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The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living

Every Tuesday is Finance & Family Day at Zen Habits.

Confession time: I’m a cheapskate. Some would say frugal, which sounds much more positive, but in reality I can be a real cheapskate.

I am fairly frugal (though not always), but sometimes I take it too far: I have T-shirts with holes in them, I never buy new clothes, we’re shopping for a new couch because our current one has holes in it, and I ran my current pair of running shoes until the soles fell off.

However, I have gradually learned to be frugal in many ways that I would recommend to others. I don’t think you should have holes in your couch, and you should definitely replace your running shoes more often than I do, but there are many ways to cut back on spending and live a more frugal lifestyle.

Why live frugally? First, because it allows you to spend less than you earn, and use the difference to pay off debt, save or invest. Or all three. Second, because the less you spend, the less you need to earn. And that means you can choose to work less, or work more but retire early. Or take mini retirements. You have more options with a frugal lifestyle.

I know what I’m going to hear in the comments, because it’s been done repeatedly with my other frugal articles: I have no life. This is boring. I might as well live in a box. You have to enjoy life sometimes.

All of which you might believe, but I believe I do have a life. A great one. One where I spend time with my family, where I have conversations and read and get outside and do things that are fun and exercise and focus on what’s important and spend my free time the way I want. This is a good life. Read this article for more.

So, if you’d like some tips on frugal living, here are just a few, from a cheapskate. I should note that I do most, but not all, of these tips.

Go with one car. Many families have two or more cars. Besides your house, your car is probably your most expensive item. If you can do with one, you should. My wife and I both work, and we have six kids, and yet we have learned to manage with one car.
Go with a smaller house. Just because you can afford a larger house, doesn’t mean you should live in one. Live in as small a house as you can and still be comfortable. I don’t mean you should live in a one-room apartment with a family of four … you know what I mean. You can save thousands a year with a smaller house. Many times, if you get rid of a lot of clutter, you don’t need a large house.
Go with a smaller car. Again, you can save thousands by going with a smaller car. A car instead of an SUV, for example, is a big savings. Be comfortable, but don’t overdo it. You’ll save a lot on gas this way too.
Rent rather than own. This will probably spark a huge debate, as it always does. The thing is, just don’t assume that buying is the better investment. If you calculate the interest you pay on a mortgage, the cost of insurance and maintenance, buying is often much more costly than renting … and if you rent, save money, and then invest the difference, you can actually end up well ahead in the long run. Now, it’s not a given, so do a comparison, factoring in all expenses. Here’s a more in-depth article.
Look for used first. If you need something — I mean really need it, not just want it — see if someone you know has one that they don’t use or need anymore. Send out an email to family or friends, or just ask around. You might be surprised. I was about to buy a printer, and then found out my mom just bought a laser printer and didn’t need her old inkjet … saving me close to 100 smackeroos. If no one you know owns one, try freecycle.org or craigslist.org. Then look to buy used, at garage sales or thrift shops. You can find a bargain if you look around.
Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses in our daily lives is eating out — the average person spends well over $2,000 a year on eating out. Restaurants are expensive, including fast-food (not to mention the health hazards). It’s much cheaper to cook your own food. Our family creates a weekly menu, then we buy the groceries, and cook dinner (and lunch) each evening. Lately I’ve even been prepping it in the morning, so it’s a snap when we get home.
Eat out frugally. If you do eat out, check out these money-saving tips.
Brown bag it to work. Instead of eating out for lunch, bring your lunch. More here.
Adopt a minimalist wardrobe. This tip won’t be for everybody, but I try for a minimalist wardrobe. I generally wear jeans or casual pants, a T-shirt or Polo-type shirt, and sandals or shoes. Plain, solid colors are my favorite. Everything goes with everything else, and I don’t have too many clothes. This saves me the stress of picking out an outfit, and I don’t need as many clothes.
Stop online impulse buys. This was a problem for me before I canceled my credit card. I used to buy online a couple of times a week. Now I buy maybe once every couple of months, using PayPal or someone else’s credit card. I’m not saying you have to go to this extreme, but realize that online buying can be way too easy (you don’t even have to go to a store) and therefore, we make too many impulse buys. Buy online if you really need something and it’ll save you money, but beware the impulse buy. See 30-day list tip below.
Don’t shop. Don’t go to the mall or other shopping area or department store to look around and shop. Go to a store if you know what you need, and then get out. Many times people go shopping, with a vague idea of what they want, and get caught up buying much more. Or they go just for fun, as a form of entertainment. That ends up costing a lot. It can really add up. Instead, stay away from shopping areas and find other ways to have fun (more below).
Use a 30-day list. To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. And stick to it. You’ll find that you buy a lot less with this system.
Cut out cable. I’ve talked about how I cut out cable before. It saves me money every month (in my area, about $60, or more than $700 a year), and also forces me to do things like read and have conversations and go outside. Win win.
Use the library. Instead of buying books, check them out. The library often also has a great selection of DVDs (depending on your area), saving you even more. Now who needs cable?
Find free entertainment. Find cheap ways to have fun. Entertainment often ends up costing a lot of money, if you go to the movies, buy concessions, or go out at night, go to the bar, etc. The average person spends about $1,800 a year on entertainment (not including eating out). Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun … but there are cheaper ways to do it. Here are a few ideas. Here’s a frugal family’s fun and cheap weekend.
Frugal exercise. Exercise is important, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Here are some tips.
Stay healthy. Easier said than done, I know, but staying healthy can save you tons of money on doctor’s visits, hospital bills, and medicine over the long run. An ounce of prevention, and all that. Eat healthily, and exercise. Simple and effective.
Commute by bike. Even if you own a car, commuting by bike will save you gas, and get you in shape at the same time. I highly recommend it. Here are my tips.
Carpool or ride the bus. OK, you don’t want to bike it. So find a friend or neighbor who works near you, and arrange a carpool. Or take public transportation. Simple advice, but something a lot of people ignore.
Walk. Often we drive to the corner store, or to a school that’s less than a mile away. Leave a few minutes early, walk, burn some calories, and save gas.
Sell your clutter. This is not so much saving money as making it, but the frugal, simplifying cheapskate, like myself, will want to declutter and make a few bucks doing it. Hold a garage sale or sell it on eBay. It’s amazing what some people will buy. See the Simple Dollar’s post on this.
Frugal gifting. Gifts can cost a lot of money over the course of a year. Look for ways to do it cheaply. Make a gift, or give a consummable. My family enjoys getting and giving cookies, for example. Here are some ideas.
Quit smoking. Not the easiest way to save, I know. It’s hard. But I did it, and so have many, many others. Not only will you save on cigarettes (which are expensive over the long run), but also associated costs (I used to buy a soda or beer to go with my cigarettes) … and of course the huge, long-term medical costs. In less than 2 years of not smoking, I’ve saved well more than $3,000. Here are my tips for quitting.
Alcohol in moderation. If you drink one beer or a few beers a day, that adds up to big money each month. Some drink even more than that. It’s expensive. If you can cut your drinking to the occasional party, and once in awhile with friends (not all the time), you’ll save tons.
Sweets in moderation. Desserts and sweet snacks give us lots of calories with no nutrition. And we pay a premium price for that, in dollars and in our deteriorating health. Cut back on sweets (don’t eliminate them entirely of course) to save money and cut calories.
Drink water. Often we drink lots of calories through sodas, coffee, alcohol, juices, tea, etc. And that costs a lot too. Drink water, save money, save calories. Here are some tips for forming the water habit.
Batch your errands. Instead of running an errand or two every day, batch them into one errand day, and plan your most efficient route, to save gas and time. Also do as much bill-paying online as possible, to eliminate some errands.
Stay home. Becoming a homebody might not sound like a lot of fun, but it really can be. I love staying home with my family. We can do all kinds of fun things at home. Or I can spend a day alone, if the family is at school, and really enjoy it. It’s quiet and peaceful, I can read or watch a good movie or respond to comments on my blog or write. Staying home can save tons, in eating out expenses, shopping expenses, gas, and incidentals.
Stop using credit cards. Credit cards are not evil. And before you flame me, once again, I realize that they can be used to good purpose. If that’s how you use them, then that’s good, skip this tip. For others, credit cards make buying too easy, and end up making them buy too much.Not only that, but if you don’t pay your bill in full each month, they will cost you a lot in interest. The average American with at least 1 credit card has more than $8,500 in credit card debt. Don’t make that mistake. Here’s my story.
Cancel subscriptions. With the wealth of information and entertainment online, do you really need magazine subscriptions? With all the news online, do you really need a newspaper subscription? If you can get DVDs for free or cheap, do you really need a Netflix subscription? Don’t flame me if you think you do need any of these — I’m just asking you to consider whether they’re really essential — the answer might be yes. Also consider other subscriptions you might be paying for — I’m not saying you should cancel everything, but seriously consider whether they can be canceled without much loss of value. Read more.
Make your own. I won’t go into all the possibilities here, but many times we buy things when really, we could make them ourselves for much cheaper if we get a little creative. Now, this might take a little more time and effort, but it can be fun, especially if you make it a family project. We recently made our own (very simple) bookshelves with only a couple of pieces of lumber, instead of buying them. If you don’t know how to make something, search for it online. You’ll most likely find some instructions.
Do it yourself. Instead of hiring someone to do something, try doing it yourself. Sure, it takes some time and effort, but it’s satisfying, and of course cheaper. It’s also educational, if you don’t know how to do it — again, do an online search, read up on it, and give it a go. Frugality freaks are DIYers.
Stop paying interest. I mentioned the interest of credit cards, and auto loans, and mortgages. I consider them a waste of money. I’ve talked about how to live without credit before, and I recommend it for a frugal lifestyle. Consider any other accounts or loans where you pay interest, and see if you can eventually eliminate as much of these as possible.
Reduce convenience foods. Frozen foods, microwaveable stuff, junk food … anything that’s packaged and prepared for our convenience is not only more expensive than something you cook yourself, but also most likely less healthy. I’m not saying to eliminate these completely, but reduce consumption.
Travel frugally. I actually don’t travel (or haven’t for years), but if you do have to travel, some advance planning can save you money. Airfare is most expensive, usually, so look to buy your ticket in advance, and look for deals. Also consider train travel. Shop around for car rental rates, as they can vary greatly (or use public transportation). Look for cheaper accommodations, or stay with a friend or relative. Just a note: I do plan to travel, but not until I finally eliminate all of my debt.
Cut the cell phone. This will not be a popular suggestion either. If you don’t like it, move on to the next one. It’s not for everybody. But think about this: 20 years ago, most people didn’t have cell phones. And miraculously, they survived. A cell phone is not a necessity. It’s a convenience. When people needed to make a call, 20 years ago, they either waited until they got to a destination (wait to make a phone call?! omg!), or pulled over and used a pay phone or a phone in a business establishment.
Cut your own hair. Again, this one isn’t for everybody. Personally, I use electric clippers to shave my head. It’s easy, it’s cheap, it’s minimalist, it’s care-free. I don’t worry about my hair getting messed up, or having to fix it in the morning. However, I’m not saying you should shave your head. Many people cut their own hair, in many simple but nice hairstyles, long or short. Saves money, and time.
Maintain stuff. This is a no-brainer, but we don’t often think about it: if you take care of what you have, it will last longer. You’ll then spend less on buying new stuff. When you buy something worth maintaining, take a few minutes to read the maintenance manual, and create a maintenance checklist that you can attach to the item. For important things like your car’s oil changes or tune-ups, put them in your calendar.
Save energy. There are little things we can do to lower our power bill. I don’t use a dryer or hot water heater, although those are a little extreme. Try these tips.
Save gas. With the rising price of gas (and no end in sight), fuel has become a major monthly expense for many people. Small things can add up to big savings. Try these tips.
Only buy bargain clothing (when you need clothes). OK, so you’re a cheapskate like me who only buys clothes when the old clothes have too many arm or leg holes. But now you need new clothing. I mean really need it. So instead of buying new, look for thrift shops with good clothes. Or buy new, but only buy the stuff that’s 50% off. Look for the bargains, and you’ll save a ton.
Telecommute. Telecommuting doesn’t necessarily give you your dream job, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. But in addition to allowing you to work in your underwear (and who doesn’t have that dream?), telecommuting saves money on gas, on eating out (if you eat lunch at a restaurant), and on buying expensive work clothes (all you need to buy is underwear, right? And no, don’t buy used underwear).
Plan ahead. Sure, easy to say, hard to implement. But if you make it a habit to think ahead to things that are coming up in your life, you can save a lot of money. For example, if you think about where you’re going to get your meals when you go out to do errands, you can pack a lunch or dinner instead of eating out. If you pack a big container of iced water, you don’t need to buy expensive bottled water. If you know that a birthday is coming up, you can buy a gift on sale instead of spending more at the last minute.
Cook ahead. If you have one free day a week (or even a month), cook food in big batches and freeze in dinner-sized portions. I don’t do this all the time, but I have done it and it saves money (buying big can often save) as well as time. You have to plan it out a bit, coming up with a menu and shopping, cooking enough meals for a week or a month. But once you’re done, your meals each night (and for lunch if you like) are quick and easy. This saves you from eating out or eating convenience food when you’re hungry but too tired to cook.
Wash clothes less. Some people wear clothes and then wash them, but I’ve gotten into the habit of wearing my clothes more than once if they’re not really dirty. I use my nose as a test — I don’t want to wear clothes that smell, but most times the clothes are still perfectly clean. This saves on washing.
Sun-dry clothes. When my parents were young, everyone used a clothesline to dry clothes. Now dryers are ubiquitous, because they’re fast. But if you don’t wash a ton of clothes, it’s not that hard to take a few minutes to hang them up. You’ll save a lot in electricity, plus your clothes last longer.
Eat less meat. I’m not saying you have to become a vegetarian (although you could always give it a try), but once in awhile, eat meatless dishes. Pasta, vegetarian chili (see my recipe halfway down this article), vegetarian Indian or Thai dishes, falafels with hummus and pitas and tomatoes and lettuce … there are plenty of tasty dishes without meat. And as meat is expensive (well, the fresh kind is … Spam is cheap), you’ll save money on meatless dishes. Again, I’m assuming you cook with fresh meat, not canned.
Save on groceries. For my family of eight, groceries is a major expense. With some simple habits, we’ve been able to save a lot of money. See more here.
Frugal Christmas. Christmas is expensive, especially in America (if you live in an area that doesn’t celebrate Christmas with a huge amount of buying, or doesn’t celebrate it at all, skip this tip). People go on crazy shopping gorges. It’s insane. While it makes the retailers and manufacturers happy, it doesn’t make our bank accounts happy. Break out of the cycle and find cheaper ways to celebrate Christmas. Here are some great ways to do that, and here are some more.
Eat a cheap breakfast. Here are some great ones.

