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These are the frugal living tips that helped me go from habitual impulse spender to conscious consumer.

I wasn’t naturally frugal. I was $54,000 in debt, making about $35,000 a year, and spending every cent of my paycheck at restaurants, Starbucks, and Target.

When I got married my husband and I made a five-year plan to pay off our debt. Once we stopped spending carelessly and found out what we wanted in life, we paid off a combined $78,000 in less than two years, without a six-figure income.

Now that we’re debt-free we stopped working overtime but we’ve continued to be frugal. And I’m thankful for every dollar of debt that led to this frugal lifestyle I’m now living.

What is Frugal Living?

Frugal living isn’t about being cheap.

At its core, frugal living is spending less on things that don’t matter so you can invest greatly in those that do. 

Frugality is buying the smaller home so you can afford more family vacations. It’s shopping at the smaller grocery store so you can save more for retirement. And it’s saving more money in your younger years so you can retire with your best years in front of you.

If ever you’re wondering if something is frugal living, it’ll fall into at least one of these four tenants.

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Frugal Living is Minimalism

Buying less will always save you more than a great deal will. Frugality is a minimalist way of life. You won’t see any mention of Black Friday or Memorial Day sales. No stockpiling or extreme couponing tips. A minimalist lifestyle is a sustainable frugality.

Frugal Living is Simplicity

There may be 200 items on this list but that doesn’t mean you should do them all. The beauty of frugality is that it looks different for everyone. In the same vein, you won’t see a ton of apps to download or services to sign up for. You’ll see a few that have a diverse range of uses and you’ll see them often. 

Frugal Living is Environmentalism

Environmentally friendly shopping isn’t all buying expensive alpaca fur leggings or installing solar panels. Buying second hand, reducing waste, and other frugal ways of life are inherently environmentally friendly. Sometimes it’s worth spending extra to be sustainable but usually, it’s not.

Frugal Living is Values-Based Spending

Ultimately, frugality is discovering what truly matters to you. It’s developing a sense of self and spending within it. Frugal living allows you to stop going with the herd, pause, and think about what you value.

Benefits of Frugality Living

There are so many benefits to living frugally. Frugality will help you free up more of your income to handle emergencies and save for retirement. 

You’ll also naturally create a community of like-minded people who are there for the right reasons and will be there when you need them most. Spending less will give you a feeling of peace and tranquility and build your sense of self. 

Frugal Living Tips With a Big Impact

Here are 200 tips that I believe will have a big impact on helping you save money on the things you need and spend less on the things you don’t.

Save Money on Housing

Housing is probably your biggest monthly expense. Start with the frugal living tips here to save a lot of money without a lot of effort.

1. Move 10 minutes further from the city. 

Consider moving to a less expensive neighborhood as long as you don’t make up the costs in transportation. If you could move 10 minutes further outside the city but closer to the interstate or public transit, you can save money on rent without changing your commute time by much. 

2. Give up the office/ guest room.

You may think you need a guest room but really, how often do you have guests? And unless you work from home, do you need an office? If you could give up that extra room you could go from 1200 sq ft to 900 or even 750 and save a lot of money.

3. Airbnb your guest room/ house.

Okay, maybe you have enough guests to justify that guestroom, rent it out on Airbnb when you’re not using it. If you rent, see if your lease allows you to rent out the room or your entire apartment. 

4. Get a roommate/ tenant.

If you own your home you can’t easily up and move. Try renting your spare room out to a roommate. You don’t have to do it forever but even a year can help you make a dent in your mortgage balance

5. Refinance your mortgage.

If you’ve owned your home for five or more years then look into refinancing. Check Nerdwallet’s refinance calculator to see what rates you can realistically expect from different companies. 

Refinancing to a 15 or 20-year mortgage may increase your monthly payment a little but you’ll save tens of thousands in the long run. Closing costs can run from $3,000 to $5,000 but you should be able to break even in around three years.

6. Remove PMI from your mortgage.

Once you’ve paid down your mortgage to 80% of the loan-to-value ratio you can have the monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) charge removed. Your original loan value is different from your home’s purchase price so if you can’t remember your original balance, check your first statement.

If you haven’t reached 80% but you think your home’s value has risen enough to where you have 20% in equity, call your mortgage company and they can send someone to appraise the house and if you’re correct the bank will remove the PMI. The appraisal will cost a couple of hundred dollars but you’ll break even in a few months.

7. Pay extra on your mortgage.

If you have a great rate and no PMI on your mortgage then make extra payments on it. Paying off your mortgage early won’t net you as much profit as investing in the stock market but it’ll save you tens of thousands in interest and give you a satisfying piece of mind.

8. House hack.

House hacking is purchasing a 2, 3, or 4, unit housing complex, living in one unit and renting out the rest. By doing this the other tenants pay the mortgage and you live virtually for free. It’s the ultimate frugal housing set up. 

9. Make sure you’ve filed your homestead exemption.

Forty-six state offer tax breaks to residents on their primary residences that could cut your tax bill by 25%. Homeowners should verify that they’ve filed their homestead exemption to prevent unnecessary tax bill inflation. 

10. Appeal your property taxes.

If you believe your home is worth less than its assessed value you can attempt to lower your tax bill by appealing your property taxes. You can figure this out through a quick Google search or by calling a real estate agent. If you’re planning to renovate your home, this is a good trick to try before you start. 

11. Negotiate your rent.

Rent is negotiable, especially in non-commercial apartments. Emphasize your reliability and responsibility as a tenant and offer to sign a longer lease if you can. If you’re a new tenant point out minor flaws and offer to fix them. When we were negotiating rent and the landlord wouldn’t go down we asked him to include water and trash and he agreed.

