Are you trying to figure out ways to save money? Or are looking for the best frugal living tips and tricks so that your lifestyle can be fun, and rewarding without sacrificing what you love? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

In light of the current economic situation, we need to be mindful about spending so that our lifestyle stays rewarding. Fortunately, there are countless ways to save money without feeling deprived or sacrificing things you love doing.

In this post, we’ll be looking at ‘what is frugal living’, ‘benefits of adopting a frugal living lifestyle‘, ‘what frugal living tips from the great depression can be adopted in 2022‘, and plus numerous other ways to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the process.

Frugal Living Tips from the Great Depression 

The Great Depression was responsible for a rise in poverty as well as increases in unemployment and food shortages. Because of this, people who own small farms started growing their own food, and being able to do so became synonymous with having privileged economic circumstances.

Here are 5 top frugal tips with a big impact that helped people live frugally during the Great Depression. Use them to your advantage and start saving big.

1. Grow Your Own Produce.

You can grow your own produce using seeds, plants, or bulbs from your local nursery or garden center. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables all year long.

You can also try growing “leafy greens” for salads and regrowing some veggies like green onions and romaine lettuce in water. Doing so will help you save money on groceries.

2. Be Conservative. 

There are a lot of ways to conserve, be it water, energy, or supplies to save you a significant amount of money.

One way is to make sure that you are not spending unnecessarily. Another way is to use energy-saving methods in your home or office. Finally, you can also consider investing in green technologies that will help you save money in the long run.

For example, a typical individual wastes approximately 30 gallons of water per day, while a typical family can waste up to 180 gallons per week due to leaks.

3. Learn How to Can Food and Do DIYs.

Canning is a way of storing food so that it will last longer. This has been a huge part of the Great depression era. You can learn how to can food by starting small. 

From fixing things around the house to preparing your own meals rather than ordering out, DIYing will result in significant cost savings. Explore what you already have in your home and utilize or enhance it.

4. Prepare Your Own Food. Say No To Processed Food Items.

One of the best ways to save money is to cook your own meals at home. This way, you can control how much you spend on ingredients, and you can be sure that you’re getting healthy, unprocessed food.

Hot Tip: If cooking meals from scratch feels like too much work, try batch cooking a few times a month so you always have some ready-to-eat meals on hand. Say no to processed and packaged foods.

5. Develop New Skills. 

Developing new skills that can help you reduce your expenses. Here are a few examples of skills that can help you save money:

1. Learning how to do your own repairs can help you avoid expensive bills.
2. Knowing how to bargain at shops can help you get the best deals on everything from clothes to groceries.
3. Or learning how to do alterations, helps save money on purchasing new clothes or repairing old clothes.

What Is Frugal Living?

Frugal living is often misunderstood as living a life of deprivation or being cheap. However, nothing could be further from the truth! 

In actuality, frugal living simply means being mindful of your spending in order to free up money for your priorities. 

For some people, this might mean working towards paying off debt, while for others it could mean saving for a rainy day fund or even early retirement. Whatever your goals may be, living frugally can help you achieve them.

Benefits Of Frugal Living

Here are the top 3 advantages you earn as you opt for living a Frugal Lifestyle. 

• First and foremost, you get to save a lot of money (as in, save for large purchases and keep an emergency fund).
• You are able to live a debt-free life or pay off debt faster.
• Living frugally can actually lead to a more fulfilling life, as it forces us to focus on what is truly important.
• You learn to appreciate the simple things in life and become more resourceful and innovative.
• You get to retire early as your retirement number doesn’t have to be that big. Hence, you get to have the opportunity to do more things. To learn that skill you’ve been wanting to learn.

Read on to know more about the best frugal living tips and tricks to make your life easier!

Frugal Living Tips to Save Money (Significantly!)

Wondering, How can I be more frugal with my money? We have done the research for you. Here are 150 practical tips on how you can live frugally and save more money.

Some of these tips listed here are rarely talked about, in fact, this is the only place you’ll find them.

Without further ado, let’s get to the crux of this article.

They are easy to implement and will not only help you save money, but also allow you to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Be prepared to see great changes in your finances in the long run. 

For the sake of convenience, this list is subdivided into various sections; food, laundry, entertainment, DIY, shopping, transportation, etc.