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The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living

Every Tuesday is Finance & Family Day at Zen Habits.

Confession time: I’m a cheapskate. Some would say frugal, which sounds much more positive, but in reality I can be a real cheapskate.

So, if you’d like some tips on frugal living, here are just a few, from a cheapskate. I should note that I do most, but not all, of these tips.

Go with one car. Many families have two or more cars. Besides your house, your car is probably your most expensive item. If you can do with one, you should. My wife and I both work, and we have six kids, and yet we have learned to manage with one car.
Go with a smaller house. Just because you can afford a larger house, doesn’t mean you should live in one. Live in as small a house as you can and still be comfortable. I don’t mean you should live in a one-room apartment with a family of four … you know what I mean. You can save thousands a year with a smaller house. Many times, if you get rid of a lot of clutter, you don’t need a large house.
Go with a smaller car. Again, you can save thousands by going with a smaller car. A car instead of an SUV, for example, is a big savings. Be comfortable, but don’t overdo it. You’ll save a lot on gas this way too.
Rent rather than own. This will probably spark a huge debate, as it always does. The thing is, just don’t assume that buying is the better investment. If you calculate the interest you pay on a mortgage, the cost of insurance and maintenance, buying is often much more costly than renting … and if you rent, save money, and then invest the difference, you can actually end up well ahead in the long run. Now, it’s not a given, so do a comparison, factoring in all expenses. Here’s a more in-depth article.
Look for used first. If you need something — I mean really need it, not just want it — see if someone you know has one that they don’t use or need anymore. Send out an email to family or friends, or just ask around. You might be surprised. I was about to buy a printer, and then found out my mom just bought a laser printer and didn’t need her old inkjet … saving me close to 100 smackeroos. If no one you know owns one, try freecycle.org or craigslist.org. Then look to buy used, at garage sales or thrift shops. You can find a bargain if you look around.
Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses in our daily lives is eating out — the average person spends well over $2,000 a year on eating out. Restaurants are expensive, including fast-food (not to mention the health hazards). It’s much cheaper to cook your own food. Our family creates a weekly menu, then we buy the groceries, and cook dinner (and lunch) each evening. Lately I’ve even been prepping it in the morning, so it’s a snap when we get home.
Eat out frugally. If you do eat out, check out these money-saving tips.
Brown bag it to work. Instead of eating out for lunch, bring your lunch. More here.
Adopt a minimalist wardrobe. This tip won’t be for everybody, but I try for a minimalist wardrobe. I generally wear jeans or casual pants, a T-shirt or Polo-type shirt, and sandals or shoes. Plain, solid colors are my favorite. Everything goes with everything else, and I don’t have too many clothes. This saves me the stress of picking out an outfit, and I don’t need as many clothes.
Stop online impulse buys. This was a problem for me before I canceled my credit card. I used to buy online a couple of times a week. Now I buy maybe once every couple of months, using PayPal or someone else’s credit card. I’m not saying you have to go to this extreme, but realize that online buying can be way too easy (you don’t even have to go to a store) and therefore, we make too many impulse buys. Buy online if you really need something and it’ll save you money, but beware the impulse buy. See 30-day list tip below.
Don’t shop. Don’t go to the mall or other shopping area or department store to look around and shop. Go to a store if you know what you need, and then get out. Many times people go shopping, with a vague idea of what they want, and get caught up buying much more. Or they go just for fun, as a form of entertainment. That ends up costing a lot. It can really add up. Instead, stay away from shopping areas and find other ways to have fun (more below).
Use a 30-day list. To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. And stick to it. You’ll find that you buy a lot less with this system.
Cut out cable. I’ve talked about how I cut out cable before. It saves me money every month (in my area, about $60, or more than $700 a year), and also forces me to do things like read and have conversations and go outside. Win win.
Use the library. Instead of buying books, check them out. The library often also has a great selection of DVDs (depending on your area), saving you even more. Now who needs cable?
Find free entertainment. Find cheap ways to have fun. Entertainment often ends up costing a lot of money, if you go to the movies, buy concessions, or go out at night, go to the bar, etc. The average person spends about $1,800 a year on entertainment (not including eating out). Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun … but there are cheaper ways to do it. Here are a few ideas. Here’s a frugal family’s fun and cheap weekend.
Frugal exercise. Exercise is important, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Here are some tips.
Stay healthy. Easier said than done, I know, but staying healthy can save you tons of money on doctor’s visits, hospital bills, and medicine over the long run. An ounce of prevention, and all that. Eat healthily, and exercise. Simple and effective.
Commute by bike. Even if you own a car, commuting by bike will save you gas, and get you in shape at the same time. I highly recommend it. Here are my tips.
Carpool or ride the bus. OK, you don’t want to bike it. So find a friend or neighbor who works near you, and arrange a carpool. Or take public transportation. Simple advice, but something a lot of people ignore.
Walk. Often we drive to the corner store, or to a school that’s less than a mile away. Leave a few minutes early, walk, burn some calories, and save gas.
Sell your clutter. This is not so much saving money as making it, but the frugal, simplifying cheapskate, like myself, will want to declutter and make a few bucks doing it. Hold a garage sale or sell it on eBay. It’s amazing what some people will buy. See the Simple Dollar’s post on this.
Frugal gifting. Gifts can cost a lot of money over the course of a year. Look for ways to do it cheaply. Make a gift, or give a consummable. My family enjoys getting and giving cookies, for example. Here are some ideas.
Quit smoking. Not the easiest way to save, I know. It’s hard. But I did it, and so have many, many others. Not only will you save on cigarettes (which are expensive over the long run), but also associated costs (I used to buy a soda or beer to go with my cigarettes) … and of course the huge, long-term medical costs. In less than 2 years of not smoking, I’ve saved well more than $3,000. Here are my tips for quitting.
Alcohol in moderation. If you drink one beer or a few beers a day, that adds up to big money each month. Some drink even more than that. It’s expensive. If you can cut your drinking to the occasional party, and once in awhile with friends (not all the time), you’ll save tons.
Sweets in moderation. Desserts and sweet snacks give us lots of calories with no nutrition. And we pay a premium price for that, in dollars and in our deteriorating health. Cut back on sweets (don’t eliminate them entirely of course) to save money and cut calories.
Drink water. Often we drink lots of calories through sodas, coffee, alcohol, juices, tea, etc. And that costs a lot too. Drink water, save money, save calories. Here are some tips for forming the water habit.
Batch your errands. Instead of running an errand or two every day, batch them into one errand day, and plan your most efficient route, to save gas and time. Also do as much bill-paying online as possible, to eliminate some errands.
Stay home. Becoming a homebody might not sound like a lot of fun, but it really can be. I love staying home with my family. We can do all kinds of fun things at home. Or I can spend a day alone, if the family is at school, and really enjoy it. It’s quiet and peaceful, I can read or watch a good movie or respond to comments on my blog or write. Staying home can save tons, in eating out expenses, shopping expenses, gas, and incidentals.
Stop using credit cards. Credit cards are not evil. And before you flame me, once again, I realize that they can be used to good purpose. If that’s how you use them, then that’s good, skip this tip. For others, credit cards make buying too easy, and end up making them buy too much.Not only that, but if you don’t pay your bill in full each month, they will cost you a lot in interest. The average American with at least 1 credit card has more than $8,500 in credit card debt. Don’t make that mistake. Here’s my story.
Cancel subscriptions. With the wealth of information and entertainment online, do you really need magazine subscriptions? With all the news online, do you really need a newspaper subscription? If you can get DVDs for free or cheap, do you really need a Netflix subscription? Don’t flame me if you think you do need any of these — I’m just asking you to consider whether they’re really essential — the answer might be yes. Also consider other subscriptions you might be paying for — I’m not saying you should cancel everything, but seriously consider whether they can be canceled without much loss of value. Read more.
Make your own. I won’t go into all the possibilities here, but many times we buy things when really, we could make them ourselves for much cheaper if we get a little creative. Now, this might take a little more time and effort, but it can be fun, especially if you make it a family project. We recently made our own (very simple) bookshelves with only a couple of pieces of lumber, instead of buying them. If you don’t know how to make something, search for it online. You’ll most likely find some instructions.
Do it yourself. Instead of hiring someone to do something, try doing it yourself. Sure, it takes some time and effort, but it’s satisfying, and of course cheaper. It’s also educational, if you don’t know how to do it — again, do an online search, read up on it, and give it a go. Frugality freaks are DIYers.
Stop paying interest. I mentioned the interest of credit cards, and auto loans, and mortgages. I consider them a waste of money. I’ve talked about how to live without credit before, and I recommend it for a frugal lifestyle. Consider any other accounts or loans where you pay interest, and see if you can eventually eliminate as much of these as possible.
Reduce convenience foods. Frozen foods, microwaveable stuff, junk food … anything that’s packaged and prepared for our convenience is not only more expensive than something you cook yourself, but also most likely less healthy. I’m not saying to eliminate these completely, but reduce consumption.
Travel frugally. I actually don’t travel (or haven’t for years), but if you do have to travel, some advance planning can save you money. Airfare is most expensive, usually, so look to buy your ticket in advance, and look for deals. Also consider train travel. Shop around for car rental rates, as they can vary greatly (or use public transportation). Look for cheaper accommodations, or stay with a friend or relative. Just a note: I do plan to travel, but not until I finally eliminate all of my debt.
Cut the cell phone. This will not be a popular suggestion either. If you don’t like it, move on to the next one. It’s not for everybody. But think about this: 20 years ago, most people didn’t have cell phones. And miraculously, they survived. A cell phone is not a necessity. It’s a convenience. When people needed to make a call, 20 years ago, they either waited until they got to a destination (wait to make a phone call?! omg!), or pulled over and used a pay phone or a phone in a business establishment.
Cut your own hair. Again, this one isn’t for everybody. Personally, I use electric clippers to shave my head. It’s easy, it’s cheap, it’s minimalist, it’s care-free. I don’t worry about my hair getting messed up, or having to fix it in the morning. However, I’m not saying you should shave your head. Many people cut their own hair, in many simple but nice hairstyles, long or short. Saves money, and time.
Maintain stuff. This is a no-brainer, but we don’t often think about it: if you take care of what you have, it will last longer. You’ll then spend less on buying new stuff. When you buy something worth maintaining, take a few minutes to read the maintenance manual, and create a maintenance checklist that you can attach to the item. For important things like your car’s oil changes or tune-ups, put them in your calendar.
Save energy. There are little things we can do to lower our power bill. I don’t use a dryer or hot water heater, although those are a little extreme. Try these tips.
Save gas. With the rising price of gas (and no end in sight), fuel has become a major monthly expense for many people. Small things can add up to big savings. Try these tips.
Only buy bargain clothing (when you need clothes). OK, so you’re a cheapskate like me who only buys clothes when the old clothes have too many arm or leg holes. But now you need new clothing. I mean really need it. So instead of buying new, look for thrift shops with good clothes. Or buy new, but only buy the stuff that’s 50% off. Look for the bargains, and you’ll save a ton.
Telecommute. Telecommuting doesn’t necessarily give you your dream job, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. But in addition to allowing you to work in your underwear (and who doesn’t have that dream?), telecommuting saves money on gas, on eating out (if you eat lunch at a restaurant), and on buying expensive work clothes (all you need to buy is underwear, right? And no, don’t buy used underwear).
Plan ahead. Sure, easy to say, hard to implement. But if you make it a habit to think ahead to things that are coming up in your life, you can save a lot of money. For example, if you think about where you’re going to get your meals when you go out to do errands, you can pack a lunch or dinner instead of eating out. If you pack a big container of iced water, you don’t need to buy expensive bottled water. If you know that a birthday is coming up, you can buy a gift on sale instead of spending more at the last minute.
Cook ahead. If you have one free day a week (or even a month), cook food in big batches and freeze in dinner-sized portions. I don’t do this all the time, but I have done it and it saves money (buying big can often save) as well as time. You have to plan it out a bit, coming up with a menu and shopping, cooking enough meals for a week or a month. But once you’re done, your meals each night (and for lunch if you like) are quick and easy. This saves you from eating out or eating convenience food when you’re hungry but too tired to cook.
Wash clothes less. Some people wear clothes and then wash them, but I’ve gotten into the habit of wearing my clothes more than once if they’re not really dirty. I use my nose as a test — I don’t want to wear clothes that smell, but most times the clothes are still perfectly clean. This saves on washing.
Sun-dry clothes. When my parents were young, everyone used a clothesline to dry clothes. Now dryers are ubiquitous, because they’re fast. But if you don’t wash a ton of clothes, it’s not that hard to take a few minutes to hang them up. You’ll save a lot in electricity, plus your clothes last longer.
Eat less meat. I’m not saying you have to become a vegetarian (although you could always give it a try), but once in awhile, eat meatless dishes. Pasta, vegetarian chili (see my recipe halfway down this article), vegetarian Indian or Thai dishes, falafels with hummus and pitas and tomatoes and lettuce … there are plenty of tasty dishes without meat. And as meat is expensive (well, the fresh kind is … Spam is cheap), you’ll save money on meatless dishes. Again, I’m assuming you cook with fresh meat, not canned.
Save on groceries. For my family of eight, groceries is a major expense. With some simple habits, we’ve been able to save a lot of money. See more here.
Frugal Christmas. Christmas is expensive, especially in America (if you live in an area that doesn’t celebrate Christmas with a huge amount of buying, or doesn’t celebrate it at all, skip this tip). People go on crazy shopping gorges. It’s insane. While it makes the retailers and manufacturers happy, it doesn’t make our bank accounts happy. Break out of the cycle and find cheaper ways to celebrate Christmas. Here are some great ways to do that, and here are some more.
Eat a cheap breakfast. Here are some great ones.

