Living Frugally in Seattle

There is no question that it costs more to live in Seattle, Washington, than it does many other areas of the United States. According to PayScale.com, the cost of living in Seattle is 24 percent higher overall than the national average, which makes living frugally a bit more difficult.

Fortunately, however, it is possible for families to budget effectively regardless of where they live. If you are a Seattle resident with mouths to feed, you might be able to put some of these tips to good use.

Ride the Metro

Gas prices are extremely high in Seattle, even when compared to other U.S. cities. This is why it pays to ride the King County Metro, which costs as little as $2.25 for an adult. Seniors ride for $0.75, and children under five ride free as long as they are with an adult.

This is especially useful for Seattleites who live outside the city limits but work within them (or vice versa). Metro fares are higher inside the city (Zone 2) than outside (Zone 1), but if you start or end in Zone 1, you pay that fare. This makes transportation to and from the city much cheaper.

Buy Used

I'm a big fan of buying used, be it books or furniture, and it's easy to get a great deal if you make a habit of frequenting Seattle area resale shops. You'll encounter a lot of junk, to be sure, but there are the occasional gems that will make it worth your while.

You've got the Lifelong Thrift Store on Capitol Hill, Value Village on 11th Avenue, and Majesty on Marketplace Drive in Redmond. There are plenty of other resale and thrift stores in Seattle, so take time to look around. This is especially valuable when shopping for kids because they grow out of things so quickly.

Visit the Library

Seattle is home to an amazing chain of libraries just waiting for your perusal. You can obtain a library card as long as you live or work in King County or in Seattle proper, and your kids can even get their own cards.

Libraries these days are more than just stacks of books. Use the computer, get homework help, or check out DVDs. You can even download music rather than purchasing costly CDs each time you or your children fall in love with a new artist.

Head to the Pool

Gym memberships cost money - in some cases, lots of money. Why fork over hundreds of dollars every year when you can join lap swim at a community pool for next to nothing?

For example, Ballard Pool offers lap swim every day of the week at specific times for just $4.75. Adults can also take water aerobics classes and kids can take swimming lessons or participate in competitive swimming on a team. There are limitless opportunities for savings and exercise for the whole family.