If you want to truly be frugal, you’ll have to make some sacrifices and adjustments to your way of life. It may seem uncomfortable to cut back in this way. While some things may seem extreme, the amount of money you will save will make it worth it. Here are 10 frugal living tips you need to implement into your everyday life. You’ll be glad you did because they work!
1. Recycle and Reuse
If you’re trying to embrace frugal living, don’t let anything go to waste. It may be worth investing in things like reusable toilet paper and cloths instead of paper towels. You’ll also want to skip costly products like paper plates. Anything that is discarded after one use isn’t worth your money!
2. Try Cloth Diapers
If you have kids, you know how expensive diapers can be! One cost-effective alternative is to use cloth diapers. You will have to do more laundry, but in the long run, you’ll save thousands of dollars!
3. Hand Wash and Line Dry Clothes
Constantly using your washer and dryer can be very expensive and not energy efficient. Instead, consider hand washing and line drying your clothes. By doing this, your clothes will also last longer!
4. Use The Bottom of Jars
Do you not know what to do with jars of jam, bottles of ketchup, or salad dressing that just have a little bit left in them? You can use bottom of the jar recipes to save every last drop. A little bit of water will help you make sure nothing is wasted.
5. Cut Your Own Hair
We aren’t saying give yourself bangs. But you can save a lot by trimming your own hair. Additionally, at home hair dye has come a long way. Products like Madison Reed are practically salon-quality at home. This can save you hundreds of dollars a month.
6. Learn Sewing
Mending and hemming your own clothes is a huge cost saver. Plus, it’s easy to learn basic sewing like fixing buttons or patching holes. You’ll get much more life out of your clothes and won’t waste money on a tailor.
7. Cook from Scratch
There’s something to be said about cooking with simple ingredients. Fresh ingredients from farmers’ markets can also be very inexpensive. You might even want to start your own garden to save even more.
8. Preserve Food
Canning is a great option, especially if you have a garden. You’ll eliminate a lot of food waste and start building up your pantry stash. Having a deep pantry is essential when you need to make a meal in a pinch. If you always have things at home, you won’t be tempted to order takeout or go out to dinner.
9. Buy Everything Secondhand
Don’t overpay for clothes and essentials. You don’t have to pay full retail price to find things you like. Utilize the secondhand market on Facebook, Poshmark, and eBay. It’s also fun to visit local thrift stores and vintage stores. You may find that buying secondhand is not only more sustainable but also more your style! A good way to find dirt cheap secondhand clothing is at yardsales.
10. Learn How to Fix Your Own Car
Car repairs can get expensive quickly. Most of the cost comes from the labor. If you can learn basic car repairs like changing your own oil, for example, you can save thousands of dollars over time. You’ll probably take better care of your car as well further extending its life.
Making Frugal Living Choices
Sticking to a simpler more frugal way of life can be challenging. But it’s totally doable. You’ll just have to see what works best for you and stick with it to maximize your savings. Over time, you won’t miss the luxuries you used to overspend on.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