12. Ask your landlord to not include utilities in the rent.

Including utilities was a good move for us but it can often cost you. If you’re conscious about your utility consumption you can save $20-$30 per month by paying for them on your own. And being aware of your usage can cause you to be more conservative with your usage.

13. House-sit.

If you’re flexible and minimalistic, house-sitting is a great gig. People need house sitters more than ever due to out-of-town job trainings, fellowships, contracts, etc. If you can responsibly maintain a house and pets you could live for free.

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14. Live with your parents.

There’s no shame in living with your parents if you can. If you think it won’t ruin your relationship, try it out for a year or two while you work on some of these other frugal living tips!

15. Live in an RV.

My friends bought a motorhome that was about eight years old, renovated the interior with some white paint and new furniture, and lived in it for a year. The only rent they paid was space in RV parks when they traveled. Not only was it frugal, when they sold the RV they made a profit because of how nice it looked.

16. Rent studio space.

If you have a spare room or bonus room, see if you can rent it out as part-time studio space. It’s not just painters who need studios. Graphic designers, photographers, YouTubers, all need space to work and may not have in their home. Wondering where you’d find someone to rent? There are literally websites devoted to it.

17. Rent storage space.

You may not be able to rent a room or unit in your house but what do you have outside? If you have an empty garage or can put up a shed on your property you can rent the storage space to for less than a commercial storage unit. List it on Facebook or Craigslist before you get the shed to gauge interest.

Save Money on Transportation

Transportation is another big expense but it doesn’t have to be. Here are the best frugal living tips to save on transportation costs.

18. Buy a reliable car.

Just because a car is newer doesn’t mean it’s safer or more reliable than an older car. Unless you’re willing to spend more on maintenance and depreciation, purchase cars with a proven track record of reliability. Toyotas are my favorite and I know people who swear by Hondas.

19. Buy in the “safe” used window.

Buying used cars is the epitome of frugal car buying, but I believe there’s an optimal window to make the most of that frugality. 

It’s estimated that cars lose half their value every three to five years, depending on the make and model of course. The “safe” window to buy a used car is four to ten years old. After four to five years a car sees the biggest drop in its depreciation, before ten years you can still find cars with some warranty left. 

20. Email dealers to negotiate.

The old days of driving to a dealer and haggling for the best price are over. The best you can get if you do that is around $500 off. The best way to get a great deal is to make dealers compete for your business. 

Know the car you want, find it at multiple dealers, and email each dealer asking for their best offer. Once you know the two best you can negotiate with them via email for their lowest price, lower financing, extra perks, maintenance, etc.

21. Go down to one car.

If you can, try being a one-car family. This works best if one of you works from home, stays home with kids, or you have opposite work schedules.

22. Carpool to work and events.

Always look to carpool anywhere you can. Note that there’s a fine line between asking to carpool for the money-saving and environmental benefits and being a mooch, so always offer to share the carpool responsibilities when you can.

23. Walk more.

Ever parked at a store in a shopping plaza then drive to another store in the same plaza? Stop doing that.

24. Bike more.

People think they have to be committed to the cyclist lifestyle to bike to work. But just by biking to work half the year can save you lots of money in the long run.

25. Use public transit.

Instead of taking an Uber ride to-and-from an event, try taking public transit one way and Uber the other. If you’re a habitual Uber-user, making a habit of using public transit can save you a lot of money over time.

26. Wash your car.

Not only is it better for the car, but it’s also better for your wallet and doesn’t take as much time as you think.

27. Buy discounted gift cards for gas.

Using a gift card at the pump can potentially get you a couple of cents off per gallon. Buying discounted gift cards can save you even more. They’re not easy to come by but I use Gift Card Granny and “favorite” gas brands to find the best deals on discounted gift cards. And with every purchase, I get rewards I redeem for more gift cards! 

28. Negotiate free oil changes.

If you have a dealer or mechanic you’re loyal to, try negotiating for free oil changes. This is easiest when you’re buying a new car but can also be done if you have a pricey job that they won’t lower the price on.

29. Don’t speed.

Simple frugal living tips: Which means more to you, getting there fast or $200?

30. Negotiate auto insurance.

Participate in programs that lower your premium and call other insurers to get their rates. You should be negotiating your auto insurance rate at least annually to avoid surprise price increases.

31. Raise your deductible or lower your coverage.

You could do both but if for some reason you are in a crash that totals your car you’ll be in a serious hurt. Do one or the other. I recommend keeping full coverage and raising your deductible.

32. Pay for auto insurance upfront.

Most auto insurers will give you a discount when you pay for four to six months upfront. Paying for as many months as possible at once will save you big time.

33. Run all your errands at once.

Instead of spreading your errands out over several trips or days, try to get everything done at once. The fewer miles you drive overall has a great impact on the environment and your gas budget.

34. Work from home.

The 4-Hour Workweek taught me that negotiating with your boss to work from home is possible for almost anyone. And if you can’t work remote 100% of the time you can at least try to do part-time. Cutting down on the number of days you have to commute will make the biggest impact on your mileage and gas expense.

35. Get regular maintenance.

The transmission on my first car blew up because I neglected basic maintenance that would’ve told me I had an oil leak. Getting oil changes, etc not only helps you car run optimally but can catch big issues before they happen.

36. Avoid high toll roads.

My in-laws live an hour north of us and taking a toll road is the quickest way to get there. I will often take the toll road on my way up and avoid it on my way home and save a few dollars. I wouldn’t advise this if it increases your commute significantly or if your toll roads are affordable but for me, it’s just a few minutes so it’s well worth it.

Save Money on Food

Food is the expense that can get the most out of control. Here are the most effective frugal living tips to spend less on groceries and food.

37. Learn to cook at home.

Home economics wasn’t taught at my school and my mother couldn’t cook anything that didn’t come out of a freezer bag so cooking has always been scary to me. I had to consciously learn to cook to save money on food.