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Spewed into the world on 28 August 2007 in Finance & Family |
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Brilliant comments (247)

Abel Says:

August 28th, 2007, 5:22 am

I must say you’re really frugal, hmm, or cheapskate. As much as being frugal is good (eg: quit smoking, drinking water, commute by bike) you must not forget to pamper yourself once in a while. For this, I go for a good massage or good food.

Leo Says:

August 28th, 2007, 5:52 am

Abel … excellent point. That’s why, in the article, I talked about enjoying yourself and being frugal at the same time. Here’s more:

http://zenhabits.net/2007/07/enjoy-life-now-and-save-for-later-or-why-delayed-gratification-is-a-false-dichotomy/

Thanks, Abel!

Abel Says:

August 28th, 2007, 6:02 am

Thanks, I read that too… and I agree with you.

As long as you strike a balance in your life, nothing wrong with being frugal. FYI, I am one part of the club too ;-) I just changed my slippers recently because I couldn’t mend back the broken straps! My wife just couldn’t stand me! She offered to buy me a pair some time ago but I refused.

While we are on the topic, what do you think of gurus/authors who say that you must think rich to be rich? Or surround yourself with great things before you even get rich?

Leo Says:

August 28th, 2007, 6:17 am

Abel: well, I’m not much into wanting to be rich. I am for wanting to be happy, and many times that doesn’t require money. I’d rather spend a day with someone I love than with a credit card and a shopping mall.

However, I am not against earning money … I just don’t think it should be the focus of your thoughts.

If you “think rich”, you will probably focus on it more than others … and will work harder to get it. I don’t think you need to surround yourself with expensive things to do this … you just need to focus your mind on wealth. Does that mean that wealth will automatically come? Of course not. Thinking about something doesn’t make it true. However, focusing on it makes you more likely to achieve it.

Look at Warren Buffet. He thinks money all the time, and he makes a lot of it. He’s really good at what he does, of course, so that’s the main reason. However, he doesn’t surround himself with opulence. He is a pretty frugal guy, for a billionaire. And yet, even if he drives a modest car, he makes tons of money. So the key, then, is not having rich men’s things, but having the focus of the rich man.

Again, I don’t subscribe to that goal, but I don’t knock it either.

Andy Says:

August 28th, 2007, 7:25 am

Let´s assume everybody will live this fifty rules.
Would this be a world you want to live in?
What could make you more happy, Giving away or hold back?
Perhaps you gave away a information you better held back?
From Germany

Beth Says:

August 28th, 2007, 7:43 am

Perhaps the idea behind this list is to consider whether each item is worth the expense. And that’s a personal decision. For instance, we do have Netflix, but we don’t have cable TV. We do have a cell phone, which replaced our land-line.

In terms of selling stuff, I’d love to sell some of our clutter, but have no idea what to charge. These are items that have been in the family for a long time, but which we’ll never use (like a formal tea set). How do you know how to price items like that?

Julia from Germany Says:

August 28th, 2007, 8:22 am

I really approve of this list. Since I am a student, and therefore always short on money, I already follow most of these tips!

I rarely buy meat, new clothes or fancy stuff, hardly ever go out to eat, have no TV, don’t drink or smoke (yuk), cycle to Uni, my mum cuts my hair and much more! But in the end, it annoys me so much to miss out on alot of things, like going out with my friends and so on.

So for me living like this is partly just a simple way of saving money. I enjoy the fact that I don’t have TV, for example. But I know that one day when I am finished with Uni and start earning money, I will still save on things which I deem unnecessary, but will spend more money on things like organic food/clothes (costs more..). So I think living frugally for me means: spend money only on things that are worth it to you. For me that would be: living enviromentally friendly rather than buying a TV.

Martha Says:

August 28th, 2007, 9:09 am

If you’re thinking bigger picture life plans, also important and maybe even more so in the long run: live near where you work and play and you won’t need to drive, and don’t have tons of kids! Besides saving money and time, it’s a better idea for the environment and the future of the planet (unless, of course, you are adopting).

Jul Says:

August 28th, 2007, 9:10 am

Great list! I don’t consider myself to be particularly frugal, but I already to a surprisingly high number of the things on the list. It;s really all about priorities.

Next up, getting rid of some of this clutter! Like other commenters, I often find myself using various excuses to hold onto things I don’t particularly need or like. For example, I feel bad throwing things away when they could be of use to somebody somewhere, but they hardly seem worth enough to go through the bother of trying to sell them. And whereas I know great places to donate books and clothing, I’m not sure there are any local charities which accept knick knacks as donations…

Gerhi Janse van Vuuren Says:

August 28th, 2007, 9:14 am

No, you’re not that much of a cheapskate. We do most of the things on your list. Own one car, cut our my own hair, buy bargain clothing.

I’m still way into debt at the moment for one main reason. Buying a house. The hidden costs of owning a house are insidious.

