5 Frugal Habits Americans Are Turning To as Costs Climb in 2026
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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If every time you go to the grocery store or gas station, you feel like you’re getting mugged, you are not alone. As everyday expenses continue to rise in 2026, more Americans are searching for practical ways to stretch their paychecks and protect their budgets. The shift isn’t just about cutting back; it’s about building frugal habits that reduce financial stress while keeping quality of life intact.
Instead of relying on extreme budgeting or unrealistic financial hacks, try turning to simple, repeatable money-saving routines that make a real difference over time. These small changes can add up quickly, especially when prices feel unpredictable.
Here are five frugal habits Americans are turning to as costs climb in 2026, and why these practical budget moves are becoming go-to strategies for staying financially steady this year.
The Top Frugal Savings Habits Americans Are Using in 2026
As living costs soar, many Americans are looking for ways to cut back on their spending. A new BestMoney study found that most Americans (83%) now consider themselves to be frugal. The most common categories Americans are cutting back on are clothing (63%), entertainment and subscriptions (60%), groceries (60%), dining out or takeout (58%), and household supplies (53%). These shifts show how U.S. households are adapting as budgets tighten.
The study also found the top ways Americans are saving money — here’s a look at the top frugal habits Americans are embracing this year, plus which ones actually work. The study found that the most popular money-saving tactics are:
- Buying store-brand or generic products (95%)
- Using coupons, promo codes or price matching (88%)
- Using cash-back apps or credit cards (83%)
- Canceling or pausing subscriptions (71%)
- DIY-ing repairs or maintenance (70%)
These small choices can add up to big savings — but not all frugal habits deliver the same payoff.
Which Frugal Habits Actually Save the Most Money?
Typically, the most effective frugal habits are the ones that are realistic to maintain.
“The habits that will make the biggest difference will be the ones that involve making small lifestyle changes over an extended period of time,” said Yoni Cohen, senior editor at BestMoney.
He noted that switching to generic products, using coupons and taking advantage of cash-back opportunities are all effective ways to save.
“Cutting out unused streaming services or subscriptions is another effective way to save money,” Cohen said. “Cutting back on takeout orders can add up to big savings, especially as many people are working on resolutions at the start of the new year.” Both may seem difficult to do but can add up in real ways.
How Combining Multiple Frugal Habits Boosts Your Savings
“Some saving tactics tend to work better in certain categories; however, the most effective money-saving behaviors tend to overlap,” Cohen said.
For example, when shopping for clothes, you can use promo or coupon codes and utilize a cash-back card or app to save even more. Combining multiple frugal habits is also effective when shopping for groceries.
“Stacking coupons, opting for store brand options, using grocery store reward programs and price matching are all tried and true ways to save money on your grocery bill,” Cohen said.
The more of these habits you combine, the bigger — and faster — the savings.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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