35 Frugal living tips
When people hear the term “frugal” they often think of being cheap or missing out on certain things because of their cost, but this is far from the truth. Being frugal doesn’t mean having to go without or buying the cheapest things you can, but rather making smart decisions and not letting others influence the type of products you buy.
What is frugal living and is it for you?
Unless you are obsessed with brand products and simply “must” have the latest gadgets, then frugal living can greatly improve your quality of life by not only saving you money but also by providing you with the things you already have. One of the most important things to remember when living this type of lifestyle is that most of the things you would normally spend money on all come from the same place, especially when it comes to food. This is one of the biggest tricks in the food industry and is used all over the world to charge more for the same product It works by rebranding the same things so a shop can charge extra for the label.
The rebranding method
recognizing the products used in the rebranding method can save you a huge amount of money, and applies to almost everything you buy. It works by taking the same product and packing it into different wrappers to be sent out to different stores but is ultimately made of the same things. A good example of this would be biscuits, and if you know anyone who has ever worked in a biscuit factory I would encourage you to ask them about this.
The product is made and sent to a packing plant in huge quantities where it is then seperated and placed onto different packaging lines. One line might put them into packaging from a well-known brand where they will be sold at a supermarket or store for say £5 a box, but another line might put the exact same product into economy packaging and send them to a discount store where they will be on sale for £1, even though it’s the same product.
Another good example would be clothes, especially basic things like T-shirts and jeans. They are all made from the same raw material such as cotton and made in the same places, but when they hit the stores you will be paying extra for having a logo or designer’s name stamped onto it. A cheap pair of jeans will normally be made from 100% cotton, just like an expensive brand pair, but both will be just as thick and strong as each other.
(Designer jeans being made. You take a normal pair of cheap jeans, scuff a load of marks all over them with a grinding tool, sow a label with an Italian guy’s name on the waistline, and bam, they now cost 8 times the price)
Realizing that stores do this will allow you to shop for cheap goods that are just as strong, comfortable, and long-lasting as their expensive brand-name rivals. This applies to most of the things you buy, but not everything and the more expensive items like vehicles and electronics usually have the saying “you get what you pay for” applied to them.
If you’re looking to save a load of money while still retaining a similar quality of life to what you have now, then hopefully the following tips will start you in the right direction.
1) Be careful with single-ingredient foods
A bag of cheap potatoes will be just as good as an expensive bag and will probably be grown in the same place. Single-ingredient and basic foods are one of the most commonly used things in the rebranding method.
2) downsize your home
Smaller homes are cheaper and easier to heat and often cost less rent or have an overall lower cost to buy, so ask yourself if you really need that spare room or huge garage, because if you don’t a smaller home without them could save you a lot of money.
3) always make a shopping list and stick to it
There’s a big difference between what you need and what you want when it comes to food. When walking along the aisles it is always tempting to grab a pack of those tasty-looking treats, but avoiding this and sticking to what you need could save hundreds over a year.
4) Use cheaper supermarkets and discount stores
In the UK, Sainsbury is known for being more expensive on average than its competitors, and a full week’s shop here would cost more than at somewhere like Aldi, even though you can get the same things. Discount stores like Farm Foods are also a good choice, especially when stocking up the freezer.
5) Buy non-perishable goods in bulk
I buy things like shower gel, toothpaste, toilet paper, and several other similar things in bulk. This only saves a few pounds on each purchase, but when this is done across enough products for a long enough period, those few pounds can turn into hundreds, especially if you’re buying for a large family.
6) Eat less processed foods
Bacon is much more expensive than a joint of gammon, but it all comes from the same animal. Not only are processed foods bad for you, but they add an unnecessary extra cost for something you don’t need.
7) Buy flavourings separately
If you buy a fillet of fish marinated in some kind of fancy sauce, it will be much more expensive than buying a plain fillet and flavoring it yourself. Dried spices are not expensive and investing in a well-stocked spice rack will be much cheaper in the long run than buying pre-flavoured goods.
8) cook large batches and save them for later
This is good with things like lasagne, pasta, and rice dishes, or anything that you would use the oven for. Not only is it time-saving and gives you something for later, but it means you won’t have to have the oven on for as long and will save on electricity.
9) Buy second hand
This may not be an attractive option for everyone when it comes to clothes but for things like tools, furniture, and certain electronics, you can save a huge amount of money. Buying a second-hand table and a pot of wood stain could be one of the biggest savings you ever make within your home.
(Second-hand shopping may not be for everyone, but you can find some amazing things in these stores)
10) Sell things you no longer need
There’s normally some kind of furniture in most people’s houses that they don’t actually need or use, or perhaps you have an old phone or some kind of electronics that is of no use to you anymore. Tools are also a common thing that some people seem to have a lot of but rarely or never use. All of these things can easily be sold and doing this can turn unwanted items into cash and space.
11) Cancel subscriptions you don’t need
Being subscribed to Amazon Prime but only ordering 2 or 3 items a year is a good example of an unnecessary subscription. Gym memberships or any kind of subscription that’s unused or could be replaced for free are worth getting rid of to free up a little extra cash.
