Saving money is not only about budgeting smartly. We also need to cultivate a frugal lifestyle to make saving money achievable.
Below are 15 frugal habits that save money:
1. Stick With Your Grocery List
This means, you’ll go to the supermarket (or online, if you can’t physically go) to buy only those listed in your grocery list.
2. Buy Generic Brand
Try to stick with the generic brand where there’s no difference in taste and quality between the generic brand and the name brand. These can include flour, rice, pasta, sugar, salt, pepper, etc.
3. Buy in Bulk
You can buy toilet papers, kitchen towels, and all non-perishable items in bulk as they have no expiry date. You can also buy perishable items in bulk if you are sure you can store and use them before they’re expired. Here is a list of food you can buy in bulk.
4. Always Carry A Water Bottle With You
No matter where you go, you should always bring a water bottle with you. Not only is it healthier to drink water, but it also helps you avoid the temptation to buy unhealthy, sugary drinks.
5. Keep All Your Coins In One Place
Keep all the coins in a pouch, a jar, or a piggy bank. A few 50 cents here, 1 and 2 dollars there, can add up quickly. This is very useful to indulge in something small like a fresh muffin from the store you’ve always wanted to visit. You can also save all the coins and never use them, and label the jar as ‘emergency fund’.
6. Prepare Food From Scratch
One takeaway meal generally costs around $10. With $10, you can make 5 meals. Here is an idea on how to make meals under $2.
7. Always Aim to Eat Nutritious Food
When preparing your own meals, always prioritise the nutrition value as in the long run, you’re likely to have fewer diseases than those who eat carelessly.
8. Clip Coupons and Look for Deals
The purpose of clipping coupons and looking for deals is to not pay a full price. However, beware of unnecessary items. For instance, just because you found a great deal on buy-one-get-one pair of new shoes, it doesn’t mean you have to buy the shoes if you don’t need any.
9. Cut Your Own Hair
Cutting your own hair does not only save money but also time to go to a hairdresser. If you have a long hair, here is how to cut your own hair and if you have short hair, have a look here on how to do it yourself.
10. Turn The Lights Off
Turn the lights off when you don’t need them.
11. Hang Your Clothes Dry On A Drying Rack
Avoid using an electric dryer to dry your clothes when possible. Dry your clothes by hanging them on a drying rack.
12. Wash Your Laundry Using Cold Water
Using hot water consumes a lot more electricity than using cold water to wash your laundry. Therefore, stick with the cold water.
13. Choose Free Activities When Possible
It can get a bit boring when you have to stay home every single weekend. So when you decide to go out, use search engines or social media for free activities around your local area.
14. Borrow Books from Your Local Library
Most local libraries have free membership and borrowing books is usually free.
15. Exercise at Home
Many people subscribe to the gym membership, thinking that they’ll be motivated to exercise there. But usually, within 2-3 months, they start to get lazier and end up going to the gym less, despite having paid the membership for the whole year. So instead of exercising at the gym, why not do it at home? You’ll save time (to go there) and save membership money. Here is beginner’s workout at home.
