Frugal Living

35 Topnotch Frugal Living Tips

Are you living paycheck to paycheck with no money left over? These topnotch frugal living tips will help you learn to live frugally so you can enjoy life.

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Why does it sound so bad to call yourself a tightwad or cheap? Aren’t these words the same as frugal?

I can honestly say I’m proud to call myself frugal. I’m happy that I don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck and can live comfortably.

I don’t bother buying anything unless it’s on sale. If it’s a major purchase, then I do my research first and compare prices everywhere I can.

And if there’s a coupon you better believe I’ll be using it!

Living a simple life can bring us contentment. Believe it or not, we can be happy without a ton of money. Here are 35 frugal living tips that will help you live a comfortable frugal life.

Saving on Food and Groceries

  • Plan your meals. Pack your lunch for work and eat out less. Learn how to meal plan and stick to your budget.
  • Buy foods in bulk and freeze. You can also cook meals ahead of time and freeze them.
  • Make a grocery budget and stick to it.
  • Clip coupons and use rebate apps while grocery shopping to get cashback.
  • Shop the sales flyers.
  • Have meatless meal nights and eat more veggies.
  • Join your favorite restaurant’s mailing list. If they have a rewards program sign up for it.
  • Have a freezer meal exchange party. Gather friends, family, and neighbors and have them prepare and bring over a freezer meal. Exchange meals and recipes.
  • Buy generic.

Save on House and Home

  • Cut the cable. Try Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime if you prefer to binge-watch and watch movies.
  • Make your own cleaning supplies. Try a no-sew lavender sachet to freshen your closets and drawers.
  • Cut up old t-shirts to use as rags.
  • Get books at the library. (Find out how to get books free or cheap)
  • Check the library for movies, too.
  • Fix any leaky windows. Fix places that drafts are coming in to save money on electricity.
  • Unplug unused appliances and devices. Even when not in use these still draw small amounts of electricity when plugged up.
  • Switch to energy-saving light bulbs or LED lights.
  • Upcycle and reuse as much as possible.
  • DIY as much as possible and learn to do your own repairs.
  • Turn the heat down in the winter and bundle up.
  • Fix leaky faucets.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
  • Hang your clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer.
  • Stop using paper products.
  • Make your coffee at home.

Save on Everything Else

  • Skip the gym. Go for a walk around the park or ride your bike around town. For rainy days, I walk indoors with Leslie Sansone’s walking videos.
  • Skip the movie theater. Have movie nights at home. Make a pizza together as a family and spend the night in watching movies.
  • Pay bills on time if possible to avoid the late fees.
  • Plan staycations like a zoo or museum close by.
  • Have no-spend weekends.
  • Do your own nails.
  • Color your own hair.
  • Make your own gifts.
  • Buy used clothing.
  • Carpool.

What are some ways you live frugally?

Looking for more money-saving tips? Check these posts out:
30 Ways to Make Extra Money
Save Money with These Vinegar Hacks
20 Ways to Spend a Money-Free Weekend
20 Unique Ways to Save Money
How to Make Money Cleaning Your Home

Thank you for sharing!
Michelle

Michelle is a stay-at-home homeschool mom who loves DIYs and living a frugal lifestyle.

View Comments

  • Excellent tips. It's amazing how there are so many little things we can do that add up to a ton of savings.

    • Thank you! I agree! Sometimes it doesn't seem like it's a lot, but when you look back on the little expenses over the year, they really add up.

  • Great tips! Thanks for sharing! And this one fondly reminds me of my grandmother: “Cut up old t-shirts to use as rags.” ?

    • Thank you! How sweet that she did that! When my grandmother passed away I took home her "craft" tote. In the bottom of the tote there were strips of old dresses that she had cut up that she planned on using for something. I still hold on to those. :D

  • The cutting cable thing is good until you realize that there are too many subscription services out there now and they are all trying to sign you up for $7.99 to $10.99 a month. If you aren’t careful you’ll lose all the savings quickly! Love all the tips!

    • I agree! We have Netflix and Hulu and watch them both a lot, but I said no more. :D Thank you so much!

    • That's a great idea! I never thought about that. Thank you for sharing! I'll have to start doing that.

      • I just wish I could become a laundry soap dictator and ban all the extremely perfumy laundry soap. Ha! (Joking. Well, kinda!)

  • These are great tips. I've been having no-spend weekends, and it's really amazing how much money you can save by doing nothing lol

    • Thank you so much! Good for you for having no-spend weekends. It really helps you save up! Doing nothing can be a good thing. :D

  • Awesome tips, Michelle! I pinned it to my frugal living board :) I love seeing what people come up with when it comes to frugal living. So many great ideas to try out!

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