Frugal Living Tips with a Big Impact

If you’re looking to improve your finances, living more frugally is a logical first step. Here are our top frugal living tips with a big impact to help you get more from your money.

Frugality has come full circle.

Once a trait attributed to our elder generations who had to make do and mend, stretch supplies and limit their waste as much as possible.

It then became somewhat looked down on. People who lived frugally were seen as being ‘tight’ or ‘cheap’. Shopping secondhand was a source of shame and consumption was lauded as king.

But now, frugality is gaining popularity again. As society pushes towards living more sustainably, it’s finally becoming more socially acceptable to practice frugal living.

Living frugally can have a massive impact – on your money, your life and the environment… and there is a plethora of frugal living tips out there so you are guaranteed to find something that suits you.

What does ‘Frugal’ actually mean?

Essential Meaning of frugal1: careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to : using money or supplies in a very careful way.
“He’s a frugal shopper.” – Merriam Webster

Being frugal simply means to be economical with your money and/or resources. You do not use or buy things just for the sake of doing so.

Frugal vs. Cheap – What’s the difference?

It’s important not to tar frugality with the cheap brush.

Being cheap actually goes against what frugality stands for. And it’s often a false economy.

If you are frugal, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you automatically opt for the cheapest option.

Let’s look at an example:

Fast fashion is often cheap and affordable. You might be able to purchase a brand new top for £5. Great stuff – that’s frugal, right?

But this cheap top is just that – cheap. And after a wash or two it might start to stretch, to discolour, to bobble. After a few wears, it might not be up to scratch anymore meaning you need to buy a new top.

Had you sourced a higher quality fabric, perhaps purchased a secondhand but well made piece for the same price or a little more money – that top wouldn’t need replacing as quickly as your shiny new one.

You’ve heard the old adage “Buy cheap, Buy twice”. And it’s true. Cheap isn’t always best, even if it seems like it’s saving you money in the short term.

What is Frugal Living?

Frugal living is a simpler way of life. It is being intentional with your spending and considering the best use of your money and resources.

A person practising frugal living will try to get the most out of what they already have.

Purchases will be considered and well thought out, not just the cheapest option available but assessed for durability and longevity.

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The Benefits of Frugality

It helps you save money

One of the biggest benefits of frugal living is the money you can save.

If you are conscious of your spending, you’ll be less inclined to make impulse purchases or waste money on things you don’t really need.

You’ll learn ways to get more out of the resources you already have and tips to make your budget stretch further, leaving you with an excess of money to put towards financial goals that are important to you.

It’s good for the environment

Frugal living encourages making the most of what you have.

Before you buy new, you’ll consider whether something can be repaired.

If something is beyond repair, you’ll consider whether it might have an alternative use.

And if it can’t be repurposed, you’ll consider how it can be recycled.

Rather than buying from big chains, you might shop locally or secondhand.

Frugality encourages sustainability.

It makes you feel more content

When you live frugally, you’re not trying to keep up with the Joneses and living outside your means.

You’ll worry less about what other people have and what you think you might be missing out on because you’ll be focused on what YOU have and how you can make the best of it.

Can being frugal make you rich?

Frugality alone won’t make you rich. If you’re on a low income, it doesn’t matter how little you spend – the money coming in isn’t going to change.

But frugal living is a key component to becoming ‘rich’ … because it teaches you to manage your money well and not to waste it.

Whether you earn £10k a year or £100k a year – you’ll never be rich if you don’t know how to manage your money.

Frugal Living Tips with a Big Impact

So now we’ve established exactly what frugal living is and what it is not, let’s look at the best frugal living tips with a big impact.

1. Create a budget

Knowing exactly what comes in and out of your bank is an essential part of living frugally. 

Budgeting will allow you to see where your money is going and where you can reduce costs to save money.

It shows how much money is leftover after expenses and makes working towards your financial goals easier.

2. Look after the pennies

Save every spare penny that you can. It might not seem worth the effort but don’t underestimate the power of small amounts.

Even saving a pound or two here and there helps create better money habits and will snowball over time.

3. Streamline your expenses

Go through your bills one at a time and see if there are any ways you can save money.

Check your Direct Debits and Standing Orders for unused memberships or subscriptions and cancel what is no longer serving you.

Compare service providers and see if there is a better deal available to you than the package you currently receive.

Minimising your outgoings will allow you to put more money towards the goals that matter to you.

4. Save money on food

There are so many ways that frugal living can help lower your food bill. Here are some ideas:

• Meal plan to combat food waste and stop you reaching for convenience foods when you don’t know what to cook.
• Freeze leftovers to use another day or take to work for lunch.
• Cook from scratch – it’s cheaper to buy basics range tinned tomatoes and a pinch of herbs from your store cupboard to make a pasta sauce than spending 4 times the price on a jar of ready made sauce (not to mention healthier too!).
• Make a food inventory – keep track of what’s in your fridgefreezer and cupboards; Not only does this help you to plan your meals, but it’ll stop you overspending and buying things you don’t need at the supermarket.
• Shop from a list – don’t conduct your food shop on a whim (or while hungry!) – you’ll likely make impulsive purchases and spend more money. Make a list of exactly what you need.
• Make a budget – and stick to it!
• Check the price by weight – what can seem like a good deal is actually not when you look at the price per g/kg.
• Grow your own – you don’t have to have greenfingers or a huge garden to grow your own, there are lots of herbs you can easily grow on a windowsill with very little effort.

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5. Use what you have

Before buying something, think outside the box and see if there is something already in your home that is fit for purpose.

• Want some pretty glass jars for your pantry? Instead of forking out for new containers why not recycle your empty coffee jars? You could ask friends and family members to keep them for you too.
• Empty cardboard boxes of different sizes or cut down to size make excellent drawer dividers.

6. Shop secondhand

If you do need to buy something, could you look at buying it preloved first? There are plenty of bargains to be had by shopping in charity shops, at bootsales, on ebay or facebook marketplace… quite often, these things are good as new – or come up just as well after a clean.

7. Switch to reusable

Look at the disposable products you are buying and think about whether you can save money by switching to a reusable alternative.

• Swap costly and non-eco antibacterial wipes for a washcloth and a homemade spray.
• A flannel and cleanser is a great alternative to buying cotton wool pads to remove your makeup. 

8. Shop smarter

When you do need to buy something new, make sure you’re getting the best deal.

• Always look for cashback
• Search for coupons or money off codes
• Install a browser extension that searches for deals for you
• Use a price comparison app to check if the item is cheaper elsewhere
• Sign up for any loyalty or reward schemes that are available

9. Reduce your consumption

Energy prices are constantly on the rise and whilst that may be outside of your control, you can try to actively reduce your consumption.

• Turn your thermostat down a degree or two.
• Cover draughty window and door edges.
• Switch to energy saving bulbs.
• Keep doors closed to retain heat.
• Turn radiators down in rooms you’re not using.
• Keep throws on your sofa for extra warmth in the evenings.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room and appliances off at the switch when not in use.

10. Learn new skills

In this online world, free learning opportunities are abundant – just put your search into youtube and you’ll find a whole host of ‘how to’ videos.

Instead of paying for a repair or service, could you learn to do it yourself?

For example you could learn how to:

• repair holes in clothes or take up a hem.
• perform small maintenance tasks on your car yourself.
• fix a leaking tap or repair a broken toilet flush.

Maintaining a Frugal Lifestyle

Frugal living doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach. 

You can try out different ways of doing things and see what you get on with. 

The tips that will have the biggest impact on your life are the ones that work for you personally.