Cook Smarts played a big role in helping me. Cook Smarts is a meal planning service and with each recipe includes helpful tips on making substitutes, cooking well, and even has videos showing you cooking techniques that aren’t super popular.

It’s is not only the most affordable meal planning service I’ve found but it’s also the most feature-packed.

38. Meal plan.

Don’t let the issue of what you’re going to eat keep you from eating at home. Meal planning is essential to lowering food costs. To make your meal plan start with what you have in the fridge, add what you have in the cupboard, and buy whatever is left.

If you want to see what a good meal plan looks like, you can get three free weeks of meal planning from Cook Smarts and 25% off your first purchase with promo code FRUGAL.

39. Meal prep.

You may have a plan and the skills but life can still find a way of keeping you from the kitchen. Meal prep on Sundays by chopping vegetables, marinating meat, and making sauces. Cook Smarts also has instructions on how to meal prep every recipe on its site so if you’re lost I highly recommend trying their free three weeks.

40. Stick to your grocery list.

The fastest way to overspending on groceries are impulse purchases. Make a grocery list based on your meal plan and stick to it. If you want a treat you can add it to the list but if it’s not there, avoid it.

41. Double recipes to freeze.

Soups, crockpot, and Instant Pot meals freeze beautifully so if you’re making one you like, make a double batch and freeze half. Its frugal living tips like this that will make others easier.

42. Have a recipe exchange.

A fun party has good people and good food. Have a party where everyone brings ingredients for a recipe and exchange freezer meals.

43. Create a capsule pantry.

Having jam-packed cupboards can leave you with tons of wasted food. By keeping your pantry simple you can see (and use) everything available to you and avoid purchases at the store you’ll never use.

44. Shop your pantry.

You’re not going to clear your pantry by using a spice packet here and there. To get down to a capsule pantry, spend a few weeks intentionally using what you already have in there. 

45. Invite people over for dinner.

Eating at home can become isolating. Instead of solving the issue with eating out, invite people over. Keeping your home minimalist will help you stay ready for company but don’t worry too much. Real friends will love you no matter how many dishes are in your sink!

46. Have emergency meal supplies.

Some nights things don’t go as planned. Make sure you keep essentials for emergency meals in your capsule panty. Spaghetti, beans and rice, cereal, anything that will help you when you just can’t execute your meal plan.

47. Cut down on meat.

Meat is the most expensive section of your grocery list. Cut down on it by using one meat per week and replacing recipes with high protein beans and legumes.

48. Only buy meat on sale.

When you do buy meat, commit to only buying it on sale. Buy extra and freeze what you’ll use for a few months at a time.

49. Repurpose leftovers.

I know people who refuse to eat leftovers. I find it hard to eat leftovers more than once. That’s why learning how to repurpose your leftovers can reduce food waste and stretch your food budget.

50. Mystery shop.

Secret or mystery shopping is going somewhere, observing everything, and filling out a questionnaire about it after. We use mystery shopping as a way to go to nice restaurants without paying the not-so-nice price tag. I don’t see this one on many lists of frugal living tips.

51. Buy in-season produce.

The produce that’s on sale is usually in-season so if you plan your meals around the produce that’s in season, you won’t even have to wait for your grocer’s weekly ad to save money. Cook Smarts knows what’s in season and grocery sale cycles so if you use them you won’t even have to think about it.

52. Buy your groceries online and pick them up.

If you can’t change where you shop, change how you shop. Grocery shopping online and picking up curbside can save you time, money, and temptation to impulse buy. And it’s not even expensive. Walmart has free grocery pickup for orders over $30 and if you sign up for Walmart Grocery Pickup here you’ll get $10 off your first order! You have to try it at least once.

53. Take your lunch to work.

Sometimes going out for lunch is harder to avoid than dinner. Taking leftovers, making something the night before, or having ingredients at your desk to make a sandwich are ways you can cut down on eating out. If you can, meal planning and prepping for lunches over the weekend is even better.

54. Make coffee at home.

I LOVE coffee so this is an important one for me. What finally solved my problem of getting takeout coffee whenever I passed a coffee shop was making coffee at home that tasted better than what I could get at Starbucks.

I found a nice coffee maker on Facebook Marketplace (The Ninja Coffee Bar. It brews varying sizes, strengths, and styles of coffee and has a built-in frother.) And I get quality coffee from a local Italian store and use Califia Farms creamer. These things cost a little more upfront but have saved me so much over time that they’re worth it.

55. Earn gift cards for Starbucks or your favorite restaurants.

I still go to Starbucks every once and when I’m on the road I eat at sit-down restaurants. That’s why I enjoy simple tasks that can earn me free gift cards. Swagbucks is the primary place I go to do this. I passionately hate survey sites but I like Swagbucks because I don’t have to do surveys to earn points!  And unlike other sites, you can redeem low values and there are always good gift cards available.

56. Buy produce from roadside stands.

If you see a roadside produce stand, stop and look around. They’re either farmer-owned or a “scratch-and-dent” produce store and the prices are usually fabulous. I don’t go out of my way to visit them but if the timing’s right and I’m there, I love them.

57. Grow your own herbs.

Fresh herbs are so expensive. And I’ve wasted countless leaves of basil, mint, and parsley because they don’t last. Growing herbs is not only inexpensive, but they’re also easier to maintain than vegetables, make your food taste exponentially better, and you only have to snip what you need.

58. Cook with the season.

I avoid turning my oven on in the summer to keep my house cooler during the hottest part of the day. That’s why in the summer I rely on my Instant Pot inside and the grill outside. Vice versa, I use my over a lot in the winter, even opening it after I’m done, to keep my house warmer.

59. Have kids buy their own snacks.

Kids are always asking for something. Instead of giving in or saying no and risking a tantrum, give them the chance to buy their own. It teaches them the value of working and spending less than you make.

