How to Be Frugal
The world is facing tough economic times, meaning spending too much is not a good thing. If you’re worried that your expenses are piling too high and you’re losing more than you’re earning, don’t worry. Here are some tips on how to be frugal.
What You’ll Need:
Calculator
Envelopes
Bank and credit card statements
Coupons
Craft materials
Know Where Your Money Goes
Do you know how you spent your money for the past few months? If not, start evaluating them. Find all your credit card and bank statements and examine them carefully. Get a calculator, and compute which of your expenses cost you too much, so you’ll know where to focus on. See which expenses you can do without.
Budget Everything
One important tactic of being frugal is always knowing where your money goes. Sort out your expenses, and determine how much you spend for each. Come up with a reasonable, but low budget for all of them. You can categorize them as entertainment, groceries, home bills, and clothing, and so on. Afterwards, determine individual budgets for them. One good tactic is sorting out your cash and putting them in separate envelopes. Make it a habit to stick to whatever budget you’ve set.
Prepare Your Own Meals
You’ll be surprised at how much you spend when you eat out or order takeout from a restaurant. Why spend so much when you’ve got your own kitchen to work in? Learn how to cook and prepare your own meals. Whether you serve them to your family, or bring them to the office for lunch, they’ll be a great, because they’re homemade. Use scratch materials and salvage leftovers. You can also grow your own food (veggies, herbs, and fruits), instead of buying them from the supermarket.
Use Coupons
Coupons are wonderful if you want to be frugal. They can give you discounts and freebies for numerous items. They’re also free and you can get them from magazines, newspapers, and even online. Take time to clip or print out coupons, and bring them with you wherever you go. This can be cumbersome at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll see what a great tactic this is.
Do Chores Yourself
Does your lawn need trimming? Is there a clogged sink you need fixed? Calling services to help you with these concerns are okay, but they cost you a lot of money. You should learn how to do these chores yourself. Read books on home improvement, and find out how to fix minor home concerns, like mowing the lawn, fixing a door latch, or installing tiles. It can take time and hard work, but you’ll be grateful for the cash you save up.
Be Creative
If you’re a crafty individual, you can use those creative juices to make items, instead of buying them from a store. For example, you need to get a present for a friend’s birthday. Make him or her a fun and memorable scrapbook instead. If you want a new t-shirt, recycle and vamp up an old one by tie-dyeing it. Need a new notebook? Get some loose, clean papers and bind them yourself. Bring out the artist in you and save loads of money.
There’s Always An Alternative
You don’t need to spend a bundle for everything, but you also don’t have to skimp yourself all the time. Remember that there’s always a less costly and practical alternative. For example, if the office is really too far away for you to walk, arrange a car pool with your other colleagues. If you love books, consider going to the library and checking out a few titles. You don’t have to deprive yourself all the time.
Other Tips
Turn off your electricity when not in use.
Always look for freebies.
Have fun every now and then. It’s not bad to indulge yourself. Go out to dinner or have fun with friends. If you’re eating out at a restaurant and you ant to be frugal, order an appetizer instead of a main course.
One last reminder: Monitor yourself. When you get used to this frugal lifestyle, you’ll realize how easy it is to save money.