I am looking for suggestions for ways to cut costs that have made a big difference for my fellow frugal folks. I am especially interested in things that make little to no difference in quality of life. For example, I have heard some people say that vitamins and probiotics aren’t worth the money because they are ineffective (still not sold on this, but I am open to discussion). Thanks for the suggestions!
Easiest ways to cut costs that don’t affect quality of life
byu/Consistent-Flight880 inFrugal
Posted by Consistent-Flight880
32 Comments
Quality of life is subjective. What matters to me will not necessarily matter to (generic) you and vice versa.
I limit the supplements I take to those recommended by my doctor – I eat a varied and overall healthy diet so I don’t see the need for a multivitamin, for example
It depends on what you’re doing now and what you have available for you. For example, if you’re currently spending money on entertainment, replacing it with time in nature with friends would be free and good for your quality of life
If you’re going to cook, cook big batches of freezable things and freeze them. Now you have food for later if you’re sick, tired, lazy, or just want some variety. Also, buying big batches is often cheaper!
For me its starting to cook myself, would say this even increased QoL and cut down on food costs (esp. compared to restaurants)
I switched to powdered laundry detergent from pods/liquid. Makes no difference in my life but cut costs overall by about half. Similarly, use concentrated cleaners rather than ready made bottles to save.
Make your own coffee instead of buying Starbucks.
Panera sip club
If you have the space, shop for Christmas or birthday presents all year round. Depending on the price and method of your in home heat, supplementing with electric heat might be a benefit. If you eat a lot of bread, get a bread maker.
I use an eco eg for any clothes that can go on a cold/cool wash. Super cheap, doesn’t keep the smell but for a family of 4-5 (sometimes partners washing when he stays) it saves so much money! I usually only don’t use it for towels because I put them on a hot wash.
I’ll get a lot of hate for this one I’m sure but I’m still going to do it 😂- I don’t use fabric softener in the machine, I put some in a spray bottle and fill the rest with water then use it to spray my clothes once they’re on the drying rack so they have the lovely smell. I do this so it’s less going in the water system but it definitely helps it last months longer as well. We don’t need softener with our water but I will occasionally use vinegar with the towels
Use eBay or local market places, I rarely buy brand new but I often get new in packaging stuff second hand. Things like sheets/towels etc. are so easy to find new second hand.
If you use a loofah or wash cloth, use bar soap in the shower. I also have bar and liquid hand soap in my bathroom. I use the bar soap and guests have the choice.
Drying racks. Walking. Cloth napkins. Mending clothes.
Good friend teaches uni medical school. Said skip probiotics. Order PREbiotics in a powder form. Teaspoon a day prevents the gunk from growing at all rather than dealing with it after.
Learn how to make coffee you like at home.
For me it’s the little ”nickel and dime” items that people buy throughout the day. Coffees, sodas, snacks, (I quit drinking alcohol, for numerous reasons), eating out regularly… especially fast food. As I guy Im pretty low maintenance and I know thats going to vary by gender, but I cut my own hair (Im shaved bald, so…. why not), groom my own dog, do simple repairs myself, etc…. it’s the little things that all add up to a lot. Most of the big stuff I need. Expect I do drive an older Jeep although I could buy a new one, Im driving this one into the ground. just small simple choices that haven’t changed my life.
Cook yourself. It improves health and we now cook as a family, which is great time with the kids.
Shop sales. Meat is wild right now buy whatever is on sale or discounted as going out of date. Make it fun not a chore
Purchasing refillable spray bottles and adding part bleach and water for deep cleaning.
Also, dish soap to mop floors. You really don’t need a lot.
I don’t know where you’re starting from so it’s hard to make suggestions. Do you hire out any services? Like lawn care or cleaning? Do you get grocery delivery versus pick up? Or how many streaming services do you have?
Here’s my list knowing nothing about you
* Get grocery pick up, many stores offer it for free with no tip needed, and it allows you to only buy what you need without cravings setting in. Its cut down my monthly grocery bills by around 100 dollars a month because of the lack of snacks.
