50 Next-Level Frugal Tips That Actually Save You Money

Inside: Go beyond the same old tired advice to skip lattes and use LED bulbs. These are next-level frugal tips for the truly committed.

I know you’ve already stopped going to drive-throughs, so I’m here with a list of things you probably haven’t already done. Buckle up, because we’re getting weird. If you ever feel like you’ve done it all in the world of frugal living, you might be surprised.

1. Fast for a day once a week. You’ll immediately cut your grocery bill, and it also tends to cure your own pickiness because you’re hungry enough the next day to eat anything. (Disclaimer:Consult a doctor if you have health concerns.)
2. Dumpster Diving. Unearth edible treasures from grocery store cast-offs. (Research safe practices and locations.)
3. Foraging. Learn which wild plants are safe to eat and turn your local park into a salad bar. (Don’t eat anything you can’t positively identify!)
4. Gleaning. Contact local farms to see if you can glean their fields for free food after harvest.
5. Urban Hunting and Fishing: (For the Brave and Law-Abiding): Check local regulations for fishing or small game hunting.
6. Bartering Skills for Meals: Trade your talents for meals with friends or neighbors.
7. Family Cloth: Use reusable toilet paper.
8. Turn off the AC…forever. Ditch the air conditioning and embrace cold showers and creative fan placement.
9. Sun-Powered Showers: Use a solar shower bag for hot water.
10. Composting Toilet (Expert Level): If you’re REALLY committed, consider a composting toilet.
11. Sell your TVs. Keep one, if you must.
12. Bike Life. Trade your car for a bicycle.
13. Carpool. Share rides to work, school, or social events. Do it even when it feels awkward or weird. Reciprocate!
14. Fix, don’t replace. Mend and repair your clothes to extend their lifespan.
15. DIY Beauty. Make your own soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant.
16. Barter. Join online bartering groups or local swap meets.
17. Leftovers on purpose. Become a master of repurposing leftovers into entirely new dishes. That leftover rice could be tomorrow’s fried rice, and yesterday’s chicken bones can make a flavorful broth.
18. Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater for watering plants, flushing toilets, or even washing clothes.
19. Unplug It All: Get serious about phantom energy usage by unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use.
20. Walk! Rediscover the simple joy of walking for errands, appointments, or social visits. It’s free, healthy, and a great way to explore your neighborhood.
21. Seed Saving. Save seeds from your garden to plant next year’s crops, cutting down on seed costs.
22. Free Entertainment. Explore free local events, visit parks and museums on free admission days, or check out books and movies from the library.
23. DIY Gifts. Make homemade gifts for holidays and birthdays.
24. Negotiate Everything. Don’t be afraid to haggle for lower prices on everything from car repairs to medical bills.
25. Embrace Minimalism. Make this part of your identify to separate yourself from a consumerist lifestyle.
26. Edible Landscaping. Plant fruit trees, berry bushes, and edible flowers in your yard instead of ornamentals.
27. Solar Cooking. Use a solar oven to cook food without using electricity or gas.
28. Gray Water Guru. Reuse water from showers and sinks to water plants or flush toilets.
29. DIY Cleaning Products. Make your own cleaning solutions using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
30. Repurpose. Find discarded furniture on the curb or at thrift stores and give it a new life with a little DIY magic.
31. Creative Gift Wrapping. Use newspaper, fabric scraps, or old maps for wrapping gifts.
32. Garage Sale. Host garage sales or participate in online marketplaces to sell unwanted items and declutter your home.
33. Cut Your Own Hair. Learn to trim your own hair or trade haircuts with friends.
34. Camp in Your Backyard. Instead of expensive vacations, enjoy a staycation by camping in your backyard.
35. Seed Swapping. Participate in seed swaps to get free seeds for your garden and share your own excess seeds with others.
36. Discount Grocery Stores: Shop at discount grocery stores or salvage grocery stores that sell dented cans and close-to-expiration products at significantly reduced prices.
37. Clothesline Laundry: Air-dry your clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer.
38. Make and Use Rags. Cut up old clothes and blankets to use for cleaning and dishes.
39. No-Spend Challenge. Commit to a period of time where you don’t spend any money on non-essentials.
40. Collect and Sell Scrap Metal. Look for scrap metal around your neighborhood or at construction sites, and sell it to recycling centers.
41. Embrace a Capsule Wardrobe. Create a minimalist wardrobe with versatile pieces that you can mix and match.
42. Host a Clothing Swap Party. Invite friends to exchange clothes they no longer wear instead of buying new ones.
43. Become a Product Tester: Sign up for product testing programs to get free products in exchange for your feedback.
44. Shop in Bulk (But only buy staples!). Oats, flour, dried beans, sugar, and oil are still great buys in bulk. Don’t be tempted by the convenience foods!
45. Dumpster Diving for Non-Food Items. Find perfectly good books, clothes, electronics, and other treasures in dumpsters.
46. Forage for Firewood: Gather fallen branches or scrap wood for heating or cooking.
47. Compost. Compost food scraps and yard waste to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
48. Skip the Dryer Sheets. Use wool dryer balls or even aluminum foil balls to soften clothes and reduce static cling in the dryer.
49. Learn Basic Car Maintenance. Change your own oil, replace air filters, and perform other basic maintenance tasks to save on mechanic fees.
50. Embrace the “Freebox” Movement. Set up a “freebox” on your property where you and your neighbors can leave unwanted items for others to take.

Remember, you don’t have to adopt every single extreme tip to reap the benefits of frugal living. Start small, experiment, and find what works best for you. Even incorporating a few of t.hese ideas can make a significant impact on your finances.