If you’re living on a tight budget, every dollar counts. Whether you’re looking for ways to cut back on your grocery spending or trying to find affordable activities this fall, frugal living tips to save money can help. There are so many small things we can do to save money every day. Lucky for us, there are lots of small changes we can make that will have a big impact on our finances. From cutting back on coffee and eating at home more often to clipping coupons and using rewards programs, there are so many different things you can do to save money in your own life. Not only will these frugal living tips help you cut back on unnecessary expenses and unnecessary shopping sprees but they’ll also help you build your savings account again so that one day soon you won’t need to be as frugal with your money as you are now.
Make your own coffee
Making your own coffee at home, and avoiding the coffee shop, will save you a ton of cash each month. Plus, coffee bought from coffee shops aren’t usually high-quality beans, and the longer those beans sit, the less flavor they have to offer. For a bag of beans at the grocery store, you’ll pay just a few dollars. If you purchase a coffee maker, that same bag would cost you more than a dollar a cup. That’s expensive! A typical coffee shop grande latte costs $3.65, and it’s only 8 ounces of coffee. Making coffee at home with a 12 ounce bag of ground coffee costs about $0.22. If you buy a reusable coffee maker, the cost is even less.
Take your lunch to work
Instead of spending $10-$15 a day on lunch, take a lunch to work every day. You’ll save lots of money, and you’ll also avoid the added calories from eating out. Plus, you can portion out your lunch for the rest of the week, so you don’t have to worry about what to make for dinner every night. If you don’t have time to make your own lunches, you could consider signing up for a meal kit service, like Blue Apron to have fresh, healthy meals delivered right to your door once a week. Blue Apron costs $9.99 per serving, which is more expensive than buying your own ingredients and making your own meals, but it’s a great option if you don’t have time to prepare meals at home. We have an entire blog post on this topic!
Check your mail for deals and coupons
If your inbox is swamped with e-mails, then you might not even see the coupons and deals in your mailbox. To avoid missing deals and coupons, check your mailbox regularly and toss what you don’t want. If you have a smart mailbox, you can take advantage of the fact that new mail arrives every day, and you can set up e-mail alerts to notify you when a new piece of mail arrives. Here is a post from the PennyHoarder to help you find those deals!
Don’t buy food you don’t need
If you find yourself buying food you don’t need a lot, it might be a good idea to start a list of meal ideas. That way, you can plan your shopping trips around things you already know how to make. If you have a grocery store nearby that offers bulk options, you can take advantage of that to avoid buying more than you need. With the invention of smartphones, apps have become increasingly more important. You can use apps to keep track of what you have in your pantry and fridge. You can even use them to keep track of when you need to restock.
Hold off on buying big ticket items
If you’re planning on buying a big ticket item, such as an expensive piece of technology, furniture, or even a car, wait a little while before you make your purchase. If you need a new computer, wait until the model you want comes down in price. You might even be able to find a refurbished computer that’s still in great condition but has a lower price. If you need a new car, but you can’t afford it, you can set up a payment plan to help you save up the money you need to purchase the car. That way, you don’t have to wait a long time to drive a new car.
Go outside and get some sunlight
If you’re trying to save money, one of the best ways to do that is to get outside and go for a walk or a jog. If you have a gym membership, but rarely go, cancel it and start walking or jogging outside. You’ll get the same workout you would at the gym for a lot less money. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of some fresh air and sunlight.
Conclusion
Saving money can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be. By making small changes in your life and following these frugal living tips to save money you will reap the benefits immediately. So what are you waiting for? Every little change counts when it comes to saving money.