How To Live Frugally

In today's economy there are many people learning that living beyond their means has gotten them into big trouble, but there is a way to keep the collectors at bay and to feed your family at the same time. The word frugal means avoiding waste not matter what it is; food, time energy and feelings. Our grandparents and parents lived through the depression and they knew the meaning of being frugal. Many still today will buy in excess, thinking they might not have anything tomorrow, a good rule to live by. Being frugal does not necessarily mean the same as being miserly or stingy - those people may have money in the bank, but will be quite miserable due to their lack of enjoyment with the money they have earned. Living frugally means being responsible with finances and living responsibly within the means that are available. Frugal living is spending less than you earn. It's knowing how much you spend each month. It's reducing waste. It's making educated buying decisions rather than simply going with whatever costs the least. Frugal living allows you to have a lifestyle that might not otherwise be possible. Spending less might mean the ability to work less. Spending less might mean reducing debt and/or increasing savings. When it comes to spending less and saving more, there are many ways to get financially fit, but some are much easier to accomplish than others. We've put together the ultimate frugal guide for people who are excited about saving money and really want to do whatever it takes to whip their finances into shape. Here, are a few ways in which to be frugal, whilst at the same time, enjoying life and the money that has been earned. The first step to frugal (and green) living can be summed up in an old and simple cliché: "Waste not, want not." Recycling not only can benefit your bottom line, it benefits the planet. Several different brands of lunch meat are packaged in reusable plastic containers. In my household, we now reuse these containers for leftovers. This way we don't have to buy Rubbermaid or Ziploc containers. The other great part about these containers is they feature a plastic recycling number on the bottom so when the container has served its purpose, it can be recycled at a proper facility. On the side of greener living, saving energy can save you money. Change the light bulbs to CFL's. They use a quarter of the energy a regular light bulb does. Also, in the warm summer months, try to use a microwave or toaster oven in place of the regular oven, especially during the heat of the day. The heat from the oven can raise the temperature of the house by 2-5 degrees, making your air conditioner work harder. You've probably seen the TV shows about extreme couponers, and that can be you too! All it takes it a little bit of time and practice to learn about couponing. You can save hundreds of dollars on groceries this way, so it's definitely worth the time you put into learning about it. Another way to save on your grocery bill is at least once a month plan a week's worth of meals out of what is stored in the cupboard. Use up the items that have been pushed back and only purchase what is needed to go with it in order to make a meal. Your grocery list should be smaller. And, always go to the supermarket with a list and learn to only purchase items on your list. Do not visit just one store when shopping but go to several. A bargain can be found if the time is taken to look around. This is especially true when making those bigger purchases such as cars, vacations and furniture. Look online as some stores offer great deals for shopping on the web. The trick is not to rush into the purchase and buy the first thing that you see. Search around until you find exactly what you want at the best price. Seek for freebies. Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers, and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you. Whether you are looking to a frugal life out of necessity or out of a wise money management plan, start by simply tackling one area of your expenses. Then move on to another. Over time, you will find that your attitude changes and you look at things differently. And you start seeing that you can save money (to spend on things that really matter) without much effort at all. And that's the best thing about the frugal challenge -- you save money.