Quick Note: It is very much possible for you to not be able to practice every single one of these and that’s totally okay. Your approach to this should be to pick ten that you know you can begin with right now in this list first.

Frugal Living Tips to Save Money On Food & Shopping

Scan Your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer Before Heading To The Store.

You might be surprised at how much food you already have on hand! Take inventory of what you already have, and then make a list of meals you can make using those ingredients. This will help you save money by avoiding duplicate purchases, and it will also help you get creative in the kitchen.

Plan Your Meal, It Helps!

Meal planning is a game changer, and it rules that uncertainty on what to eat out which might have you end up ordering food. 

Shop Only Once Every Week. Anything More Than Once, Don’t Do It.

This means if you want to try a new recipe, but don’t have the ingredients, save it for the following week. Avoid visiting the store multiple times a week!

Meal Prepping 

This is basically preparing your meals ahead so you don’t have to order food. For example, on a Sunday you can prepare all the food you’ll need up until the weekend in your freezer. And then, when you’re ready to eat, just put it in the microwave.

Don’t Indulge In Food Wastage 

Don’t waste the leftovers in your fridge, eat them. You could have a night every week where you just pick every leftover you have in your fridge and turn it into a dish or a casserole. This is also an indirect manner for you to clean up your fridge.

Buy Food Items In Large Quantities. You Can Get Discounts Doing That.

In most stores, such as Costco, you may get discounts if you buy in bulk. However, marketers have gotten clever and sneaky. Check the cost per unit or the price per ounce before making a purchase. And don’t stockpile things just because they’re on sale!

Create Your Very Own Unique Home-made Vegetable Stock.

Throw your vegetable trimmings into a Ziploc bag and freeze them. This allows you to produce your own vegetable stock. Furthermore, by not wasting food, you’re avoiding the wastage of money while also keeping some spare cash on hand.

Avoid/Limit Eating Out, It Is Not Worth It. 

Eating out can be expensive and it is not always the best option for your health. If you must eat out, try to find cheaper options like fast food restaurants or ordering from the dollar menu.

Put An End To Window Shopping, You Can Easily Get Tempted.

If you are extravagant, don’t window shop because you might spend more money than necessary.

Opt For Grocery Pickup Always. 

You can benefit by not purchasing more than necessary.

Fill The Dishwasher, and Do Not Wash In Bits.

Before you hit the start button, make sure your dishwasher is filled to the brim. Doing so will ensure the usage of less water and also save money on your water bill and energy consumption in the long run.

Drink A Whole Lot Of Water.

Water has a longer lifespan in the body than beverages like alcohol or fruit juices, and it does more good than harm in the long run. Most significantly, tap water is packed with nutrients and is inexpensive and readily available!

Use Rags/Micro Cloth Over Paper Towels. 

Reusable rags or micro cloths can be used multiple times before they need to be washed, and they often do a better job than paper towels anyway. Using rags will help make your paper towels last longer, so you won’t have to waste money on them.

Buy Generic Products. They Are Not All As Bad As You Think.

Buying generic goods will help you cut down on the amount you will spend on branded goods.  In fact, some generic products are of better quality than their branded counterparts. Do not hesitate to buy them just because they are not as popular.

Delete All Food Delivery Apps From Your Cell Phone. 

If you are serious about saving money, you need to delete all food delivery apps from your cell phone. Why? Because these apps make it too easy to order food with a click of a button and have it delivered right to your door.

Recreate Your Favourite Meals At Home.

Prepare it yourself or learn how-to, to avoid visiting the restaurant repeatedly. Aside from the fact that cooking at home is less expensive, you’ll get to enjoy a whole new level of satisfaction.

Do Not Spend On Garbage Bags, Do This Instead. 

Almost everything you buy comes in some sort of a bag or a box. Turning these into garbage bags will help save the money you spend on garbage bags. Also, if you are the type who doesn’t fill the big ones before they start to stink, this tip will also come in handy for you.

Don’t Drink Starbucks Coffee, Cut On The Cost.

Yes, Starbucks is delicious, it is classy. But, it is also expensive when you compound the amount you spend on it even on a weekly basis.

Think about it, a $3-$10 coffee every day (or even a few times per week) can really add up. Let’s say you get a $5 coffee from a coffee shop 5 days per week. That is $25 a week, $100 per month, and $1,300 per YEAR.

