Frugality is not necessarily the choice of being super cheap. Being Frugal is a choice between products that may last a long time and save money or actions that help you save in the long term. My family was not a spend first, save last type; they often used frugal methods to make sure to save money. These actions help teach me to be more frugal and find ways to save money without being cheap.
Here are some frugal tips I have learned along the way. I hope some will be enlightening and help you save more in your financial journey.
1. Using Other Transportation Besides Your Car
Cars are a drain on your wallet. I did not realize this until I moved abroad and no longer needed a car. The man was created with two legs, so walking and even riding a bike is a sure way to save money. Many cities also offer public transportation that can help you save more than filling up your tank every week.
Now, I live in a country that requires a car because not everywhere is accessible by public transportation. So, my family only owns one car. Walking and biking help us save on owning a vehicle. So, if you want to save money, start thinking about walking or riding a bike more often. Not only is it good for your health, but it is also good for your wallet.
2. Start Shopping at Aldi
Aldi could be one of the greatest things the Germans have created. Of course, there are many other things, but the fact that Aldi beats most of the local chains on price is good enough to shop there. They have their own brands, which is like shopping for Kirkland items at Costco. They may not have specials on many things, but the prices surely beat the competition.
The nearest Aldi to my house is just a 15-minute walk away, and it helps my family save so much more money than going to one of the larger chain grocery stores.
3. Shop Deals
People need items, and the cost of buying them fully priced rather than waiting for a deal can really shrink your budget. As big sales come along (Black Friday), look for the deals. It helps to shop around and not take the first price you may see.
Buying a car is the same thing. Many places could have the same vehicle you would like, but the place with the best bang for your buck should get your business (as long as it is trustworthy). That is the same with shopping for food, clothing, or items of want.
4. Eating in Instead of Eating Out
On my birthday, my father-in-law suggested a great steak place for a good birthday lunch. The special was just $46 with a glass of wine, a nice ribeye, and two sides. On the other hand, my mother-in-law said, “go to the store and buy the whole family steaks.” It cost $50 for four people, and then we added sides to go along with it. If you want to save money, learn how to cook. The food can taste better than in some places, and you are getting a deal.
Eating out may seem like a treat to do once in a while, but eating in is what can save your budget. If you think food is expensive, keep things simple. Buy some meat, vegetables, and learn how to cook well. Your health will save money and your budget will like it too. Plus tipping is not needed at home.
5. Making Coffee At Home
Starbucks coffee is crap. That is my opinion, and I will stick with it. I used to drive every morning to Starbucks to get a Tall Black Coffee. It didn't taste great. It did the job of getting me a jolt of caffeine. If you want to save time and money, make coffee at home. The coffee will most likely taste better. You can get that pot going, Aeropress brewing, or getting that expresso machine warmed faster than jumping in your car, racing 5-10 minutes away to sit in line for a crappy cup of coffee.
A tall coffee at Starbucks is going to cost you $2.95-3.75. If you make that a simple $3 per cup of coffee that you have five days a week. That amount would be $780 a year. Buying a kilo of specially roasted coffee beans from your local roaster could cost anywhere between $25-40. If you are like me, that bag will last one month, having a coffee every single day. If we make that $35 a bag, that will be about $420 a year. Obviously, you can get cheaper coffee, but it shows you that drinking coffee at home is much cheaper than grabbing coffee out everyday.
6. Use Credit Card Points
Credit card points may not be something you are into, but finding the power of using them has saved me so much money. Many cards have cash back bonuses, and some have a lot of travel benefits. Through the years, I have collected so many points that it has helped me to fly numerous flights for free. All I would have to pay is the tax. If you are in the U.S., the tax can be as low as $5.60.
If you are looking to save money but do not like travel, use the cash-back cards and grab the cash back. Numerous onesgive 3% back on groceries, travel, dining, and other categories. So take advantage and make sure to pay those off. Interest payments are the opposite of saving money.
7. Using The Library
One of the greatest sources of knowledge comes from books. Books can be expensive. You continue to buy them, read them once, and let dust collect on them. The next best thing is the Library. Most people think the library is just usefulfor books, but it has many things that offer great bang for your buck experiences. My daughter attends two libraries weekly for a thirty-minute session of songs, dance, activities, and book readings. There is also free wifi, books you can rent, movies you can rent, and some space to study.
If you want to save money, take full of advantage of the library.
8. Dry Your Clothes Outside
I never would have thought about drying clothes in the sun. Dryers seem like such a convenience to people, but using the sun’s natural sunlight makes drying clothes cheaper. If you want to save on buying a new appliance and electricity, start using the power of the sun and drying your clothes outside.
9. Turn off All the Light
The power of the sun is an energy-saving component. It lights up the house, warms everything, and helps you save so much money. Open up those windows and let the sunshine in if it is sunny. You will save money and get plenty of Vitamin D.
10. Get Regular Oil Changes.
Car maintenance can be a pain, and it is even worse if your car breaks down. One way to save on your vehicle is to make sure it has regular oil changes. It is like your body. If you maintain good car health, it will last a long time, saving you money in the process.
11. Have House Parties or Get Together’s
If you want to socialize with your friends, you do not need to go to dinner to have a good time. Throw out some board games, or even turn on Netflix for a great night of fun and movies. The best thing is that people can bring over some food to share, so you have good-tasting food with lots of great fun. No more spending a ton on a night out when you can have a night in enjoying people’s company.
12. Shop Deals For Cell Phone Service
The big companies overcharge your data and phone service. It is a common thing. Many companies out there, like Mint Mobile, offer customers a cheaper rate for data and some free calls and texts. If you already have Wi-Fi at home, save money on your phone bill by shopping for deals. It saves time when you take a look at other deals. T Mobile offers two lines, and the 3rd one is free for $90/month. They have unlimited calls and texts with 50GB of data. Mint Mobile (owned by T Mobile) offers $15/month for 5Gb of data. That is a ton of data, and I would rather go with the cheaper version to save than the more expensive one because of the name.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking to save money, do not always go the cheap route, like not changing the oil in your car. Think about different frugal methods that can save you money but allow you to enjoy more of life. Getting outside and riding your bike to a place can give you a sense of adventure and save money on gas. I use these frugal methods all the time. So use a few, or think of a few ways to change your lifestyle.
I’m Steve. I’m an English Teacher, traveler, and an avid outdoorsman. If you’d like to comment, ask a question, or simply say hi, leave me a message here, on Twitter (@thefrugalexpat1). Many of my posts have been written to help those in their journey to financial independence. I am on my journey, and as I learn more I hope to share more. And as always, thanks for reading The Frugal Expat.