The frugal lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart, but your wallet will thank you. Being frugal will help you maintain financial stability and help you avoid impulse buys.
The word frugal has a negative connotation for most people that prefer to be called savers, but there is no shame in living a frugal lifestyle. Living a frugal lifestyle can help you save and reconsider when you buy something that is a necessity and focusing less on impulse purchases. It might seem hard to start cutting back on spending when considering living the frugal lifestyle, but you can start with small steps to keep your finances in check.
Eating out can be one of the easiest ways to waste money but having a night out with friends is OK occasionally and you should consider going to places where they offer affordable food and drinks such as a happy hour. You can still enjoy going out with friends occasionally, but you should consider going somewhere in your price range which will be easy to do if you set up the outing.
Clothing can be expensive, but you can still dress like a fashionista living a frugal lifestyle. Instead of being trendy, have a versatile closet with clothes that can easily match so you have fewer clothes but can easily create more outfits with what you have in your wardrobe.
Moving homes can be one of the biggest finances to consider as it is recommended not to be overwhelmed by excitement but instead be practical. There are a ton of ways to afford housing through several means such as buying a smaller house, rent-to-own properties, do-it-yourself arrangements, and owner financing.
One of the biggest financial decisions comes down to the car your drive. It’s recommended to shy away from buying sports cars or SUVs as sedans and compact cars are offered at lower prices. The best way to think about the next car your drive is getting a vehicle that serves its main purpose of transporting you wherever you need to go. You can also consider program cars like a new car warranty.
Everyone goes grocery shopping that can add up in cost really quickly but if you plan out your shopping before your trip it will help keep you on track buying necessities and prevent impulse buying. Before you go shopping check your local grocery circulars for the best deals for your upcoming trip (sales typically last one week so get it while you can).
One of the biggest ways to save in the grocery store is buying generic brand products and look for products on the lower part of the shelf that traditionally features lower prices compared to products on the higher shelf. You can also save during your next grocery trip by taking opportunities of sales and use coupons.
Family outings and entertainment might seem like expensive activity but there are inexpensive ways to find entertainment as a family bonding activity. A couple of frugal entertainment experiences around your community includes going on picnics, visiting the library, going to local parks, visiting friends, and becoming involved in your local church.
This might seem tricky but living a frugal lifestyle will be content with what you have and try to live within what you earn. Living a frugal lifestyle is for the whole family including kids when it comes to planning for your child’s college education that will teach them how to be independent and self-supporting by encouraging them to apply for scholarships or on-campus jobs.
