Some people are born frugal, some choose to be frugal, and some have frugality thrust upon them. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, if you study the habits of frugal people, you’ll notice similarities. Here are just a few things frugal people do {or do not do} on a consistent basis. If you are frugal, many of these things might seem familiar to you. If you are on the path to frugality, take note. Here are some habits you’ll want to adopt!
They Use Every Last Drop: Frugal people do not waste. They box their leftovers at a restaurant and then use them as a second meal. They use every last bit of shampoo and conditioner, tipping over the bottle and draining every last drop. They resourcefully use leftovers so they don’t go to waste and they re-purpose items bound for the trash.
They Repair Things: If something is broken, they don’t immediately go out and buy a new one to replace it. They fix it, or at least check to see if repairing it is more cost effective. Too often we trash things when they break and opt for brand new. I’m not sure if we do it because we are kind of a “throw away” nation or if it’s just more convenient to just toss it and buy brand new instead of tracking down a repair place, scheduling an appointment or learning to fix it yourself.
They Buy In Bulk {And Cook In Bulk, Too!}: Bulk buying is pretty much a routine practice to the frugally minded. But the seasoned frugalist {is that a word? It should be if it isn’t already!} knows there is great potential for savings, there is also potential to waste money. Knowing what bulk items your family will actually use is the trick, and then knowing how to utilize bulk buying in your bulk cooking. One of the very best ways to save money {and time and sanity} when it comes to groceries, is to prepare meals in bulk. Cooking in bulk, making freezer meals and then utilizing your freezer will all help slash that monthly meal budget. The most frugal people I know have stocked freezers full of batch cooked meals.
They Stay In: Dining out means spending money. Shopping as a hobby means spending money. Routinely going to the movies means spending money. Having drinks out with friends means spending money. Staying in means none of that money leaves your account. That doesn’t mean your social life has to suffer. Potluck dinner parties in are awesome. Movie nights are awesome. Game nights with friends are awesome. Curling up on the couch to binge watch Downton Abbey is awesome. Fun can still be had and frugality is still in tact.
They Cook From Scratch: Speaking of dining out, it can be crazy expensive. Convenience foods can be, too. Cooking from fresh ingredients found on sale is typically how the most frugally minded families are fed. Not only does from-scratch cooking have the potential to save you big, it’s also so much healthier for you!
They Comparison Shop: They’ll never make a large purchase without researching it and shopping around first. Typically, they aren’t impulse buyer either. Their approach to spending money is thoughtful, and therefore maximizes savings and ensures they get the best deal.
They Plan For the Future: When frugal people save, they save with retirement in mind. When frugal people spend, they spend with retirement in mind. They have set financial goals and always strive to see the big picture when budgeting. They typically know how many years they have to work until retirement, they put money away in savings each month, and they are careful not to overspend to jeopardize that savings.
“Spoil” Is Not In Their Vocabulary: This goes for them and their kids. Sure they splurge every once in awhile, but there is a huge different between spoiling and splurging. I think spoiling is a lifestyle, and an expensive one. It means basing purchases on wants, not needs on a consistent basis. Cut the spoiling out of your life is you want to adopt a frugal lifestyle.
They Track Their Spending: Knowing where your money goes is essential when it comes to budgeting. Frugal people can tell you how much they spend, sometimes down to the penny. We track all the money we spend in our Personal Capital Account. It’s totally free and we LOVE that we can see EXACTLY where every penny has been spent in real time.
What do you think? Are those frugal habits pretty accurate? Do you adhere to any of them? What are some habits you’ve noticed most frugal people adopt?
Stay frugal,
~Mavis
Caitlin says
Have you done a post about personal capital? I’m on the hunt for a new tracking platform and would love a review.
Shelli says
I second the request for a review about Personal Capital!
Aunt G says
I’m totally frugal– 110%.
Every Dollar (Dave Ramsey’s money budgeting and tracking ap is great too).
One more item frugal people do is buy most things used or deeply discounted.
Teckla says
Yes, all good frugal points. I don’t buy as much in bulk as I did at one time because I’m just one person, have minimal storage space and have to be careful with the budget. I never have been one who enjoyed cooking, but have been working on cooking from scratch (fewer ready-made/convenience foods) during this past year and will continue to do so. I haven’t canned much the last several years, but plan to do so again, working with beans and soup through this winter and with fresh produce next year. I’m hoping to get a freezer next month, too. Mom always had a big garden and cannned/froze/dried, etc., lots and lots of food every year.
Use every drop, repair, stay in, comparison shop (I’m working harder on this the last 5 years since I retired), plan for the future (yes, definitely), are all excellent goals. Spoiling has never been in the picture. I don’t have kids, but was never spoiled myself, and certainly wouldn’t have spoiled children had I had them because I think it’s important for them to learn how to live well in the real world.
Mavis, I’m glad you are such a proponent of frugality and teach so much about it. There’s always something new to learn and they are great habits to get into!
Wendy M says
Great list! I do most (all) of those! I can think of a few more:
Frugal people don’t try to keep up with the Joneses.
They will delay a purchase as long as possible in order to save money.
They buy quality but they will try to get it as inexpensively as possible.
Claire says
Good points, Wendy
Claire says
Gold star pass here! Thanks, Mavis, I feel less weird now; I have authenticated company.
Indio says
I agree that the US has a predominantly throw away culture. When I travel to other countries, this difference really stands out to me. The massive amount of plastic and styrofoam waste that we produce, and don’t recycle, is overwhelming.
I’ve been trying to instill the frugal gene in my children by pointing out what drives our economy is a consumer mentality rather than a producer way of life. Since children are very susceptible to peer pressure, this is a challenge. I have hope because they see how differently our lifestyle is from our neighbors, who usually drive expensive cars and live in big houses that require two working parents to sustain. My daughter overheard another kid on the bus talking about the $500 Tiffany rings, that were gifts from her parents, she keeps losing and therefore her manicure doesn’t look as good. Nothing like starting out the school day with a dose of superficial consumerism.
Kari says
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without!
Marie says
Hi Mavis, I am in the market for a food saver machine like you have on one of the pictures in order to preserve food in the freezer. Do you have a recommendation? We harvest our own chickens and turkeys, and keep them in the freezer.
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Marie,
Mrs. HB and I both like using Food Saver Machines. I own this one http://amzn.to/2yrmbJ3
Carolina says
Here in New England, we say. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without>” You are going to fit in PERFECTLY here!!!