I love to save money. It’s like, my thing, ya know.
Here’s a little bit about myself. When my husband and I got married we were basically living on love. We learned to live off of almost nothing while working our butts off to build a cattle company we could make a living on. Thankfully, God blessed us to be able to do just that.
But, the ranching business is very volatile. This year we may make good and next year we may lose it all and then some. But, I have enough of my daddy’s frugality running through my veins that makes me want to save as much money as I can to live on when that income isn’t coming in.
Since I stay at home, this is the only stream of income we have. We’re dependent upon us for our finances. There’s no check coming in every week just because we put in the hours. Saving as much money as possible is an extra way I contribute to those finances. I may not be making it, but I’m doing as much as I can to save it.
I’m the girl who tears paper towels in half at the supper table to save on napkins and the girl who orders water across the table at every restaurant, much to the chagrin of our kids (and my husband), to save $12 at a sit down meal. Because we all know restaurant drinks are OUTRAGEOUS. Do I hear an amen?
Another reason I save as much as possible whenever I can is that it gives us the financial freedom to spend more of it when we want. Our goal is not to spend as little as possible, exactly, it’s to have more of it to spend when we need or want to.
I like to live on the cheap, but I don’t like to look cheap. I still like to look nice and for our house to look nice; for our kids to wear clothes that look put together well. I like to go out and eat at a restaurant other than McDonalds, occasionally. And our kids like to junior rodeo (a very expensive sport by the way).
Because of all this and in spite of all this we choose to live frugally and save money whenever possible.
Want to make some quick cash? Read 17 Things to Sell to Make Extra Money Fast
So, Here are Practical Ways to Live Frugally and Save Thousands Every Year
Saving Money on Groceries
Invest in a deep freeze
Invest in a freezer to store bulk items, fruits, meat products, frozen meals, and leftover foods. A deep freeze will save you hundreds of dollars a year in wasted food and buying meat at the grocery store.
Cook at home and plan meals to save on grocery bills
Eating out less and cooking at home more can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Plan out your meals and the groceries your going to need for each meal weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, whatever your preference is, to keep your grocery budget intact. This will also keep you from a late evening run to grab pizza because you have no plan or groceries for supper.
Learn to cook frugal meals
If you’re cooking a meal that costs $25 in groceries to make, you’re not going to save much money at the end of the week. Add frugal meals into your meal plan and watch your savings grow. Graceful Little Honeybee has 35 frugal meals to make here.
Buy in bulk when you can
Do your math and when buying items in bulk. Sometimes it pays off to buy in bulk, sometimes not so much. Buying items such as flour, sugar, and toilet paper can definitely save you some cash.
Buy your meat in bulk
After you’ve invested in your deep freeze, buy a side of beef and a hog from a local farmer. It’s a costly initial investment but pays off substantially over the course of a couple of months.
How it works: Every farmer is different, but here is how we sell our beef. You would pay so much per lb. of hanging weight (that’s after it’s slaughtered, skinned, and cleaned out.) Plus you would pay the processing fee and pick it up yourself.
Our family of 6 uses a half of beef in a about a year and it’s our main source of meat besides deer meat.
Don’t be afraid to buy store brands
Many people think of store brands as inferior, but I disagree. Brand loyalty can cost you some big bucks.
There are only a few items I’m a brand snob about because the store brands are inferior such as peanut butter and syrup. But hey, that’s just a personal preference.
Cut out the convenience foods
Stop buying pre-made convenience foods, such as canned biscuits, that make your life easier at the time. Aside from being more healthy, making these foods from scratch will make your life easier over time when you’re in a pinch and need some safety funds.
Stop buying bottled water
Invest in a couple of good water bottles and get in the habit of filling them up and taking them with you wherever you go. Here is my favorite. My water is still ice cold at the end of the day.
If you have hard water or your water isn’t good for some reason, invest in a water filter system. They’re really not expensive. Not only will this save you hundreds a year, but it’s also good for the environment.
Grow a garden
Learn how to grow a garden and save tons of money on vegetables and fruits.
Being Frugal While Eating Out
Order Water at Restaurants
The average cost of a drink at a restaurant is $2. For our family that costs us $12 a meal!
I like to save that money, pay it on the tip, and help someone else out who needs the money.
Let your kids share plates of food
Seriously, how much do your kids really eat? Mine eat hardly anything. Especially my littles.
I always order them one entree with an extra plate and they leave the restaurant full. Sometimes they don’t even finish what they had.
Use Groupon to find great deals at restaurants
Never, never, never go on Groupon just to browse around. You’ll spend more than you ever intended.
