5 Ideas For Frugal Living

Frugal living does not have to be about a life of deprivation. The frugal life is thrifty shopping, careful choices, and a saving mindset. Making just a few adjustments in five areas of your everyday life will help you become a frugal person.

Groceries are one of the most expensive items on any budget. Be sure to take a list with you to the grocery store; this will help to cut back on impulse items. If you are still concerned, why not take a friend shopping with you. Exchange lists at the store, and each of you can gather up the other’s groceries, virtually eliminating all impulses. And don’t forget to cut out coupons. It may take some time, but it will add up in the end.

Frugal people are still a vacation. They just do it wisely. You can stretch the vacation dollars by traveling during the shoulder season or off-season, although it’s a good idea to check to see if local attractions will be open if you want to attend. Since much of a vacation budget goes to housing, why not spend your vacation visiting family? There is the joy of bonding with relatives, but you also get to stay free.

Being frugal doesn’t mean that you have to stay home all the time. If you do a little looking around, you are sure to find that many of the museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and other places offer free or discount days. You can check to see if a group discount is available for those who don’t offer the free days and then call up your other frugal friends for an outing. For movie nights, check with the local library to see if they have movies available to check out. There are lots for you to do, and you can do much of it without ever spending a dime.

Clothing is one of those items that civilized society has deemed necessary. The clothing manufacturers, who realize our dilemma, often charge outrageous prices. Buying out of season (buying winter clothes in the summer and vice versa) will help cut this item in your budget. Instead of buying new, check out your local thrift store or the second-hand store where prices are a fraction of the retail (sometimes the clothes still have the original tags). An even better way is to trade with friends. Hand-me-downs are the frugal person’s best friend.

It is not always wise to buy a new is automobile. While there is nothing wrong with having a nice car, if you can’t pay for it with cash, it is probably not worth it. Drive what you have while you save up, and then purchase with cash. Just having the money in hand will give you much-negotiating power. Today, many used car dealers include some warranty with their cars, making the purchase even more secure.

The frugal lifestyle can be more enjoyable than any other. There is money for what you genuinely want to do, and there is no worry about how the bills will be paid each month. By being a little thrifty here and there, by thinking about your choices before you make them, and by developing a mindset of savings, you can live a fulfilled, frugal life.