We all want to live a simpler, more frugal life, right?. But how? These 36 simple frugal life hacks will help you reduce waste, save money and simplify your life in ways you never thought possible.
You don’t need to be rich or have lots of money to enjoy the simple things in life. In this article, I will show you simple ways that anyone can save $200 each month and make their lives easier.
I’ll give you practical advice on how to cut costs, reduce waste, and improve your quality of life without spending more than necessary.
These frugal living tips are easy to implement, fun to try, and can be done by anyone. They’re also guaranteed to save you time and money! The best part is that they don’t require any special skills or knowledge. Anyone can do them!
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Table of Contents
The meaning of frugal living
Frugal living means that you spend less money than others. You spend just the right amount of money for what you need, and not a penny more.
You can easily achieve this by being mindful of your purchases by carefully considering if you really need to buy something or not.
Read also: How to find joy in frugal minimalism (with 10 frugal living tips)
The benefits of living frugally
The benefits of living a frugal lifestyle include saving money, reducing waste, and improving your quality of life. You can also save time and enjoy a better mental health by living more simply.
Save money: Those who live frugally save money by spending less than they need to. If you’re trying to save up for something important like retirement or to achieve financial minimalism, this is essential. Saving up for something can be done by living mindfully, investing wisely, and cutting back your expenses to the bare minimum.
Read also: 10 Ways to Achieve Financial Minimalism
Reduce waste: You’ll cut down on so much waste if you live simply! This will take care of things like water bottles, coffee cups, plastic bags, paper towels…anything that’s generally used once and thrown away. You can also recycle what you don’t use instead of throwing it in the trash.
Read also: 15 Ideas For Sustainable Living: Ultimate Beginners Guide
Improve quality of life: Simple living means that you spend less time doing stuff you don’t like, so you can enjoy things that matter to you more! It’s about making your goals the priority and choosing to do things that are meaningful and enjoyable. Living simply and eliminating distractions is a great way to do this!
Read also: How to set your priorities in life and what should be at the top of the list
Frugality isn’t about being cheap; it’s about making smart decisions with your resources. It’s not just about saving money but also living a more fulfilling lifestyle by spending less than necessary on unnecessary items while still enjoying the finer things in life like travel and entertainment.
36 Simple Frugal Life Hacks
Eco-Friendly Frugal Life Hacks
Use reusable shopping bags
Plastic bags accumulate fast and end up in the trash sooner or later. Many stores are also starting to charge per plastic bag. Save money and the environment by always bringing reusable shopping bags with you.
Use old items in new ways
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Here are some ways to reuse things around the house without even buying anything extra:
- Keep grocery bags for lining your garbage can to prevent leaks…or use them as storage for items you don’t use often
- Use old t-shirts as rags, face cloths, or dusters
- Empty glass bottles are great for organizing small things like screws and nails
- Get the sewing machine out – old jeans that no longer fit make awesome reusable bags for carrying your groceries
Read also: 15 Ideas For Sustainable Living: Ultimate Beginners Guide
Ditch the bottled water
Bottled water is expensive and not very healthy since it may leach into your water when it is exposed to high temperatures, which you do not want to consume.
Instead of buying bottled water at the store on a daily basis, buy a reusable water bottle and fill it up with tap water or use a water filter, which will still save you money in the long run.
Have your bills emailed rather than posted
Did you know that many utilities companies and banks are now charging to send your bills by post? This is in an effort to reduce printing costs and the amount of paper being used.
Walk or cycle to work
Walking and cycling to work is a great way to get exercise and save money on your commute. They’re also simple ways to preserve the environment.
Read also: Simple Zero Waste Swaps to Use Around the Home
Line dry washing
This is easier on your clothes, as well as the environment. It also saves you money and electricity costs since washing machines use a lot of power.
Life can be beautiful. It doesn’t have to be expensive
Christine Louise Hohlbaum
Financial Frugal Life Hacks
Pay your credit card off each month
I’m actually a fan of credit cards and find I can save money rather than get into debt with them. But that’s only if you pay off the charges every month!
Don’t get into trouble with credit card debt by spending money on items that are not necessary while forgetting that interest rates on credit cards accumulate monthly.
Delete your card details from online stores
It’s become easier and easier to make a 2-minute purchase that we haven’t really thought about with all these online stores readily available. By deleting your card details from these online stores, you will have less temptation to spend.
Read also: How to stop shopping online for clothes you don’t need
Keep a budget
It’s a good idea to keep track of your expenses because this will help you see where all your money is going and in case there are any irregularities in spending. It’s also a great way to figure out ways to save more.
Avoid bank charges
If your bank is charging you excessive bank charges, switch banks! Another bank will be glad to have you. If you find that switching banks may be too much hassle, speak with your bank and they may reduce the charges or eliminate altogether if they think you will switch to save.
Grocery Frugal Life Hacks
Meal plan
By planning meals ahead of time, you’re less likely to buy unnecessary food items or impulse buy at the grocery store. You can also save money on eating out by doing this.
