Download App 
If you have never tried this lifestyle before, it may seem difficult at first. It’s good! Don’t be afraid to make some changes along the way. As you begin to try out different frugal tips and tricks, remember that this is not a one-size-fits-all strategy.
Instead, you should try different frugal living tips and see how they make you feel. You may find that giving up eating isn’t a problem, but giving up your favorite brand of shampoo isn’t an option. Just try new tricks and frugal strategies with an open mind. You’ll probably need to experiment a bit to find the balance that works best for you.
It is important not to overdo it. While it’s exciting to enthusiastically and recklessly cut your spending, too many cuts could backfire. Instead of saving in the long run, you could burn out and stop saving altogether.
A great way to start living frugally is to slowly add new frugal tips and strategies. Try them out to see how they feel. If you like a strategy, keep it and add another. If you hate a strategy, drop it and try another. You may have to try many strategies before you really find your frugal pace.
Here are some frugal living tips and strategies to help you get started on this new path!
Creating and sticking to a budget is critical to your financial success. Budgeting, while not necessarily fun, is an essential piece of the puzzle. Within your budget, you can prioritize the important things and ruthlessly discard the unimportant things.
Remember that it’s okay to occasionally indulge in the things you love. Just be sure to save up in advance for these purchases. If you want to make a special trip with friends, buy a good bag or a good pair of shoes, start saving money for it.
Fortunately, there are many strategies you can use to make your budget a success. Learn more about creating a budget that works here.
By taking the time to create a meal plan and shopping list before you head to the store, you can save hundreds of dollars a month over buying takeout several times a week. believe me!
3. Use leftovers
Did you know that up to 40% of food in the United States is wasted each year? A sad statistic, but it’s true. Vegetables are the number one food that people waste. I’m looking at you, a fluffy bag of cucumbers in the bottom of the fridge!
4. Unplug small appliances
Small appliances can consume electricity even when not in use.
5. Keep your freezer full
A full freezer works more efficiently than an empty (or nearly empty) freezer. If you don’t have enough food to fill it, you can fill gallon-sized jugs with water and freeze them.
6. Cook cheap meals
The best way to save money is to cut your grocery budget. For many people, groceries are the most expensive category in their budget after housing and transportation.
The best cheap foods are also very healthy. Try concentrating some meals on brown rice, potatoes, and beans to further stretch your dining budget.
If you just can’t bring yourself to cook, look for the cheapest restaurants in your area.
7. Drink water
We all know that water is better for us than soda (or juice). However, most of us (myself included) do not meet the recommended daily amount.
Try to cut down on sugary drinks and drink tap water.
You can invest in an inexpensive water filter pitcher if your tap water tastes bad.
8. Don’t leave the fridge/freezer door open
Let your air conditioner cool your home, not your refrigerator.
9. Eat at home
Let’s face it, restaurant meals almost always cost more than their home-cooked counterparts. girl, I see I also hate cooking.
But what I really hate is paying a 300% premium for the convenience of having someone else cook me dinner.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to eat everything out, after all, dining out can be fun and you don’t have to sacrifice fun to be frugal.
But maybe…just maybe you can set a goal to reduce how often you eat out each month so you can save that money for bigger and better things.
10. Prepare yours
Everything tastes better when made at home. {And it costs MUCH less than a trip to Starbucks}! Learn how to brew your own coffee, beer, and tea for maximum savings.
11. Eat whole/healthy foods
Junk food is expensive and lacks nutrients; Healthy (although sometimes expensive) foods save medical costs in the long run.
Even ramen noodles can be healthy if you use the right recipes.
12. wash and reuse
Instead of throwing away empty plastic jars, bags, and containers, consider washing and reusing them. Or invest in glass food storage containers for long-term savings.
13. Do not use the oven in the summer
I refuse to use my stove in the summer. I just can’t bring myself to bring additional heat into my home when the air conditioner works so hard to pump out cool air for me to enjoy.
14. Use the stove in winter
Also, I use the stove a lot in the winter so I can supplement the warm air my stove puts out.
15. Use a slow cooker
A slow cooker (also called a slow cooker) uses much less energy than the oven. And it produces some pretty tasty meals!