A better option would be to buy a good-quality coffee maker at an affordable price plus Starbucks beans and brew your own coffee. You can make coffee at a fraction of the price and still have a tasty, fresh cup of coffee at home.

I personally have a subscription with Trade Coffee and use a typical coffee maker for my morning coffee. This way I get my coffee delivered to me for only $25 per month for both my husband and me and I know I am only spending a certain amount per month.

Shop Around And Compare Prices To Get The Best Bargain.

Most of the time, identical items in retail stores have different costs. Only when you shop around and compare prices, you’ll be able to locate the best bargain!

Save Energy Consumption By Doing This.

Once all items in the freezer are well frozen, unplug the refrigerator. The same thing goes for your iron. Once it is very hot, unplug it. You can iron about two clothes doing so. Rinse and repeat!

If You Have Two Bottles Or More, Finish One Before Opening The Other.

It’s quite common to use items in halves at home, especially when it comes to water or juice bottles. Finish one before opening the other. And if you have children who do this, caution them. This is an excellent way of preventing food from going to waste.

Pack Your Lunch.

It is recommended that you take home lunch to work every day. Do the same thing for your children, and pack lunch for them before they leave for school. You might think that the money spent on lunch is petty, but remember, petty accumulates. Save it!

Reduce Your Meat Intake.

Meat prices have risen somewhat, so cutting back on your meat consumption will help you save money.

If at all possible, have meatless meals or skip one meal per day. Look for meat alternatives that are protein-rich and cheap, such as beans, tofu, eggs, or nuts. You may be surprised at how filling these can be!

Use a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker can be a game changer when you are trying to save time and money on your food budget. By cooking large cuts of meat in a slow cooker, you can get very tender, flavorful results without spending a lot of money.

Use A Manual Blender In Place Of An Electric One Sometimes. 

Regardless of the stress that comes with it:

• Manual blenders are cheaper.
• You will get to conserve more energy. 

Whenever you need extreme smoothness, use the electric one. But, if you are one of those who make puree soups often, this will definitely come in handy.

Learn To Shop Sales. 

When you go shopping, the first thing you should do is check their sales area to avoid paying double for a product that isn’t on sale.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products. 

It’s 100 percent okay if you don’t know how to go about making them, you can easily learn from YouTube at no cost. When you do this, you can easily save up the amount of money you used to spend on cleaning agents.

Stop Buying Drano, Do This Instead.

Instead of buying Drano, take little garlic bags and wrap them around the shower grate. It makes an excellent filter and it catches all sorts of little hair and debris that normally falls into the drain.

Stop Spending On Dish Sponges.

In place of this, use mesh bags or those odd-size reusable grocery bags which you just can’t really reuse. All you have to do is cut them into square bits (3½ inches by 6 inches), and use them. You could get about 13 pieces just from one bag.

Stop Being Brand Loyal. 

Brands that tend to be seen as inferior in the store are just as good as the “snobbish brands”. When you are not brand loyal, it will help you cut down on costs and save huge (maybe in 100s or 100s).

Split Your Meals.

One way to save money on food is to split your meals with your friends. This can be a great way to get cheaper meals without compromising on quality or quantity.

Know Your Buying Price Always

This can help you quickly assess if something is overpriced or it is a good deal. It will as well stop you from paying more for something. 

Check Out Thrift Stores.

A certain shoe, even a branded one might cost $50 in a retail store, whereas in a thrift store, you could get it for just $15. See the difference? Plus, your savings account gets to increase by $35! So, check out your nearby thrift store prior to visiting your fav brand store.

Do Not Spend Money On Souvenirs, Take Beautiful Pictures. 

Souvenirs can be really expensive. Instead, save your money and take beautiful pictures. You’ll be able to remember your trip without spending a lot of money.

Off To The Store? Set A Timer.

Whenever you go to the store next door, or whatever store, set a timer. This will help prevent you from spending unnecessarily doing window shopping.

Take Good Care Of Your Appliances and Electronics. 

Make sure they are always in good condition. This will save you on repair costs, or even the cost of buying a new one. Clean them off dust when need be as well, so as to give them that shine and “new” vibe. Grease them when necessary, too.

Reuse Ziploc Bags, Make Your Ziploc Pack Last Longer.

