Frugal Living Guide: Simple Habits for Real Savings

Frugal living isn’t about being cheap or feeling deprived — it’s about being resourceful.

Finding ways to save allows you to focus your money and attention on the things you value, whether that’s saving for a comfortable retirement, traveling or paying down debt.

We’ve compiled a list of five main areas where you can try to scale back and live more frugally: eating, shopping, entertainment, at home and in your budget.

If you’ve ever added up your monthly expenses for dining out, you know it adds up quickly — and quietly. You don’t realize it until you log into your bank app or check your credit card statement. And, lately, my restaurant experiences don’t feel worth the cost.

Take notice of what you’re spending on eating out, ordering in and other food-related conveniences. This can be a good start to spending smarter:

Honestly, it’s nice to pull out one of the cookbooks off my shelf and pick a few new recipes to try.

Most store brands share the same ingredients as their name-brand counterparts. On your next shopping trip, compare labels and test a few swaps. If you like them, add a few more store brands to your cart next time.

I’ve been swapping out for ground turkey and chicken thighs, which are always cheaper at my local grocery store. I’ve started adding more vegetarian meals to our weekly lineup, including main dishes that use beans and eggs.

Keeping a small stockpile of items you use all the time can be really helpful as you cook during the week. There’s nothing worse than realizing — mid-recipe — that you’re out of diced tomatoes and a trip to the store’s your only option (don’t ask how I know).

Work through your pantry before things expire. To make sure items don’t expire, I store newer items behind existing items on the shelf. That way, I’m always using the oldest item first.

You will never catch me buying bottled water, unless it’s an emergency. That’s because we use the filtered water from our refrigerator. Before I had a fridge that filtered water for me, I used a filtered water pitcher. I got it for about $30 from Target.

There’s another upside to this besides cost: Fewer plastic bottles in landfills, too.

I can admit that I’m jealous of people who can grow their own fruits and vegetables. The past three summers of trying to grow tomatoes have been… interesting. Let’s just say I’m still buying mine at the store.

But I have grown herbs we use frequently, like basil, rosemary, dill, mint and parsley. They’re expensive in the store, and most of the time they don’t even smell fragrant. Homegrown herbs have been a cost-saver at our house.

Impulse purchases have been a huge struggle for my personal finances. I’m a sucker for items linked on social media and a stroll through Target is always a test of will. Before I know it, my cart is full of things I don’t need.

What I’ve learned over the years is that reining in my shopping budget isn’t about deprivation — it’s about being more intentional about what I want, why I want it and what other goals I could accomplish if I hold off on that purchase.

Here’s a few habits that can help cut your shopping budget:

Stick to a list and take other steps to avoid impulse buying. Spur-of-the-moment purchases can be expensive, and you’re more likely to regret them later.

When I’m shopping in a store, I grab a basket instead of a cart. This way, I can only buy what I can hold. If I see something I really want, I add it to a note on my phone. I check back in after a week to see if the urge is still as strong. If the item is on the pricier end, I give it a little more time — just to be sure.

Delete shopping apps from your phone to eliminate that urge to browse and buy. Scrolling during your spare time increases your exposure to social media influencers and a steady stream of targeted ads, making it nearly impossible to escape the encouragement to buy, buy, buy.

It’s often surprising the quality you can find for pennies on the dollar when you shop secondhand. Facebook Marketplace is great, especially if you know exactly what you’re looking for. Use brand names or other identifiers in your search to narrow it down. “Buy nothing” groups on Facebook and garage sales also offer chances to get quality items at a discount.

There’s a predictable pattern for sales on almost everything from mattresses to TVs and kids’ toys. Buying at the wrong time of the year can cost you.

Free, fun things to do are all around. It’s just about knowing where to look. Here are some ways to get creative with your fun:

Tap into your local library: Not only can you check out books, movies, magazines and DVDs from your local library, but you can also find deals on local events. For example, last year, we checked out a movie about our city’s zoo and once we returned it, we got free passes that saved us $100 in admission costs.

Some libraries even offer board games and video games, so you can try something new without buying it outright.

Trade babysitting instead of paying for it: Have friends with young kids, just like you? Consider creating a parents-night-out swap, where you take turns babysitting each other’s kids. That way, you can get a date night without the babysitting fees.

Use credit card rewards in place of cash: If you pay off your balance each month, then don’t feel guilty for using your points on fun experiences. Cash in your points for a “staycation” at a nearby hotel or use them to buy a gift card to the restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.

Here are some examples of when doing it yourself works in your favor:

Borrow instead of buy: Look for a local tool “lending library” or a place to rent tools and equipment, rather than buying something you need only rarely. Better yet, ask a neighbor, friend or family member. Just make sure to return what you borrow.

Learn basic repairs before calling a pro: A short video on YouTube can walk you through fixing a toilet, patching drywall or repairing a lawn mower. In my area, the average visit from a plumber costs $316, according to Angi. That’s a huge savings if you can fix the problem yourself.

Use your analog hobby to save: Things like cross-stitching and bread baking are popular hobbies — but they can also help you save. Pull out a needle and thread to repair and tailor your clothing. Bake bread or other items to help you save at the store. Better yet, use that fresh-baked loaf of bread to barter with neighbors and friends. For example, they mow your lawn in exchange for a loaf of sourdough.

Getting frugal at home can also mean examining your monthly bills for ways to save on utilities, streaming services and groceries.

The more you save on those expenses, the more you can spend on (or save for) what’s important to you.

Call for a better rate: Sometimes calling your utility providers to see if better or cheaper plans are available can be a quick way to save. Shopping around with competitors can give you some leverage.

Audit your streaming subscriptions: Most people are paying for more streaming services than they realistically use. Some of us even forgot we subscribed. And if your streaming bills are too high, consider the plans that have ads. Sure, they might be annoying — but so is being broke.

Watch for lifestyle creep: A boost in income, whether that’s a raise or finally being able to drop childcare costs from your monthly budget, can often lead to lifestyle creep. That’s when your income gradually increases — but so does your spending. For example, are you suddenly ordering takeout more or have more Amazon boxes coming to your doorstep? Nip that spending in the bud.

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