Living a more frugal life is not the same as being cheap. I’ve been living a more frugal lifestyle for many years out of necessity. So I’ve picked up a few frugal living tips along the way. We were on one income for a long-time because my husband was a stay-at-home dad till our youngest started school. So I learned to shop with intention and to be more aware of what I was buying.
Over the years I picked up a few frugal living tips that I’ve tried and that I still use, even though he’s back working now. And many of these tips are easy to use and to get into the habit of doing. I still like to be intentional with my spending. But that is because I’m working on paying off some debts that were acquired when I had to miss work for multiple Glaucoma surgeries a few years ago. But that is a whole different beast.
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Anyhow, the tips I’m sharing here are ones that have helped us through some really tough times over the past 15 years and these are the frugal living tips I give to others when they’ve asked in the past how I managed to get by on a waitress income with three kids.
Frugal Living Tips
There are a ton of different ways you can save money or live a more frugal life. From cutting excess expenses to buying used items. There really is no end to the different ways you can live a more frugal life.
Here are some of my favorite ways to save money and live a more frugal life so we can spend more time doing things we love to do.
Shop Thrift Stores/Flea Markets
This is one of my favorites. I like to buy as much as I can used or second-hand. From furniture to kids’ clothes there are so many things you can buy that is gently used or that you can repurpose.
Cut Yours and Your Kids Hair
Check out YouTube for videos on how to do this. My husband has cut all of our hair for years. As long as you don’t need/want a super fancy cut and color most haircuts can be done at home.
Shop Clearance Racks
I’ve loved to shop clearance racks for as long as I can remember. I can usually find great deals on things that we need for the house and for the kid’s. The best time to do this is right before the stores bring out new seasonal items. Or a day or two after a holiday.
Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Many of the household cleaners you use every day can be made from stuff you have at home with some time and patience. There are endless videos and articles that show you exactly how to make what you need to clean your home.
Repurpose Old/Torn Clothing
Instead of just throwing out old or worn-out clothes use them for other things. I usually make them into cleaning cloths, and napkins or even sew new items from the old ones. This is a great way to recycle old clothes and keep them useful for even longer.
Shop Sales/Use Coupons
I like to check out what sales the different stores have when I plan out our meals for the week. Make sure to check the size of the package to make sure you’re getting the best price. I also try to use coupons as much as possible so I can save even more.
Grow Your Own Produce/Herbs
Having a small garden is a great way to save money on food costs. And you get the benefit of fresh foods that you grow yourself. Any surplus that you might have can be frozen or canned to use when the growing season is over. It’s best to check to see what grows best in your area at each time of the year.
Use Cash Back Apps
I use a few different apps to earn cash back on the things that I buy. Some of the ones I like are Rakutan, Ibotta, Honey, and the Upside app for cash back on gas. These are a great way to get a little back on the things you buy regularly.
Cash in Bottles and Cans
Near me, there is a place where I can take soda cans and trade them for money. It’s not a lot, but it gives us a little extra every few months. You just have to make sure the cans are cleaned out and crushed before you take them. This can crusher is the one I use and it’s cheap and simple to use.
Meal Planning
This is one of my favorites. Plus it takes out the “what’s for dinner” question every day. And it doesn’t have to be all that difficult to do. We simply keep a list of the meals the kids will eat and pick out meals for the week. It also makes grocery shopping easier and because I use online pick-up, eliminates impulse buys that I might make in-store.
Final Thoughts on Frugal Living Tips
From DIYing some things and watching prices on others. I’ve been able to live more frugally and be more intentional about what I do spend money on. What are some other ways you’ve learned to live a more frugal life?
Let me Know in the comments!