Okay, I need to do about 4 months of extreme frugalness because I have a major family expense coming up. What are some tips you all have that you did to really start cutting down? I don’t have a social life and typically only leave my house for work and groceries. I have tv subscriptions that family members let me use and don’t shop online. What are some other ways that I may be missing to help cut down more? Thanks!
Posted by g4m3cub3
8 Comments
Check your subscriptions again – even if family pays for streaming stuff you might have your own random monthly charges you forgot about. Also meal prep like crazy and buy the absolute cheapest protein (usually chicken thighs or eggs). If you drive to work see if there’s any way to carpool or bus it even a few days a week. Gas adds up fast
If you are already cooking most of your own meals, then perhaps look at the foods you are purchasing.
Key is to look at your current income and make sure it’s even possible to accumulate that amount. Like, if your fixed expenses are 1500 a month and your monthly net paycheck is 2000 a month, it leaves about 500 a month. (assuming that your vehicle doesn’t require new tires, etc.)
It might be time to consider a second job in order to secure enough money for your expense.
eating vegetarian /vegan cuts the grocery expenses quite a bit.
good and cheap sources of proteins: dry legumes , tofu, TVP, seitan maybe…. depending where you live or if you want to make it.
no premade food. making your own is always cheaper
no take away
cheap stuff to buy:
dry legumes, rice, flour, carrots, cabbage (usually), onions, canned beets, cornmeal, oats, potatoes, diced canned tomatoes, check frozen veggies and on season. then cook according to what you buy not buy according to what you think , this will help you save money too.
edit to add:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Thrifty/comments/1lk6ghu/how_to_reduce_your_grocery_bill/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Thrifty/comments/1lk6ghu/how_to_reduce_your_grocery_bill/)
you can still do things socially btw and have frugal things to do/enjoy [https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/15a5qlf/free_or_low_expense_activities/](https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/15a5qlf/free_or_low_expense_activities/)
frugal gofts [https://www.reddit.com/r/Anticonsumption/comments/z8pbz2/just_few_low_no_waste_ideas_for_gifts/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Anticonsumption/comments/z8pbz2/just_few_low_no_waste_ideas_for_gifts/)
Replace some animal protein with pulses
First make a careful inventory of all the foods that you already have around the house (pantry, fridge, freezer). Then make a plan to buy minimal other foods to go with them and try to use them up.
Talk to an insurance broker and see if you can get a better rate for home/rental/car if you have one. If you have multiple Internet providers in your area, switch to get the cheaper introductory rate. Check to see if you could be saving on cell service.
If you own a car, consider whether you actually need it. Car ownership costs an average of nearly $1,000 a month in the U.S. If you only leave the house for work and groceries, would walking, biking, or public transit suffice? If your vehicle is left unused for 95% of the time, could you manage a sort of car co-op among neighbors/friends in which you split the costs for usage of the car?
Unless someone works from home or goes to online school, you can cut your internet out. I’ve done it twice myself for several months at a time. I used internet at my library, work, and even my phone’s hotspot to make do.
Do a pantry challenge for 3-4 times as long as your normal grocery shopping period.
Under The Median on YouTube has plenty of good ideas too.