There is nothing as helpful as a Ziploc bag. But, you should as well be careful so you don’t end up spending too much on it. So, for it to last longer, what do you do? Re-use them. After you’ve taken and used whatever was in there, wash the bag, let it dry, and then re-use it. 

Wash Your Dishes Manually.

Having and maintaining a dishwasher can be quite expensive. Doing the dishes manually is the best frugal alternative to it. You can take turns washing the dishes with your roommates or family members. This way, you can all save some money on the water and energy bill.

Control Your Fridge’s Freeze Temperature. 

If you try to make things too cold, that’s not frugal. Your fridge is meant to be at 4°. If you fix it at 3°, you are just unnecessarily cooling things and that takes more energy than you’re actually meant to be conserving. 

You Can Return Items, It Is Not A Crime.

It’s possible that you come home after shopping and discover you have items you don’t need but bought anyhow. In such a scenario, you should return the goods to the shop and get your money back. That’s right, in most cases, the stores accept returns.

Pre-buy Gifts, It Will Save You Some Money. 

Learn to buy gifts when they are on sale. Let’s assume that Christmas is approaching and that the store items will be discounted a week before the holiday, so go ahead and make your purchase. And don’t just buy for Christmas, also pre-buy for the upcoming holidays if need be.

Plan Potluck Dinners. They Won’t Cost You Much.

At a potluck dinner, everyone brings a dish to share. This way, you only have to worry about making one dish instead of an entire meal and thus save money on dining out!

Purchase Products Off Season.

Many stores offer significant discounts on seasonal items after the season has ended. For example, you can often find deeply discounted holiday decorations after Christmas or Halloween. By planning ahead and purchasing items off-season, you can save a lot of money on home decor and holiday gifts!

Take Advantage Of Sales And Clearance Items

Many stores constantly cycle through clearance items, so it’s important to check back often. You can find some great deals on clothing, accessories, and home goods this way.

Have Your Own Refillable Water Bottle

Again, wherever you go, bring your own refillable water bottle. This is a great way to save money on bottled water. You may also take it with you virtually everywhere.

Quit Smoking and Cut Down On Alcohol Consumption

Needless to say, smoking and alcohol consumption are not only bad for your health, but they are also expensive. Quitting both will save you money and improve your health tremendously.

Don’t Buy New, Buy Second Hand.

Your gadgets, home appliances, electronics, and even clothes don’t necessarily have to be new. Buying used will save you a sizable amount of money in the long run.

For example, If you have an event where you need to buy a particular type of outfit that you don’t already have, maybe try checking out apps like Poshmark or ThredUp first to find it cheaper and only slightly used.

If you are in need of an expensive household item, you could check eBay or garage sales/thrift stores first instead of buying it brand new off the shelves.

DIY Stuff

If you can’t find an item second-hand, you could try researching ways to make it at home with items you already have. I know this wouldn’t work for most things, but it is worth a try to save some extra money!

Use reusable menstrual products and cloth diapers.

If you are a mother or a woman, you most likely have some idea of how pricey the above-mentioned items can get. If you want to save money on the monthly costs for you and your infant, you might think about utilizing alternatives that can be reused.

Do Not Buy Kid Party-Themed Stuff.

Kid party-themed stuff is a huge waste of money. You can find better things to spend your money on than kid party-themed decorations, games, and activities. Trust me, your kids will have just as much fun without all of the fuss. You can also opt for simple party decor that you can just reuse year after year, in bulk, regardless of the event which is less expensive, and prevents wastage. 

Unsubscribe from Company emails

This was a tough one for me at first but I can honestly say, it really does help when trying to save money. The second I unsubscribed my email from all of the companies that I regularly shopped from, I immediately saw a difference in my spending habits.

Frugal Tips On Laundry

“Measure” And Not “Pour” Your Detergents Anytime You Have To Use Them. 

The fact that these detergents are in powder form makes it even easier to measure. You can use a tablespoon or a measuring cup to measure the appropriate amount of powder needed for your load.

On the other hand, measuring liquid detergent is quite difficult. Most of us tend to pour too much into the washing machine which is not only waste but also leads to sub-optimal cleaning results.

NOTE: The amount of detergent you will use should be determined by the number of clothes you intend to wash, which is what will lead us to our next point. 

Dry Your Clothes Traditionally, But In A Modern Way.

In old times, when clothes were to be dried, what was done is the clothes get placed on a surface where the sun directly heats them, and then a little rock is placed on it so that the wind doesn’t disrupt it.