Mary Says:

August 28th, 2007, 9:19 am

Jul, if you are in the U.S., I know that Goodwill and the Salvation Army will take whatever you have to donate. They resell these things in their stores (which employ disabled/disadvantaged people) at low prices, along with the clothes, books, furniture, etc.

Leo, great list. Thank you. When I was a single mom, I was amazingly frugal - fed myself and two school age children on $25.00 a week (this was 9 years ago). And we didn’t suffer. We still ate out once a week (nothing fancy) and the kids were in sports. It was actually great. Then I remarried and in having more income, I seem to have lost that frugality. You inspire me to try to regain it. :-)

Christina Says:

August 28th, 2007, 9:35 am

Definitly not a cheapskate….Cheapskates stiff their waitress and skip birthday gifts all together.

Frugality means thinking about what is important to you and spending money accordingly and practically. You can still have a rewarding and fullfiling life without spending lots of money.

In addition to the library for free reads - some of my friends and I set-up a book swap from our personal collections. It gives us the double pleasure of reading a good book and then spending time together to socialize and discuss the book.

rjfrost7 Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:10 am

Hi Leo!
I have been lurking on your site for awhile and use it as one of my daily inspirations as I really enjoy what you write. I had one question about today’s post: how do you get by without a water heater? I have not used a dryer in years as I realized that all that lint in the dryer was actually the slow demise of my clothing. But I wondered about the hot water heater?
Thanks and best wishes!
RJ Frost

Lou Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:14 am

Excellent tips! This is my first time commenting, but I feel this is worthy of some praise. A lot of people could get some huge benefits from your ideas.

And I wouldn’t call you a cheapskate. I think the real benefit of a lot of the tips is that they can simplify our consumption habits and lives, a benefit far greater than saving $. I would probably argue the other side of your rent/own tip, but I think you are right on the money that it is best to examine the specifics of the situation and where you are living, then make an informed decision.

Thanks for all the great posts!

DebtSecrets (John Dean) Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:20 am

Hey Leo,
Great list of tips! I’ve been raving on about your blog to everyone over here in the UK. Now, in addition to following your ideas above, they just need to read my article on how to get real cheap items at the grocery store! I mean some of the bargains I have picked up are absolutely unbelievable including huge cheese cakes for 40c and large luxury four cheese pizzas for 60c!

Anonymous Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:20 am

Leo your not a cheapskate, you have your priorities in order and that is a precious thing. A lot of people don’t seem to realize that simplifying your life and having time to enjoy your life and be happy are way more important than going out to eat, superficial entertainment and stuff. I showed this website to my mother who has an executive level career in the Mortgage industry and works the 10 and 12 hour days, and makes herself sick off of stress. She says yeah, I could take a step back but I am in my prime earning years and I like my stuff. It doesn’t even matter to her that she has no life outside her company during the week as long as she can go out to eat all the time and hit the mall on Saturday. She is totally missing her grandkids grow up right now because she is SO Busy Working…… Sad that I am 20 years younger and see clearly what she doesn’t see.

Rolf F. Katzenberger Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:34 am

Leo, very useful reminders. I agree with almost every item except #34 “Reduce convenience foods. Frozen foods [...] anything that’s packaged and prepared for our convenience is not only more expensive than something you cook yourself, but also most likely less healthy.”

This is not the case in my country (Germany). Frozen vegetables and frozen fish are less expensive, but often more healthy than the allegedly “fresh” stuff. The most popular chains of supermarkets have started selling organic frozen food a few years ago, so you can now save money and still eat healthy food.

bluskygirl Says:

August 28th, 2007, 11:58 am

Being frugal is always a good idea. I think you raise some good points here, although in an article I posted last week about saving money, I also mentioned getting rid of cell phones, and one think that came up was that now days, it is assumed everyone has one, so finding a public phone is nearly impossible. I haven’t see a working pay phone in a long time, and the ones that do work cost a fortune now! My advice was to ditch the land line then, since you really truly only need one.

SpiKe Says:

August 28th, 2007, 12:02 pm

Regarding point 3 and getting a smaller car, while I agree to a point, you should also focus highly on the quality and reliability of it, even if it means spending a little extra or going for a slightly bigger car. Cars are often long term investments and not day-to-day costs like most of the list, so skimping on them can come back to bite you.

SpiKe
Organize IT

Isabel, in Costa Rica Says:

August 28th, 2007, 12:22 pm

Love the list! Actually I love your whole site. And it couldn´t come at a better time (I don’t believe in coincidences) since this week I´m moving out on my own, and my income will be drastically reduced and I really need to learn to be frugal. Thanks so much.

Mike Says:

August 28th, 2007, 12:31 pm

Great list. Regarding “Cut the cell phone.”: I would be happy to, if everyone else would. But we live in a world where being unavailable is simply not understandable anymore. It is actually possible to offend someone simply by being out of contact for more than 24 hours; they see it as a conscious effort to avoid them.

martha in mobile Says:

August 28th, 2007, 13:02 pm

Wonderful List! I recently quit my job specifically to improve my and my family’s quality of life, even though it meant cutting our income in half. We practice many of your tips already, and I will be implementing more of them as well.

Anonymous Says:

August 28th, 2007, 13:02 pm

51. Don’t buy/adopt pets.

They cost a fortune and require lots of time and maintenance on a daily basis. I’m a HUGE dog lover, but I’ve decided to enjoy other peoples pets and volunteer at the local shelter instead.

rjfrost7 Says:

August 28th, 2007, 13:18 pm

52. Give up your car altogether. While not everyone can do this, Chris Balish as written a great book, How to Live Well Without Owning a Car, (http://www.amazon.com/How-Live-Well-Without-Owning/dp/1580087574)
which is a great start to re-imagining a life that is not built around the massive money drain that is anautomobile. Most people do not realize that they will spend more on cars in their lifetime than a house(s)! The savings and freedom, not to mention good health and ecological impact are enormous.
You can also check out a short video clip on Chris:
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com/2006/09/carless-santa-monica.html

m Says:

August 28th, 2007, 13:28 pm

It’s funny because I wrote a similar list and was blasted for (as you mentioned in your post) having no life, etc. Your comments so far seem to be largely positive and supportive, and that’s great. Perhaps the audience is different than for my post, or you have framed it in a way that is more appealing to readers.

I like your tips, and even better, I like the philosophy behind it. I think being frugal can be a means to end in that it can allow one to have the freedom to live in accordance to one’s values and priorities. It can also be an end in itself, in that being frugal, not spending where you don’t think it’s necessary can be rewarding in and of itself.

I enjoy being frugal simply because it feels good to not spend in areas that I feel I don’t need to spend in. It feels good to find happiness without having to spend a lot. It feels good to know I don’t need a lot of things or expensive experiences to be happy. It feels good to know life can be simple and yet so rewarding. And, it feels good to know I am doing my part in not being wasteful and in not contributing as much as I could be to environmental problems.

And, if I save money as a result, that is a great side bonus too. But it isn’t by any means the only reward or even the primary one. Yes, frugality is at times necessary for me to live within my means, but most of my frugal choices are just that, choices–ones I make regardless of whether my finances dictate it or not. Often I am driven simply by a desire to to avoid clutter, excess, and waste.

Love this post and admire your lifestyle!

Morgan Says:

August 28th, 2007, 14:01 pm

Leo — I think there is a very important distinction between frugality and being “cheap”. And it isn’t necessarily about how much we spend, but in the attitude that we have toward how much we spend or how much we save.
I tend to make gifts for people, but it may take me days and days… but I do things that I know will make their lives easier. Several dozen single-serving pies made ahead for my gramma and delivered to her freezer, made without preservatives, and with as many organic ingredients as I can (though she requeseted ‘regular’ flour). I make chocolate treats and truffles for my step-dad, and I have needle-pointed more than one gift very time-consuming) for various people. BUT… I don’t tell them “Oh, I saved so much money dumpster diving for this lamp that I cleaned up for you.”
A family member does do that that very thing, however, and does it with all of us. As a consequence, we all receive junk that we don’t need, and continue, many times, as younger people with fewer resources, to do without the things we *do* need. The message to us is that it’s more important to this family member not to spend money, than to be attentive to what family needs.
Where I am *frugal*; the other is *cheap* (as in: mean). Generosity is in the spirit of the giving, not in the cost, and if the point is to hoard one’s savings while watching others do without (food, for example) and giving them crap and making them thank you for it, then one has moved into the land of the mean (with that scrimping cadence).
I dislike Calvinism for this reason. It has a ’screw you’ tone to it that I find offensive.
Your site gives great tips on how to survive on less, and that’s wonderful. I only hope that it won’t encourage *meanness* on the part of readers. Thus have I made the distinction here with the example of attitude.

James Says:

August 28th, 2007, 14:42 pm

Please Leo, how in the world does your family manage one car? We want a “Day in the (Travel) Life of the Zen Family” Post! :

Marc Says:

August 28th, 2007, 15:18 pm

James: some ideas of how to live with one car:

- use public transit, walk, cycle, carpool to commute to/from work: I walk to work or take transit when the weather is bad (saves money on gas and parking permit), my wife goes by bus to her work downtown (again money on gas and parking at meters/parkades). If you both live far from your work so that you both have to drive, you may want to consider moving or changing your jobs - it may be cheaper in the long run. Or leave the house a few minutes earlier so one of you can drop the other off at their work.

- have less outside obligations especially if they are located far from home: outside of work my wife and I go to yoga one evening a week (and we walk there, as it is at a nearby school), but I hear of other families with kids who have to drive them to soccer/baseball/football practice, ballet lessons, music lessons, birthday parties, etc. No wonder they need two cars, one parent alone can’t take their kids to all the events.

- organize your errands so you go only once a week for grocery shopping, banking, dry cleaning, etc. And make lists so you don’t forget any errands and have to go again.

- do more things together as a family; I’ve seen neighbours who both go do their own things after dinner in separate cars almost every day of the week; while you can’t do everything together, the more you can do together, the less need you have for two cars.

There’s probably more, but maybe Leo should do a “Day in the Travel Life…” to prove having one car is doable. ;)

engtech Says:

August 28th, 2007, 15:41 pm

I *love* going to the library. I’m there at least once a week. I find http://libraryelf.com is an essential tool because the daily email/RSS feed keeps me from paying fees.

Rachel R. Says:

August 28th, 2007, 15:45 pm

Love the list (and the point someone made about each item being something every individual/family needs to consider for their situation)! A comment about cell phones - we went without a cell phone for longer than anyone else we know. We finally got a prepaid in November, when my mom bought it for us because it was stressing HER out for me to drive the three hours to her house without one! lol But it is an emergency item for us, and the reason we “need” it - with so many people owning them nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to FIND a pay phone!

Scott Says:

August 28th, 2007, 16:55 pm

Great list. A few things to add.

1. Do own car maintenance. I bought an older model Saturn so that I would be able to do all of the maintenance myself. Oil changes, spark plugs, tire rotations can all be done on any vehicle. No mechanic needed.

