Frugal Living: A Week’s Guide
Kicking off frugal living can feel like a big task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a simple seven-day guide that let’s ease into it, with tasks that won’t take you more than an hour each day.
Sunday: Meal Prep
Quick lunch idea: Make your week’s lunches. Preparing meals in advance not only helps you avoid eating out and save money but also reduces food waste. It also gives a chance to hunt for extra coupons online before grocery shopping. Apart from saving money, try out some easy, pocket-friendly recipes.
Keep a copy of your bills handy in your purse or bag.
Monday: Bills Reduction
Use your lunchtime to contact your service providers (internet, mobile, cable, electricity, etc.) and inquire about any discounts available. Highlight your loyal customer history and your timely payments.
If you have some extra time, contact your insurance company for potential discounts, or ask about ways you could lower your premiums. And, don’t forget to explore online platforms like BillSnip that could be helpful.
Tuesday: eBay Listings
If you have stuff at home you don’t use anymore, list them on eBay for 3-day sales. Items like old video games, DVD sets, jewelry, and book sets can do pretty well.
Wednesday: Frugal Hints
Spend an hour going through some frugal lifestyle blogs. Get inspired from the countless money-saving tips they offer. You may not fancy all of them, but you might find one or two doable ones.
Thursday: Leftovers Day
Eat whatever leftovers you have. If there aren’t any, dig into your pantry and use what you find there. Even if the meals might seem odd, this exercise can be an unexpected revelation of how much you have stocked up.
Friday: Thrift Store Hunt
Pay a visit to a thrift store in your town that you’ve never been into. It could be Goodwill or even a small discount grocery store that seems a bit dingy from outside. Even if the shop looks unappealing, it might surprise you with a bargain here and there.
Saturday: eBay Shipping
Ship out items you’ve sold on eBay. Try to repurpose old envelopes and boxes for packaging. And remember, if you’ve sold any books, media mail shipping can help you save and earn more.
I’d love to know what beginner-friendly frugal living steps you’d suggest. Let’s all share and learn together!
That’s it for now. Cheers, and here’s to your new, frugal lifestyle!