Money: How to Live a Frugal Life

by Stacey Ilyse on August 5th, 2012 | 2 Comments »

When many people hear the word “frugal,” they think it means you need to live on a farm, milk your own cow, pick your own veggies, and sew your own clothes. I am FAR from that; I have a green thumb, don’t have TIME to sew, and I cant stand bugs, so no farm living for me. But here are some simple tips and reminders to help you stay on track and keep some money in your pocket while living the life you enjoy.

How to Live a Frugal Life

Here are some ideas to help you be more frugal in your life:

1. Do your research.

Before diving into home renovations, like picking out fancy tiles for a project or splurging $500+ on a new crib for your baby, it’s a great idea to check online for deals or visit your local big box store. Sometimes, you may even be able to borrow items from a friend, helping you save money while still achieving your dream home makeover!

2. Be willing to buy it used.

Maybe you saw a really great toy or need new clothes for your little one. Rather than running to the store to buy it new, check out Craigslist, a local Facebook Buy/Sell/Trade group, or a consignment or local thrift shop. You can score high-quality furniture and decor pieces at a fraction of the original cost at Modern Resale. You can always clean a toy, wash clothes, or repaint furniture. Why spend full price on something your kids will use or wear for such a short amount of time?

3. Everything in Moderation.

No one said that because you want to be more aware of your spending, you should NOT enjoy. Instead of eating out 3x a week, maybe go out once, or better yet, every other week if you can swing it. In our house, we go out/order in once a week, and the rest of the time we eat at home, which equals big savings.

4. Make small changes over time.

Maybe you hate to be hot. Heck, I do! But you don’t need to keep the A/C on when you leave the house or lights on in a room you are not in. Turn it off when you leave. Maybe you find that you don’t watch as much TV as you once did. Instead of getting rid of all TV, just get rid of the premium channels first and slowly dwindle down your service needs. These small changes can result in big savings.

5. Think before you spend.

One of my favorite things to do when shopping is to put everything in my shopping cart and before I walk up to the register or click the “buy” button, I re-evaluate what I'm buying and think, "Do I REALLY need this?" Much of the time I remove it from my cart. If I find myself regretting my non-purchase, it usually will still be there tomorrow or I can take the time to look into buying it second hand or something similar for less.

6. Be creative.

This could be taken literally or figuratively. Maybe do an art project with your children and then frame their work to hang on your walls rather then buy artwork. Or instead of joining a pricey gym you barely have time to go to, you find/create a local running group with other moms. Or you could make an effort to go walking with your kids every morning. Those types of activities are free or cost way less than joining a gym!

How do you and your family stay within your budget? What are your saving techniques?

Stacey is not just a blogger but a dog-loving, deal-hunting, house
renovating junky, who is also WAHM running her own photography
business all while still finding time to play, laugh, and love with
her little bird, Remy. You can find her at thislovelyhome.com

Picture courtesy of flickr