2. Buy a washing machine that will dump and pull water into a 50 gal barrel. This allows you to save the rinse water from one load and use it for the next load of wash. Also, if you can manage it, use the water a third time for keeping your grass green. Of course, you need to reduce the use of detergents.
3. A cistern. I remember my grandparents home had one of these for storing rain water. They use the water for watering plants and washing clothes. These days, people can use rain barrels. Saves a lot on the water bill.

Erin Says:

August 28th, 2007, 17:28 pm

Leo–great post. I think the reason people are somewhat up in arms about the list is because we are taught that we are entitled to all these things. The economy is relatively good, we work hard, we spent a lot of time in college, therefore, we *deserve* a new car, fine dining and entertainment, and looking cool smoking cigarettes while developing an alcohol habit, what have you.
In reality, these things that we feel we deserve are usually not good for us spiritually OR financially. A middle class income can’t sustain these “habits” and we become more in debt, etc. They also serve as distractions for what is truly important–friendships, family, self-realization, etc. (I still can’t give up my indy movies on netflix though :)

Thanks for the continued virtual reminders/cheerleading!

byrnegreen Says:

August 28th, 2007, 17:29 pm

One person’s “Cheapskate” is another’s “Eco-conscious lifestyle”, as saving personal resources also makes ecological sense. (And as one commenter points out, it is actually a post on frugality, as a cheapskate is “someone who stiffs their waitress.”)

Nonetheless, a nice collection of some good advice, not all of it obvious to the seasoned cheapskate, er environmentalist.

Leo Says:

August 28th, 2007, 18:36 pm

Great comments, everyone. A couple of points in response:

@Rolf: Sorry, I wasn’t clear when I said to avoid “frozen foods” … I mean things like frozen, microwaveable dinners or the like (things that are already prepared), not frozen veggies or fish. I use frozen veggies all the time. :)

@rjfrost: Well, it’s a lot easier for me to go without hot water, as I live on a tropical island. :) However, showers are still cold in the morning. I prefer to shower when I’m hot, such as after exercise, or later in the day, but sometimes I have to suffer through a freezing shower.

@James: You’re right, I should do a post about living with one car. We’ve been doing it for years, so it’s second nature to me. But for us, it’s just a matter of planning our day and our route. And after awhile, things become routine. I’ll have to give it some thought to figure out what we do differently from others that makes it work. Marc had some great tips!

@Mike: I hear what you’re saying about cell phones, and others not understanding if you’re not available. In truth, I’m usually either at home or at work (at least, I am during the weekdays). When I’m on the road, it’s usually only for an hour or so, so I can always get back to people within 2-3 hours. However, on weekends, I prefer to remain unavailable.

Sure, that has meant that some people were unhappy about not being able to contact me, but I never apologize for that. My time with my family is sacred. If others want to be mad about that, that’s not my problem. I’ve even had bosses who don’t like that policy. They’ve learned to live with it, as I’m not flexible on my weekends. :)

Leo Says:

August 28th, 2007, 18:45 pm

Oh, a couple more points:

1. Regarding the use of the word “cheapskate” … actually, I agree with you guys … these are frugality tips, not cheapskate tips. However, I’ve found that many people don’t understand frugality. They look at me weird when I tell them that I don’t buy new clothes because I’m trying to be frugal. So instead, I say that I’m just a cheapskate. Then they get this knowing look on their face, smile, and say, “Ah.” They understand cheapskates, but not frugal people. :)

2. Regarding Beth’s comment, yes, the point of the article is to evaluate what things in your life give you the most value for your money, and to find ways to cut back on expenses without cutting back on your enjoyment of life. So, if cutting cable but not Netflix works for you, I think that’s great. The list is just a bunch of ideas, not a mandatory thing. I hope that everyone gets a few good ideas they can apply to their lives, but I don’t expect anyone to adopt all 50 tips — not even I do that, as I mentioned. I think I do somewhere between 40-45 of these, but some are things I’ve tried in the past, or good ideas I found elsewhere.

jonsnow Says:

August 28th, 2007, 19:23 pm

Great List. De-cluttering has been on my mind lately, as I’m trying to create more space in my home. I’m also a big proponent of using the library as a resource. Being an avid reader, it’s wonderful to
1)not spend any money on books and
2) not clutter up your house with more books.
I’ve also built up my iTunes library with CD’s borrowed from the library.

Bloggrrl Says:

August 28th, 2007, 20:01 pm

I like your list. As far as cellphones go, I save money because I don’t have to have a land line or pay for long distance. I’ve also noticed that pay phones are getting scarcer (although of course it would easy to borrow someone else’s cell phone.

I have a very simple wardrobe–I tend to rotate black pants, khaki pants and a black skirt. It can be more expensive to be female, though, at least where I live. Instead of shaving my head like a couple of my male coworkers, I have to get my hair cut and colored, and maintain a manicure. Okay, I don’t have to, but those are the expectations for a professional woman in my community.

Eric Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:03 pm

For the most part, good advice. Some of it isn’t very realistic for a lot of people though.

I have to say, rent instead of buy is terrible advice. Yes, renting is more “affordable” in most cases, but it does jack diddly for your future. Investing in real estate is the leg up many people need and one that the average American can realize if they work hard for it. It’s a struggle at first but the chance of enjoying a chunk of equity when it’s all said in done which allows you to invest or start a business (etc.) is great.

I just can’t get on board with that advice in the littlest way.

Alex Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:16 pm

World’s no 1 cheapstake guide award goes to zenhabits.com! I feel sorry for your wife and children. :(

Alex

Tim Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:40 pm

Now I’m really depressed, I do most of these anyway to cut costs and still end up with lots of debt. The joys of having a wife that can’t work.

Juliet Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:42 pm

Great article! A few things:
First, Eric : hes right that buying is much more expensive than renting. I saw a break down showing that in 5 years, you actually spend about 1/3 to 1/2 the amount on renting vs buying (factoring in closing and other mortgage costs, as well as maintanence )
Most real estate is actually depreciating (ie either not increasing or actually decreasing in value). Unless you want to spend the next 20 odd years in one place, it is not worth it to buy. A house is not an asset, it’s a liability, but it is still the American dream. When you buy, the entire house is your responsibility. So if the water heater dies, you buy a new one, same thing with the heater, stove, and other units in the house.
The Wall Street Journal and several other financial publications have had articles recently on how using your house as an investment tool is actually a mistake. I know the Wall Street Journal had an article called “Why your home isn’t the Investment you think it is” on March 12th. (Pg R1)
I’m studying Financial planning, and my professors agree on this.

We’ve been using the library in our area for years to get movies and books, with very few exceptions. Yeah, we have late fees, but it still doesn’t compare with the cost of the actual cost of the items.

There is one problem with #46, sun drying clothes on clothes lines. Where we live, it is in the deed restrictions stating you’re not allowed to put up clothes lines. Can we say snobs? So if people want to set up clothes lines, make sure it is ok and they aren’t breaking any rules.

Thanks for a good read!

TMoney Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:52 pm

This is the stupidest article I have ever read in a while..

To live a frugal life? Yes, responsibly every one should live within their means, but there are two sides of the coin here. Why not work harder to EARN MORE?

There is a reason why Donald Trump goes to golf in the best course in the world when he’s 900Million dollars in debt back in the 90s.

You want to know the real problem you have? you have 6 kids? yes, if someone is to graph the earnings potential of a person and the number of kids they have, it’s a inverse relationship. Why not try to earn more money for the kids? Oh wait, I see why, you can’t …so you go home, hump your wife to relieve the stress, ended up with 6 kids.

TMoney Says:

August 28th, 2007, 21:58 pm

To add to the post above, you have taken everything that’s enjoyable out of your life.

Isn’t it ironic that someone in your position who isn’t qualified to give financial advice write an article on how to spend money?

What?? Rent vs Own? Owning your house is far better than rent…that is when you OWN IT OUT RIGHT.

Stop paying interest? Some debt is cheap. Some debt is expensive. Credit card debt is expensive..so it’s right to pay it down…but how about you go make more money?

You are missing the best advice you can give to people who need to live frugally. That is: use a condom…it’s a 50 cent solution to most of your financial problems.

Don Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:20 pm

This is an excellent list; thank you for putting it together! I wonder, do you have any tips on how to convince a loved one to do these things? My girlfriend is the best part of my life, but she’s also very cosmopolitan. Is there any way ease her into frugal living?

Roy Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:23 pm

Awesome tips. I’ve been doing a few tips on the list.
For people who are considering on using public transport or small cars, if you really need a car/larger one regularly Car Sharing programs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carsharing) lets you have access to a private/larger transportation.

Michael Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:23 pm

TMoney, if you can call him stupid, I can call you a turd.

Nice article.

Adam Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:27 pm

I agree with you 90%. I want to buy a house because I hate renting. That’s a value call I’ve made and I’m willing to pay for it. I have a cell phone. I decided to pay slightly more for my cell phone and in turn cut out my home phone. And, it’s not always about the money. I’m living a quite-comfortable D.I.N.K lifestyle right now but I still budget every penny and I enjoy watching my savings grow. Better yet, my wife’s of like mind.
I don’t sell clutter, I give it away. Not only is e-baying not worth the time, I see it as an opportunity to pass on my good fortune.
TMoney, you sound bitter and unhappy and for that I’m sorry. But, by all means, spend, spend, spend and work harder so you have more to spend. It’s good for the economy so it’s good for my investments.
Adam

Matt Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:34 pm

Here’s a tip. Use linux instead of windows!

By buying a computer without windows, or with windows, you can save 300 USD!

I like Ubuntu a lot (www.ubuntu.com)

Kelly Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:48 pm

Jangle.net has a lot of easy-to-find bargains on clothing and apparel.

http://www.jangle.net/Apparel/All/Most-Popular/Page-1/=Search/Save.aspx

chicken Says:

August 28th, 2007, 22:58 pm

i got one for you…
stop your internet!
you can use wifi for free at tons of places

gunnard Says:

August 29th, 2007, 0:02 am

no cable… check out http://www.dontwatchme.com for free streaming tv and downloads

DoingMyOwn Says:

August 29th, 2007, 0:25 am

Saving a ton of money by tiling a shower stall myself. Took the hands on class at Home Depot, it really isn’t rocket science.

Danny Says:

August 29th, 2007, 0:51 am

Great list. It is a challenge though. US culture has most of us convinced that we have to buy nice things to be happy, to have fun and to be normal.
Experience proves otherwise.

Ted Says:

August 29th, 2007, 0:57 am

Combine #24 and #31 and brew your own beer at home. After some startup costs, it is really cheap, and fun to do.

James Says:

August 29th, 2007, 1:11 am

“33. Stop paying interest”
Most mortgage interest can be deducted from your taxes if you itemize. :)

Leo Says:

August 29th, 2007, 1:13 am

Great comments everyone! With all the tips you’re adding, I should change the title of the post to 100 tips for frugal living. :)

@TMoney: I usually delete comments that rude. I don’t mind dissenting opinions, but I only ask that people be civil.

However, I left your comments as an illustration of the anger that frugality can cause in some people. I don’t really understand it, but it’s not new to me.

Let me just say, in response, that I enjoy my life immensely. I enjoy my wife and six kids, and being frugal is actually a pleasure for me.

