Frugal Tips to Help You Spend Less and Live Better in 2025
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Want to save money without giving up the things you love? It may feel overwhelming at first, but taking small micro steps will definitely help you spend less.
These practical frugal living tips help you cut expenses, reduce waste and take back control of your budget — all without feeling like you’re depriving yourself.
How To Start Living Frugally (Beginner Tips)
If you’re just starting your journey of frugal living, where do you start? Here are a few tips for beginners:
- Cut one bill. Try to cut out one subscription or lower the cost of one of your bills. Call your cable company, internet servicer or phone company to see if you can negotiate on the price.
- Track every dollar. Understand where your money is going. Use a notebook or an app to track your spending. This will give you a sense of where you need to cut spending.
- Cook more at home. Try to make meals at home to prevent spending money dining out.
12 Frugal Living Tips to Help You Save Money
Frugal living isn’t about depriving yourself — it’s about making intelligent choices that boost your savings without sacrificing your quality of life. These 12 frugal tips are designed to guide you through various aspects of your daily spending, showing you where you can cut costs and how to make the most of your budget.
From smart shopping strategies to efficient home management, these tips provide a roadmap to a more financially savvy and sustainable lifestyle.
Frugal Home Habits
Use coupons, cashback apps and loyalty programs
Coupons can help save money, and loyalty programs can earn you discounts on various products. Cashback apps return a portion of your spending back to you.
Plan your meals
Meal planning is an effective way to minimize food waste and save money. By planning your meals for the week, you can buy only what you need, reducing impulse purchases and ensuring that you use up the food you buy, thus saving money on groceries.
Embrace energy efficiency
Investing in energy-efficient appliances and practices around your home can lead to significant savings on utility bills. Simple changes like switching to LED bulbs, using energy-efficient appliances and better insulating your home can reduce your energy consumption and save money in the long run.
Smarter Shopping and Spending
Shop off-season
Buying off-season items can save a lot of money. For example, buying winter clothes at the end of the season or getting holiday decorations after the holiday has passed can lead to significant discounts.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead and create a seasonal shopping calendar so you always know when to grab the deepest discounts on clothes, gear and decor.
Cut Down on Subscription Services
Subscription services, whether for streaming platforms, magazines or gym memberships, can slowly drain your budget. Evaluate your subscriptions and keep only those you regularly use and enjoy. Consider sharing subscriptions with family or friends, or alternating services to save money.
Sometimes, a break from a service can also help you assess whether it’s genuinely valuable to you or just a habitual expense.
Buy in Bulk
You can sometimes save significantly by buying grocery and household products in bulk. Also, having a good stockpile can get you through lean months when you may have less wiggle room in the budget.
Opt for Generic Brands
Switching from name-brand products to generic or store brands can lead to substantial savings without compromising quality. Generic brands often offer the same quality as their branded counterparts but at a fraction of the cost.
This tip applies to groceries, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies and more. The key is to compare ingredients and quality, not just the brand name. Over time, the savings from choosing generic brands can add up significantly.
DIY and Self-Sufficiency
Learn basic home repairs
Gaining skills in basic home repairs can save you from paying for professional services. There are numerous resources online that can teach you how to fix leaky faucets, patch drywall or even paint your home.
Grow Your Own Food
If you have space, starting a small garden can be a satisfying way to save money. Growing your own vegetables, herbs and even fruits can reduce your grocery bill, and it’s also a rewarding hobby.
Big Picture Budget Wins
Refinance or negotiate bills
You can refinance your home if possible. You can also negotiate bills like insurance, internet and energy. If you’re a good customer, you may be able to knock a few dollars off your bill.
Pro Tip: If the first customer service representative isn’t receptive to the request, call back and talk to someone else.
Use a budgeting method like 50/30/20
If you’re looking for a flexible budgeting method, the 50/30/20 method may work for you. You allocate 50% to rent, utilities, groceries, insurance and minimum debt payments.
Your wants receive 30% and can include dining out, entertainment, shopping and travel. You spend 20% on an emergency fund, retirement, investments and extra debt payments.
Build an emergency fund.
Over the course of three to six months, try to set aside money for an emergency fund. Taking proactive measures to do so can help eliminate the need to rely on credit.
Pro Tip: Open a high-yield savings account. It earns more interest than a checking or traditional savings account.
Final Take
Start small: Make two frugal swaps this week and track how much you save. Frugal living isn’t about restriction — it’s about smarter decisions that make your money go further.
Pretty soon you will notice how your efforts have paid off in multiple areas of your life.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about frugal living.- What are the easiest frugal habits to start with?
- You can start by cooking at home, canceling unused subscriptions, setting "no-spend" days, tracking your spending and making a waiting list for purchasing nonessential items.
- Can I live frugally with a family?
- Yes. You can follow certain strategies like setting shared savings goals, buying in bulk, involving everyone by making it a shared goal and concentrating on fee-free fun activities.
- How is frugal different from minimalist?
- There are certain key differences between being frugal and a minimalist. Being frugal means saving money and being cost conscious, while a minimalist wants to reduce clutter and focus on simplicity. Frugality is often cost-driven, while minimalism is mindfulness-driven.
Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.