12) Grow your own
Even if you don’t have a big garden or much growing space, there’s always something you can produce yourself to bulk up meals and save a little money. Potatoes grown in bags or tomatoes planted in that little strip of earth that looks too small to be worth planting anything in are good examples of unutilized growing potential.
13) Use coupons and free samples
Most people don’t bother with coupons, but they are easy to find in magazines and online and can save you a huge amount of money over a long enough timeline.
14) Pack lunches for work and days out
It’s always cheaper to take your own food with you somewhere, especially on a day out to an attraction that charges £4 for a cup of coffee. Tourist locations are often the worst and can charge several times the amount for an item you can buy for cheap elsewhere.
15) Eat at home and avoid restaurants
It’s always nice to go out for a meal, but the cost of two meals in a restaurant is now close to an entire week’s worth of food. If going out to eat is something you enjoy doing, then maybe replace what you would eat in a restaurant with a special meal at home once a week. Even treating yourself to a huge steak or special meal at home will be much cheaper than any restaurant.
16) Be careful with electricity and buy the most efficient products
Most devices that use constant electricity, like fridges and aquariums can cost hundreds over the course of a year, and changing these for a more efficient version will save you a lot of money.
17) consider different methods of heating
Central heating is one of the most expensive uses of electricity in a home, and most of that heat goes into rooms you aren’t in or right out the window. If you have a central heating system then consider turning off any radiators that you don’t need or won’t benefit from. Another option, if your home will allow it, is the addition of a cast iron log burning stove, which can be powered from scrap wood and won’t cost you a thing if you have access to a local woodland.
18) Set a budget
Work out all your expenses and write out a list of the things you need, and a list of the things you don’t. Designate a certain amount of money to last the week and stick to the budget, avoiding anything on top of that you don’t need.
19) Use loyalty apps and cards
Many supermarkets and stores normally have some kind of card you can scan to give you “points” which can then later be used to get discounted or free things. These points are all extra since you spend the money at these locations anyway.
20) Shop around before making a decision
If you see an item you want in a shop, there’s a good chance that someone else is selling it for less, especially when it comes to comparing online products to in-store products.
21) Use trial periods
If the product you want to subscribe to offers a trial period, then always go for this first instead of buying it directly. You may not want it after seeing what it’s like, or if enough companies offer a similar service with trial periods, then you can bounce around for a long time between them while receiving the product for free.
22) Insulate your home
This one is more of a long-term investment but can save a lot on heating costs in the long run. It can be expensive to fully insulate a large home, but when it’s done it will permanently reduce your heating costs.
23) Change your bulbs
Economy bulbs, LED, and long-lasting light bulbs will only save a little bit extra on electricity, but will also last longer and you won’t need to spend money on new ones so often.
24) Dont impulse buy
If you see something you really want, always wait a few days before buying it. Buying something on the spot will mean you won’t have the chance to get it cheaper after shopping around, and you may realize you don’t need or want it after thinking about it for a few days.
25) Be very careful when borrowing money
This includes credit cards and basically anything you have to pay back. You should avoid borrowing money from anyone if possible but if you have to, make sure you get the best deal and you can actually afford the repayments.
26) Keep a change jar
Those coins that are too small to buy anything with are always worth saving up, and many supermarkets have change machines you can pour them into when they get full. They normally charge a percentage for converting them into large denominations, but you can always take your coins to the bank and get them changed for free.
27) Only use one car
If your family has more than one car, then ask yourself if you really need the extra one. Cars are very expensive and just the money you will save from fuel will be huge, not to mention the insurance and maintenance.
28) Consider a bicycle
A lot of people often wouldn’t consider using a bicycle, but in comparison to a car, they cost next to nothing, and also give the added advantage of exercise.
29) Switch to drinking water
Not only is it better from a health perspective but cutting out buying juice or cordial will save much more than you think.
30) Look for phone plans
Instead of buying regular credit, look for plans that offer discounts for calling people with the same provider, and if possible get the whole family or anyone you call regularly to get with the same provider.
31) wash clothes in bigger batches
A washing machine using a regular cycle will use the same amount of water and electricity whether it’s washing a single sock or half your wardrobe. Just be careful not to overload or damage the machine by putting in too much.
32) opt for cheaper meals
A bag of oats and some milk for breakfast is much cheaper than sausages and bacon. It may not be as tasty and you might get bored with simple meals like this, but even if you can replace a few meals here and there with a cheaper option your bank account will thank you for it.
33) Dont wastewater
Overfilling saucepans and washing things under a running tap are good examples of wasting water. It depends on where you live in the world as to how expensive it is to use water, but it always costs money, and saving water will directly convert into saving money.
34) fill the oven when you use it
This one involves cooking things you can save for later or freeze to quickly heat up when you need them. Cooking things for later when you’re heating up your main meal will massively reduce your electric bill as ovens are one of the most expensive things you can use in an average home.
35) Consider microwave meals or buying an air fryer
Both these things still use a lot of electricity, but cook meals much faster and reduce the overall electric consumption in your home.
Remember that frugal living doesn’t necessarily mean having to go without or getting the cheapest things you can buy, but it’s more about finding a way to do the things you’re doing now but for much cheaper. Start small and don’t make too many changes at once or it will be overwhelming and difficult to stick to.