However, I know that it’s not for everyone. If you don’t like the tips, move on. :)

Regarding renting vs. buying: the point is that by saving money through renting, you can invest in something that actually makes money (as opposed to charging you mortgage interest). In most cases, if you rent and invest the difference, you’ll end up with much more in investments than someone who buys a house. However, there are other good things about buying a house, other than financial — such as security, and the ability to do whatever you want with your house. Weight the pros and cons, as everyone’s situation and priorities are different.

Aaron Says:

August 29th, 2007, 2:34 am

You’ll ruin the economy! “Gestapo, get that man a credit card! Implant it in his forearm. Drug him and drop him at the nearest consumer product procurement center immediately.”

Alexei Says:

August 29th, 2007, 4:42 am

Very interesting post.
You are really cheapskate. Sometimes it’s good but not for all things you mentioned. As for me I like new wear and don’t let myself to wear old ones (with holes =)). I like good meal and also like to waste time on weekends not at home. Such things should be reasonable. hard limits are not the good solution.

Hart Says:

August 29th, 2007, 9:25 am

A tip on cellphones:

I have to have one for work (I’m an occasional journalist) but I don’t use it very much, so I have a pay-as-you-go account. That way, I keep my cell phone expense less than $150 a year, but I can still carry one with me when I want the option of getting in touch with somebody (nice when you drive a 20-year-old biodiesel).

Hart Says:

August 29th, 2007, 9:27 am

Oh, and I forgot about internet phone. High speed internet and phone service for less than $60 a month.

Hart Says:

August 29th, 2007, 9:30 am

And compact florescent light bulbs. And a laundry spinner. And a wood stove. All good electricity savers.

Davide Says:

August 29th, 2007, 10:35 am

My father is a ultimate follower of your precepts. He managed to buy a house, marry and maintain two children (paying their studies) without recurring to debt, by cutting all costs to the very bone. I benefited from his attitude and can’t but talk nicely about it.

There are three *potential* problems I sometimes spotted in “cut expenses to the bone” people though, you might want to ponder these for balance.

The first has been already noted in the comments - is that it tends to affect your generosity, both in terms of “tangible” things and affectively.

The second is that this way of life might hamper creativity, diversification and “innovation” in your life. It seems MBA talk but there are such things: you often need to mess around with a lot of unnecessary things and activities and connections (it all obviously takes time and money) to branch out your interests. I think that cutting these expenses would be detrimental for example to children or teens or young adults.

The third one is that sometimes this attitude if not curbed gets you to forget that your own time has a value (and your free time has more value then your work time), and deciding whether to pay for something or for a service is not only matter of whether you could do it yourself without spending money, but rather whether it makes economic sense given the time you are going to spend on it. Unless of course you make fun out of it - this is subjective, myself I frankly find it difficult to defend that chores are funny.

Amy Says:

August 29th, 2007, 10:40 am

How about adding “Don’t have more kids than you can afford”?

Ms. M&P Says:

August 29th, 2007, 11:00 am

My god. I can do (and am doing) a lot of those, but some expenses I will just not be able to cut. I have to dress professionally, which costs money, and I have to have a cell phone. It’s for work and it’s also for safety. I also have a weakness for gifts. Skimping on myself is fine, but not on other people.

Anonymous Says:

August 29th, 2007, 12:55 pm

Ignore the rude comments Leo, they don’t understand the freedom and peace that comes from living frugally…that it’s a lifestyle/mindset and not always related to how many children one has.

Your children are learning valuable lessons. Most importantly, that family is more important than stuff.

Debbie Says:

August 29th, 2007, 13:11 pm

I almost wish that giving our ages along with our comments were required here (I was born in 1953). Most of these money-saving ideas *were* the lifestyle in all middle/lower-middle families when I was a kid. My folks and my in-laws lived through the depression. They worked hard and had a decent income but they weren’t about to waste any of it on things that didn’t bring them satisfaction (as per their definitions). That’s all that’s being suggested here, really kids, settle down and mind your manners.

I will probably get some kind of cell phone sooner or later, but so far I haven’t had sufficient need for one. Also, I have found many kind “strangers” willing to give “safe to offer and accept” kinds of assistance in times of need, and I’ve done the same for others. It’s much easier to help one another if the first reaction in many situations is to look around and pause for a moment, before whipping out a cell phone and calling for private backup. It’s often very nice to interact with others, really! And better for your community as well.

I think the “rent vs. buy” comment has a caveat that you rent something smaller and more affordable and invest the substantial $$ difference until you decide to make a different choice. And then you’ll have the saved money to pay for all or a big chunk of a house purchase, or you can choose to travel, or share living space with someone. Or whatever. The housing market isn’t always the best financial investment, and unless you’re into speculations, it had better have a good amount of personal reward to offer you too.

And that’s just it. This list and others like it are offering suggestions, ideas, CHOICES for others to consider and adopt, or consider and discard. Open your minds, please, our world needs at least that much that from you.

Brian Says:

August 29th, 2007, 13:43 pm

Some of that advice seems a little extreme, but still offers some good advice.

I think it’s all about balance really, and living within your limits, instead of trying to save as much money as possible. It’s important to realize what will really improve your quality of life in the long term.

Having one car might work for you, but it won’t work for everybody since it could make it harder for them to do the things they really want to do outside the house, and it isn’t worth the effort of making it work.

While I like nice clothes that can be expensive, I view each purchase as an investment now, and only buy things that I know will remain in style five years from now instead of the latest fad. Doing this saved hundreds of dollars each year, and I don’t have a closet filled with clothes I don’t wear anymore.

Like I said, it’s all about balance. Planning and sleeping on all big financial decisions, and ignoring impulse purchases makes all the difference.

Chris Carpinello Says:

August 29th, 2007, 13:58 pm

How do you get by with one car between you, your wife and the schedules of your six kids? I can’t even begin to fathom my wife and I not having a separate cars, and we only have one child!

Scott Says:

August 29th, 2007, 13:59 pm

Anonymous summed it up for me. Freedom from STUFF is different than depravity. It is a life style choice that just so happens to be good for the earth and good for our communities. I am not a poor person and I can and do support all of my children in a wonderful environment. I choose to live in a way that is sustainable for my offspring. I am a responsible citizen, not a consumer.

Our families are not suffering, in fact my family probably has a higher STANDARD OF LIVING than those who have all of the stuff weighting down their souls and all of that debt to pass on to their children. We are free to enjoy the moment and to look to a future without debt. Our creativity has not been hurt because we find ways to recycle and reuse rather than just buy new STUFF.

Only one thing that I don’t understand. I don’t understand the name callers.

PartyOne Says:

August 29th, 2007, 16:07 pm

I do a few of these. I cut off cable, internet, telephone exchanged that for cell with internet (less than above) and do netflix. My summer power bill is less than 50 usd a month and winter is 24 usd a month. Car was bought cash at auction. Now what else can I cut out. Hmmmmm?

Peter Says:

August 29th, 2007, 19:01 pm

I tend not to be too frugal though I intend to give it another go. I’m in the habit of splurging on non-essential items a couple of times a year and then try to make up some of the loss by holding garage sales and car boot sales.

Michael Says:

August 29th, 2007, 20:18 pm

“wait to make a phone call?! omg!”

I literally laughed out loud.

manatarms Says:

August 29th, 2007, 21:50 pm

Me and my wife do just about everything on this list and we are so happy with our lives way less stress. One thing though, I don’t agree with your POV on buying clothes, I used to shop at Ross and buy discount clothes but that stuff never lasts because its cheap crap and you will end up wasting more money replacing your worn out, faded, shrunken, flawed, out of style clothes. Now I only buy quality clothing, and dress much sharper. This has had a profound effect on the way people treat and view me as I am taken way more seriously. And with all that comes even more money and success it may be superficial but it friggin works. Quality is of the utmost thats why I drive an old Mercedes Benz thats still more advanced, safe, reliable etc than some new cars. I will be keeping an eye on your blog from now on muchas gracias.

ADrinkNowAndAgain Says:

August 30th, 2007, 1:45 am

Great list Leo. I follow many of your items, but I still enjoy a good drink now andagain. Just like our meals, we make our own cocktails at home. The cost of a drink or tow out buys a dozen or more at home. Much as 25 bucks can buy a seafood feast at home, but costs 75+ when out.

AJ Says:

August 30th, 2007, 14:48 pm

As a newly married man, I love this list and believe that following some of the tips on here will help my new family to get off to a great start.

BillBetts Says:

August 30th, 2007, 17:49 pm

Common sense,use your brain if you want save money.Wanting to do it is ninety five percent of it.

Lane Says:

August 31st, 2007, 15:12 pm

The book, Your Money or Your Life, uses a lot of these ideas - and asks that you make personal judgments based on what makes you happy. I love the book, and have been trying to implement some of its stuff for a long time now.

Check it out at the library!

TMoney Says:

September 1st, 2007, 22:09 pm

@Leo:

“Let me just say, in response, that I enjoy my life immensely. I enjoy my wife and six kids, and being frugal is actually a pleasure for me.”

Good for you Leo. I am not angry at all, just to point out that there are two ways to balance the financial life: spend less or earn more. I am in the earn more camp.

Now you can continue to deceive yourself and your family members that living a frugal life is “pleasurable”. Just don’t go out and write an article trying to brain wash people telling them that being frugal is the only way to be “pleasurable” and I can tell you that it is not. It’s the same reason why ugly people are convinced that “beauty is on the inside”.

Ironically over 90% of people live in a “poverty level” and they don’t even recognize and lie to themselves mentally that “frugal is pleasure” Trust me, if you could make more money, you would. And you wouldn’t live frugally if you had a choice.

You are right that I should move on. This comment is just to tell you that there are qualifications for writing an article on “how to spend money”. Interestingly enough, poor people write article that says you should “spend less” and rich people don’t want to waste the time and energy to write articles that say “you should spend more because you CAN”

J.R.KUMAR Says:

September 2nd, 2007, 12:13 pm

your program is very fine. i am ready to join.

Pete Says:

September 2nd, 2007, 18:06 pm

Cool blog Leo, thanks. I dig Zen!

Leo Says:

September 2nd, 2007, 23:01 pm

@Tmoney - You wrote:

“Good for you Leo. I am not angry at all, just to point out that there are two ways to balance the financial life: spend less or earn more. I am in the earn more camp.”

Actually, there is a third camp, and that’s the one I belong to: earn more and spend less. Otherwise, you’re just earning more to get more stuff. That doesn’t make sense to me, but you are free to live as you wish.

I do earn more money (read my bio) — in fact, I doubled my income in a year, and now I’ve quadrupled it a year later. At the same time, I live frugally and spend less than before. The difference means that I can save and invest, instead of wasting it on more stuff.

You also wrote: “Now you can continue to deceive yourself and your family members that living a frugal life is “pleasurable”. Just don’t go out and write an article trying to brain wash people telling them that being frugal is the only way to be “pleasurable” and I can tell you that it is not. It’s the same reason why ugly people are convinced that “beauty is on the inside”.”

Three points in response:

1) I don’t think it’s deception if I am genuinely happy living frugally. You might not believe me, but I’ve never been happier. I just realized that happiness doesn’t equal spending, but equals spending time with people I love and doing things that I love. That doesn’t mean I need to spend more.

