24 Frugal Hacks to Boost Your Savings Instantly

Frugality is often addressed with a negative connotation, but it’s simply a way of living in which one chooses to be thrifty and avoid overspending. Most people do it to save money.

With inflation and increasing expenses putting the pinch on people’s wallets, more are turning to a life of frugal living. But where do you start? The important thing to note is that frugality is not a lifestyle where you deprive yourself of anything. It’s simply about spending smarter.

Here are some tips those familiar with frugality suggest to get you started on your way to saving even more money.

1. Eat Out Less Often

Notice we didn’t say don’t eat out at all. When you cut something out of your life completely, it tends to have negative effects.

Rather, save the eating out (and takeout) for special occasions and cook at home more. This way, you have more control over the costs of food, which can help save money, especially if you combine this with other tips on our list.

2. Wait for Sales

If you have your eye on something that you don’t necessarily need right this minute, wait for a sale. This is especially true for items new to the market, whether it’s a video game or the latest gadget or appliance.

Sales are always happening, you just have to know where to find them. For some, this may mean signing up for a newsletter or mailers. Sometimes, you just have to continually check prices.

3. Shop Different Stores

Humans are typically creatures of habit. We like shopping at the same stores around the same time. Yet, if you diversify your shopping, you’re likely to find some deals in a different shop.

Try this method for supermarkets. Some may have spectacular meat sales while others are having a blowout on produce. By shopping at two different stores for two different promotions, you can save that much more. Of course, this only works if you’re not driving well out of your way.

4. Use Coupons

There may not be much talk of coupons anymore, especially since the craze of extreme couponing has passed for the most part, but they are still valuable tools to help you save money.

Today, they’re even more convenient. You can either download them from the manufacturer or your supermarket’s website. And even better, some stores still allow for stacking manufacturer and store coupons.

5. Compare Costs

One of the better ways to save money is to compare costs. And we don’t just mean across different shops. You want to look at different size containers, too.

For example, is that 64-oz bottle really a better deal than the 32-oz one? Some people break it down by cost per ounce to ensure they’re getting the best deal.

6. Buy Secondhand

Not everything you buy has to be brand new. Clothes, for example, are a great steal at second-hand stores. Sometimes, you can even find luxury items and brand names at a steep discount.

Consumables should definitely be purchased brand-new, but make sure you compare the costs among multiple stores or sizes.

7. Meal Plan

Meal planning isn’t just for those watching their calories. It’s also a great way to keep your grocery costs down. With prices on the rise, now’s the time to really crunch down.

By meal planning, you can plan out your entire grocery store trip right down to the spices and condiments you need. No more running to the store in the middle of the week to pick up an item that will inevitably lead to a $100+ purchase.

8. Unplug Electronics When Not in Use

Did you know your electronics consume energy even when they’re not in use? That’s why people committed to a frugal lifestyle tend to unplug them unless they’re in operation.

This doesn’t apply to all appliances, however. Keep your refrigerator and stove plugged in. But, you can unplug the coffeemaker, air fryer, or slow cooker if you’re not currently using them. Some people even unplug their televisions.

9. Go to the Library for Books

If you’re an avid reader, chances are you spend quite a bit of money on books or subscription services to read them. But there’s a better option.

If you live within a reasonable distance of a library, check out your books there. Most of them have reasonable check-out times and a high threshold when it comes to the number of books you can borrow. Even if you don’t live close, you can still use the library’s online service to borrow free ebooks, though you may have to wait a few weeks if a particular book is popular.

10. Use Cash

The golden rule with cash is if you don’t have it, you can’t spend it. For this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid credit and debit cards and use cash for your transactions.

It’s a bit of a change to get used to, which is ironic considering it used to be all cash before debit cards became the standard, but it can help preserve your finances. The idea is if you swipe your card, you may end up spending more than you plan to, but if you rely solely on cash, you’re limited to what you have on hand.

11. Pack Lunches

If you work outside the home, it can be tempting to order take out on your lunch break, but this is a great way to destroy your budget in a heartbeat. Instead, pack your lunch.

You can include your lunches in your meal planning for the week, which will make your grocery trip more effective.

