The Best Tips For Frugal Living
Living frugally has many positives and here are seven ways you can introduce it into your life.
1. Avoid Stores When Possible
This is one of the most effective ways to cut back on spending. There are many people that go out shopping when they want to have some fun. It’s important to keep in mind that shopping is a chore, not a hobby. When you visit a store, it should be because you’re there to purchase something specific. If you keep that in mind, and you stay out of stores as much as possible, you’ll be able to cut back your spending significantly.
2. Stick To Cash
Avoid using credit cards and pay with cash instead. When you have strict limits on what you can spend, you’ll be less likely to buy things on impulse. If you put an impulse buy on your credit card, you could eat through your budget in an instant.
Credit cards are tempting, which is why you should resist using them when possible. If you stick with cash, it will be easier to control what you spend.
3. Don’t Buy What You Can Make
Many households spend a lot of money on take out and pre-packaged foods. If you learn to cook meals from scratch, you’ll be able to cut back your spending and enjoy quality foods. This art is easier than you might think. For example, if you wanted to make your own bread, you just need to spend twenty minutes on hand in the kitchen. From there, the bread will rise, rest, and bake on its own. Once you try freshly made bread, you won’t want to go back to the bread from the store.
Of course, bread isn’t the only thing you can make yourself. You can easily find recipes for any treats you want to make, from cookies to snacks.
4. Repair Before You Replace
If an expensive item isn’t working anymore, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new one. There are plenty of tutorials out there that can teach you to fix something that’s broken.
If your oven breaks, you don’t have to spend thousands on a brand-new appliance. Instead, you should look for a DIY video that will teach you how to handle repairs. The right videos can help you to diagnose the problem and teach you how to perform repairs. This could save you hundreds or more.
5. Don’t Go For The Most Convenient Option
If you can do something on your own, you should. Only take the easiest route when it’s something you can’t handle. As an example, you can hang clothes on a clothesline when the weather is right. You should only use the dryer when this isn’t an option. This can dramatically reduce your electricity bills.
6. Don’t Go To Malls
While it’s okay to visit a mall on a rare occasion, it’s a place you should try to avoid when possible. As mentioned above, shopping shouldn’t be a hobby for you. Even if you need something, there are cheaper ways to find the items you need. For example, you can purchase used items at thrift stores or participate in swaps.
To make things more interesting, you may want to treat it like it’s a game. Try to spend as little as possible on an item that you need. It can be fun to hunt for the lowest possible price. The important thing is to shift your mindset. Once you start focusing on finding the best deals, you’ll be able to save an impressive amount of money.
7. Don’t Buy When You Can Borrow
If you need to make a big purchase for an item you won’t use regularly, you may want to see if you can borrow the item from someone you know. For example, if you need tools for a project, you may not want to buy or rent the items that you need. Instead, you might want to see if someone you know can lend you the items. This can keep you from making a purchase that isn’t essential.
Many people will be able to lend you items as long as you keep them in good condition and return them as soon as they are done. Naturally, if any repairs are needed, you’ll want to handle them. This means they’ll have the item they need when they need it, and you’ll be able to spend less.
