Frugal living isn’t about being cheap and getting the cheapest (or free) of anything. Instead, it’s about getting the most value from your resources and developing better money habits while not depriving yourself of living comfortably. It’s wrong to think that by following frugal living tips, one deters himself from living a joyful, pleasure-filled life. Instead, frugal tips often guide you to compromise and find the best solution that will fill both your pockets and your heart.
Thus, if you have big goals for the future or want to save up for an emergency fund, or have a financial cushion, it might be time to give frugal tips and tricks a go. No matter how big or small your goals and aspirations are, whether you want to buy a rental property or save for a family trip overseas, frugal tips to save money can help accelerate your savings. While these tips on how to save money range from "mild" to quite intense, a healthy balance between the two will help you power through and prevent you from getting too burned out on your frugal journey.
Below, we've compiled some great, easy tips to save money every day and tricks on how to live frugally and actually enjoy it. Hint: stealing is NOT an option! Found a frugal tip you will try to apply in your life? Let us know by giving it an upvote! Any more frugal tips on saving money that you would add to the list? Let us know by leaving a comment!
#1 Eat Before You Go Shopping
Have a proper meal before shopping, and never go grocery shopping when hungry. According to studies, a growling stomach will tempt you to buy more food than you actually need!
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45points
#2 Let Items Sit In Your Shopping Cart
Making an online purchase? Keep the item in your shopping basket for at least one day before checking out. This helps lessen impulsive purchases made online. If it was a spur-of-a-moment addition to your cart, it would likely lose its allure after a few days.
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44points
#3 Pay Attention To Grocery Prices
Always compare the "unit price" tags on products at the grocery store to see if you may save money. Even though a product's overall cost could be higher, buying the more expensive version might result in you getting more of it.
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41points
#4 Stop Wasting Food
Be aware of your expiration dates, and don't throw away food before it has gone bad. As long as they are stored properly, perishables are often still safe to consume after their "sell by" and "use by" dates.
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40points
#5 Freeze Everything
A long-lasting meal doesn't necessarily have to be instant food packed with preservatives. When kept in a freezer, fresh foods like meat, bread, and vegetables can stay fresh for up to two years.
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37points
#6 Buy Second-Hand
When purchasing something used is an option, be sure to take it. The price of gently used products might be significantly lower than brand-new ones. To get what you need at a much better price, shop at second-hand stores in your neighborhood.
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37points
#7 Make A List Before You Go Shopping
Making a list before shopping will help you avoid impulsive or unnecessary purchases; just ensure you stick to it. No exceptions are allowed!
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35points
#8 Plan Your Meals
List the meals you'll consume for the entire week every Sunday. By preparing your meals in advance, you can spend your money wisely at the grocery store because you won't buy food that will eventually go bad and be binned later.
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35points
#9 Shop Post-Holidays
You can take advantage of post-holiday sales by purchasing gifts and Christmas décor a few days after the holidays. Most people only do this at Christmas; however, it can be done for any celebratory event!
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34points
#10 Skip Brands, Buy Generic
Purchase generic versions of foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. They are just as good as the name brand, and the few cents you'll save will soon add up to considerable amounts of money.
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34points
#11 Stick To Water
Instead of purchasing sugary, pricey beverages like sodas, juices, and beers, opt for water. Your money, waistline, and health will all benefit from it. Also, use a reusable water bottle rather than a disposable one to further reduce costs.
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34points
#12 Don’t Pay For Things You Don’t Use
Cancel any memberships you don't use, such as magazine subscriptions, internet subscriptions, and gym memberships. The money you save can now be spent on things you actually need or be put into your savings account!
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33points
#13 Grow Your Own Vegetables
Whether you live in an apartment or have a yard, you can save money by growing your own veggies and herbs. Growing your own food is not only one of the more exciting strategies for inexpensive living, but it is also fun and enjoyable!
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33points
#14 Bring Your Own Bag
Here's some practical advice for cutting grocery costs and being more sustainable: bring your own bag. A bag tax, a 5-cent fee to place your items in one of the store's brown paper bags, is in place in many states. Although it might seem like little money, it can add up over time.
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33points
#15 Use Halves
You probably won't notice much difference if you use half as much soap, toothpaste, shampoo, or detergent. Your clothing should still feel just as fluffy with just a quarter of a dryer sheet.
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32points
#16 Take Advantage Of Your Library
A cheap getaway to wherever your heart desires can be delivered through reading. Even better, you can borrow books from your local library, costing you nothing! Free adventure? Yes, please!
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32points
#17 Sell Things You No Longer Use
Most of us are guilty of having unnecessary clutter lying about the house. It might be time to downsize if you have a sizable collection of designer purses, too many Lululemon leggings, clothes your children have outgrown, or a bookshelf bursting with books you no longer reach out for.
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30points
#18 Stop Impulse Buying
E-commerce has made it simpler than ever to make impulsive purchases. At the press of a button, you can find anything and everything, and before you know it, your late-night shopping binges have cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. One essential piece of frugal living advice to help you save money is learning to quit impulse buying.
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30points
#19 Make Your Own Coffee
You can save four to five dollars daily if you skip buying coffee which you can make at home. This can add to significant savings in just one month! Also, consider purchasing your coffee beans in bulk; that is more cost-effective and sustainable.
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29points
#20 Switch Off Unnecessary Lights
While this should be obvious, many of us are guilty of leaving the lights in the room while going to the toilet or running some quick errands. And then we totally forget that we've left the lights on. Hence, make it a habit to turn off the lights when leaving a room. Leaving them on wastes energy and drives up your monthly energy bill.
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26points