8 tips for frugal living

Are you surviving or thriving in the current economy? According to YouGov, 56% of Brits have said they’ve been affected by the cost of living and 21% say while they’ve been able to spend normally so far, they expect to get a bit more thrifty soon. 

But how do we tighten our purse strings while still living a life which brings us joy? Enter frugal living. Some of us have been nailing this mindset for years and others are just dipping their toes into it now thanks to the increased cost of living. If you want to learn the art of small saving habits and skills which can make a big financial difference in the long run, you've come to the right place. Here’s eight frugal living tips to help you thrive and be thrifty. 

A note to remember: Living frugally doesn’t mean you have to cut everything out of your life. It’s about being mindful of your spending and how you use (and reuse) what you’ve got so you can prioritise what is most important to you.

1. Make your own coffee

Okay, we know you’ve probably heard this one before but making your own coffee can be a HUGE money saver especially if you’re picking up a £3.80 cup every day on your way to work. Let making your coffee become a morning ritual and who knows, you might even find yourself making one as good (if not better than) your local barista. 

2. Switch to reusable products

Paper towels, plastic water bottles, coffee cups — there are heaps of products you can find reusable alternatives for which will save you money in the long run. Plus, they’re better for the environment. Here are a few solid examples:

• Paper towels can be switched out for microfibre cloths or even a tea towel. 
• Swap single-use plastic water bottles out for a metal/sturdier plastic bottle and remember to bring it out with you so you can refill it when you get thirsty on the go.
• If buying that daily coffee is a little luxury you simply don’t want to give up, take a reusable coffee cup with you as some cafes give discounts if you BYO cup.
• A huge cost for people who get periods is the consistent need for menstruation products like pads and tampons. Reusable menstrual cups and period pants are a bargain when you consider their long-term use and how often you buy the single-use products.

3. Repair broken items

How many times have you thrown away something and replaced it as soon as it’s looking a little worse for wear? So many of us do it but if you want to reduce your consumption and save some money, think about what you could do to fix your things instead of forgetting about them. Upcycling and mending worn out clothes, toys, furniture, bikes — you name it — is an excellent way to give your belongings a second life and learn a new skill. 

4. Use every last drop of your products

We all know how hard it is to squeeze the last few bits of toothpaste out of the tube but so often there are at least a couple more uses hiding in there. If you give up and throw out your not-so empty moisturiser bottles, toothpaste tubes and makeup containers, you’re missing a trick. Use a pair of scissors to cut the product open and get the absolute most out of it. 

5. Finesse your takeaways

Cooking at home is often much cheaper than getting a takeaway but if you’re set on it, get creative with ways of making it cost a little less. If you’re getting a curry, try making the rice at home to lower the cost of the meal. Really craving something specific on your pizza like olives? Before you add it as an extra, take a look in your fridge to see if you already have some you can add yourself. You might feel like you’re taking the meaning of frugal up a notch but not paying an extra £2 for a side of rice adds up in the long run.

6. Use the library

Do you fly through books regularly? While it can be tempting to go out and buy new, your local library is likely stacked with physical and audio books to sink your teeth into for free. You’ll also often find free use of the internet and computers as well if you’re living without them. For avid readers, this switch could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run.

7. Borrow what you can

Off on a camping trip and in need of a tent? Need to do a rare bit of gardening but don’t have the right tools? Instead of rushing out to buy something you’ll only need once a year, borrowing the gear you need from family and friends (if you can) helps to save money and lets you live a more minimalist lifestyle. Make sure you take good care of their belongings though or else they might not want to share again. There are also lending schemes across the country where you can rent or borrow items for a small fee.

8. Batch cooking and menu planning

Groceries can get expensive (especially now!) but with some careful forward thinking, you can help yourself get the most out of them. If you don’t mind eating one meal multiple times a week then cooking a big pot of a dish which lasts (a chilli or a dhal for example) can be a super affordable way to keep food costs low. If you don’t want to eat the same thing every day or you enjoy the process of cooking after work then consider menu planning based on supermarket deals. Focus on buying ingredients in bulk which you can easily work into lots of meals. 

Remember, the more thrifty you can get with certain parts of your life, the more you can prioritise the things you really want now and in the long-run.