25 Frugal Living Tips That Actually Work

The truth is that frugal living really can help you pay off that credit card debt, invest more in your retirement account, or achieve any number of other financial goals. Unfortunately, the internet is home to plenty of subpar frugal living tips, from the depressingly obvious to downright questionable.

That’s why we decided to put together a collection of our own – one that in no way involves surviving on baked potatoes or using basic sewing skills to create your own clothes from the sacks they came in. Here you’ll find a selection of only the best frugal living tips, DIY hacks, and money-saving resources. Along the way, we’ll even highlight several spending traps that commonly lurk under the guise of good ideas.

1. Deconstruct False Frugal Spending Myths

Ironically, one of the most important frugal living tips is to simply stop and assess your idea of what living frugal means. If the idea of being more frugal conjures images of self-martyrdom or monk-like poverty, then it’s time to take a step back.

Living frugally doesn't mean white-knuckling it through a barebones existence. It simply means learning to use your resources more wisely.

Britannica defines frugal as being “careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to.” Realizing that all you have to do is pay more attention to where your money goes can go a long way toward taking the stress out of adopting new spending behaviors.

Let’s start with an easy frugal tip that can help you save hundreds of dollars if used consistently. How often have you found yourself standing in the middle of the grocery store, trying to remember whether you’re out of a certain product?

The next time you’re getting ready to go grocery shopping, stop and snap a quick picture of your fridge, cupboards, or both. That way you'll never have to pay a higher grocery bill to avoid the off-chance of heading home without a (maybe) missing item.

3. How to Buy Clothes You Actually Need

This one’s a bit of a sub-tip of the one above, but it can also save you a significant amount of money. Snapping a few pictures of your wardrobe before buying new clothes can save you from a great deal of buyer's remorse.

Rather than dragging out all the clothes you wear most often, simply take a few pictures before putting them away the next time you do laundry. Just don’t forget to also get shots of your closet, drawers, and any old clothes that there's a snowball's chance in the Sahara you'll ever wear again.

4. The Cheap Crap Trap

This tip centers around a phenomenon that may be all too familiar to anyone who has ever set foot in a store with the word “dollar” in its name. Things always start okay, as you head in to pick up a few routine household items at frugal prices.

But as your eyes roam the aisles, suddenly the cheap crap trap begins to rear its ugly head. Before you know it, you’ve convinced yourself that the path to significant savings lies in purchasing everything you might need for the rest of your entire life.

Unfortunately, the terrible truth rarely dawns until you arrive home with a truckload of unnecessary expenses and the inability to pay your electric bill. If you regularly fall prey to such scenarios, then resisting temptation altogether may be the best choice for you.

5. The Alternate Cheap Crap Trap Solution

Not quite ready to give up dollar stores entirely? Understandable. In your case, the best advice is to approach your next quest for savings strategically and with caution. I suggest the following game plan:

Make a list of exactly what you need.
Approach the store with a firm commitment to buy nothing not on the aforementioned list.
Avoid so much as making eye contact with any non-listed products.
Get in and out of there as quickly as possible.
If, at any point, you’re tempted to break the vow and purchase a figurine of any sort, abort the mission immediately.
If you have just arrived home with the figurine in tow, proceed back to the frugal tip #4.

6. Know When It Makes Sense to Spend More

This is one of those frugal living tips that may initially appear to fly in the face of the entire frugal lifestyle. But the truth is, there are some situations when spending more money is a valid path to saving money in the long run.

For instance, a recent study by Forbes revealed that the average American household now pays over $400 a month in utility bills. If the right heated blanket could help you slash heating bills during the winter, then go out and buy the biggest, snuggliest one you can find.

This principle may also apply to cost-efficient alternatives like at-home beauty treatments, coffee makers, or reusable kitchen products. The key is to be honest about whether investing more money now will help save more money over time.

7. Go Reusable

Another simple way to save more money is to look for long-lasting versions of the things you're always running out of. Paper napkins, disposable food containers, and the like can add up when you’re forced to keep spending money to replace them. While a reusable cloth may be a tad pricier than paper towels upfront, it'll likely prove a better deal in the long run.

8. The Gym Membership Question

If your long-term gym membership is doing more to raise your false hopes than your heart rate, then it’s time for it to go. If the day arrives when you decide to get into shape, start by signing up for free trials at every gym in town. Many gyms also offer deeply discounted month-long memberships on sites like Groupon.

