10 Tips on Frugal Living

How to Live Frugally

Sincerity Anna
Money is a good and bad thing. Sometimes I wish it just didn't exist at all. It's good to have it and bad to not. It's great to save it. Being able to save money isn't even a possibility for money. Adding to the savings account often looks doubtful. It doesn't have to be that way! There are so many ways to cut corners and save a lot of money. Here are ten tips that will help you to live more frugally which will help you to save money.

1. The first frugal living tip is to meet your needs only. What does that mean? Only buy what you need, and not things you only want. If you want it it's something that you would like to have. It's nice. It's cool. It's handy or what have you. You don't need it though. You'd just like to have it. If you don't need it then it is not a necessity. The frugal shoppers needs are always met because they have enough money to take care of them because they don't buy things they don't need.

2. The second tip is to be weary of where you are shopping. Departments stores are charging three times more for items than what is paid for the same items at dollar stores. Name brand clothing outlets charge for jeans and shirts an amount that would be three pairs of Faded Glory Jeans or Shirts. Shop at discount food stores instead of big name grocery stores to save a lot of money on food. Choose where you shop wisely to live in a frugal way.

3. The third tip that will help you to live frugally is to look for deals. Scan the newspapers, and flyers. Often there will be buy on get one free deals and coupons. Most stores offer deals where the roll back the price on certain items. The cheapest way to get seasonal items is by buying them right after the season. For example, thanksgiving and Halloween stuff is on clearance now because the stores are selling Christmas items. Now is the time to get them cheap for next year. Now that is frugal.

4. The fourth frugal living tip is to buy used instead of new. The classifieds are just full of items for sale. From electronics, clothing, car seats, couches, furniture, dishes, and tires, to plows, air compressors, parts, and more. People sell perfectly good things for money. Their need of money can save you money on things that are in great shape. Why buy new when you can get perfectly good items for a lot less?

5. The fifth frugal living tip is to make it a point to cut back. Cut back on everything to make it last just a little longer. Use one less scoop of sugar in your coffee or on your cereal. Use one less paper towel if you use two or more. It's little things like that. Cutting back on smoking will save you a lot of money. Not going out to eat some often will to. A little bit less of everything is a way to live frugal. You don't have to cut things out totally, just do or use sparingly, not excessively.

6. The sixth frugal living tip is to save your change. Get a big jar or can and at the end of each day put your change in it. You will be amazed how much you will save after only a couple of weeks. Let it build. When you cut out coin purchases and save that change you will save a ton of money. That money can later be used to be put into savings or to cover you pay an upcoming bill.

7. The seventh tip on frugal living is to buy generic named items instead of name brand items. It's with the idea of not buying famous named clothing. Foods and most household items are available for a lot less in generic brands. Getting food club macaroni and cheese instead of the pricy kind will get you more macaroni and cheese for your money. Generic does not mean of a lesser quality. What it means is of a lesser price.

8. The eighth frugal living tip is to use coupons. Adjust your shopping list to the coupons you have. The best coupons are under .99 because they get doubled. A coupon for .55 is worth $1.10 at most grocery stores. You can save a lot of money by using coupons for the drug store as well as the grocery store. Get the shampoo and conditioner that's on sale this week at the drug store, or take advantage of a buy one get one free coupon of a product you use and need. If you don't use the coupon you will pay regular price.

9. The ninth frugal living tip is to shop at the thrift shop, or at a yard sale. People give things away that are perfectly good. Like shopping in the classifieds, shopping at yard sales and thrifts shops offers you great stuff at a fraction of the price. You can find everything there from clothing, to books and toys. Wall hangings, lamps, furniture, even knick knacks can be found at the thrift store or at a good yard sale.

10. The tenth and final frugal living tip is to do all of the above consistently. When you live frugally you save money. That means in the end that you will have the money to save, or simply to meet your families needs. Thanks for reading and take care!

Published by Sincerity Anna

I am a wife, mother to five, and a full-time freelance writer.  View profile

  • Buy what you need only.
  • Buy used instead of brand new!
  • Purchase generic instead of brandname.
Being frugal can help you to have money for savings, or to meet your needs.

2 Comments

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  • 3lilangels12/16/2008

    super tips!

  • jpsixbear12/15/2008

    very nicely done and great tips

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