How do you do this in a modern way? Through lines and hangers. It is one of the most cost-effective methods to save money on energy used for dryers.

Own A Capsule Wardrobe, It’s Not Expensive. 

This is basically that kind of wardrobe that contains clothes that you would prefer to wear on a regular basis. The clothes in this wardrobe are never out of fashion and are not mindful of what time it is.

Make Your Own Washing Agents.

It doesn’t take much to make your own laundry washing agents plus it can be made in bulk and hence lasts longer. In fact, you probably have most of the ingredients already in your home. All you need is a little time and some willingness to experiment.

Have Simple Clothes.

Simple clothes are way less expensive, unlike clothes with heavy prints and flashy colors. Plus, you save money on dry wash!

Wear Your Clothes More Than Once.

Okay, so this one might not be for everyone. But if you’re somebody who doesn’t mind wearing the same shirt or pair of pants a couple of days in a row (or even multiple days), then doing laundry less often can save you some money.

Just make sure you hang up or fold your clothes so they don’t get too wrinkled for the next use.

Shake Your Washed Clothes Before Transferring Them To The Dryer.

This is going to allow them to de-wrinkle and kind of expand out. When your clothes are in a ball it makes it difficult for the dryer to dry them properly.

But, when you shake it out and it is a loose clothing item, the air is able to circulate and you can actually dry your clothes a lot faster with less wrinkles which is a win, and you might not even have to iron them.

Wash Your Clothes Using Cold Water.

Did you know that washing your clothes in cold water can save you money? It’s true!

Washing your clothes in hot water uses more energy and can therefore increase your utility bills. So, next time you do laundry, try using cold water instead. Your clothes will come out just as clean, plus last longer, and you’ll save some money in the process.

Put A Towel In Your Dryer.

Yes, a clean towel. What this does is that it will actually help you soak up some of the moisture from the dryer so that it will cut your drying time. It does so tremendously along with dryer balls. 

Use Dryer Balls In Place Of Dryer Sheets.

Dryer balls are these little spiky woolen balls that help to reduce drying time by 25% to 50%. They also help reduce wrinkles, static cling and they’re gentle on your clothes. You can actually save a whole lot of money with dryer balls as you will be using your dryer less often and your clothes will last longer.

Stop Buying One Occasion Clothing. 

One occasion clothing is clothing that you prefer to wear only once or twice and then never again. A lot of people have clothes like this in their closets – clothes that they only break out for special occasions.

Wash clothes at home

If you have the space and the resources, consider doing your laundry at home to save money. Because washing normal or small loads at your local laundromat can be very expensive.

Washing machines and dryers use a lot of energy, so it’s important to wash full loads and choose the most efficient setting possible. As mentioned before, line-drying clothes is a great way to save energy (and money!) while doing laundry at home.

NOTE: If you want to save money on clothes, stop buying one-occasion clothing. Instead, invest in versatile pieces that you can wear over and over again.

Frugal Tips On Transportation

Know Your Car Tire Pressure.

Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by about 3%. If you neglect to maintain your tire pressure, it can lead to irregular wheel alignment and other problems that will impact the fuel efficiency of your automobile.

Keep Up With Basic Car Maintenance. 

Regular inspections and maintenance will help your vehicle last longer and run more efficiently.

As a result, you won’t have to worry about replacing your car for a long time, and the expense of repairing it if it maliciously breaks down, which saves money.

Combine Errands into One Trip.

Every time you start your engine, you use fuel. So if you have several errands to run, try to do them all in one trip, so you don’t have to go out again.

Carpool.

Make a carpool arrangement with your friends and work colleagues to share vehicles on a rotation basis. This can help you save money on fuel or public transportation fares.

Put Off The Engine Of Your Car Whenever In Traffic.

Whenever you find yourself at red lights, do this. This will prevent you from wasting gas.

Use Public Transport or Limit Driving. 

For people who live in cities, saving money on gas and parking may appear to be an impossible task. Using public transportation, biking, or taking small walks is not only excellent for your health but also saves you money on gas and parking expenses.

Get A Fuel-Efficient Car.

One of the best ways to save money on transportation costs is to invest in a fuel-efficient vehicle.

By doing your research and choosing a vehicle that has good gas mileage, you can significantly cut down on your monthly expenses, and you may even qualify for a tax credit.

