Are you interested in getting more bang for your buck? Have you been wanting to save money and stretch your resources but just haven’t known where to start? Have we got the article for you! Okay, okay, I promise this list is not a cheesy infomercial in disguise. But it might actually teach you a thing or two about how to be more thrifty. We found two threads on the Frugal Living subreddit of users asking for “frugal life hacks” and frugal advice for families, so we’ve gathered the best responses from those threads for you to read down below, as well as an interview with Jen Smith, co-host of the Frugal Friends podcast, to gain some insight from an expert. There is absolutely no shame in going the extra mile to stretch your dollar (or euro or yen or pound etc.), so enjoy this list of useful tips and be sure to upvote the ones you find most relevant.
And if you’re finding yourself extra inspired after reading this post, check out Bored Panda’s last piece featuring frugal living tips right here.
#1
Learn to love drinking water. After I quit drinking soda/energy drinks and switched to water, I lost 30lbs and reversed pre diabetes. I feel way healthier and don’t even crave sugary drinks. Plus, I won’t be spending anything on diabetes related health care.
Image source: ietceteraaa
#2
The library is simply my bookshelf in another building.
Image source: OB5E55, Janko Ferlic
#3
Learn how to cook real food that doesn’t come from a box or can. Eat out or take out very rarely. Maintain everything you own.
Image source: RegularJane33, Conscious Design
#4
Learn to repair things. The hacks will come.
Image source: ZeFuGi, alaa turkman
#5
Hmm I keep old toothbrushes to use around the house for cleaning.
Image source: cheensays, Anna Shvets
#6
For me, I never buy anything full price anymore.
It may take a certain personality type to do this, but with a little preparation, and research, a deal or sale could always be found. This is especially true with online stores and the different apps, coupons, rebates, and etc you can easily find.
I believe the only time I buy stuff full price is when I need the item in a hurry.
Image source: therealrayy, Artem Beliaikin
#7
If you must buy something on Amazon, ALWAYS check the Amazon Warehouse deals. Usually, they willl sell the same item in a dented box for 2/3 (or less) of the original price. It says *used* but it has never even been opened. This has saved me a ton of money over the years.
Image source: redboxmike, wickedmonday
#8
Avoid buying new what you can buy used, like furniture, clothing, appliances, cars, houses, tools, etc. Reduce, reuse, recycle, re-purpose what you must buy. Take public transportation, car pool, walk, bicycle. Good luck!
#9
Do no spend week. It’s an exercise in how much fun you can have without spending money. Use up the stuff in the freezer. Finish that craft project. Sort through the closet and purge.
Image source: inkathebadger, allysphotos
#10
Do not get a new phone/car when the ones I have work just fine.
Image source: Loose-Dirt-Brick, priscilladupreez
#11
Paying off your credit cards should be number one priority considering the interest rates. Meal plans seem to help people save. When I see something I want to buy I usually try to wait a month to see if I still want it then; usually I don’t. Saves me from a lot of unnecessary purchases.
#12
Plant a vegetable garden with only high yield veggies like green beans, okra, squash, zucchini , etc. It is only necessary to purchase the seeds one time because you can harvest them from the veggies. You can then make your own baby food, eat fresh veggies with your meals, and partake in a highly stress relieving activity. It is a win/win
Image source: HERMANNATOR85, funnelhead
#13
We’ve been in a similar situation (except we’ve got 2 kids under the age of 5), my best advice is to just use less. Read the back of the laundry detergent bottle/box and actually measure your dose. Then try using a little less. If you feel like your clothes aren’t getting clean you can always go up again next time (keep a bucket of water by the washing machine and throw food stained kid’s clothes in as soon as possible, don’t let the food dry on and stains won’t really be an issue). Same applies to shampoo, personal care etc. Try to minimize food waste, embrace your freezer for leftovers, even small amounts that can be used for other meals. A tiny bit of left over grated cheese can go in the baby food, or a sauce, or a sandwich. You can do lots of household cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, with the added bonus of being non-toxic for curious little ones. I found that we ended up eating healthier, less processed food and had the added benefit of producing less packaging etc so it feels better for the environment too. Good luck, you’ll be setting your little dude up for good lifetime habits too!
Image source: Caughtthegingerbeard, No Revisions
#14
Live on a boat, 90% of stores sell nothing you can use.
Image source: manofsea
#15
Don’t have kids. Seriously. They’re expensive.
Couponing works. I used to be an extreme couponer & my hubby was shocked at all the stuff I was able to get free or dirt cheap.
Also, I use survey apps to earn gift cards. I’ve already earned $10 Walmart card & a $5 Amazon card.
Image source: Myredskirt, robbie36
#16
Have a friend group that (generally) shares your frugal values. In my 20s, I had a lot of friends who spent money like they were Kardashians. Having a friend group who values free/inexpensive activities (as opposed to dropping $100 on an outing) is worth its weight in gold.
Also if you don’t eat/drink much at restaurants, don’t split the check evenly– pay your fair share.
Image source: crazycatlady331, Josh Hild
#17
Buy your clothes from thrift stores and Savers.
You have to invest a bit of time into this (try to work a few stores into your routine) and go frequently. I scan through racks quickly and ignore most stuff but focus on stuff that looks like it has never been worn / has original tags still on (you’d be surprised – this can be quite common).