Not only will this test your resolve, but it'll also improve your odds of finding the best fit for you.

9. The Frugal Alternative to Fast Food

You’ll be hard-pressed to find any frugal tips list ever that doesn’t advise you to cook your own meals instead of eating out. But what if you don’t particularly enjoy having to cook dinner every night?

Rather than turning to fast food, it may be worth setting aside Sunday afternoons to prep your meals for the coming week. You might also consider signing up for a reasonably priced food delivery service like EveryPlate, which offers cheaper and healthier alternatives than most fast-food restaurants.

10. Frugal Living Tips for the Cooking Inclined

Even if you do enjoy cooking, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover several subscription options that can help you save money on groceries. Check out Misfits Market, which can help you stay healthy and help reduce food waste all in one. Imperfect Foods is another solid service that offers deep discounts on products with minor imperfections.

10. Lower Your Cell Phone Bill

If your cell phone bill is curbing your financial goals, it may be time to look at other options. These days, switching to the right provider can be a frugal way to free up an impressive amount of extra money.

Take a look at a provider called Tello Mobile, for instance. Tello offers an unlimited prepaid phone plan for just $25/month with no fees or contracts. Tello’s service also includes free hotspot and Wi-Fi calling, nationwide 4G LTE/5G coverage, and cost-effective family plans.

11. The Beauty of Buying Used Furniture

The EPA estimates that each year, Americans toss over 12 million tons of furniture, 80% of which ends up in landfills. Luckily, plenty of great online marketplaces have cropped up that make it easy to score a great deal on furniture while cutting back on all that waste.

In case it’s been a while, rest assured that buying used furniture no longer means picking up cigarette-stained sofas at garage sales. The next time you're looking for furniture, consider doing a little shopping online at these top second-hand furniture sites:

Best for restored name-brand furniture: Kaiyo
Best variety, with brands from Ikea to Anthropologie: ArtDeco
Best for buying furniture from local sellers: Facebook Marketplace
Best for great deals on fixer-up furniture: OfferUp or Craigslist

12. Explore High-Quality Refurbished Electronics

The thought of buying used electronics can be nerve-wracking, especially if you depend on your computer, laptop, or phone for work. But if you want to upgrade your current device without spending a ton of money, it’s worth exploring refurbished options.

While “used” products tend to be sold as is, “refurbished” items have been restored to a like-new condition. At sites like Back Market and Declutter, you can find deep discounts on used electronics, complete with a year-long warranty.

Several top companies also offer refurbishing services, such as Amazon Renewed. Even Apple and Samsung offer a selection of quality-assured refurbished products.

13. The Online Alternative to Thrift Stores

Thrift shopping for used clothing has always been a time-honored approach to living frugally. So it may come as no surprise that the internet found a way to offer it in online shopping form.

Sites like Poshmark are sort of like digital yard sales, where you can buy gently used shoes, clothing, and accessories from people all over the country. If you’re into luxury fashion, then check out the Real Real, where you’ll find epic deals on certified brand names at amazing prices.

14. Use It or Sell It

Just a quick frugal tip to point out that all three tips above also work in reverse. If you’ve got a closet full of clothes you never wear or an old computer you’re looking to sell, check out the sites listed above. Many of them purchase their products directly from consumers like you, flip them, and send them out to happy new homes.

15. Get a Local Library eCard

If you’re still paying for Kindle eBooks, then this frugal tip has your name all over it. Rather than purchasing digital books, sign up for an eCard that you can use to check out eBooks on library apps like Libby.

Most local libraries now offer free eCards for in-state residents, so don’t be shy about signing up for more than one. A select number of libraries across the country even offer non-resident cards for either free or a small yearly fee. They'll keep you stocked up on great reads all year long with no need to spend more money.

16. Explore Free Entertainment Options

If you’re searching for tips on how to have fun while living frugally, look no further than the nearest kid. As an adult, it's easy to forget that children are natural experts at enjoying life without spending money.

So the next time you're having difficulty coming up with a free or frugal activity the whole family enjoys, ask your favorite pint-sized person for advice. Whether it’s playing a board game, having a water fight, or hitting up a local festival, kids are great reminders that it's less about spending money and more about finding opportunities to spend time with the people you love.