Wash Your Own Car, Don’t Wash At Drive Thrus’.

This can easily save you $10 or more every time you wash your car. If you really want to get frugal, you can wash your car at home with a hose. This will save you even more money.

Use Coupons.

You can often find coupons for gas stations in the Sunday paper. These coupons can save you up to $0.50 per gallon on gas. You can also find coupons for oil changes and other car maintenance services.

Frugal Tips On Subscriptions/Bills/Entertainment. 

Save On Gym Membership, Do Your Work Out At Home.

If you’re fed up with your monthly gym membership bills or just don’t have the time to go to the gym, work out at home.

You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started – some basic dumbbells and a yoga mat should do the trick. Plus, there are plenty of online resources and free mobile workout apps that you can opt-in for just in case you’re in search of new gym moves.

You can definitely burn calories and build those muscles at home as long as you’re doing the right thing. There’s no need to spend on a monthly basis when you can do it for free and have fun with it too.

Look Into Paying Bills Annually, Not Monthly. 

Paying your bills/subscriptions in lump sums allows you to take advantage of discounts. You can also calculate to see if it is actually worth it or not in the end, if it is, don’t think twice.

Limit Visits to Nail Salons

Nail salons can be a great place to relax and pamper yourself, but they can be very expensive. Do your own nails at home or look for Groupon deals or coupons before getting services done. Research prices in your area and find a cheaper nail salon or ask for a discount at your current salon.

Slightly Lower Your Tip for Services

A good rule of thumb is to tip 15-20% for satisfactory service, and 20-25% for exceptional service. However, you may choose to tip more or less depending on your own budget and the level of service.

For example, if you’re getting a professional manicure or pedicure, be sure to lower your tip to 15% from 20% or to 20% from 25% based on the service you received. This will help you save huge money in the long run without you even recognizing it!

Spend Less Time On Social Media.

Staying off social media will not only improve your mental health but will also give you more time to focus on things that are important to you. Plus, it will also help you cut down on the amount you spend on the internet from time to time.

Share Subscription Accounts.

If you have a Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime account, you can share your login information with friends or family members and split the cost of the subscription. This is a great way to save money on streaming services and cable, especially if you don’t watch them all the time.

You can also share other types of accounts, like magazine subscriptions or online memberships. This is a great way to get all the benefits of a subscription without having to pay the full price.

Use Your Local Library. 

Most local libraries now offer free WiFi, printing, audiobooks, magazines, eBooks, and computers. So, go over, get your library card and take advantage of these services!

Look Into Off-peak Hours With Your Electricity Company.

Avoid peak hours! Off-peak is basically you running your big electronics during hours when energy is cheaper. And you get a discounted rate. This is great and helps you save money. And it’s even better if you work from home.

Rotate Your Streaming Services.

If you’re like most people, you probably have a few different streaming services that you use on a regular basis. But did you know that there are ways to get even more out of them? One way is to rotate your services.

Here’s how it works: every few months, cancel one of your streaming subscriptions and sign up for another one. This will give you a chance to explore new content and maybe even find a new favorite show or movie. Plus, it’ll save you money in the long run.

Learn Ways To Conserve Energy. 

You can save a whole lot of money by conserving energy.

For example, little things like swapping your light bulbs for energy-efficient bulbs (yes, an LED light bulb can last up to 50x longer than an incandescent one) and unplugging small appliances and electronics when not in use can help lower your power bills & avoid wasting electricity.

Unsubscribe From Premium Services. 

According to a poll, one in ten people has admitted to spending more than $200 each month on premium subscriptions. These can quickly deplete your bank account because of their automatic renewal policy.

Do away with the needless renewals to save money and keep only those you truly cannot live without.

Own A Laptop (Notebook), Not A Desktop.

Research shows that some laptops use only ⅓ of the energy a desktop computer uses. The most significant advantage is that laptops consume considerably less power. As a result, you can cut back on energy and save money on power bills.

Try Have Date Night At Home.

You don’t have to have it outside. There are plenty of things you can do at home while your kids are sleeping which will actually be more fun than going out. All you just have to do is find ideas. You both could cook a gourmet meal together, have a wine taste, or even challenge each other to a bake-off.

Frugal Living Tips On Budgeting/Tax/Debt/Savings.