Keep a list
Keep a list on the go and every time something runs out you can pop it on the list. That way, you don’t forget to purchase it when you go grocery shopping, but you also won’t be minded to buy anything that you don’t need.
Check expiration dates
There’s nothing worse than getting home and realising that something is out of date and has to be thrown out. Take items from the back of shelves to ensure they have a longer expiration date.
Buy non-specific brands
I’m sure you’ve heard of ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’. This goes for groceries too! Oftentimes, we choose the more expensive brand because we think it’s a better quality item but this isn’t always the case. In fact, it could be the exact same product, just labelled differently.
Regularly clear out your pantry and freezer
Things get shoved to the back of shelves or in our freezers that we sometimes forget what we have and end up buying it again. By regularly decluttering your pantry and freezer, you can keep track of what you have and make sure you use food before expiration dates.
Split bulk shopping with friends/family
Buying in bulk often saves money, but it also adds to clutter in the home and can end up not being used. Split the bill for bulk items with your friends or family members so you can all avail of a great deal!
Have meat free days
Meat is one of the most expensive food items we buy with our groceries. Consider having specific meat free days to save on your grocery bill each week.
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Shopping Frugal Life Hacks
Negotiate a deal
I’m not going to lie…this has become my most favourite hobby over the last few years! I will often go from store to store to see who has the best deal on an item, whatever the item.
Then I peg them against each other, letting them know what offers the other store has. Negotiation can be difficult but it gets easier (and more fun!) with time.
Shop around for better deals
Don’t buy something unless you’ve done your research beforehand. Shop around online and offline to find the best deal for what you need or want, even if it means saving just a few dollars.
Go on a shopping ban
When you put yourself on a shopping ban and can’t buy anything, it’s amazing how many things you find you don’t actually need. Be strict with yourself by completely removing shopping from your life for a week or two and see what you can live without.
Read also: A Comprehensive List of Fast Fashion Brands to Avoid in 2021
Shop the sale
If there’s something you really do need or want, keep an eye on when sales are likely to occur – Black Friday, Christmas sales, January sales, etc. Or ask in-store when their next sale is going to be on.
Only take the required amount of cash with you when shopping
By limiting the amount of cash you have for shopping, this will help you to avoid temptation. Not having enough cash with you will stop unnecessary purchases from being made.
Apply the 24-hour rule
Before buying something that isn’t a necessity, wait for 24 hours to see if you still want it after that time has passed. More often than not, we do forget about something and realise we don’t actually need it.
Ask for a discount
Why not ask for a discount? A lot of stores offer discounts for students, senior citizens and medical staff, but they also often have the power to offer further discounts. So, don’t hesitate to ask!
Use money saving apps
Money saving apps can save you a ton of money on things like groceries, entertainment, activities, and even staycations! Sign up to some of the below to start saving money today!
- Groupon
- Ibotta App (for US only)
- Entertainment
Personal Care Frugal Life Hacks
Do your own manicure and pedicure
Instead of going to a salon and paying someone else to do your nails, invest in your own set of nail polishes and manicure set and re-watch nail tutorials on YouTube. It’s easy, much cheaper and just as good!
Dye your own hair
Paying to have your hair coloured and styled can be ridiculously expensive. Instead, dye it yourself at home on a budget and save some money!
Make your own toothpaste
Instead of buying a whole new toothpaste every time you run out, make your own instead. It’s easy to do and makes a great gift!
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Frugal Life Hacks Around The Home
Wash clothes at a cold temperature
Instead of washing items at hot temperatures, opt for a cool wash. Most of our clothes are used for just one or two days and only need freshening up, not a mega clean. A cool wash will still clean your clothes, while saving you money.
Get rid of subscriptions
Netflix, Spotify, Dropbox, Audible – our monthly subscriptions all add up! Cancel any subscriptions you don’t need, or reduce the plan if that’s a possibility. Join family members in their subscriptions and split the cost to save even more.
Reduce your phone bill
Assess your mobile or cell phone bill to see where you can cut down on costs. If you’re paying for features that you aren’t utilising, consider cancelling or reducing the subscription.
Switch light bulbs
By switching to LED light bulbs, you can save on your electricity bill! The LED light bulbs also last a lot longer than traditional lightbulbs, so they’re a great investment.
Other Frugal Life Hacks
Borrow from friends and family
Before you decide to make a purchase, see if you can borrow from someone you know. There are even Facebook community groups where you can find a neighbour to borrow from and you can return the favour at a later stage.
Pack a lunch for work
Before heading out the door in the mornings, take 5 minutes to pack lunch or snack in reusable containers. This is one of the biggest hidden expenses that most people face every day. If you’re prepared for the day, you’ll be more likely to save money by not buying lunch out or junk food on the run.
Choose free entertainment options
For families, spending money each weekend on entertaining activities can really add up. Try choosing free family-friendly activities such as watching movies together, going for a hike, a beach day or playing board games.
