Living a frugal life may sound like a nightmare.
You’re probably thinking of giving up all the luxuries in your life: that expensive cup of Starbucks coffee, those designer clothes in your closet, that expensive pair of athletic shoes, those nights of partying with your friends.
The truth is you can enjoy the benefits of frugal living without having to sacrifice everything that makes life worth living! Below are some examples of how you can convert your modern life while preparing for a more financially secure future.
Learn to Love Home Cooking
Dining out can be fun, especially with friends. You don’t have to do any work before or after the meal. You don’t even have to know the first thing about cooking in order to eat some of the most delicious food possible.
However, dining out is expensive. Even one person eating out every day for at least two meals a day can add up to a pretty expensive lifestyle choice.
The good news cooking at home doesn’t have to be a disappointing alternative. Take shortcuts in your cooking, such as buying small quantities of pre-prepared foods in your grocery’s deli or picking already shredded lettuce over the head. Experiment with herbs so you can richer flavors to what you prepare. And start taking chances with your meals. Go online for free recipes or check out cookbooks at your local library.
Remember you can always invite your friends over for a meal at your home. Instead of that expensive restaurant meal with no privacy, have everyone bring a dish and enjoy a more intimate evening together. The price tag will be a lot less.
Of course, you can still dine out occasionally . . . just not as frequently.
Skip the Clubs
If you like to party with your friends at clubs and bars, you are no stranger to those high bills at the end of the night. Not only do you have to pay cover charges but the costs of those drinks are inflated and add up quickly over the course of an evening. Frugal living doesn’t mean you have to become a home body.
Instead, skip the costly clubs and bring the party to your own house. Your computer can be as versatile as any DJ, especially if you invite your friends to bring over their own music. Have guests bring the drinks which are always cheaper at the grocery store than at the bar. You provide the refreshments – a couple of bags of chips or pretzels work great.
Now if you’re worried that these home-based parties would limit your ability to meet new people there’s a way to fix that issue, too. At the next party, have each of your guests bring one new person to the party.
More Frugal Fun
You can find plenty of other ways to enjoy the luxuries you love while also leading a more frugal existence:
- Brew your own coffee at home and add gourmet creamers for flavor
- Purchase designer clothes from resell shops – some are now dedicated only to designer items
- Rent DVDs instead of going to the movies
- Sell unused clothing or other belongings to pay for big ticket luxuries, such as those shoes
What are some ways that you live life fully, yet frugally?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been cooking like a crazy woman lately. My grandmother taught me well but I had put all those talents in the closet for the past few years. My favorite yet is an apple crisp that I should have served insulin with it was so sweet! Good post and I’m needing to vary my menu this week. There is such a thing as too much chicken.
A friend of mine, my 13 year old and I did a thrift store day this past weekend in a nearby city. A major chain was having a half-off weekend, we hit four locations, and found fabulous stuff. I spent about $100, and we got 40 new items; stuff for everyone in our family. All kinds of stuff including American Eagle jeans that are in the store now for $2!!!! I can assure you that we will not go back to our old ways. My teen would rather have plenty of cool used clothes than a few cool new ones. Plus we found some really unique things. So fun, and no guilt when you are paying cash and getting such fantastic deals. I haven’t enjoyed shopping in years, but I think that I am hooked again….. except now I don’t even want to pay full price at Goodwill. And for the first time in my life, one of my friends told me that I am her “biggest cheapskate” friend. A compliment I will gladly accept…
@ Peachy – I totally agree about “shopping” at Goodwill. It’s the only place I actually feel good about when I make a purchase now. For so many things (cookware, clothes, vases) you can get amazing deals.
“biggest cheapskate” is not an insult! Way to go Peachy. I like to think I’m “fantastically frugal”…