Top 10 Ways to Start Living the Frugal Life

Subject: Top 10 Ways to Start Living the Frugal Life Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:09 am

1. Befriend the Library

Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; and you'll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge. Still like the idea of renting? Then, give Redbox a try. Rentals are just $1 a night, so the damage to your budget will be minimal

2. Clip Coupons

Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25% off of your weekly grocery bill. Want to save even more? Find a grocery store in your area that doubles coupons, and make that your store of choice.

3. Eat Out Less Often

Eating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often – even if it's just once more a month, and watch your bank account grow. Then, find ways to minimize the cost of eating out when you do decide to treat yourself.

4. Switch to Online Bill Pay

Save yourself a stamp, and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank; and take yourself out of the equation entirely.

5. Group Errands

Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don't have far to go.

6. Make Your Own Cleaners

Homemade cleaners work just as well as store-bought cleaners and at a fraction of the price. Stock up on basic cleaning agents like vinegar and baking soda; and you'll be ready for any cleaning task that comes your way.

7. Seek Freebies

Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers, and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you.

8. Wash in Cold

Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won't have to work nearly as hard.

9. Flip a Switch

Reduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren't in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you're sure to see the difference on your next electric bill.

10. Change Your Own Oil

Skip the quick lube, and change your own oil. You'll reduce your tab to the price of oil and a filter, and maybe even save time too – quick lubes aren't always as quick as the name suggests.

frugalliving.about.com

Guest

I am always accused by my family of being two cheap. We usually live on a little over half our net income each month. We are saving aggressively for a new home. I budget in the books I want to buy but we don't have any sort of cable television just internet. We don't pay a phone bill either. We have a 7 dollar a month cell phone for emergencies and a phone my mom pays for because she wanted me to have one I carry with me.

Mostly we pay for insurance, rent and mortgage for our rental, utilities and food. We keep it simple and we asked for dining gift cards for Christmas so I don't have to cook all the time. I have trimmed way back and there are other things we could cut if we needed to.

I always love a tip on saving money. What I would like to get better at is using coupons. I nearly always forget to take them to the store even if I have planned meals with them.

wow, i wish i was as brave hun, but im learning, im gonna add some of these things to my goals for this year :D

I didnt know it was possible to reign in more than we already have this past yr, but im sure we could do more , il just keep checking the tips x

Guest

It is not that hard once you get used to it. People think you are strange when you don't do certain things but when you are debt free and have a sizable chunk put away for a down payment for your next house you are really the one laughing on the inside.

I started cutting little things first. Then we decided what we wanted to budget for. I do the finances here because the hubby doesn't want to. He is a video game and electronics kind of guy. So almost two years ago I got him game-fly for valentines day. It is where they send you video games on your list to rent. He still buys a few now and then but we saved a lot of money by getting that.

Same with cable we were never home to watch any of the tv shows when they were on. We don't have a regular tv so we didn't get the local channels with our overhead projector. So we decided to cancel the cable and keep the internet. We got Netflix and we watch our favorite shows a season late.

To stay on a budget you have to ask constantly ask your self "Do I need this or just want it." I have to stay away from bookstores and Amazon when I am in crazy saving mode because they are my biggest downfall.

Thats brilliant carrie really.

I dId ask my hubby to chuck what change he had at the end of week into a jar instead of leaving it to mix with the following weeks money, i was suprised to see there was over 6 pounds left.

Not a fortune by anyones standards, but not something weve never known in a long time and the only reason for this lil saving, healthy eating.

We are saving on our groceries now and eating 3 meals a day plus snacks which is fantastic, such a thrill to me, but then im easily pleased :D

Guest

I always said if the coppas/spare change you dont us is saved in a jar it would soon add up. Yes not a fortune, but if you're short for something you could cash it in and there you go. Also dont use those machines tht count your change for you either because they take some of it, just take the time to do it yourself, get money bags from the bank and cash it in there or the post office. x x x

great tip steven, thanks hun xxx

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