Give up your gym membership
If you currently spend money on a gym membership that you don’t use, then it’s time to give it up. You can get just as good of a workout at home! Compare the cost of having a gym membership with how often you go and that’s a lot of money being wasted each month.
Being frugal does not mean being cheap! It means being economical and avoiding waste
Catherine Pulsifer
If you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck and start saving $200 each month, this is entirely possible with some small changes to your lifestyle. Incorporate these 36 frugal living hacks into your daily routine and you’ll be well on the way to saving more of your hard-earned cash!
Before making any purchase, ask yourself if you really need to buy something or not – this will help save money in the long run! Look for ways to entertain yourself for free and don’t be afraid to spend time in nature.
What frugal hacks do you live by? Have I missed any from my list of frugal life hacks? Let me know in the comments below!

These are all amazing ways to save money! I am so surprised to see that we already do most of these at home without realising! Going meat-free most of the week, meal planning and shopping in bulk really made it easier to save. Really need to check how to make toothpaste! Also sitting on a decision for buying has helped me so much! x
Thanks Cristina! It’s amazing how frugal you already are without even realising it 🙂
I am pretty frugal haha. This list has given me more suggestions.
That’s great Jamie! Glad you found a few more frugal hacks here 🙂
I’m slowly learning how to be more frugal and recently canceled several subscriptions that I no longer needed.
That’s great Seriah!
These are great tips for saving money, and I love frugal life hacks- we all need to save money, whatever stage of life we are in x
Thank you Eleanor 🙂
Thank you for the post! It was interesting reading this as am now following one of this hacks. Currently travelling/ backpacking in Mexico, I put myself on a self-ban when it comes to shopping. And u are so right. Its incredible to see that I actually don’t need much. It’s just the shopper impulse that is stronger than me sometimes.
Hi Kay! That’s incredible that you’re currently backpacking! I found that travel made me realise how little I need also! Of course the impulses are still there sometimes. But travel is so much more gratifying than shopping 🙂
great tips!! you’ve covered it all saving money across all aspects of life.
Thanks Helen 🙂
These are awesome suggestions for living frugally. My husband and I work really hard to maintain a lifestyle that’s cost-effective and frugal. I appreciate your tips!
Thanks Stephanie! I’m glad you found them useful 🙂
Fab tips! You’ve included so many useful ones here, I should be starting university next year so I’ll definitely be saving this to refer back to! I would’ve never thought of making your own toothpaste and the twenty four hour rule is definitely something I should start living by. Thanks for sharing, this was really helpful x
The 24-hour rule is definitely something I live by these days! Thanks for reading 🙂
these are such great suggestions with saving money. i especially try to save money with groceries because i can easily over buy food. we try to eat everything we have & make do before we purchase any more.
Yes, same here!
I love these tips! I’ve been trying to save more money recently too since going self-employed!
Still need to do some work on my grocery shopping and meal planning though!
Corinne x
Thanks Corinne!
I’m a big fan of the 24-hour rule. If it’s a big purchase (as in, anything over $100 or so) I almost always want to sleep on it.
Same here! I’ve definitely had buyers regret in the past by not adopting the 24-hour rule.
I love the idea of a frugal lifestyle! I do a lot of these life hacks already, I’ve just started cutting my own hair which saves a lot of money 🙂
Wow! That’s impressive Caroline! I’m not that confident I’d do a good job, but would love to learn!
Such a great post.
I already do some of these, like meal planning & limiting spending. But I have a lot more work to do.
Because we’ve struggled financially this year, we’ve had to live like this. But I’m honestly going to keep some of the tips I’ve picked up and save moving forward.
Sorry to hear of your financial struggles this year. Meal planning is one thing that has saved me so much as I used to be so terrible at ordering or eating out, especially since moving to Dubai!
What a great list of saving tips! I’m learning (and trying my best) to spend less and save more so I could travel next year >< Thanks for sharing your tips x
I’m a huge travel lover! And it’s so worth cutting down on certain items to experience travel 🙂
Such a fantastic list of things you can do to save each month! I’ve definitely noticed my spending has increased over the last few months, so I need to cut back on some things for sure!
Thank you Jenny!
Lots of amazing ideas! I need to go on a shopping ban.
xoxo
Lovely
Thanks Lovely 🙂
These are all great tips! I’m quite good with some of them, but this has given me a few more ideas!
Julia x
I stumbled into doing many of these suggestions over the years, but a few of them aren’t with the time and energy required, such as hanging laundry to dry outside. There is a reason clothes dryers were so readily adopted 80-100 years ago – they were a huge time-saver!
But I have found that the ultimate reason I avoid spending money unnecessarily, is that I don’t enjoy purchasing things – done people really like it, but I find it unpleasant, neutral at best. It’s easy to resist if it brings you no joy. So I am fortunate that way.
Thank you for the thorough post regardless!
I agree, certain things do save time. But is it always necessary to save time? I have other clothes I can wear while waiting for them to dry outside 🙂 And things that are time savers often cost more to run too!
I also don’t enjoy shopping much. I used to but now I don’t find it fulfilling at all.