One thing about being Frugal is that it’s different from being cheap. Being cheap is using money to buy cheaper items that bring no value at all. Being cheap is like being the woman who puts her lasagna in the dishwasher to bake it and wash dishes at the same time. True story!!
Being Frugal is about not being wasteful or overconsuming in products you don’t need. While it is also saving money, the focus lies on finding methods that help you save money and enjoy life as well.
Being Frugal has taught me that I don’t need much in life to be content or fulfilled. The freedom that comes with being frugal is what makes cutting back or finding alternatives worth it. I am also a stay-at-home wife, so living on one income has encouraged me to become more frugal.
8 Ways I Live More Frugal
I Thrift Just about Anything & Everything
Besides undergarments and shoes, I thrift for just about anything and everything. I find which thrift stores often have the best clothing, furniture pieces, and great prices, and I go there before looking elsewhere. When thrifting, one thing I keep in mind is looking for good quality clothes, furniture, or miscellaneous items. Since thrifting has also become the “thing” to do now, some thrift stores will increase their prices more than the original cost. So I always try to ensure that what I spend at the thrift store is reasonably priced.
When I Grocery Shop, I don’t usually buy Brand Names, Organic, or Shop in certain stores.
I avoid stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Natural Grocers, etc. For one, Walmart, King Soopers, HEB, or a Farmer’s market always have what these “fancy take your money stores” offer AND cheaper. I know many YouTubers, Bloggers, & other folks always talk about going to WhoLeFoOds like it’s better than an HEB, but I’m here to tell you there is no difference. The only difference I realized when going to Whole Foods was that it also took my whole paycheck at checkout.
Just because it’s “organic” doesn’t mean it’s better for you. It’s just a harder crop to grow. I rinse the veggies and fruit really well with some vinegar and water, and I’m good to go. I also produce a lot of my veggies and fruits in my backyard, so it’s rare the time that I actually go to the store to buy them.
Depending on what you’re buying, you can get the same quality of food by purchasing off-brand items, which are also usually cheaper. I also make sure to clip all the coupons, which can bring down the bill exponentially.
Making Food From Scratch
Nothing will ever compete with homemade food, especially when it’s made from scratch. I primarily focus on staple items like bread, butter, pasta, salsas, sauces, tortillas, etc. You might think, well, none of these are expensive at the grocery store. And true, for the most part, they are not. But when you add it up at the end of the year, it’s a hefty price! You’re also saving money and helping your body by not consuming overly processed foods. Being frugal is not just about cutting off expensive things it starts with the less expensive things.
We limit eating out as much as we can!
Well, for one, where I live, there are few places to eat. We have like 4 options, lol. & None of them are the greatest besides the pizza place. Eating out can become a hefty bill by the end of the year. So usually, we eat at home 98% of the time. We also don’t invest in Hellofresh meals or stuff related to that. I am a stay-at-home wife, so I can handle a little cooking.
I grow as much food as I can
Every year I expand my garden to meet our needs. Gardening has helped me know where my food comes from and save money. I’ve also learned how to can and preserve my food so we enjoy it throughout the year. I do a lot of research every year to ensure I get the best results from every tiny seed I plant.
Buying great quality items.
If you are going to spend money, spend it wisely on good quality items. Even if that means that it will be a bit more expensive, often, when you buy something cheap & low quality, it will cost you more at the end of the day. Especially if you have to continually buy the item because it keeps breaking or tearing. Instead, invest in good quality clothing, shoes, dinner plates, cups, etc. I research and buy the best quality item for anything I will use more often than not. This will last longer and make the money spent on it worth it.
I don’t mean I’m buying Channel, Gucci, Valentino, or Balenciaga. Instead, I opt for more local businesses because they will offer better quality and a better price.
I don’t buy kitchen gadgets (bread maker, rice cooker, touch screen toasters, egg cooker, etc.)
This relates to me because I am a Homemaker many of these items seem to enhance my life. But if my hands, pots, and pans work perfectly, why would I invest my money into expensive items just because? Now some of these items can come in handy for those who use them regularly. But no one really needs any fancy gadgets. The more things you introduce to your home, the more maintenance it will become.
Discovering New Activities That Do Not Require Money
I’ve always thought that in order to enjoy life or to be able to have fun, it required money. It couldn’t be fun or enjoyable if I didn’t pay for the entertainment or did something. But I discovered immense joy just walking around my neighborhood before sunset and enjoying the skies. Or if I invite friends over to have a cup of coffee, make dinner, or just hang out by a fire, I feel like we connect more personally.
Going out on walks has become one of the ways that I relieve stress by just being out in nature. And hanging out with friends in my home has helped us become more creative in ways to entertain.
Conclusion: Living Frugal
Being frugal is not the same as being cheap. It’s a type of lifestyle where you live within your means. Consumerism is at an all-time high. Everyone is buying anything & everything, and sadly 99% of the time, it ends up in landfills. Being frugal and only buying what you really need will prevent being wasteful.
It also helps you to become creative in life and discover what truly brings satisfaction in your life instead of relying on materials to bring that joy. So often, we think the more we have, the happier we will be, but that’s not the case.