12. Cancel Unused Subscriptions

Do you subscribe to many different streaming services? Most people do. And, often we sign up for free trials and forget to cancel, which leads to additional monthly expenses.

Make it a point to go through all of your subscriptions and cancel the ones you don’t use or the ones you don’t use often. After all, is it really worth spending $15 a month or more to watch one show?

13. Opt for Generic Brands (Sometimes)

For millions of products on the market, you’ll find a generic substitution that costs a bit less. Buying these can help significantly decrease your spending.

However, be aware that not all products are equal. Sometimes, the generic isn’t exactly what you expect. In those instances, go with what works best for you. If you substitute even just a few items, you’ll find it’s worth it.

14. Buy Used When Possible

If you’ve ever browsed the Facebook marketplace or even eBay, you’ve surely noticed people selling slightly used goods. This can include everything from appliances like mixers to shoes.

Sometimes, buying used means you get an item you want for less. I once got a $300 mixer for $50 just by checking the local ads. Garage sales are another place where you’re likely to find some real deals. In fact, there are entire shows dedicated to the practice.

15. Pay Bills on Time

If you live on a limited budget, sometimes just an extra fee can throw you out of whack. You can avoid these fees—which are either set dollar amounts or a percentage of your past-due balance—by paying your bills on time.

If you’re one who often forgets when a bill is due, you can use your calendar to keep track of them, or better yet, set up auto-pay. Just make sure you have enough money in the account, or you’ll risk additional, costlier fees.

16. Eat Leftovers

If you don’t meal plan and usually just wing it, consider eating leftovers rather than making an entirely new dish. After all, if you have food in the fridge, why not eat that first?

Eating leftovers can help save you money as well. Meals like pot roast, chili, soups, and lasagna are good options that will often feed you for two or three days.

17. Drink Water

Sugary drinks and teas can be expensive, which is why drinking water is a good choice to keep your budget low. Especially if you buy large cases from Sam’s Club or other warehouse clubs.

The cost of a bottle of water compared to other beverages is astonishingly low. Think cents compared to dollars per container.

18. Run Your Errands All at Once

If you have several errands to run, it’s a good idea to try to schedule them all for the same day at the same time. You’ll save more money on gas and be more efficient, what could be better than that?

This works for errands like hitting the post office, the supermarket, or any appointments you might have.

19. Save Change

Be honest: if you were to look all over your house, how many places would you find change? It’s easy to discount it, because change is often looked down upon, but it all adds up.

Instead of placing change on the table or counter, or in a drawer, designate a jar or other container to be your holder. When it’s full, take it to the bank to deposit. Many people have saved up for things they wanted or trips using this method.

20. DIY When Possible

Doing it yourself is a good way to save money, if you know how to do the task. For example, craft projects can easily be done around the home for a few bucks.

The same goes for doing minor home repairs such as fixing a clogged or running toilet, or painting. Doing these yourself can save you a costly bill from a handyman or contractor.

21. Shop Savvy

We’ve talked about shopping a bit, but there’s an art to shopping savvy. It’s mapping out your trips to make the most of your money.

Consider shopping local, for example, for vegetables. You’ll likely pay less at a farmer’s market than you would in a grocery store where prices tend to be marked up more.

22. Declutter Your Home

What does decluttering your home have to do with living frugally? Believe it or not, it can keep you from spending more money. If you’re regularly doing an inventory of what you have, you know not to purchase the items again.

Additionally, you might find things you can sell while you’re decluttering and that can bring in even more money.

23. Use Credit Cards Wisely

Interest fees with credit cards are a killer. They’re often very high and if you only pay the minimum, you’re barely knocking your principal balance down.

Be smart about your credit cards, and honestly, you should really only use them in the event of an emergency. Buying things on credit typically means you spend more for them, which is the opposite of living frugally.

24. Opt for Quality Over Quantity

Quality items may cost more upfront than if you opt for quantity. And how will this help with frugality, you ask? Easy. Quality items tend to last longer.

That means you won’t have to replace the items as often, which will stretch your dollars, and thus, your budget. Appliances, furniture, and clothing are all things you can prioritize and spend more on upfront.