Automate Your Savings.

You can automate your savings by setting up a savings account that transfers a fixed amount of money from your checking account to your savings account each month.

This will help you save money without having to think about it and stay on track with your savings goals. You can also set up alerts so that you are notified when your balance reaches a certain level.

Another way to automate your savings is to use a service like Acorns or Digit — These services allow you to automatically invest spare change from your everyday transactions. This can be a great way to boost your savings without having to think about it.

Pay Off Your Debts Faster.

Start by paying off the loan with the highest interest rate first. Or try to consolidate multiple loans and pay them off in one full swoop. This will help you save money on interest payments and may help improve your credit score.

For example, If you have multiple federal student loans, you can consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan. This will lower your monthly payments and give you a single loan with a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.

Try To Build More Than One Stream Of Income. 

Don’t depend only on your paycheck, have multiple streams of income. There are tons of things you can do to make extra side cash. It’s not necessary anyway, but if you can do this, you will be able to save a lot and invest in the future. 

Learn How To Say No When Necessary. 

Sometimes, it can be difficult to say no, but you need to learn how to say no in such circumstances. Don’t be blunt, be assertive and polite. It is important to set boundaries in order to protect yourself from being taken advantage of or becoming overwhelmed.

Deal With Insurance. 

As insurance is a necessity and will last for a long long time, you should shop around for the best insurance policies. By best, we mean the insurance company whose fees are relatively squeezable into your budget and offer great services. This will save you a lot of money.

Track Your Expenses.

One of the best ways to save money is to track your expenses. This can be done by writing down everything you spend in a printable budgeting template or using a budgeting app once a week or a month.

Doing this will help you see where your money is going, where you can cut back, how you are doing with your savings and how you are coping with living a frugal lifestyle in general and see if you need to make more frugal efforts.

Have A Look At Your Bank Account Balance Everyday. 

This can greatly reduce your everyday spending rate. Self-monitoring time and time again has been proven to have a big impact on behavior. If you’re aware of what’s happening in there, you’re more likely to take action in a positive direction.

Ask For A Cash Discount Whenever You Are Buying Stuff.

You should always ask for discounts or look for store coupons. Some of these companies actually offer discounts but then you would not have an idea until you ask. Do not be afraid, do not be shy, if they say no, then that’s fine. 

Alternatively, you may put off your shopping until the year-end when holiday discounts kick in to save a ton of money, especially if you intend to buy something expensive.

Have A Budget, Always. 

It is the most important personal finance tool that you can use, and the only way to take control of your finances and reach your financial goals is to have an effective budget. You can budget for a week, a month, and even for a year. It will help you avoid spending money on unnecessary stuff and make it easier for you to save and invest. 

Invest Your Change With Acorns.

With Acorns, you can automate the exact amount you want to invest. Whether it is $5 a week or $10 a month, you can do so and start investing with Acorns. That way, in the long run, it will compound. Additionally, you also get a $10 bonus for every person you refer to invest with them, too.

Housing.

The largest expense for most individuals is housing. Having known that, if you can in some way cut down your cost of living, and you place it under careful control, you might as well solve the most important factor in your financial picture. 

Avail Tax Benefits.

Do you know that the federal government offers two tax benefits to which virtually all parents are entitled? One is the dependent exemption and the other is the child tax credit.

As per the American Rescue Plan, all working families can now avail of up to $3,600 for children under the age of six and up to $3,000 per child over the age of six until 17. Additionally, you can also claim a dependant exclusion amounting to $4,400 from taxable income for each of your dependents.

Separate Your Wants From Your Needs.

Knowing and separating our needs from your wants is a way of tracking your money and greatly prevents you from buying things that you do not really “need” but actually just “want” it.

Fly off-season. 

Be flexible with your dates as airline ticket prices vary greatly as it depends on the day of the week, time of the year, and holiday periods. 

Use Time Rules to Avoid Unnecessary Spending.

You can use time rules for pretty much everything aside from necessities like groceries. The time rule actually will depend on the nature of the item which you intend to buy. 

Say you have a product in your amazon basket that is worth less than $200, following the time rule you will give it a space of 72 hours (three days) and then come back after that period to see if you still need that item, if you do, then you can order it.

Try A No Spend Challenge. 

