Thrifty Money-Saving Tips
Find easy ways to keep more of your money in your pocket where it belongs with these Thrifty money saving tips. Classic ways that are easy and work like a charm!
Living a simple life by finding ways to make the tools and things you use in your home last.
In a world where having more seems to be an overreaching goal, it can feel out of place to use traditional thrifty values. Living frugally and relying on resourcefulness have always been hallmarks of a simple and self sufficient life. However, making the transition from heavy consumer to a person that lives a thrifty life may seem daunting and anything but fun. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be! This guide is made with midlife women, empty nesters, and homesteaders in mind. Folks who are ready to embrace thrifty practices that not only save money but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
When our family was young we lived pay check to paycheck. Every day was another lesson in how to make it last so we did not have to make another trip to the store. As time went on and our income grew that ritual began to take a back seat to owning more stuff and before we new it our home was full of clutter and unnecessary things.
Now that we are older and empty nesters we long for those goals once again. Ways to keep more of our money in hand and to be more aware of what we are buying each day.
Living a simpler lifestyle has amazing benefits, from reduced stress, a more organized home, and time to create memories and meaningful experiences. With the cost of living continually rising, and prices going ridiculously high, it’s the perfect time to adopt time-tested, thrifty practices that are easy and incredibly effective.
Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
The Amish Cook’s Family Favorite Recipes by Lovina Eicher (2013-01-01)Amish Baking: Traditional Recipes for Bread, Cookies, Cakes, and PiesThe Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living off the Land & Doing It Yourself
Thrifty Tips from Our Grandmothers
I love classic tips and many of them I use every day simply because they make sense.
Make Do and Mend
Repurposing and repairing items in your home can significantly cut down on waste and expenses. Before giving up on a seemingly broken item, look first to see if there is a way to give it more life. With YouTube you can find a tutorial on just about anything you need. From how to fix a leaky pipe to how to replace a broken zipper.
Preserve and Can
Growing and preserving your own produce is not only a great way to save money but also to enjoy delicious, seasonal food all year round. You can grow a traditional backyard garden and spend the summer canning and freezing. Or you can visit your local farmers market and work on one vegetable at a time. However you do it is up to you, and filling your freezer and pantry with fresh amazing food is not only a great way to save money but it will transform how you eat.
The Golden Rule: Save Some for a Rainy Day
Practicing the art of saving can help ease the burden of unexpected expenses. Even a small amount set aside regularly can grow over time. Put a few mason jars around your home to use as reminders for tossing in spare change. You can also set one in the cup holder of your car to toss coins in. Pennies add up quickly even in today’s economy.
Saving Money Around the House
Our homes can be a treasure trove of money-saving opportunities. With simple adjustments, you can significantly reduce your spending.
Thrifty Tips for the Kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to find ways to really stretch your dollar. This is a great place to start out if you are new to living frugally.
Meal Planning and Bulk Buying
Preparing meals in advance is a great way to really save money on reduce food waste. You can do this one week at a time or for a full month. Have meals on rotate that are delicious and inexpensive to make.
Stock up on non-perishables or purchase often used ingredients in bulk. This will not only save time but also money.
Reducing Food Waste
Be intentional with left overs by dating containers to ensure you use them up before they go bad. You can also freeze leftovers quickly to use on nights when the schedule is tight.
Have a compost bin under the sink to toss in food scraps. If you have chickens you can also have a bucket to fill with produce treats.
Thrifty tips with Utilities
Finding ways to save money on seasonal utilities is a fun way to be thrifty.
Energy-Saving Tips
Switch to LED light bulbs, use natural light, and unplug devices when they’re not in use to lower your energy bill. Use timers on certain lights to ensure they get turned off after a certain amount of time.
SLCG Pro Tip: If you have chickens, you can use solar panels for small electric items such as an automatic coop door or electric fence.
Water Conservation
Install low-flow showerheads in bathrooms and be sure to fix leaks promptly. Reuse water from a dehumidfier for any indoor plants you are growing.
Outside you can use a large barrel to collect rainwater for your garden or to give to any pets, chickens, or livestock.
Thrifty tips for the Bathroom
DIY Cleaners
Not only are homemade cleaners a great way to save money they are often better for your home as well. To make your own cleaners you only need a few basic ingredients and you may already have many of these in your home now.
- Baking soda – Acts as a gentle abrasive
- Vinegar – Removes dirt, debris, and grime.
- Lemon Juice – Helps removes stains.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Disinfects counters and other surfaces.
Reducing Water Usage
Whether you live on city water or have a well, conserving can be helpful. You can turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, fill jugs with water in the kitchen while waiting for the hot. You can use that water for plants, pets, or drinking yourself.
Thrifty Tips for Clothes
There are a surprisingly number of ways that you can save money with the clothes that you already own as well as the things you hope to purchase.
Thrifting and Swapping
Before you go to the store check into alternative options. Explore second-hand stores or organize a clothing swap with friends to freshen up your wardrobe without spending a fortune.
Up cycling
Reinvent old clothes with simple alterations to create new, stylish pieces. You can sew on embellishments, new buttons, even a piece of trim to give new life to older pieces.
Thrifty Fun and Homestead Tips
Entertainment and home projects are a great way to practice living frugally.
Public Libraries
My favorite place to visit is the library. You can find books, audio books, even movies. It is a great way to find a few gems you can enjoy for free.
Many libraries also have games you can check out as well as online classes for languages or hobbies.
Sewing Clubs and DIY Groups
If you like to sew but want some company you can find local groups to join or even online zoom groups. This also works for painting, pottery, quilting, or card making.
thrifty Entertainment
There are many ways to have fun without breaking the bank.
Nature
So many times doing things outdoors tends to get overlooked. You can go hiking, picnicking, or even stargazing. These are all classic and fun free ways to spend time with your loved ones.
Start a DIY Project
Not only will you save money making something yourself, but you can turn that project into an addition for your home, as a gift, or even as a money maker that you can sell locally.
Homesteading
The goal of many homesteaders is to be more in control and that tends to embrace frugality. If you are new to the concept of homesteading, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Gardening
Growing your own produce, herbs, and fruits are the best part of having a garden. You can save seeds, share overflows of one produce with friends to balance out your overall harvest.
Preserving the Harvest
Gardens are great for fresh food, but they are also a great way to stock your pantry and freezer with organic food that you can enjoy all year long. C
DIY Home Repairs
Before you hire out help see if you can do repairs on your own. Research help on YouTube or look to barter services with people that have more experience in different areas. Be sure to check the warranty before doing any self repairs as this may void your warranty.
Embracing thrifty living is not about deprivation but rather about recognizing the value in what we have and making it last. AThere are countless ways to save money and live more simply without sacrificing comfort or quality of life. With these tips, you’re well on your way to a life filled with meaningful experiences and more of your hard earned money in your wallet where it belongs.