60. Share a meal or eat an appetizer at the restaurant.

When you find yourself at a restaurant you don’t have a gift card for, stick with an appetizer or ask your partner to share an entree. Remember that every dollar you spend potentially costs $1.20 with tip and more with tax so keep your base cost as low as possible, even if it means no leftovers.

61. Limit grocery shopping to once per week.

You can grocery shop on Sunday and stick to your budget but if you find yourself making one or two extra stops throughout the week, you’re still overspending. Limit yourself to one trip per week and if you forget something put it first on the list for next week.

62. Get Groupons for restaurants

When scheduling a date night or night out with friends, we always check Groupon deals first.

63. Carry snacks.

Having snacks around for you and your kids will cut down on impromptu fast food and gas station purchases.

64. Shop at a new store.

Shopping at a familiar store can have you habitually picking up things that aren’t on your list. When you shop somewhere new you shake up your routine and can more easily stick to your grocery list. You can also choose stores like Aldi or Walmart that tend to be less expensive.

65. Cut back on alcohol.

Next, to meat, beer, wine, and liquor can be a pretty expensive budget line item. Commit to going out during happy hours, sticking to daily drink specials, skipping the top shelf and leave the craft cocktails for special occasions.

66. Try generic.

OG frugal living tips: If there are items you’re still buying name brand, try the generic version for a while. You might decide you want to go back to buying the name brand but you also might be pleasantly surprised by how good the generic version is.

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67. Use the “any item” rebates on Ibotta.

Unlike other saving apps that require you to buy brand name items, Ibotta has “any item,” “any brand,” and “any receipt” rebates so you can get cashback without compromising. If you haven’t used Ibotta before it’s worth trying once because you get a $10 bonus after you redeem a brand name offer.

68. Search for coupons for your favorite items.

I like to think of myself as a minimalist couponer. My goal isn’t to stockpile a bunch of stuff for free, it’s to save extra on my favorite items. That’s why I take no more than 5 minutes to check Ibotta and Google for coupons. If I don’t find a coupon I don’t search for it again. If I do find one it takes me 30 seconds to know where to find it again meaning that 5 minutes will save me money for a long time.

69. Drink more water.

Staying properly hydrated keeps you full longer which cuts down on the calories you consume. That’s not just healthy but also means you eat fewer snacks, have more leftovers, and stretch your ready-to-eat items and that saves a lot of money.

70. Stop buying bottled water.

With the emphasis our country is putting on reusable and recycled goods, there’s virtually no need to consistently use bottled water. It’s bad for the environment and more expensive. If you need to use purified water buy large containers or better yet, get a quality water purifier. Depending on how much you use, it can pay for itself in about a year.

Save Money on Monthly Bills

Buckle up, next on our journey to frugality living is how to save on monthly bills.

71. Negotiate your bills annually.

Mark your calendar to negotiate your bills at least once a year. My husband Travis has this job and he picks one per month to call and negotiate with. He’ll first find a special offer they’re running and one competitor is running and use it to lower our bill.

Ramit Sethi has a script for negotiating that we swear by. Bills that are easy to negotiate are cable, satellite TV, internet, phone, car insurance, and rental rates.

72. Automate everything

One of the easiest frugal living tips is to put all of your bills on autopay. And a bonus, all major cellphone carriers offer a discount for autopay either upfront or when you ask for it.

73. Go on a family phone plan.

We’re on a family plan with my mom and two of our friends. Companies don’t verify, nor do they care about your relationship with your “family” they just want their money. So if it’s less expensive, go for the family plan. 

74. Switch to a low-cost wireless carrier.

Look at your data usage and see how much you could save by switching to a prepaid service that would cover you. 

75. Stop bundling services.

If all you need is the internet, don’t get home phone and cable because they’re a “deal” to add. Paying a little more for a single service is still less than paying for one or two extra services you don’t need.

76. Cancel cable.

Trust me, you don’t need traditional cable anymore. There are more than enough streaming services that have cable shows, Hulu even has new episodes of shows as they air. The Bachelorette isn’t important enough to waste money on cable.

77. Use your own modem and router.

Internet companies will deceive you into thinking you have to rent a router and modem from them but it’s a total waste of money. Spend the money on a quality router and modem and you’ll not only break even quickly, but it’ll probably be better quality than the one you’d be renting.

78. Get reimbursed for outages.

If you pay for internet or cable service and experience an outage, you can call customer service and ask to be reimbursed for that lost time. 

79. Pick one video streaming service.

By the time you pay for every streaming service you want, you might as well throw in cable. Choose one streaming service at a time. Once you’re bored with Netflix, find a deal for Hulu and try that. By the time you want to go back to Netflix, there’ll probably be a deal you can get for coming back.

80. Share streaming services.

Login sharing is a thing, so why not get a family subscription and coordinate with friends to share services. It’s a great way to spread the love.

81. Get term life insurance.

You need life insurance, but as a young healthy individual, you don’t need a pricey whole or universal policy. Term life insurance policies are affordable and provide all the coverage you’ll need. We use Haven Life, they’re the most affordable we could find and they came to our house for the health exam.

82. Increase your deductibles.

You can lower your monthly cost by increasing your insurance deductibles. Just make sure whatever your deductible is, you have at least that amount saved in your emergency fund.

83. Use Arcadia Power to save on energy costs.

If you live in a state with a deregulated energy market, use Arcadia Power to find the best rate on energy. If you’re like me and energy is regulated you can still use Arcadia Power to convert half of your energy use to wind energy!

84. Get a programmable thermostat.

When used correctly, a programmable thermostat will pay for itself in less than two years and save you 10%-20% moving forward.

85. Get a free home energy audit.

Most energy companies offer free home energy audits to help you identify your energy weaknesses.