17. Explore Online Healthcare Options

Between paying for childcare, gas costs, and time off work, visiting the doctor’s office can quickly spiral into an expensive, time-consuming ordeal. If you ever find yourself in need of a quick refill or cure for a common health concern, it may be worth looking into virtual healthcare alternatives.

Online platforms like Sesame and LiveHealth Online offer 24/7 virtual visits with licensed medical professionals who can send your prescriptions to a pharmacy near you. In many cases, virtual visits are cheaper than in-person appointments, with no insurance, subscription costs, or germy waiting rooms required.

18. Cut the Cable

A recent report revealed that the average U.S. household now pays more for a monthly cable package than for all other major utilities combined. Suffice it to say that such statistics are not the stuff frugal living is made of.

The good news is that you may be pleasantly surprised to discover how painless cutting your cable bill can be. An amplified TV antenna can often allow you to keep enjoying many of your favorite networks for free.

Streaming apps like Freevee and the Roku channel also offer plenty of great shows free of charge. No smart TV? No problem. A one-time investment in a Roku device can turn any TV into a smart TV for a fraction of the cost of a monthly cable bill.

19. Audit Your Streaming Services Regularly

While embracing streaming over cable can save you a great deal of money, beware of falling into streaming subscription complacency. This frugal lifestyle trap involves keeping subscriptions to apps you no longer watch.

Don’t let it happen to you by regularly accessing your subscription situation, even if it’s only once a month. The longer you leave your subscriptions unchecked, the more unnecessary money you'll keep spending.

20. Just Say No to Credit Cards

There are few quicker ways to derail a journey to financial success than answering the siren call of credit cards. I get it. Many come with the promise of shiny rewards in exchange for each swipe.

But unless you can pay off your balance at the end of each month, those points can quickly turn into a consolation prize for paying off each purchase three times over.

21. Consider Credit Consolidation

If the ship has already sailed on the last frugal tip, then spend some time exploring the many different methods for paying off debt. But if you can't find a plan that works for you, then it may be worth exploring credit consolidation.

Consolidation works by combining all your monthly bills into one manageable payment, while nixing the high interest rates that are keeping you from gaining any headway.

22. Explore Cash Back Debit Cards

It’s now possible to earn perks like cash-back rewards without jumping aboard the soul-crushing hamster wheel of credit card debt. Many online-only banks now offer no-fee checking accounts that come with great rewards. For example, Discover Cashback Debit allows you to earn 1% cash back on up to $3k in monthly debit card purchases.

23. Frugal Tips for Smartphone Scrollers

Let’s face it, at this point, most of us probably suffer from at least a mild case of screen addiction. But just as frugality is about learning to spend money correctly, smart scrolling is the art of at least using your screen time wisely.

If there’s one app that can almost certainly help you attain new frugal living skills, it’s Pinterest. There you’ll find an endless stream of DIY hacks that can make living a frugal lifestyle feel like a personal creative exercise. Whether you want to learn to build your own bookshelves, dye your own hair, or make your own laundry detergent, there’s likely a Pin out there that can help.

24. Get Crafty

Just return from falling down your first Pinterest rabbit hole? You’re welcome. Now it’s time to introduce you to the fun new frugal craze of upcycling. In case you’re unfamiliar, upcycling is the art of repurposing old items in new and crafty ways. Think end tables made from old suitcases or mason jars turned into colorful flower vases.

I once went so far as to turn an old twin bed frame into the coolest-looking bookshelf I’ve ever owned. Not only is the whole craze super fun, but it will help you begin to see possibilities that aren’t always obvious to the untrained eye.

25. Travel Frugally

I’ll let you in on a secret – once you pick up enough frugal travel skills, you’ll be able to afford to travel a lot more often. The perk of embracing this frugal tip is that you’ll find a whole community out there waiting to embrace you.

Seth Kugal’s New York Times frugal travel blog is a great place to start picking up tips on how to see the world without spending a fortune. You might also consider signing up for a cheap travel alert service to get a heads-up on discount airline deals.

Final Thoughts on Frugal Living Tips

Hopefully, these tips have helped give you some ideas on how to live frugally while having fun! Best of luck on your journey to save money, build wealth, and conquer whatever financial goals come your way!

What do you think of these frugal living tips? What would you add to the list?

Please let us know in the comments below.