If you’re planning to go out to eat, check what deals Groupon has in your area. You could save as much as 50% on your meal.
Living Cheap With Kids
Accept hand me down clothes for your kids
I know moms who don’t accept hand me downs for their kids. GASP. I know. I couldn’t imagine having to buy all my kids clothes every season. Even used.
Accept hand me downs from friends and family to save on clothing costs.
If you don’t have anyone to pass clothes down to your kids consider doing a clothes swap with some of your friends.
Shop at thrift stores
When you do have to buy something for your kiddos always check the thrift stores first.
Pack snacks when on the go
Make a habit to pack your kids some snacks when you’re away from home. This keeps you from having to buy high dollar convenience store foods when your kids get hangry.
Find a way to cut down on childcare
Consider child swapping with a friend or relative to save on childcare.
Buy used whenever you can
Buy your kids bedroom furniture, big ticket toys, homeschool books, shoes, and clothes used. Check thrift stores, Facebook buy/sell groups, and consignment events to buy these things.
Best Hacks to Save Money on Household Items
Use homemade cleaners
Vinegar and baking soda can be your best friend when it comes to cleaning house. They’re inexpensive and clean just as well as the toxic commercial cleaners without all the nasty chemicals and side effects.
DIY everything you can
I don’t like to DIY. It brings out the worst in me, but many of you love it, I know. Make Pinterest your go to place to get DIY inspiration.
Take your lunch to work or make your husband’s lunch
Start cooking extra dinner to take to work with you or send in your husband’s lunch bag. All those extra dollars you’re spending on take out lunch (not to mention calories) can be saved with a little extra prep work.
Buy what you need, not what you can afford
Many people make this mistake. Just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Not only does this clutter up your life, but you’re spending hard earned money that can be used for something better.
Learn to bargain
This was so hard for me to try the first few times I did. I’m a shy introvert but if I can do it, you can too.
Places to bargain-
- Furniture stores
- Appliance stores
- Flea markets
- Anytime you’re buying used from someone
Saving Money on Electric and Homeowners Costs
Pay with cash
Paying with cash at appliance stores and such can often save you 10% or more. Shop around and ask what discount they give for cash.
Line dry your clothes
Invest in a clothes line to dry your clothes on warm, sunny days.
Downsize your home
If your home is plenty big and you can downsize, do it. We bought a 3800 square foot home once just to be able to buy the land around the house. We sold it 6 months later (thankfully). The cost to keep the electricity on that house without living there was $300 a month! That’s twice the amount our little 1100 square foot costs.
Find the lowest plan possible for monthly bills
Take time to call around and ask for better plans on cell phones, land line phones (does anyone besides us have one any more), electricity if you live in a state that allows you to choose electric companies, and other monthly bills. This can save you a hundred dollars or more a month depending on what you were paying before.
That’s well worth an hour in phone calls.
When buying appliances, buy simple appliances
It’s so tempting to buy the high end electronic appliances, but if you opt for the cheaper, simple appliances you can often fix minor repairs yourself with the help of YouTube.
I love my 17 year old top load, non electronic washer because I can often fix it myself by watching a YouTube video and ordering the parts myself. This saves me $150 every time it breaks down.
Keep lights turned off
Cut out satellite bills
Unplug unused appliances
Other Cheap Living Tips
When shopping online, find online coupons
Take the time to go hunting for free shipping or other coupons to your favorite places to shop.
Here’s an Ebay hack- Fatfingers. Fatfingers finds mispelled items on Ebay and you can get them for a great bid because of this.
Use cash back sites
Using sites like Ebates can save you some big bucks at your favorite stores. You’re already shopping there, so why not get more cash back? You can even add the cash back on top of sales. Win, win.
Use less, save more
Use the last drop of EVERYTHING. Squeeze the toothpaste unil it’s dry, run water in the shampoo bottle to get it all out, etc. Little habits like this save money over the course of a year.
Be patient and wait for the sale
Everything goes on sale. Be patient.
Sit on big purchases for 2 weeks
When considering a big purchase, wait 2 weeks or longer to make sure this is what you need for your family. Hasty decisions usually make for regret.
Ditch unnecessary debt
Make your coffee at home
Use your local library
Find the best insurance rates
Living Cheap but Not Looking Cheap
These frugal living tips can save you thousands of dollars a year. It’s all about lifestyle change. Make this a habit and you’ll be on your way to living frugal and free the rest of your life. Not being cheap but looking cheap and having money to spend when you need to.
What’s the best frugal living tip you have? Comment below.
Best Article thanks for sharing.