86. Use a dehumidifier to keep things cooler.

A dehumidifier removes humidity and makes a room feel cooler. If you struggle with a hot house in the summer, you can keep your room cool with one.

87. Use ceiling fans.

In the same vein as a dehumidifier, using a ceiling fan won’t lower the temperature of a room but it’ll keep you cooler so you won’t have to crank the AC as high. Make sure your ceiling fan is turning counter-clockwise in the summer so it’s pushing air on you vs away.

88. Manually or air-dry your dishes.

I love my dishwasher. We use it a lot but to limit our usage we keep big stuff out so we have more room for smaller items, thus we don’t run it as often. It’s not a big deal but it’s a good frugal habit.

89. Wear clothes twice before washing.

Not only is it better for your clothes it saves on the number of loads you’ll do.

90. Maintain your appliances.

Routine maintenance prolongs the life of your appliances. Also, suboptimally running appliances can trick you into thinking your appliances are broken. Clean refrigerator coils and gaskets annually, stop overloading your washer and dryer, recalibrate your oven temperature, and clean your dishwasher filter. 

91. Check your attic’s insulation.

Improving the insulation in older homes can lower your annual heating and cooling bill by up to 20 percent. You can find out what level of insulation you have by getting one of those free home energy audits.

92. Install low flow toilets.

Flushing your toilet uses 38% of your home’s indoor water usage. When it’s time to replace your toilets go for the low flow and dual flush models.

93. Install double-pane windows.

Double pane windows filled with argon gas can save you 20%-30% on your energy bill.

94. Don’t dry your clothes all the way.

I will usually dry my clothes in the dryer most of the way then let them air dry on my bed. Having them laid out all over my bed also motivates me to fold them before bed. 😉

95. Install LED lights.

They’re a little more upfront but LED lights will save you in the long run. My friend Robert from The College Investor told me he replaced all the lights in his house with LED bulbs and save $50 on his next electric bill. 

96. Drop the temperature on your water heater.

Manufacturers often set water heaters at 140ºF, lowering the temperature to 120-125ºF can save you anywhere from $36 to $61 annually. 

97. Air seal your home.

One of the quickest ways you can save money on energy is to caulk, seal and weatherstrip all cracks and large openings to the outside of your home. 

98. Keep the AC and heat off until you can’t take it.

Keep the windows open in the spring and fall. Using a humidifier and fan in the summer and a space heater in the winter will help delay the inevitable switch.

99. Run appliances during off-peak hours.

Check to see if your area has a discount for running appliances during off-peak hours.

Save Money on Household Items

We’re not stopping at the big four. There are 101 more frugal living tips to save money and they’re on the day-to-day stuff.

100. Always check Facebook Marketplace first.

Instead of going straight to Target or Amazon, check Facebook Marketplace first. It’s much safer than Craigslist and you’ll be surprised by all the things you can find. 

101. See if your city has a SwapShop.

To keep them out of the trash, cities often have a place where you can dispose of household electronics and chemicals. The center can sometimes have an attached building where residents can take chemicals like household cleaners and paint for free.

102. Use cloth napkins.

Paper towels can be expensive if you’re using them for dinner, cooking, cleaning, etc. Switch to cloth napkins and designate different napkins to different tasks.

103. Check out local pawn shops.

Need a small appliance and can’t find it on Facebook Marketplace? Head to a pawn shop! Pawn shops have a ton of outdoor equipment, kitchen items, electronics, etc, at great prices. I even got my engagement ring at a pawn shop!

104. Get cashback on your air filters.

I have allergies so I use good quality air filters to keep my sinuses clear. While they’re pretty pricey at the store I found discountfilters.com through Rakuten and they not only have the best prices, you can also get 15% off your first order when you sign up for their newsletter AND 2.5% cashback from Rakuten.

105. Download Honey to find coupons.

When I’m buying something online I’ll always search for discounts and promo codes before I click the final button. Now I use Honey to see price changes on the item for the last six months, track prices drops, and test every coupon code on the web in a matter of seconds. For free! There are not many Chrome extensions I’m obsessed with but this one.

106. Swap babysitting.

Childcare is expensive. That’s why it’s good (and frugal) to make friends with other parents and swap babysitting a few times a month.

107. Attend a Home Depot workshop.

Home Depot has workshops on Saturdays on everything from installing flooring to replacing light fixtures. They’re free and teach valuable home renovation skills.

108. Shop at the dollar store.

Susan Shain tested her name-brand home goods list at major dollar stores and Amazon and found that she could get the same items for a whopping 81% less at the dollar stores. So it’s worth heading to one near you to compare prices.

109. Make your own wall art.

Walls looking bare? Find some simple abstract art online and imitate it.

110. Use vinegar.

From coffee makers to towels, distilled white vinegar can be used to clean and sanitize almost everything in your house. And it’s nontoxic. Win!

111. Plant low-maintenance landscaping.

Nobody likes a sad lawn. To avoid re-landscaping every few years, utilize things that will last without much upkeep. Use drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation, mulch, and decomposed granite, 

112. Try to repair before you replace.

Sometimes you need a professional but not for everything. Broken zippers, scratched wood, and leaky pipes are all things that can be DIY’ed without much skill. And proper maintenance will keep the repairs at bay.

113. Use rechargeable batteries.

If you find yourself buying batteries every month or two then switching to rechargeable batteries could save you money. 

Save Money on Personal Expenses

From clothes to holidays, personal expenses can add up. Frugal living tips for these items are important to maintain frugality.

114. Create a capsule wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that will never go out of style. Paring down your closet to a minimal number of good quality items will ensure you wear everything you have and it’ll actually reduce the number of new items you buy.

115. Buy clothes from thredUP.

I’m not a great thrifter because I’m pretty picky about clothes. ThredUP solved that problem for me. It’s an online secondhand clothing store that I’ve been using for years with all the popular brands I wear for half of what they cost new, some with tags still on!

