I used to be terrified to open my banking app. Everything is getting more expensive, and my paycheck isn’t stretching as far as it used to. I remember a few years ago, I was working hard but still felt broke at the end of every month. I was making enough money to get by, but I was spending it on unnecessary things.
That’s when I began searching for frugal living tips. Frugality isn’t about making yourself miserable. It’s just about being intentional with your cash. You control the money, not the other way around.
Here are ten easy frugal habits to save money that I actually use.
1. Master the 24-Hour Rule
My biggest weakness was always the late-night Amazon scroll. I’d find myself browsing online sales at midnight, convinced I absolutely needed a new set of headphones.
Here is my personal rule: if I want to buy something that isn’t a necessity (like food or medicine) and costs over $30, I wait 24 hours. I leave it in the online cart or walk away from the store shelf. Usually, by the next morning, I’ve completely forgotten I even wanted it. This is one of the best tricks because it separates the emotion of shopping from the reality of paying.
2. Cook at Home
We all know that eating out is expensive, but it is so convenient not to cook for yourself. I looked at my credit card statement and realized I spent $400 on takeout and unnecessary things last month alone.”
Cooking every night is annoying, but planning the menu on Sunday makes it bearable. I don’t create a fancy menu. On Sundays, I just write down four dinners I want to make that week. That’s it. This keeps me from hitting the drive-thru on a Tuesday because I know I have the stuff for tacos at home. If I don’t go to the store with a list, I walk out with three bags of chips.
3. The Great Subscription Audit
Take a look at your bank statement. I checked my statement and found a subscription I had forgotten about from three months ago.
I recently found out I was paying for a premium music app I hadn’t opened in six months. That was $15 a month—$180 a year—wasted. Set a reminder on your phone to audit your subscriptions every three months. Cancel the ones you don’t love. It takes five minutes and puts cash instantly back in your pocket.
4. Shop Second-hand First
I used to think thrift stores were just for broken toaster ovens, but I was wrong. Shopping second-hand is one of the smartest frugal habits you can adopt.
I check Goodwill for dining chairs before I go to IKEA. I recently bought a solid wood dining table for $50 on a local marketplace app. A similar new one would have cost me over $600. It looked brand new after a quick wipe-down.
Read More : Simple Tips on How to be Less Materialistic in Your Life
5. Embrace Generic Brands
We buy Tylenol instead of the generic store brand just because the box looks nicer, even though the ingredients are the same.
Next time you are at the store, compare the labels on the generic pasta, spices, or canned beans against the big brands. Switching to store brands is an easy way for frugal living for beginners to make a difference without really changing your lifestyle. You likely won’t even taste the difference, but your wallet will notice.
6. Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies
Making your own cleaner is easier than it sounds. Commercial cleaning sprays can cost $5 to $8 a bottle. You can make an effective all-purpose cleaner with white vinegar, water, and a drop of dish soap for pennies.
I keep a spray bottle under my sink with this mix. It works on counters, sinks, and even mirrors. It costs pennies and works just as well.
7. Watch Your Energy Usage
Simple changes to your daily routine really do add up. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Wash your clothes in cold water (detergents work just as well in cold water nowadays).
I installed a programmable thermostat and set it to 62 degrees at night. It automatically lowers the heat when I’m asleep or at work. It was a small investment upfront, but it lowered my heating bill by about 10% that first winter.
8. Try a “No-Spend” Weekend
This is a fun challenge if you’re competitive. Once a month, try to go a whole weekend spending zero dollars.
Instead of going to the movies or out to dinner, look for free stuff. Go for a hike, have a game night at home with friends, or finally read that book sitting on your nightstand. It forces you to stop relying on spending money to be entertained.
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9. Automate Your Savings
If you wait until the end of the month to save what is “left over,” there usually isn’t anything left. You have to pay yourself first.
Set up an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings account for the day after payday. Even if it is just $25. If you don’t see the money, you won’t spend it. Over time, that money grows into an emergency fund without you having to think about it.
10. Rediscover the Library
The library is the ultimate frugal hack. It is not just about books anymore.
My library has free eBooks and museum passes. Some even lend out things like tools, cake pans, or passes to local museums. I haven’t paid for a book in two years, and I read all the time. You’re already paying for it with your taxes, so you might as well get your money’s worth.
Don’t try to change your whole life overnight. Just pick one thing. Just pick one or two of these money-saving hacks to start with. Maybe this week you can focus on the 24-hour rule. Next week, try a generic brand at the grocery store.
Start small and see what happens. The goal isn’t just to have a pile of money; it’s to have the freedom to enjoy your life without stressing about every bill.
Article Source
- The World Financial Review: Using the 24-Hour Rule in Financial Decisions
- Investopedia: Is Meal Prepping the Financial Hack You Need? Discover How Much You Could Save
- Department of Energy: Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips
- Library Research Service: Public Libraries and Technology: Beyond the Public Library Survey
