We are in a cost of living crisis. There are no two ways about it. The prices, of everything, are going upwards. Not many of us have a pot of cash sat waiting to bail us out of this situation or even give us a little helping hand. We need to get a handle on our spending and find areas to cut back, so we can afford the increasing costs of necessities like food and fuel. Let’s look at the best frugal living tips that can help us out in this current situation which is affecting everyone.
What Does Frugal Actually Mean?
Many people think that frugal is a negative word. It’s something that comes with connotations of being greedy or Scrooge-like. However, frugal actually means to be careful to use only as much money, food, etc. as is necessary. This doesn’t mean not to enjoy life, or buy things we want. It means that we have an expectation of how much we’re willing to spend on certain things and sticking to it.
Maybe we cut back on food brands to save up for school shoes. Perhaps it’s buying more affordable clothing so we can afford to run a second car. It’s being intentional with our spending. Banish the negative thoughts about being frugal and embrace the challenge.
Many of our Grandparents had frugal ways of living during the years of World War 1 & 2, but kept those thoughts and ways in their life even afterwards. Being frugal isn’t something to be mocked about. Having control on your spending and way of life is a good thing.
Some Of The Best Frugal Living Tips
There are a lot of frugal living tips. Ones that have been passed down from generation to generation. It’s so easy to ignore this sound advice from the past, thinking we’ve outgrown it. However the basic ideas still work. Let’s run through some of the best frugal living tips.
Make & Stick To A Budget
One of the most obvious ways of being frugal is creating a budget and sticking to it. How much are you happy to spend on various aspects of life every week or month? Write it down. Figure out what you have to live on and where you can cut back in order to fund other areas which need it now. Budgeting doesn’t have to be complex or confusing. You just have to start.
How To Reach Your Finance Goals
Meal Plan & Batch Cook
What are you having for tea next Wednesday? Many of us don’t know what we’re going to cook for the family tonight and end up either ordering takeaway or buying something from the shop on the way home. When we start to meal plan we all know what will be on the table that night. We can also plan ahead and spend an afternoon batch cooking ingredients that we buy in bulk for cheaper. Utilise your freezer for homemade ready meals. A bunch of wonky almost out of date vegetables or a packet mince can go a long way and create some delicious meals.
Slash Your Subscriptions
Slashing your subscriptions is perhaps one of the best frugal living tips we all need to do right now. How many of the TV streaming services are you signed up to? How many channels do you actually watch? These can be £10+ per month and many of us barely use them. That money just drops out of our account every month when we could be using it for other things. I’m not saying cut them all, maybe just keep one. Do you need Amazon Prime too? So many people say they spend more before they get free delivery. You’re paying annually for that free delivery, it’s not actually free! Slash this subscription and you will question those impulse spends too. Also, do you really need to be part of the gym? Work out at home or run round the block instead.
Use Your Feet
Using your feet keeps you fit. So many of us end up relying on the car to get us to where we need to be because it is quicker and more convenient. However walking is free. Yes, it takes more time but it doesn’t cost anything in petrol for the car or paying for parking. It is also a way of getting more steps in every day to help with our health. If you struggle to find time to walk to work or to get the kids to school, try and figure out how to carve time to do this. You’ll feel better and be happier that you don’t have to pay to fill the car up quiet as often.
Sell Stuff You Don’t Need
Next on our living of best frugal living tips is to get rid of stuff you don’t use. Not buy throwing it in the trash. There is value in a lot of stuff you have around your home that you no longer use. Even broken stuff has value, I’ve sold a broken TV and vacuum cleaner before! Use free platforms like Facebook Marketplace to find buyers. You’ll be surprised at just what people will buy! Free up some space and earn some extra cash to put in the pot.
Lower Your Electricity Usage
We use so many gadgets and gizmos that have to be charged up or plugged into the electricity to work. We are using so many of these wrong though. Washing machines and dishwashers use more electricity when they have to heat up the water. Wash on lower temperatures and you’ll save money. Simple things like turning lights off in rooms we don’t use. Unplug items that aren’t being used. Switch the TV off instead of putting it on standby. How about getting a powerbank and charging it at work or on the train. Then you can use it to charge your phone and gadgets rather than plugging them into the wall socket. There are lots of ways to lower how much electricity we use, which is good for both the wallet and the environment.
Grow Your Own
Many of us rely heavily on supermarkets for our food. Sure, we can downshift brands that we buy but we’re still victim to increasing prices. Have you considered growing your own food at home. We don’t have to go to the level of digging up the local cricket pitches to plant vegetables like they did back in the war. However some tubs on your balcony or making a veggie plot in your garden can help. Some fresh fruit and vegetables on your plate, picked from the garden minutes earlier, is a wonderful feeling. Some of us might only have the space for a simply herb planter whilst others might consider getting chickens for fresh eggs too. Growing your own food is one of the best frugal living tips and can make a real difference.
Make Do
It is all to easy to think that we need this and we need that. So often it is what we want. Something we desire. Not something we actually need. The money in your account to pay for the gas central heating is more important than a new skirt you might wear once or twice then put in the wardrobe. Question any purchases and see if you really need them. Consider things that you really need above things that you think you need. Make do during this cost of living crisis. That way you can direct your money into the things that really matter right now.
Frugal Living Conclusion
Some of these best frugal living tips will work for you, others might not. We need to find solutions that work for us individually and then implement them to make a difference. Costs are on the increase and it feels like things will get worse before they get better. We’re in this for the long haul and by having a frugal mindset will help us survive the hardship. Be wise with your finances and try to keep that bit extra in your pocket.
