Comprehensive Guides to Live Frugally
Table of Contents
Have you ever heard of a frugal lifestyle? And no, it doesn’t mean a negative one. Actually, living frugally does not mean that you have to be cheap in spending, nor does it mean that you have to live in debt. But it is about being more resourceful with your expenses and finding other ways to save money, either by using coupons or other life hacks.
Furthermore, it is essential to be economical in any kind of expense. This is because you can direct your money to a focus area, whether to have a secure retirement, live debt-free, buy a house, or travel around the world. Besides that, if appearance is important to you, there are several ways to live an exclusive lifestyle while being frugal. If you don’t know where to start, here are several ways to save without looking cheap.
Try to DIY simple projects
DIY (Do It Yourself) products are a lifesaver. Although purchasing at the store is much more time-convenient, DIY is often cheaper. Plus, it’s not hard to DIY the products because there are several tutorials on the internet that you can refer to. Not only that, but if you build them properly, you can make them last longer.
There is plenty of space in the house that can save you money by doing it yourself; from the exterior to the interior and the living room to the kitchen. You can also DIY your skincare products, such as mixing coffee and sugar for your lip scrub.
Another DIY project that many people are unaware of is making your own cleaning detergent. Aside from saving money, you don’t have to worry about being exposed to harsh chemicals as you know each ingredient used. Besides that, DIY is an exciting activity to do during the weekend, too!
Check out: How to Make Homemade Cleaner with Simple Ingredients
Re-think your monthly subscriptions
While subscriptions can help cut costs in some areas, they may still not be good for your budget. It’s probably why some people would suggest canceling any subscriptions to save more. Apart from that, there are various subscriptions; music, movies, and even audiobooks. On top of that, there are also subscriptions for clothing, snacks, and groceries. So, it’s no surprise that people nowadays subscribe to different things a lot.
With that in mind, when you are considering whether you need the subscriptions, take into account your monthly budget. Besides, if you found yourself going through YouTube instead of using Spotify that you subscribe to, think again about whether it’s really worth your hard-earned cash.
Save money on food and drink
Saving money on food does not mean stopping eating your favorite food or starving yourself. Instead, it means trying out other methods, such as cooking and growing your own food to stretch your budget further for a long time.
There are plenty of methods to cut food costs. Some include eating out occasionally and reducing home meal deliveries. This is because whether you eat out or have the food delivered, you will have to pay extra charges like the service and packaging charge. Apart from saving money, eating homemade foods is also safe and healthy as you know what goes in your food.
Moreover, if you like gardening, you should try to grow your own vegetables and herbs. This way, not only did you save some money, but you get to enjoy it fresh from your farm. Plus, you can maintain the quality of the vegetables and herbs by using good fertilizer.
Furthermore, if you are a coffee lover, as in you would usually buy coffee daily, consider purchasing a coffee machine at home. Although it’s going to leave a dent in your bank account the first time, it will help you save money in the long run.
Explore options for entertainment
Finding entertainment for your weekend does not have to cost you a lot of money. Plus, in some cases, it can also be free! In many places, there are various kinds of activities that you can do for entertainment or even for a date. Some of the famous ones are going to the park, free concerts, or a picnic in the park. In addition, you can also check out museums with free admission nearby.
Another way to save money for entertainment is by renting. For instance, most libraries offer books and DVDs that you can rent at a low price or even free. So, if you return it on time, you won’t even have to take out a single penny but still can have fun during your free time.
Shop smart
If you love shopping, the first thing that may concern you about living frugally is that you might not be able to shop a lot anymore. However, it does not have to be like that because all you need is some tips and tricks when shopping.
The first famous tip is to be coupons’ best friend. Nowadays, there are so many deals that you can look up on the internet, and all you have to do is just download any coupon app on your Android phone. It does not matter if it’s only a free delivery deal, but a dollar saved is still money. Adding to that, make sure to browse through the online stores to compare the prices to save more.
Additionally, if you are going to shop, make a list and make sure that you stick to it. This way, it helps you to avoid making spur-of-the-moment purchases that you will most likely regret after. Plus, you can try going to thrift stores for cheaper options but with good quality.
Travel during off-season
Traveling during a peak season will cost you a huge amount of money. For instance, the prices of flight tickets and accommodation would rise significantly compared to the off-season. But, aside from saving money, you can also avoid the crowds. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about queueing at the airport, tourist attractions, or any facilities when traveling during the off-season. This means that you will have more time to enjoy the attractions and have fun.
Besides that, traveling during shoulder season where the weather is good, yet the prices are lower is a good idea too. Moreover, you will most likely experience the local events because some tourist hot spots will host concerts or any festivities celebrations. Interesting activities to do during your trip, right?
In conclusion, being prudent in managing your finances is crucial for the long term. This is because you need to have some extra money at your disposal since you will never know what will happen in the future. So, if you don’t own a savings account or haven’t started investing yet, this may be a sign for you to start having one.