* If you hire out services, cut them, and instead schedule one hour per week to take care of them (yard care, cleaning, but of course this wouldn’t work with nanny services). It helps avoid overwhelm from having to do it yourself, but can save oodles.
* Cut streaming down to at most 1 at a time. Enjoy all that service has to offer, and when it grows dull, switch to a new one and cancel the old. Build up a list of things you want to watch on each service if it helps.
* Also consider Kanopy if your library offers it. Its a free streaming service with lots of classic movies and documentaries.
* Switch internet providers every so often. Or at least threaten to. They’ll lower your bill accordingly, sometimes up to 40$ a month
* I keep a craving board at home. When I want to eat something (often take out), I write it down rather than order. Then I use that craving to build a meal plan for the next week to treat myself. I used to spend like 200 a month on take out, now its down to 40
* Learn to do your beauty things at home if you pay for them. I learned to dye, trim, and pluck my eyebrows at home, the dye costs 15 dollars for a whole years supply, my old appointments cost me 35 dollars each. The savings are insane and I still look the way I want to
I think a multi-vitamin can be worth the money. I have a b12 deficiency, so I need vitamins. But, talk to your doctor about it. And you need to find a good one anyways
Switch your insurance companies.
For me, it’s packing lunch. I try and pack a super healthy lunch and take a lot of healthy snacks. Invest in reusable small storage containers, so you can pack your own sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, salads, etc. I expect I should be bringing some home. That way I’m sure I don’t go hungry. I don’t like the feeling of finishing my lunch and snacks that I brought and then shopping around for more at the office. Those vending machines, blech!
You don’t need a lot of clothes, just well made classic styles that will last longer.
I stopped all supplements and eat only low FODMaP foods now. So easy. Was able to get off Prilosec too. Feel so much better, no bloating or indigestion, lost weight, i’m more regular (no more senna either), and have more consistent energy. Can’t believe i only found this out at 62, but now i tell every woman i know
For vitamins if you suspect an issue, get tested to see if you need supplementation. You can alsl enter your food in chronometer (free) for a week and see what your diet is actually lacking.
Buy generics and shop at Aldi.
Quality of life is a reflection of an individual’s value system and will vary. For me, I feel I’m living at peak quality on the days I’m not working, when I can go for a run or swim at my leisure, read a book, sit outside with the cats, prepare thoughtful meals and spend time with the spouse without feeling like I’m on a schedule. My main financial goal is early retirement and to that end, I can easily forego or minimize beauty products and services (societal values not mine), dining out, soda and alcohol (overpriced indulgences especially when dining out), travel, name-brand goods, and anything else that doesn’t serve that goal or bring me meaningful relief from the fact that I have a decade of work-life remaining before retirement.
I was pretty shocked at how much I was spending on soda every month, that and getting a giant peach tea from Sonic every lunch break added up. Now it’s water or tea or coffee I make at home. I get a case of sparkling water for when I still need that hit of carbonation now and then but that’s $5 that usually lasts the whole month.
Keeping fancy jars.
Whenever you buy something in a jar, keep the jar and if possible the lid (depending on what it was used for)
Where I live it is common to give people some small gifts whenever you are gonna visit them. Could be homegrown flowers, a jar of pickled onions, jam etc. Jars are very useful!
Mending my clothes. In fact it became a hobby so it *added* to my quality of life.
Stay home and enjoy your hobbies. Each time I drive out the yard, it costs me $200. Decide intentionally not to go and put 10%, $20 in the jar.
Ensure you’re performing routine maintenance on your car, furnace, hot water heater, central ac, etc. I am RELIGIOUS about this stuff and it has served me in good stead, especially with my twelve year old vehicle.
I use vinegar and baking soda to clean. Cut my own hair. Cook from scratch as much as possible. Make coffee.
I wonder, how do you define quality of life?
Next time you get bloodwork done, have your doctor tell you what you’re deficient in. If all your bloodwork is fine, there’s no need for extra vitamins. As for probiotics, the research is starting to show that since everyone’s gut biome is different, probiotics don’t make much sense either as you’d have to have a probiotic tailored to your biome. If you’re eating a balanced diet that includes fruit/vegetables, you’re likely just fine without anything extra.