But don’t buy junk just because it is cheap, buy only what you love and need, and buy only stuff that fits perfectly.
I’ve also found nice coffee cups (original labels still stuck to the bottom) at Savers too. I also buy DVDs at thrift stores they can be very cheap.
Image source: ZanyDelaney, noemierssl
#18
Garage sale. Everything in my house is second hand. Except my mattress. Ive furnished my whole house with great stuff for under $200.
Image source: headlice, Tamara Malaniy
#19
This saved us over $12,000:
Look into community college extension courses. They offer inexpensive classes in life skills that are useful to anyone (cooking, baking) and if you’re a homeowner especially those skills can add up to significant savings.
We took an electrician’s course and then sat for the state certification exam. Then when it came time to replace our aging furnace and central a/c we installed heat pumps. When it comes time to sell this place we can say all the work was done by certified electricians.
A contractor had quoted $16,000 for similar work. Our cost: $4000. The contractor tried to talk us into a payment plan so the actual savings was upwards of $20,000.
Extra LPT whether or not you’re a homeowner: whenever someone tries to get you into a plan with “easy monthly payments” it’s a terrible deal. Their goal is to drag out the loan and squeeze you for interest.
Image source: doublestitch, Pixabay
#20
Buy quality stuff. They last longer than cheap stuff.
Image source: amansrf2, fiteka
#21
I order my groceries online and it really cuts back on impulse purchases. This ties in with meal planning and cooking at home.
Find someone with a baby 6-12 months older than yours, 1 year is a good gap, and see if you can have/buy all their usesdclothing. You’ll want to find someone with a close birth month so the seasonal stuff matches up.
Image source: sellyberry, mrsmaria
#22
Try free entertainment. In many cities, libraries have passes for check out and/or free days at museums. Audiobooks, videos/dvds/streaming, ebooks, magazines are all available for free.
Image source: rducky26, distingue
#23
I wash ziplock plastic bags and reuse them. I don’t do this for ones that store raw meat of course but they can last quite awhile. I tried those material reusable ones but my kids lose them.
We also reuse food containers for the kids lunch so when they lose those I don’t mind.
We reserve movies from the library for free and have taught our kids to love read and they do it all of the time. We go to the library at least once a week.
We don’t spend our money on stupid kid c**p. My kids receives gifts for birthdays and holidays. Recently I went to a store with a friend and she always lets her kids pick things out of the 1-5 dollar spot area. Over time that will add up. One tripe could cost her an extra ten dollars easy.
Like wise I don’t buy myself everything I want.
I own a capsule wardrobe everything pretty much goes with everything else. I probably have under 30 items of clothing for the summer season for all occasions.
We drive older cars but keep up the maintenance.
We both have work cell phones. I know this isn’t an option for everyone but as long as it’s allowed use your work phone for your personal phone.
Meal plan for breakfast lunch dinner and snacks. Buy food on sale that is in season.
Work alternating shifts to avoid paying for childcare. It sucks but for awhile we had to with our daughter and it saved us so much money.
Image source: notyourzombi, MART PRODUCTION
#24
Get a returnable cost hobby. My son and I started coin roll hunting. You get rolled coins at the bank and go through them looking for any that have value. Silver coins (in US these are pre 1964 dimes and quarters) have around a 5x of face value. At worst, you find nothing and get your cash back for them at the bank… but get to have the thrill of the chase for no cost.
Image source: GonnaSurviveItAll, Pixabay
#25
Making your own cleaners, and using old cut-up shirts/bar cloths instead of paper towels. You’d be surprised how much you spend on cleaning supplies from the store. Vinegar is your best friend.
I also save a TON making my own laundry detergent. Took me a few times to nail it “just right”, but this has been a huge savings.
Image source: bluemonetlily, Pixabay
#26
Repurposing. Take big empty containers from powdered coffee creamers or instant coffee- and reuse them with other products.
Image source: katCEO, Kym MacKinnon
#27
Buy non perishable items in bulk and on sale if possible. Also do this for things I use all the time like flour/rice
Plan meals ahead of time. Any fresh ingredients that aren’t used up have another meal planned to use the. For example, I use half a head of cabbage in my stir fry so I plan another meal that uses the other half or I will forget to use it.
Replace light bulbs in low traffic areas with motion sensing light bulbs. I never worry if the utility room light was left on and it’s wonderful.
Image source: AngerPancake, Marco Verch Professional Photographer
#28
I have a family membership to a family gym + indoor pool. My whole family of 6 exercises / swims there usually 3 times a week for $90 a month. Besides having something healthily to do outside the house, it also pays for itself by having us shower there instead of the house on the days we go. Our water is very expensive.
Image source: UntrustedProcess, issuekid
#29
Cut your own hair. I’ve saved, at this point, thousands of dollars and my hair looks much better than the chain barber customers.
Image source: BuildingNoBookCase, Simon Law
#30
Buy from 99 cents store or something similar. I buy food, hygiene items, cleaners, etc there. Somethings aren’t actually cheaper but you just need to price check with your other local stores.
Image source: theboogaba, JJBers
Follow Us