If you want to try thredUP, you can get $10 off your first order!

116. Shop at thrift stores regularly.

Part of the reason you have to buy new things is that you need them now and you don’t have time to search at a bunch of thrift stores and yard sales. That’s why you should shop for them regularly. My son is three months old and I’m already buying 12-18 month clothes for him so I don’t have to buy them new in a pinch.

117. Change your habits.

Familiarizing yourself with the psychology behind habit formation is key to following these frugal living tips and helping you get your spending habits working for instead of against you. I recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.

118. Join your local Buy Nothing Group.

The Buy Nothing Project is a global network of hyperlocal groups encouraging people to give and share with their community. You can find Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook I got most of my newborn’s clothes, a crib, and a ton of other baby items from the group. All for free.

119. Teach kids the value of money.

Kids can be expensive. While you can’t control every way they cost you, you can teach them about money early and often so they aren’t as dependent on you for cash.

120. Save and reuse gift bags and tissue paper.

I have never in my adult life purchased a gift bag or tissue paper because every time I get a gift I save them both. It saves money and reduces waste because let’s face it, you only use them for a few hours before they’re considered trash.

121. Buy glasses and contacts online.

I purchase my glasses at EyeBuyDirect because premium frames with blue light blocking lenses that would’ve cost me hundreds of dollars cost me less than $90! And now I get contacts at 1-800-contacts because they offer a free online exam for contacts.

122. Swap clothes with a friend.

This is one of my favorite frugal living tips. I have a friend who wears a similar size to me and she knows to call me first whenever she’s getting rid of clothes. And I do the same thing. I’m pretty sure half my wardrobe used to be hers.

123. Simplify your skincare/ makeup.

I used to have an elaborate morning makeup routine. An allergic reaction caused me to stop wearing makeup and I went on to go without it for a year. My skin cleared up and now I wear makeup but not nearly as much and I save so much money.

124. Sell & buy old clothes on Poshmark.

If you’re going to sell your clothes, Poshmark is the best place online to do it. It can also be a great place to buy clothes.

125. Give meaningful gifts.

When you wait until the last minute to get Christmas and birthday gifts you end up spending money you don’t need to. Instead, start early and give gifts that are heavy on meaning and light on cost. A letter, framed picture, or something relevant from your Buy Nothing Group will be more loved than a candle you found on sale.

126. Purchase some items in bulk.

I’m not a bulk shopper on everything but I on things I use consistently. Diapers, wipes, toilet paper, etc I try to buy in bulk or at least the lowest price-per-unit I can find.

127. Pay with change at self-checkout.

I got this idea from someone in our Frugal Friends Community. Instead of rolling quarters or paying the fee at a Coinstar, use your change to pay at the self-checkout lane!

128. Practice self-care.

To make wise spending decisions you have to have the mental capacity to do so. That only comes with adequate sleep, nutritious food, and everything else that falls under the category of self-care.

129. Sign up for newsletters. 

If you shop somewhere frequently or know you’re going to buy something from a certain store, sign up for its email newsletter first. You’ll usually find a coupon in the welcome email. But remember to unsubscribe after your purchase or those newsletters could cause you to negate the savings.

130. Find a swapmeet.

There’s a swap and shop in my area for moms and kids that I look forward to every month. It gives me a reason to clear out a few items from my home and I get baby clothes, books, and other items that I need for free.

131. Shop yard sales.

Make it a habit to look for yard sales on Saturday mornings and stop by one if it has something you’re looking for. 

132. Shop flea markets.

A good flea market can be rows and rows of yard sales. Don’t be afraid of checking it out if you see one.

133. Keep birthdays simple.

Birthdays, even birthday parties, don’t have to be opulent events. Make a favorite meal together, put a slip n slide in the backyard, throw a sleepover, you can do meaningful things without spending money.

134. Transform Christmas.

If your family is like mine, simplifying Christmas will take years, I don’t know, maybe a decade, to complete. But you have to start somewhere. Start by buying fewer gifts, giving simpler gifts, simplifying dinner, or not traveling. But don’t try them all at once. 

Save Money on Entertainment

The best things in life are frugal or free! These frugal living tips for activities are light on cash and heavy on fun.

135. Attend a grand opening.

Grand openings often have fun games, entertainment, free food, and giveaways. The only way you can get coupons for Aldi is by attending a store’s grand opening. So go to more in your area.

136. Get Redbox coupons for movies.

Sign up for Redbox emails because they give away free movie coupons all the time.

137. Become a library lover.

The library isn’t just books. It’s CD’s, DVD’s, audiobooks, eBooks, games, all kinds of things. Explore what your library has to offer by check it’s website and talking to someone who works there.

138. Sign up for birthday freebies.

At least a month before your birthday, sign up for your favorite birthday freebies and plan a fun day for yourself!

139. Write all the free events in your area on your calendar.

You can find these on Facebook events or if your city has an email or print bulletin. Write them down so if you happen to have free time you know exactly what your options are.

140. Plan a staycation.

Instead of going out of town, plan a staycation. Less travel, less planning, less stress, more time for fun. And with the money you save, you can order that second drink. 😉

141. Play board games.

If you’re sick of Life and Monopoly, search Amazon for top board games. There are so many fun ones for adults and once you buy it you can enjoy it over and over while building a frugal community.

142. Go to a minor league or high school game.

If you are fortunate enough to live near a minor league baseball team, you should go. The tickets are affordable and they have a ton of specials and discounts to entice you to come. If you’re not, attend a high school football game during homecoming, it’s still fun.

143. Mark free days on your calendar.

Days like free museum day, national donut day, and 7-eleven day, all offer some kind of free treat or good time worth checking out.

