I am not normally counted among the frugal. While I like to get good value for my money, and while I don’t like to feel that I’m wasting my money, I’m not much of a penny pincher. I’d rather make more money than cut an unnecessary expense that I enjoy. Plus, I find penny pinching and many of the traditional frugal living strategies exhausting.
However, there are times when I do like to save a few bucks, and practice some of the principles of frugality. If you are looking for ways to add a little more frugality in your life, but you don’t want it to be difficult, here are 3 things to try:
1. Replace Your Soda Habit with Water
I’m not a big soda drinker. I used to be, though. I used have a soda a day. However, I’ve since switched to water. I enjoy water; it quenches thirst without the aftertaste of sugary drinks. Plus, the water isn’t very expensive. It comes out of my tap. We do have a filtering system, but it has long since paid for itself since we haven’t bought as much soda or bottled water.
When you drink water, you’ll save money over what you spend buying your liquids. On top of that, the health problems soda contributes to have been well-documented. Even if you try to be “healthy” with low calorie or no calorie drinks, studies are starting to indicate that you could still have health problems — including weigh gain.
Better health means more money saved, and all you have to do is drink more water and less soda.
2. Group Your Errands
For me, Tuesday is errand day. I map out which errands I am going to run, and I do them all. From taking my son to get his hair cut to grocery shopping to depositing money in the bank, all of my errands happen on Tuesday. It means that I use less gas overall, and it forces me to think about what I want and make a list. I stick to the list, try to get through everything, and the savings become clear. Indeed, I’ve noticed that gas tank needs filling less often as a result of this simple adjustment to my weekly routine.
Of course, it’s easier for me to devote a day to errands, since I work from home. If you have a more traditional job, you might need to adjust your schedule and go two days or three days. The idea, though, is to plan ahead so that you aren’t making dozens of little trips for each thing you need throughout the week.
3. Mind Your Power Usage
If you leave the room, turn off the lights. Use natural lighting when possible (I have my workstation near a window). Get smart strips that reduce energy vampirism. Program your thermostat. Just by changing a few things about the way you use energy, you can save money over time. It’s a simple way to be a little more frugal — and it’s good for the environment as well.
What are your best tips for adding easy frugality to your life?
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