A no-spend challenge is when you commit to not spending any money except groceries and bills for a certain period of time (say a weekend, a week, or even a month). This can be a great way to save money, but it can also be difficult to stick to.

This gets you out of the routine everyday spending habit. And in the process of doing this, you also get to realize that you can actually enjoy yourself without spending money every day or every week.

Before You Purchase Anything, Ask Yourself These Four Questions 

• Do I need it?
• Can I afford it?
• Is it worth it?
• Do I want this because society tells me that is what I should want?

Asking yourself these before going ahead to purchase the item will save you a whole lot. 

Keep A Change Jar.

It could be placed on the dining table, or wherever you choose to keep it. Make it a habit to drop whatever small change you have with you into it. In no time, you will have a tidy sum saved up that could be used for an emergency fund or for other purposes.

Build An Emergency Fund.  

No matter how careful or watchful you are. Emergencies will come up in your life. They may be small, like a car repair, or they could be something much larger, like an unexpected medical bill. Whatever the case may be, it’s always good to have some money set aside to cover those unexpected costs.

One of the best ways to do this is to build an emergency fund. An emergency fund is a savings account that you only use for unexpected expenses. Set aside 10-15% of your savings for emergencies. This way, when something comes up, you have the money to cover it and don’t have to put it on a credit card or take out a loan.

Control How You Use Credit Cards.

The best thing to do is to carry enough cash with you. Only use credit cards in emergency cases.

DIY Frugal Living Tips

Cut Your Own Hair.

If you’re new to it, you can always learn how to on YouTube, with different styles. You can also be the one who cuts your male child/children’s hair. Besides the cost you save when you do not go to the barber shop, you also get to learn a new skill! And in the short/long run you can always monetize your barbering skills, too.

Fix Those Minor Issues In Your Home Yourself.

The only time you are allowed to call a professional is if after you have tried, the issue you tried to solve still persists, or even worsens. Asides that, cut down on paying for the services of professionals and save the extra cash. Whatever the case maybe, even if you are not skilled in doing that kind of thing, watch videos concerning it on YouTube.

Trade Babysitting With A Friend Who Has Kids Same Age As Yours.

You don’t just save money, but your kids also will have loads of fun relating with their peers. 

Living frugally means giving careful consideration to how money is allocated throughout the day. But what exactly differentiates living frugally from living an extremely frugally restrictive lifestyle?

What is Extreme Frugal Living? 

Extreme frugality can be defined as selecting the option with the lower cost even though you are in a position to pay for and reap the benefits of the option with the higher quality or as placing an emphasis on minimizing financial outlays at any cost, regardless of the amount of time that this may require.

But don’t lose sight of the reason you’ve chosen to lead such a frugal lifestyle in the first place. There is a significant distinction between putting money aside and investing it for one’s future and simply hoarding money for no particular reason.

Extreme Frugality Tips

Now that I’ve got your attention, you’re probably wondering: How extreme is living an extremely frugal lifestyle? The following are some suggestions for extremely frugal living that you are free to test out and modify to suit your needs.

1. Don’t Buy, Borrow Instead. 

There are some goods that, rather than having to be purchased, can simply be borrowed. Borrowing anything, whether they be clothes, baby gear, or electronic devices, is one of the quickest and easiest methods to save a significant amount of money.

2. Eat Healthily.

Eating well can help you save a lot of money. Daily consumption of harmful foods may not cause illness now, but it may in the future. Eating processed foods rather than a home-cooked meal cooked with simple ingredients can lead to numerous ailments, including diabetes, cancer, and many others. And guess what if you have these diseases? Now you’ll have to worry about medications and medical expenses.

3. Initiate a frugal exchange of gifts among friends and family. 

It’s easy to rack up a huge bill buying presents for friends and family, especially if you want to get them something special. But were you aware that you may still make those you care about feel special even if you can’t afford to purchase them pricey gifts?

You might accomplish this in a number of ways, one of which is to hold a white elephant gift exchange and get everyone involved to commit to buying or giving a present of the same value.

Conclusion

There you have it, over 100 solid frugal living tips. Your very own go-to list. Being frugal is nothing difficult. You only need to have the right mindset and be extremely disciplined for you to benefit from it.

Do note that some of the tips here might save you just little bucks, but you must always remember that small amounts when compounded are worth a lot of money.

Also, be sure to follow the approach as given on the top page in using these tips.