144. Use credit card rewards for free travel.

We use travel rewards credit cards to get free flights and hotel stays. We got a 4-night stay in an all-inclusive resort and airfare to Cancun for just airport taxes and fees. If done right, travel rewards credit cards can be amazing.

145. Get audiobooks & ebooks for free.

Through your library, you can get access to free audiobooks and ebooks in the Hoopla, Overdrive, and Libby apps.

146. Volunteer.

Giving back to your community can be done whether you have money or not. And even if it’s just a few times a year, it’s a great way to spend your time.

147. Monetize your hobby.

Maybe you don’t want to build a business around your hobby but you should try to monetize it enough that it pays for itself. Whether that’s selling goods, consulting other hobbyists, creating a course, or starting a blog about it.

148. Go for early bird specials.

Matinees, happy hour, etc. If you’re going out, always plan to go out early and find all those early bird deals.

149. Find free live music.

Listening to live music is really fun. You can find it for free at many bars and restaurants. Follow your favorite local acts on Facebook so you know where they’re playing because it’s usually free.

150. Have a picnic.

Instead of going out to eat at a restaurant, bring a picnic to your favorite park.

151. Buy season passes.

If there’s a zoo, museum, or park you visit frequently, spring for an annual or seasonal pass. You’ll save money by visiting one place more frequently than a bunch of different places all the time.

152. Find frugal friends.

The people you surround yourself with determine how you’ll spend your money. So look to grow a community that values frugality.

153. Go outside.

There are way more free outdoor activities than indoor. Make it a point to do at least one outdoor activity a week whether it be a walk in the park, a bike ride, or laying by the pool.

154. Go to the theater on Tuesday.

Most theaters have a day of the week where movies are discounted and that day is usually Tuesday. We have several theaters nearby where tickets are $5 on Tuesday and we save even more by getting discounted gift cards for those theaters.

Save Money on Health & Wellness

Some of the best frugal living tips are on health and wellness. Staying healthy saves money in itself but there are still affordable ways to do it.

155. Buy prescriptions online.

I use Blink Health to fill my prescriptions. For prescriptions I can anticipate, they’ll deliver them to my door. For the last-minute ones, I can pick them up at the closest pharmacy to me and not worry about paying inflated prices. Blink will even price match at certain pharmacies. You can get $10 off your first prescription here.

156. Start running or speed walking.

Running is the most affordable way to exercise. If you can’t run, practice speed walking. It’s easier on the hips and knees but still works your core and burns calories. And those speed walkers can go fast!

157. Use an HSA.

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is available on high-deductible health insurance plans. You fund it and it says yours forever. If you don’t use it you can invest part of it and it’ll grow just like your 401k. The big advantage of an HSA is that contributions are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes.

158. Use an FSA.

A Flexible Spending Account, FSA, is similar to an HSA in that you can fund it with pre-tax dollars but different in that you have to use your entire FSA in the calendar year or you lose it. The reason you might choose an FSA over an HSA is that you don’t have to have a high-deductible plan and you can use FSA funds toward childcare.

159. Know your HSA & FSA approved expenses.

Familiarize yourself with everything you can deduct tax-free from your HSA and FSA. From alcohol wipes and bandaids to the Uber ride that gets you to the doctor, There are hundreds of eligible expenses.

160. Use a fitness tracker.

Check to see if your health insurance gives discounts, rebates, or rewards for logging steps on a fitness tracker.

161. Get a water filter.

Water is life, and if your tap water isn’t optimal then invest in a quality water purifier. 

162. Take advantage of free check-ups.

One of the most underrated frugal living tips is to take advantage of all the free preventative health services offered through your insurance provider.

163. Join a free fitness group.

We’re part of a social running group that provides a free workout and community with other like-minded people.

164. Try community acupuncture.

Community acupuncture is a low-cost alternative therapy that can treat a range of ailments naturally. Acupuncture is also an eligible expense in your HSA and FSA.

165. Wash your hands.

Washing your hands throughout the day is highly underrated in its effectiveness in keeping illness at bay. 

166. Use a healthcare sharing program.

With the price of healthcare, having some kind of medical coverage is essential. If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance or it’s too expensive, look into a healthcare sharing ministry. We’ve used Christian Healthcare Ministries, I’ve heard good things about Medishare and Liberty Healthshare doesn’t require a religious affiliation.

167. Sign up for GoodRx.

GoodRx gathers prescription prices from pharmacies in your area and shows you the lowest. You can compare that against Blink Health to maximize your savings. GoodRx also offers coupons on drugs.

168. Call about medical bills.

Errors on medical bills are unfortunately very common. So if you have a medical bill you should always call to find out what’s on it and make doubly sure it’s correct. 

169. Ask for a discount when paying in full.

Once you get your medical bill corrected, save up the amount due and ask for a pay-in-full discount. Hospitals will often give a 20% discount if you ask.

170. Shop around.

Before getting a procedure or deciding on a doctor, use Healthcare Bluebook to compare prices in your area. 

171. Ask about outpatient facilities.

Getting blood work, an ultrasound, or x-ray at an outpatient facility is much cheaper than getting it done at a hospital. The same goes for going to an urgent care clinic vs and emergency clinic or the ER.

172. Ask if you “need” a procedure.

You have the right to refuse a test or procedure that’s not necessary. My baby was born breach and “needed” a hip ultrasound and follow up at an orthopedic pediatrician’s office. When the ultrasound came back slightly off I had to get another ultrasound and office visit. 

I asked my pediatrician and we decided to get the ultrasound and if it came back looking good I’d skip the second ortho appointment saving me a little money.

173. Know the generic name for drugs.

When you know the common term for over-the-counter drugs you can buy them at a lower price. Acetaminophen is the same as Tylenol, ibuprofen is the same as Advil, and loratadine is Claritin. Stores make this easier by putting generic drugs near their name-brand counterparts in similar packaging.