2) I’ve never tried to brainwash people by telling them that living frugally is the only way that is pleasurable. Read the article again. It never even implies that. It just talks about how I like to live, and gives tips for doing that if you’re so inclined. If not, move on and read something else.

3) Beauty is on the inside. It’s also on the outside. Unfortunately, some people only see the beauty on the outside.

Abel Says:

September 2nd, 2007, 23:34 pm

I don’t intend to get myself involved in the “argument.” But I felt I had to say something.

What Leo has just said was very true. I’m glad you made your viewpoint crystal clear, Leo. It shows, again, that you know the stuff you’re talking about.

All said, to me, the most important point is: genuinely happy living your life. It could mean a frugal lifestyle as what Leo has or a lavish lifestyle like Donald Trump’s. But the bottom line is you’re at peace with yourself.

So there’s nothing wrong to live a frugal or luxurious life. It’s only a personal preference. Again, Leo, well said.

Terry Says:

September 3rd, 2007, 13:42 pm

Here is an idea. Instead of getting rid of the cell phone why not get rid of your lan line in your house. I am in the process of doing that and switching my wireless internet to DSL cable. Not sure how to do that but I am going to try. If anyone has suggestions I would be glad to hear them. My lan line costs me about $80 a month and that includes wireless internet. the hard part for me is that I generally talk on my cell phone while I am in the house because of convenience….I can walk outside, or get in the car and not have to continue my conversation plus I get unlimite minutes and free roaming. My company pays for both mine and my DHs cell phone service.

Canadian Says:

September 4th, 2007, 17:01 pm

Great list! Food for thought.

My spouse and I actually get by without ANY cars. We have no kids, I guess that makes it easier. We deliberately chose near public transportation, in a city with a good transit system (by North American standards). It saves a LOT of money, and also there is all that freedom, not worrying about repairs, not having to dig your car out of snowbanks, etc.

Lisa Says:

September 9th, 2007, 18:26 pm

A lot of this advice can be applied if you desire, depending on where you live. You cannot walk to a store if you live in the burbs if it is 5 miles away and you have to lug perishable food home. Most of your advice I can see a benefit in EXCEPT the “washing your clothes” one. Personal hygiene is a glorious advancement of present day humans and you can’t tell me that after a day of sweating in your clothes, they can be worn again without laundering. If you want to save money, wait till you have a full load to do laundry and/or use cold water, buy generic derergent/soap etc., but I think it is just gross not to wash- clothes, body, hair at least DAILY- and please spurge for the deodorant, especially if you are using public transportation. ;)

Raj Says:

September 25th, 2007, 14:29 pm

Oh, my god.

This is not how to live (no hot water heater? - cut down on booze? No travel?). Pure stupidity.

I’ve met people that tried to save the pennies. Usually they do not enjoy their lives. Also, they make for poor company (pun intended) as you generally can’t go out with them for dinner, movies, entertainment (even bowling).

Rather than being frugal, why not concentrate on wealth creation? I think it’s natural for human beings to enjoy their lives.

I’m sure that when you are lying on your death bed you will not be congratulating yourself on all the cold showers you have taken to save $3/month in electricity costs - however will probably think about missnig out on a fantastic and decadent holiday in a 5star resort.

Granted, cutting out unnecessary expenses is a good idea. I live close to work and that in itself has given rise to savings. However, I enjoy drinking good alcohol, good food and restaurants and of course travel. Anything else…would really be uncivilized.

Ridiculous post and taken to the extreme. Why not just buy a trailer and live out of a friend’s back yard and bathe in a nearby river? Then you would really be saving.

Trish Says:

September 26th, 2007, 16:24 pm

Do any of you guys barter for goods or services?

My husband is an electrician and does work for some of our friends who, in turn, build our fences. We have a plumber friend, a friend who is a wonderful mechanic…

We all do the “US: I need some kitchen cabinets. THEM: I need three VCRs repaired… Wanna trade?”

We have swapped babysitting and carpooling the kids for years. We also trade home baked goodies and meals and even get together to do crafts for Christmas for our respective families… our Moms never see that they got the same things.

This builds a sense of community and also turns projects into cheapskate fun times!!

Dersu Says:

September 26th, 2007, 17:00 pm

Raj and so many others seem to missing the point. So I Propose that we call the frugal life style, the “waste-less” life style. Our capitalist - consumer society in the US has warped peoples sense of what is necessity - what is convenience - and what is pure wasteful.

I live a waste-less life style by following what Leo proposes on this list. (not all things, and some that he doesn’t include). I stay at 5 star hotels and take fabulous international holidays. My home and my life are very simple and uncluttered and that makes it possible for me to enjoy some great times out with my friends and it gives me the money in my pocket to buy a round of drinks for everyone.

My waste-free life style keeps me from worrying about credit card debt and mortgages that I can’t pay, so I tend to be a lot more fun at the party than those guys over in the corner complaining about how they can’t get the refinancing they had hoped for.

A waste-less life style keeps my life simple, my spare room un-cluttered, and my savings and retirement accounts growing. I’ll see ya’ on the beaches in Hawaii in a few years.

Raj… You’re missin’ the point.

grace Says:

September 30th, 2007, 10:28 am

I do not like the term cheapskate. Frugal is a much better word. I can be frugal yet generous. I strive to live in a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Our consumer culture feeds on the deep emotion of scarcity, not being good enough, not having enough. I am fortunate enough to have good healthcare, a simple home and healthy food on my table. I live frugally, I hate waste. If I have something I no longer need and someone else has use for it I pass it on to them. It goes against the spirit of abundance to sell it. Unless your having difficulty providng the basics for yourself why sell, give . It feels good and it simplifies your life. No more yard sales, Ebay,…, no more clutter.

Virginia Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 22:45 pm

Let me add a few: I have a prepaid cell phone. I bought the minutes and the phone was free. That way, I have an emergency phone in the car or for other such things. I seldom use it and never answer it–I look to see who called and use my home phone to call back. I shop the 99cent store as it carries food now. Sacks of potatoes, fruit, eggplant, lots for 99cents a sack. I also buy 99cent long distance cards there–1cent a minute. I load these minutes into my phone so I don’t have to use a pin. I canceled my long distance carrier. It’s a game and I enjoy it. Stuff like this allowed me to retire from my big job and work at home part-time. Every day is a weekend.

lisa Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 23:36 pm

Anything to the extreme is not a great idea. Pick and choose what u can do or want to do. Conservation is good; severe denial is not, in my humble opinion. Some places (like 99c stores) have inferior products, watered down soaps, etc so it is not really a better value. It is all a wonderful freedom of choice. Also, there is nothing so enriching as traveling to other areas, countries, cultures. It was pointed out that the tyrants of the world (Hitler, etc) never traveled outside a small radius of where they were raised. Travel is worth the effort and enlightenment.

David Says:

October 9th, 2007, 21:44 pm

Look for good quality used clothes on ebay. Good brands sell for little money if they are not “IT” at the moment. I buy a lot of kids clothing this way, often one can buy “a lot” of 20-30 pieces of kids clothing for very little money.

Also, check out a new website called swaptree (www.swaptree.com) that lets you trade books, movies and CD’s with no fees. You can do it by mail, or they have some local groups so there is no postage involved.

Tom Says:

October 16th, 2007, 23:04 pm

If everyone followed your 50 points the economy as we know it would not function. Alot of the jobs of people who commented, really on people spending money on unnessary services and products. Easy to be frugal when you have no job.

Glenn Baker Says:

October 25th, 2007, 12:27 pm

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My book is tentively titled “The Secret to Winning the Car Buying Game Everytime!” I am teaching people how to save thousands of dollars off of their
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to call, or call me directly in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. at 954-708-6501.

Best of the best,

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Jennifer Says:

October 30th, 2007, 18:47 pm

It really is about being waste-less. I don’t do without, but a few years ago found myself rethinking how I did things. For instance, a few years ago I had a V8 which I sold, and replaced it with a 3-cylinder and use as a city car. An elderly neighbour sold me her 4-cylinder car for dirt cheap (60,000 km), which I keep in storage , except for the summer months when I go on vacation. I simply transfer the insurance from one car to the other. This way I have the benefit of a cheap car (20 km/litre) for work, and a car which is relatively cheap and safe on the highway. It’s all about rethinking…

Crezzzy Says:

December 3rd, 2007, 0:53 am

It’s about excess and appreciating what you have at any income level you’re at–and looking at the reason you buy things in the first place. Are you buying because the product/service gives you value? Or are you buying to fill a void? Or look good to other people?

I figured out the things I bought that I did not appreciate and stopped buying them. Then I looked at the things I do appreciate and buy the best of those.

For instance, I use the library a lot. I found that I want to read the book, but not own most. I save a lot there because I’m a reader. But I like good clothes, and put money into them because they give me value. This winter I invested in a new Calvin Klein coat that cost around $500, wool and cashmere, 3/4 lenth. And I buy good food, not processed junk.

But I don’t waste my money on excess: DVD’s and CD’s or online music, or having a car, or gas, or coffee and food out every day, or alcohol, or trinkets and the list goes on. I find most things that are pushed in my face to buy, don’t have value to me.

The key is to find what does give you true value and what is true waste and eliminate the waste. This is a personal choice. People won’t do everything on this list–and they don’t have to. They’ll do a few things, the things that work for them and leave the rest.

One final note: we have an amazing, tremendous second hand market in the U.S. Because we have so much wealth in this country that if you’re willing to wait a bit, or shop around, chances are you can find the exact same thing you wanted for much less than retail. It’s not that hard, it’s being a savy consumer. Instead of a mindless one.

MiMi Says:

December 29th, 2007, 22:13 pm

I would guess the people who suggest living without a car must not live in hurricane prone areas!

I challenge everyone to do a “hurricane drill” and do a walk through of your house and decide what possessions are irreplaceable to your and try to fit those items(maybe in a plastic container) in your vehicle, plus your children, pets and important personal papers.

I may sound like a pesimist, but, where can one live in the US where you don’t NEED your own transportation to take care of you and your family when an EMERGENCY happens?!

SAHM Says:

January 1st, 2008, 0:39 am

Wow, loved these tips! I am going to go through this with my husband and figure out what we can do to save. Thank you!

I just want to say to some of the people who posted:

1) Leo was not saying we all MUST adopt all of these strategies- they are mere suggestions for us, ideas if any of them might work.

2) To Amy and Tmoney, you both must be so angry and unhappy to feel the need to leave such angry posts. First off, how many children someone chooses to have is none of your business- and not for you to worry or argue about! Also, I would rather pinch pennies and have another child to love and raise and bring into this world than piss it all away on crap that doesn’t matter!

SAHM Says:

January 1st, 2008, 0:46 am

Another thing, my husband and I deliberately save money like crazy so we can enjoy the finer things in life - vacations etc. If we didn’t- we would never be able to enjoy those things.

