure, and I sometimes get a little obsessed lol. My husband and I both enjoy cooking and try to cook ahead and freeze and it’s really working for us. But I was noticing how much trash we accumulate on our cooking days, LOTS of paper towels, napkins, etc. So when I found floursack dishcloths on sale I bought a few packages, cut them into fourths, gave them a little hem, and they are now napkins. Cheap dollar store washcloths rolled up and put in a basket on my counter are now paper towels. We will still use paper towels for some things, but I won’t miss the expense of buying so many napkins and paper towels! And the cloth napkins and paper towels don’t take up enough room in the laundry to worry about. It has always been my opinion that we use far too many disposable products and they are expensive and wasteful when used all the time. I search the internet for ways to save and for DIY projects that recycle and save money, and I really enjoyed reading this blog…thank you 🙂
To the people who have made negative comments…are all your vehicles paid for? My husband and I have paid cash for all of our vehicles since we were 25 years old. How about your house? We make extra payments each month. Look it up even if you were careful and only paid $100 extra on your home payment you can really reduce interest over time. Anyhow, I am a firm believer in those who are careful with their money will be blessed with more. I am a stay at home, homeschool mom. My husband makes good money, but we want to buy land. I will save money. I will cut my spending because it only improves my lifestyle quicker. Be snotty. Look down your nose at those who are frugall. We just smile to ourselves. My sister-in-law always acted like it was stupid to shop at garage sales for my little ones (last year I spent $175 to put clothing on my three children. They look as good as anybody in our upperclass neighborhood. I got a brand new Lands End Jacket, snow pants, and gloves for $25. Still had the tags on…the girls grandma was a spender and didn’t know her granddaughter hated purple. As for my sister-in-law their home is in forecloser….sad. But hey, the kids have brand new $100 jeans. If you can’t use the information fine, but why put it down? Is it because deep down you know you should be more frugal but it takes work to be smart with your money?
I actually quite enjoyed this post. There were a few things that I wouldn’t do necessarily, but for the most part it made sense. I have 3 kids under 3 so her thinking makes sense to me on some of them. We take our kids to the animal shelter or the pet store instead of the zoo.
Most of these are just common sense that seems to have been lost on some people. Besides saving you money if you use several of them they are also earth friendly. I reuse, recycle and conserve where ever I can.
We live on a budget Dave Ramsey style and I find a lot of these suggestions ridiculous. Don’t go to the doctor and use home remedies? ???? As a person with a doctorate the medical field I promise you you end up spending more money this way and potentially hurt your health. I also refuse to cloth diaper when I can buy pampers at 7 cents a diaper. That is much cheaper than the soap and water and my time to wash the diapers.
She never said don’t go to the dr. She said to try home remedies first. As with anything else though, it is a matter of using common sense. I have 7 children and we don’t go to the dr very often. But I do when they need it, especially for my 2 with asthma. If someone comes in with a common cold what can you give them besides antibiotics, which don’t even work for a viral infection like a cold.
I actually found cloth diapers were better for my children’s skin health when they were babies and heard this from other people also.