174. Go to bed early.

Make every effort to get at least seven hours of sleep at night. If you’re way under that, try getting an extra 30 minutes. Being well-rested is at the core of staying healthy.

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175. See if you qualify for a health insurance subsidy.

Check the healthcare marketplace to see if your income qualifies you to a lower rate than through your employer.

176. See if you qualify for other group insurance.

You can get insurance based on groups you’re a part of and where you live. Groups like the farmer’s bureau, the writer’s guild and more offer insurance to its members that could be less expensive than getting it on your own.

Save Money by Optimizing Your Finances

Last but not least, frugality tips for optimizing your financial life will save you money.

177. Track your finances with Personal Capital 

Personal Capital is a net worth tracking app that lets you track your transaction across all your bank accounts in one place. And when you link an investment account (401k, IRA, 529, etc) with at least $1,000 in it you can get a free $20 Amazon gift card!

178. Open an online bank account.

Online banks save lots of money by not having brick and mortar locations and they pass those savings on to you. Where big banks offer 0% interest on your checking account, Radius Bank, for example, offers 1.2% APY on checking and 2.05% on savings accounts. You even get 1% cashback when you use your Radius debit card which is great if you’re avoiding credit cards but still want rewards.

179. Build an emergency fund.

Before you pay off your debt or attempt to reach a financial goal, have an emergency fund in place so you’re not forced to go into more debt if an emergency arises. 

180. Keep savings in a high yield account.

When you build that emergency fund, keep it in a high yield savings account. It’s a simple way to earn around 2% extra on your savings.

181. Pay off your debt.

No list of frugal living tips is complete without an urge for you to pay off your debt. Getting rid of debt saves you money and frees you from the weight it carries. Whichever way you choose, make paying off your consumer debt a priority.

182. Do a no-spend challenge.

A no-spend month or week can kick-start your efforts to build good spending habits. I prefer a month because it’s difficult without being impossible and can show you where your strengths and weaknesses are better than just a week or weekend.

183. Use low-fee index funds in your retirement accounts.

Just like everything else, your investments can be frugal too. Using index funds in your IRA and 401k (if possible) will minimize the amount you pay in fees and increase the money you have growing for you.

184. Contribute to your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan.

The first place you should look to invest for retirement is in your employer-sponsored 401k plan. Most employers offer a match and even if the plan has high fees, a match is still worth getting.

185. Contribute to your Roth IRA.

You don’t have much control over what funds your employer puts in your 401k but you have all the control over where you open and what you put in your IRA. If you can, I highly recommend a Roth IRA but whatever IRA you open, make it your goal to max your contributions to it every year.

186. Switch credit cards to $0 annual fee cards.

Used responsibly, credit cards can offer rewards that warrant their annual fees 10 times over. But if you’re not jet-setting around the world on points, you’ll want to stick to cards that have no annual fee. I keep a note in my phone to cancel cards before their annual fee is due and try to switch to a comparable card with no fee.

187. Be open with your partner about finances.

When you’re in a long-term relationship it’s hard to get ahead without your partner’s support. Be open and honest about what you’re doing without being forceful or preachy. Make debt freedom and frugality look like the most attractive thing ever and you can win over the skeptic in your life.

188. Make a budget.

As much as I hate budgets, every successful financial journey starts with a budget. Writing down your income and expenses is the first step to getting your spending and financial goals on track.

189. Refinance student loans.

If you have a degree, a stable job, and student loans, you can refinance them with no closing fees and potentially save a lot of money. Elfi is one of the best student loan refinancers I’ve seen and I highly recommend them for their low rates.

190. Track your transactions.

Spend one month tracking every transaction you make. Your eyes will be opened to what you’re spending and where you’re spending it.

191. Create sinking funds for big purchases.

Instead of financing a vacation or home renovation, save for it in a separate bank account known as a “sinking fund.” Save monthly or weekly and when the time comes that you do need to make that renovation or pay for that vacation, you’ll have the money ready.

192. Deduct your student loan interest.

You can deduct student loan interest that you’ve paid on your taxes. The more interest you pay the more you can deduct.

193. Have a professional do your taxes.

At first, this may not look like frugal living tips. When I started my business I started hiring someone to do my taxes and he paid for himself and got me money back. If you can find an accountant like that it’s worth every penny.

194. Contribute to a 529 plan.

A 529 plan is the education savings version of an IRA. Contributions aren’t tax deductible but growth in the account is tax-free when withdrawn for education purposes. 

195. See if you’re eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

If you have a low to moderate-income and meet certain criteria you could be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit that reduces the amount of tax you owe.

196. Negotiate bank fees.

Overdraft and late fees happen to everyone. But if you’re a member in good standing with your bank you can ask them to take off or lower fees.

197. Leave the big banks.

Take your money out of big banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, and Citigroup. It’s safer and often less expensive, to have your money in credit unions, online, and local banks. I have several online bank accounts for my emergency fund and work income and use a local bank for in-person banking needs.

198. Join a credit union.

Even if you don’t keep your money in a credit union, join one for the rates they offer on mortgages and mortgage refinancing. It’s typically the cheapest and as an added benefit you’re keeping your money local.

199. Improve your credit score

A high credit score can get you great travel rewards credit cards and lower rates on your mortgage, etc. The quickest way to improve yours is to get current on your bills and pay them on time.

200. Pay off your mortgage.

Paying off your mortgage even a few years early will save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest. I wouldn’t prioritize it over investing for retirement but if you have extra it’s an effective way to use it

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These Frugality Tips Are Achievable No Matter Where You Are in Life

Frugal living tips shouldn’t be hard or inconvenient. Improving your spending can be done by anyone no matter how busy or how much money you make. And it’s so worth the investment in your future.