Being more frugal with your eating habits:

A lot of times people eat more expensive options than they have to, there are simple ways to cut back on cost while still getting plenty of delicious and healthy food options.

• Eat less meat. Meat is often really expensive, so use less by not making it the focus of the meal, instead use it to stuff pasta, add it to soups, sauces, etc. instead of having big chunks of it as the main dish.


• Eat leftovers. It is almost unavoidable to have leftovers when you cook, but you would spend much less if you actually ate them. Freeze them if you won't have time to eat them before they go bad.


• Cook large amounts and freeze extra for additional meals. It is cheaper to buy in bulk at times, and often much less expensive to cook larger meals instead of several small. So, double the recipe and freeze extras.


• Don't waste. When there is a little bit left in a jar, or a tub, don't toss it out, use it.


• Know when to cook from scratch and when not too. For example, cookies from a mix are often less expensive than from scratch, but soups from scratch are far less pricey than from a mix.


• Limit eating out. You pay a premium to eat out, you pay for service, for preparation, and for clean up. When times are tough, this is one of the best things you can do to cut costs and save money.


• Eat from your stocked pantry. Have you ever gone shopping only to come home and feel like you have nothing to eat? Instead of looking for fast and easy, start using cook books, and items you have in your pantry. You will save a lot.


• Bring lunch from home. A lot of times you will have enough dinner leftovers to provide lunch at work the next day with little to no cost. It is going to save you a lot, even if you eat frugally. Let's say you go cheap and only spend $3 a day on lunch, in a week that is $15, and in a month, $60. When times are tight $60 can make or break a budget.


• Eat less. The average American eats too much as it is, so focus on eating better for you foods instead of so many nutrient worthless foods.


• Don't use vending machines.


• Always have a meal plan. A meal plan means having less waste, and not buying things at the store that you do not need.


• Consider cooking once a month and using your freezer. This saves you money, and makes life easier.


• Get creative with leftovers so that you feel like you are eating new meals


• Base most of your meals on rice or beans to cut down on meat consumption.


• Don't drink soda, juice, and other expensive drinks. Drink water, it can save you a lot of money each month.


• For kid's lunches buy in bulk and make your own small bags, like with chips, jello, apple sauce, etc.


• Always take a snack and bottle of water wherever you go so you are not tempted to splurge on expensive fast foods and treats.


• Grow your own produce, even if you have no room you can grow tomatoes in a pot in the window sill.

Save Money on Cars and Gas

When times are tight, and with gas prices on the rise, it is smart to learn how to save money on your car expenses and on gasoline.

• Combine errands so you only have to go once a week, and plan them so you use an efficient route. It saves a lot.


• Walk as much as you can. Make a habit of walking if it is less than a mile away.


• Stay home more. Find things to do at home, and you will find less reasons to go out.


• Keep your car in good repair so that it gets maximum gas mileage, that means keep tires filled to their proper pressure, balance and rotate, get oil changed regularly, replace filters, etc.


• Drive for gas efficiency, meaning don't suddenly stop or accelerate, drive in the speed limits, keep your air off if you can help it, etc.


• Carpool or bum rides if possible.


• On a long trip, keep a steady foot or use cruise control.


• Use a discount card to buy gas. Grocery stores often offer them and you get discounts based on spending, so do your shopping and your fill up on the same day.


• Fill up early in the morning when the air is cool, and the gas is dense.


• Fill up when your tank is half empty.


• Use gasbuddy.com to find the lowest price on gas in your area.

While you can really try to find cheaper utilities, you can use less.

• Plug things like electronics into powerstrips that can be turned off when not in use, often times the power used to keep those little indicator lights on is costing you more than you think.


• Keep the lights off during the day, and turn them off in rooms you are not in.


• Line dry clothes when you can.


• Let dishes air dry instead of running a dry cycle on your dishwasher.


• Use CFL bulbs.


• Turn down the thermostat in winter, and up in summer.


• Don't run the heater at night. Use extra blankets on your bed instead. Don't run AC at night either, instead open windows to cool down the house.


• Get rid of your land line and use your cell phone.


• Take shorter showers.


• Insulate your home better, including your water pipes.


• Keep the freezer full. Even if you fill it with bottles of water. It's less expensive to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one.


• Never leave the water running for teeth brushing, etc.

Save Money on Medical Needs

Even though medical expenses are pretty set, there are ways to save.

• Use a flexible spending account or cafeteria plan, so you can pay out-of-pocket medical expenses with pre-tax dollars.


• Go generic with medication, and find cheaper pharmacies such as Walmart.

Save Money on Entertainment
This is one of the biggest areas where you can save, and the most important area to cut back on when times are tough.

• Cancel magazine and other unnecessary subscriptions.


• Use the library for movies, books, newspapers, magazines, and internet.


• Prepare special dinners at home, rather than going out to celebrate. Even if you prepare an expensive meal, like steaks or shrimp, it will cost less than eating out.


• Eat out only once a month.


• Do free things for entertainment: Hiking, free city concerts, board games.


• Take advantage of parks.


• Take advantage of local activities, museums, etc.


• Buy a season pass if you are going to go somewhere a lot, like the pool, zoo, etc.


• Have friends over more often, go out less.


• Trade babysitting with friends who also need a sitter.

Save Money on Miscellaneous Things

There are lots of ways to be more frugal on all the things you buy, even the miscellaneous items.

• Get your hair cut less often


• Keep birthdays, holidays, and other gift giving events in mind when shopping so you can take advantage of sales.


• Sell stuff you do not use or need.


• Collect change, and create a savings account with it.


• Sell homemade items on Etsy.


• Save money you get in a raise.


• Use rewards programs.


• Use cash to reduce spending.


• Use coupons, they are worth it.


• Trade services any time you can.

Last but not least, if you want to be more frugal, get in the habit of asking yourself what you have that you can use, rather than what you need to buy. When making dinner don't ask, what do I need from the store, instead say, what can I make with what I have. Apply this to all areas of your life and you will find frugal living is far easier and far more within your reach than you think.