In today’s unstable economy, there are many families that are having to learn different ways to be frugal. Being frugal can be different things like being creative with budgeting in order to avoid the dreadful “too much month at the end of their money” scenario.
Here in Frugal Living you will find several frugal living strategies to help save you and your family money. Let’s go over some many different ways that we have found to help you learn to live frugal and love it.
Please Note: This page is intense with information, so be sure you have some time to review and enjoy.
1. Cook at Home
Living in a fast pace world cooking at home seems unthoughtful. But if you’re on a budget or trying to save money cooking at home could be just what you’re looking for.
Take some time and figure how much money you are spending by eating out weekly or monthly. Take one month and instead of eating out, cook at home. This means packing a lunch for your children, and also packing a lunch for yourself and/or spouse. Keep track on how much your grocery bill is for that money and you will see that cooking at home can and will save you money.
Now let us give you a few tips that will also teach you how to cook frugally and help save your family money.
2. Conserve Energy
Conserving energy is another great way to help save money and live frugal. In the summer months, instead of cranking up the air conditioner, try using your ceiling fans or a box fan. Pull open of windows and allow the breeze to help cools things off inside.
For the cold winter months, make sure you have your doors and windows insulated so that you keep the cold out. Keep a throw blanket over the top of your chair or couch to bundle up in. Cranking the heat up in the winter months can really make your energy bill go through the roof.
Summer and winter months are times when most families see a significant spike in their energy bills. Taking precautions can help with adding cost. Also, instead of having your heat or air run constantly, set it so that it turns off when it reaches a certain, comfortable temperature.
3. Turn the Lights Off
Another thing that will help save on your electric cost is turning your lights off. If you only use lights when it is absolutely necessary and open windows and doors to let natural light in during the day, you’ll be able to notice a great decrease in your electric cost.
Always remember when you leave the room, turn the lights off. All it requires is a simple flip of the switch and you’ll see a substantial difference on your electric bill.
4. Unplug
Another great frugal tip is to unplug devices when they are not in use. Unplugging simple things like your cell phone, TV, DVD player, radio, etc., when not in use, can help with your electric cost. When these devices are plugged in they are using electricity, even though you are not using them. Take the time to unplug everything that you are not using and only plug them in when you need them. We are sure you’ll see a difference on your electric bill.
5. Laundry Once a Week
Rather than wash your clothes every day or every other day, have a set day during the week set aside just for laundry. Here at our house, Thursday is always laundry day and Friday is house day, when we wash sheets, curtains, etc.
Also to help save some money, make your own laundry soap and fabric softener. If you are unsure on how to do this take a look at these pages.
6. Drink Tap Water
Instead of buying bottled water, why not give tap water a try? If you have concerns about the water quality, you can consider buying a water filter system. That way, you can feel safe while enjoying a glass of water from the tap. Also if you’re on the go, refill a reusable water bottle with tap water. This will save you time and money.
7. Energy Efficient Bulbs
Consider replacing all of your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. By doing this you will see a great improvement on your electric bill. Here are some benefits of using energy efficient bulbs.
8. Create a Budget and Stick to It
If you truly want to be frugal, then you are going to have to learn how to budget and stick to your budget. We have many different tips to help you learn how to budget and most importantly how to stick to it.
9. Pay Your Bills on Time
Paying your bills on time saves you money. How, you ask? Well when you pay a bill late the company charges you a late fee. Those late fees tend to add up over time and they will start to eat away at your savings if you’re not careful. Let us go over some ways to help you to pay your bills on time.
10. Buy Necessities in Bulk
When you’re out shopping, buy your groceries and personal care items in bulk. You will spend more money at the time, but you will save money in the long run. That is unless you coupon. That’s our next one.
11. Become Coupon Savvy
Another great way to save money and be frugal is to save on groceries, personal care items and really any item that you can clip a coupon on. You may not think that you are doing much good paying $.30 cents on a box of cereal, but those cents add up. And by the end of the month all those $.30cent boxes of cereal will bring a smile to your face.
12. Buy During Sales
Buying during sales can save you and your family a ton of money. Some people think that the only good sales are during “black Friday” or “after Christmas” but you can find amazing deals all during the year. As you walk through your store try to find the clearance items. Those are where the best deals lay.
13. Buy Used
If you think ‘buying used’ is items that are dirty, raggedy, and worthless, then you are wrong. You can often find used items that have been gently used and they are in excellent condition. Shopping at yard/garage sales and checking out your local thrift stores and flea markets is a great way to find these treasures. You’ll be surprised at what you will find.
14. Sell What You Don’t Need
Having a yard/garage sale or selling your items that you don’t need on eBay or Craigslist is a great way to make a little extra money. Plus you’re able to free up some space in your home or garage that you may need.
15. Buy Only What You Need
Don’t buy things that you really don’t need at the time. If you are already tight on money, don’t buy things that you already have or things that you can really go without at the moment.
16. Shop From a List
Always make a shopping list and take it with you whenever to go shopping. This is a great way for you to stick to a budget and you can also get in and get out. By doing this, it keeps you focused and hopefully on budget.
17. Shop Around
Don’t feel as though you have to shop at one place all the time just because you have always shopped there and you know when they have the best deals. Take some time and see what all is out there. Are there any competing stores that offer the same items at better prices? You’ll be surprised at the different prices each store can have on items. Don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best deal. But if you are intent on staying with a particular store or company, ask them if they will match or beat their competitor’s prices. You’ll be surprised that most will.
18. Entertainment on a Budget
Living a frugal lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to live a boring life. You and your family can still enjoy the great things that life has to offer. Take some time and check out what’s in your area. Take advantage of free or low cost things to do. Stay on the lookout for discounted packages or discounted days throughout the year. Instead of going out to the movies and dinner, consider a night in with homemade pizza and a movie from Redbox or Netflix. If you do decide that you’d like to go out, see if your theater offers a discounted showing. Take a look at some other ways that we have found that you can use to save on entertainment.
19. Bundle Up
We are not talking about bundling up for the winter. We are talking about bundling up your services. Instead of getting your phone, internet and cable from different companies, see if any of these companies offers all three. Compare the prices that they offer you in a bundled package and go with the one that will save you the most money.
20. Cut Down Your Bill
If there is something you don’t need, why pay for it? Does your phone company charge you for things like 411 service but you never us it? As you paying for channels you rarely watch? Then ask them to remove these services from your bill and save yourself some money.
21. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can save you a ton of money in the end. This is something that goes along with budgeting. Saving up for something like repair work or a vacation is great and knowing how much each of these are going to cost you can save you lots of money over time.
22. Walk More Often
If you can, instead of driving everywhere, consider walking. We live in a rural area so when we go to town we try to get everything we need at one time to help save us time and money. While in town if you are in a shopping area, where everything you need is in one place, why waste gas driving around? Park your car and let your feet do the work. This is a great workout for you and it will save you some money too.
23. Carpool
Another great way to save on gas is to carpool. Teaming up with co-workers can help everyone that’s involved. Designate a day for each person to drive and help each other save money on the expenses of driving every day.
24. Use Public Transportation
The best way to save on gas is to use public transportation. This may not be something that is offered in everyone’s area but it can save you some money every month.
25. Stay Healthy
The last thing we know that you can do to be frugal is to take care of yourself. By taking precautions with everything you do, you reduce your chances of having to go to the doctor or the hospital. And we all know by staying healthy you can save a lot of money.
We are hoping that you can use at least one of the ways to help live a frugal life and save you and your family some money.
What are some savings tips that you’d like to share?
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