We will receive a commission if you make a purchase through our affiliate link at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.
In a world where we’re all experiencing the rising cost of living, learning how to live cheaply has never been so important. Today, the goal isn’t to make it rain with cash, but to just make it drizzle without sacrificing your lifestyle!
What if I told you this is possible AND easy to do? It all boils down to learning how to spend smarter, not save harder.
Whether you’re saving for the future, paying off debt, or just making ends meet, simple hacks like smart grocery shopping and easy swaps can help you live well while spending less.
PIN THIS: I’ll be updating this post so make sure to pin this image here and save it to your Pinterest board. That way you’ll be able to come back to this page for the best ways to live cheaply!
1. Cancel Unused Subscriptions
It’s time to review your monthly subscriptions! Some of what you’re subscribed to are things you should stop buying to save money, since you might not be using them at all.
Let’s say you canceled your monthly gym and streaming app subscription worth $15 each. That saves you $360 a year!
2. Plan Meals Around Sales
We all want to save money on groceries. After all, it’s one of the biggest household expenses! One way to do this is to plan your meals around sale items, taking advantage of weekly flyers and discount apps.
For example, if chicken is discounted for the week, create meals like enchiladas, buffalo wings, or the trending Marry Me Chicken!
3. Buy Secondhand First
Before you head to the mall to go shopping, a top frugal living tip is to consider secondhand!
Visit thrift stores, garage sales, or check platforms like Facebook Marketplace to compare prices. You’ll be surprised that you can get up to 70-90% off retail prices when investing in gently used clothes, kitchen appliances, or even furniture.
4. Learn Basic DIY Fixes
It might seem quick and convenient to avail of repair services, but those fees add up! One way to save money is to roll your sleeves up and go DIY!
Minor repairs like fixing buttons, sealing leaky faucets, or patching holes from a torn curtain can be done yourself. All it takes is a bit of time and a good YouTube video.
5. Use the Library Creatively
You might think the library is solely for students, but did you know that there are many things to take advantage of? It’s a plethora of cheap lifestyle hacks that can help you save money.
The library is more than just borrowing books! It’s also possible to rent movies, audiobooks, tools, or even get museum passes and online courses for free!
6. Drive Less or Use Public Transit
Beat the skyrocketing gas prices and cut back on driving! Better yet, try to practice extreme frugality and start using public transit whenever you need to.
Not only do you save on gas, but insurance, repair, and maintenance costs as well. Plus, you beat traffic if you choose to walk, bike, or commute.
7. Buy Store Brands
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that name brands offer more quality than their generic counterparts. That is not the case!
There are tons of generic items to buy, like cereal, cleaning supplies, and even medicine! All of these usually match name brands without the hefty price tag. In fact, choosing generic brands can cut your grocery bills by 25% or more!
8. Cook in Bulk and Freeze Extras
Here’s another way to save money every month when it comes to your food! Stop the pricey food deliveries and takeouts by stepping into the world of meal prep.
Always cook your food in bulk so you can freeze leftovers for the times you feel lazy to whip something up. Dishes like stew, pasta, or chili are perfect for ready-to-go meals for busy days.
9. Choose Low-Cost Hobbies
An effective frugal living tip for seniors is to choose low-cost hobbies like gardening, walking, knitting, or library book clubs.
This hack is also great for any age! There are tons of almost-free hobbies to pick up, like hiking, journaling, DIY crafts, and more. All these cost far less than concerts or food trips outside the house.
10. Downsize Living Space or Share Housing
Another huge living expense is your home itself. If you’re living on a tight budget, it may be worth downsizing or sharing your living space.
For instance, if you choose to rent a room instead of a full apartment, you get to save about $700 a month, or even more!
11. Use Cashback and Rebate Apps
Make your spending work for you with cashback and rebate apps like Rakuten, Fetch, and Ibotta. Platforms like these offer cashback when you make online purchases or online shopping.
If you strategize your use of cashback apps, it’s possible to earn up to $20 a month without changing your shopping habits. It’s an excellent budgeting hack I swear by!
12. Make Coffee at Home
Starbucks? We’ve got Starbucks at home! Replace your caffeine fix from your local cafe with homemade coffee.
Sure, a French press or drip machine looks intimidating at first, but it’s so easy to use and gets you the same quality of coffee. Think of it this way: If you skip your daily $5 coffee, you can save almost $2,000 a year!
13. Cancel the Gym Membership
Did you know that gym memberships are one of the things frugal people never spend on? That’s because it’s possible to stay fit and healthy at home! YouTube and workout apps like Nike Training Club offer free bodyweight workouts.
You can save almost $500 a year if you skip that $40/month gym membership.
14. Trade Services
This is one of the smartest budget living ideas I highly recommend. Instead of paying in dollars, pay in skills!
Ask your family, friends, or neighbors if they’re willing to trade services, like an hour of dog-walking for tutoring kids, or lawn care in exchange for house cleaning!
15. Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Does washing clothes in cold water even do anything for frugal living?
Yes, it does! This tiny hack can save you about $60 a year on energy bills. Cold water is gentler on fabrics and extends the life of your clothes, so you won’t have to keep shopping for new tees!
16. Use Freecycle or Buy Nothing Groups
I just found out about this frugal living tip and it’s genius! Be on the lookout on your local community boards or join online Freecycle groups. You’ll be surprised with the many things you can get.
Some of your neighbors might be giving away gently used airfryers, sports equipment, clothes or even furniture!
17. Negotiate Bills and Insurance Annually
Did you know you can negotiate your phone and car insurance bills? If rates go up, call and ask about current promotions or switch to a cheaper plan that still meets your needs!
A simple 10-minute call might have you save up to $50 a month on your upcoming insurance or internet bill!
18. Create a “No-Spend” Challenge Each Month
We all love treating ourselves during our days off.
But why not try doing one no-spend weekend a month? This little hack can easily save you about $100!
No-spend weekends means cooking at home, checking out free activities from your local community, and no online shopping!
19. Turn Down the Water Heater Temperature
I’m not telling you to suffer and take ice cold baths! But did you know turning down your water heater by just a notch can reduce your energy usage? It won’t make a huge difference either!
Try to turn your water heater down to 120°F instead of the default 140°F. You save up to $60 a year on heating costs!
20. Volunteer at Events for Free Admission
Do you want front-row fun without the full-price ticket? Volunteer for events like music festivals, local conferences, and community fairs. For just a few hours of light work, you’ll be able to enjoy events without spending a dime. A huge bonus is that you might get free meals and drinks out of it, too!
Enjoyed this post? Don’t forget to pin the image below! Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest over here! 🙂