Also- Leo I agree with you on the renting vs. buying and can see that it is more expensive. However- do you have any tips for buying a home and keeping interest costs etc to minimum? (besides paying for the home out right of course!)

thrift store love Says:

January 2nd, 2008, 16:58 pm

if you’re frugal, you probably like thrift stores, and you’ll probably like our website! thriftstorelove.com

Laura Says:

January 3rd, 2008, 8:41 am

Wow! SOme of these comments are nasty, some sad. I’ve been forced by financial necessity to use almost every technique you’ve listed, and yet I’m one of the happiest people I know!
I’m shocked that to some people, choosing to avoid empty luxuries is seen as such immense hardship.
For my family, there’s nothing we like more than hiking with friends (free), splashing about in the river (free), visits to the library (free), working on projects (free, but for materials), learning fun new things (free, via internet wifi), board games and card games (free).
Guess some folks would have a blessed eye-opening experience if they were forced to do without. May be the best thing that ever happened to them! :D

alisa Says:

January 8th, 2008, 16:25 pm

I was raised in an upper middle class neighbourhood in downtown Toronto as a child and was constantly surrounded by materialism and overt displays of wealth by my peers. They all had GAP clothes, cottages, “it” dogs (golden retrievers) and minivans. They’d brag about trips to Florida and expensive summer camps. They’d make fun of my clothes becasue they werent designer cool and my bagged lunches. They’d make fun of me because i didnt have nintendo. Now they are living in basement bachelor pads and thousands of dollars in debt. Tough luck when daddy stops paying eh?

Although both my parents worked in nice paying jobs, one of the best investments they made was sending me to a private school. They sacrificed what could have been an affluent lifestyle, to give me an education that is paying off today. I didnt have all the bells and whistles though. My clothes were hand me downs, pasta was the main staple in our house and I rarely got new toys. Instead, I wentto thelibrary, learned how to cook and lookafter myself and how to earn money by raking leaves and returning bottlesand walking dogs.

This knowledge paid off. Because we didnt have all the physical luxuries, and we saved, I was fortunate to go on lovely vacations to Europe, The Middle East and the Carribean at least once a year. The experiences were priceless.

Now that I am in my 20’s, I must say that many of my peers are living beyond their means. I’m not the girl waiting to be bought drinks, because I buy my own….as I’m dressed in a 20 dollar dress I bought at an outlet shop that isnt in the funky part of town. I don’t need an ipod, blackberry or name brand running shoes. I don’t need the latest laptop or to be scene at the hippest expensive bars in town. I am happy with my life because I am debt-free and have perfect credit.

Looking pretty and partying is fun, but where will you be in 10 years, washed in debt. Good friends, an occasional night out and appreciation for fine things in life doesn’t equal poverty. It’s a mind set. My wealth is in my confidence that I am a succsess. I don’t deprive my self of pleasures either…I just know my limitations. I don’t need a designer purse to prove that I’ve made it. I don’t need to spend 200 dollars on my hair when i can dye it at home for 10 bucks….frees up alot of cash for savings and a nice bottle of wine, dinner at a good restaurant and being able to buy those gorgeous shoes flat out in cash.

Keeping up with the joneses is really expensive. Depriving yourself like “not going to the movies” or not buying your kids ice cream on an outing is cheap and can akes you feel restricted. Money conciousness is different than being a cheapskate.

Also I agree, u can have as many kids as you want but don’t complain how hard it is to get by…use condoms. And don’t your kids deserve a better life than you once had?? Donthave kids if u cant afford them.

it’s all about priorities and people wanting to work hard for their money.

It’s what u earn it’s what u spend.

JEH Says:

January 12th, 2008, 17:15 pm

Your running shoes are no place to be frugal. Good running shoes are essential to staying injury free, if you run a lot you should change them every 6 months. Mine loose all their bounce after about 6 months, and I buy new ones, even though they look perfectly fine on the outside.

Clare Says:

January 18th, 2008, 2:44 am

Thanks for the fantastic frugal living tips. I grew up having to scrimp out of necessity, but old habits definitely die hard :)

One other frugal tip is to take advantage of time-of-day savings, if you’re power company offers them. Enrolling in this option means that the price you pay for electricity will depend on the time of day that you use it. Early mornings, evenings and weekends typically have lower power rates, so doing things like running the dishwasher, washing machine and other power-guzzling appliances during these times can add up to big savings. Contact your power company to learn more.

bob y Says:

January 18th, 2008, 14:51 pm

I find it hard to share my frugal lifestyle with friends and family. They don’t understand that I enjoy life with less money and things and have more time for myself. It’s good to know I’m not alone in living a simple frugal life. Keep up the website!

Annette Says:

January 20th, 2008, 17:59 pm

Good list. We do the majority of the things on this list already, some due to choice, some due to monetary necessity, some due to medical reasons. Selling the clutter has been the hardest part to our family. We lived in a motor home for several years and I got used to a minimilist wardrobe, liked it and kept it. Hubby and Daughter hated it and both went overboard on clothes buying when we moved into a larger space. Books are another place we hoard but I am getting ready to sell many of them as Daughter is no longer being homeschooled, doesn’t need the references anymore and is a child of the electronic age and the internet.

Unfortunately for us, with Hubby’s health declines due to injuries suffered in his early adulthood we had to get a larger car to haul his wheelchair and motorized scooter around. Our gas milage went way downhill and our driving habits have changed. Coinciding with that, however, was a lengthening of the public transportation hours and new bus routes, so we still have some latitude in where and when we can go.

We practise 31 of the 50 on your list, several we don’t do because they don’t apply to us and several we have chosen not to do because it is easier the other way for us. Some we haven’t thought of, and some we are just in the beginning of discussing. Thanks for your list!

Internet Junkie Says:

January 21st, 2008, 14:01 pm

I am a single mum of 2 children and on social welfare; I don’t get maintenance from my ex but I still do OK.
I use a lot of your tips, not the extreme ones (I don’t have hole in my clothes or in my children’s and I go to the haidresser’s about twice a year).
It is true that I don’t go out at all (no dating means no drinks or eating out, and more importantly no babysitting costs) and I usually manage to save around €250-300 a month (that is between $360 and $440); of course, I am not going to tell this to the Irish social welfare!

novalunae Says:

January 30th, 2008, 11:15 am

All of the advise that Leo posted is wonderful. Thank you very much for sharing.

There are also other considerations when you want to live the frugal lifestyle. The whole family has to agree to do it. For my family it isn’t really a problem. I grew up in a very frugal household with a huge garden and livestock. Our grocery bills were practically non-existent. I learned to cook as a young teen and now can produce restaurant quality meals for about 1/4 the cost of going out.

Some friends of ours have a serious problem. The husband is a spend-a-holic. He spent almost $3000 building a new computer just to see if he could. His wife will shop the dollar store for clothes for their 3 kids because he spends every available dollar on big boy toys, going out, eating out, and computer gaming. They are many thousands of dollars in debt because he refuses to curb his spending. He equates buying things with love. He loves his wife so he buys her clothes and “stuff” that she doesn’t want or need regardless of her telling him to stop spending the money. She has a closet full of formal gowns and clubbing clothes, most of which she will only wear once.

So no matter how frugally she tries to make the household, he is constantly sabotaging her efforts. I almost feel sorry for them. He has trouble understanding that just because you make good money doesn’t mean that you have to spend it all. He can single handedly keep the American economy afloat.

dada Says:

February 6th, 2008, 13:14 pm

You know, for all those people who commented “get a life” or said that this frugality implies a less fun living: I do think they have half a point, but express it wrongly. Why? Here’s why:

When skimming this list I thought: I do most of this already. And indeed, many people would say I live frugally. I’d rather read a good book then go to Disneyland, et cetera.

But that’s exactly the point: I like things which don’t cost money. I don’t choose to live frugally and THEN decide what to do, I decide what to do and THEN it happens to be living frugally. People who blame you, or me, for not having a life, might be trying to say: “but this is not the life I want to be having”. In which case they’ll have to accept that they’ll be living more expensively.

steven Says:

February 9th, 2008, 13:59 pm

Money spent is life wasted making the money. Is your life worth it? If you have higher things to do with your life, don’t get caught having to work to support unnecessary spending that simply won’t make you content or happy in the long haul anyway. Spending money and the acquisitive life has never made a single person happy in the long run. Besides if you are a big spender and someone who lives heavy on the planet you’re living at the expense of other people and other creatures. Think about it. You actually don’t really have the right to do that.

Joe Says:

February 9th, 2008, 20:57 pm

I APPLAUD your degree of frugality and would like to add a few things:
1. Joy, happiness, and well being are not a TRUE result of spending money.
2. Money is a tool to facilitate exchange.
3. Frugality is a relative term.

I chose to retire last year at 45. Have no debt, own my own home, truck, and still save over 50% of my income and I constantly score a 9 on the 1- 10 happiness scale.

Wish you continued success through a frugal/minimalist and joy filled life!

Joe

Scott Schroeder Says:

February 12th, 2008, 1:09 am

Leo

Have you seen this? The story of stuff. It is incredible.

http://storyofstuff.com/

I watched this and thought of you the whole time.

Scott

Sally Danvers Says:

February 21st, 2008, 8:36 am

Some great tips there for budding savers and skinflints.

Scott Schroeder Says:

February 21st, 2008, 16:37 pm

storyofstuff.org.

This 20 minute video reinforces some of my reasons for trying to waste-less and be a “cheepskate.” Take the time to watch it.

Lady Godiva Says:

February 21st, 2008, 19:34 pm

As a yankee, I make use of the New England maxim: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

To me that means that when I had a child, I used my sisters old cloth diapers. When I needed disposables, I bought partial bags from craigslist.

That means that the old baby clothes in my moms attic, and the storage units of my friends got new use - and they got new memories for their cute stuff.

I use a 9 year old mac, running OS 10.4

I do tutoring from home and on the internet for all subjects. No commute costs.

I do all my own car maintenance. Yes, women can do oil changes and swap engines, with the help of newfangled things like a borrowed engine hoist. Saves thousands. And I happen to think its fun. (ret $49. for an oil change, to $10 for DIY, and $2k total for an engine swap that would have been $3500 at least)

Reuse paper. Print on both sides. This includes junk mail. (For three adults one 3/4 time masters student, two part time continuing ed, saves about a ream of paper every two months)

There are number of splurges you can save money on as well - I guess that most that are truly frugal would cut them out, but I can’t do it. =)

Like:
Roast your own coffee. We have been doing this for a while and its saves a family of 3 adults about $40 a month. At least. And we have more control over the quality (and global conscience) of our consumption. (retail cost of similar quality coffee is $12 a pound and up: we spend $4 to 6 on average).

Those are just a few of the things I do. And I have no TV. ~grin~ Never liked TV shows anyway. And instead I spend time playing with my 1 year old.

Priceless.

Its all about priorities though. Some folks think they need the stuff that money can buy. Some of us place a higher priority on other things. ~shrug~

Sorry to be long winded.

Vanessa Rose Says:

March 6th, 2008, 5:26 am

As I was thinking about my frugal life style, I wondered if there were any “frugal articles” online. I found this one and found that this article embodies everything I am.

I am 23 years old, I have a college degree, no debt, about a down payments worth in the bank, and I have an ira I contribute to. I live in california.. pay 1500 on rent a month.. so my husband and I have to live off the rest which is 1300. So, we down sized one car, spend 100 on groceries a month, buy one clothing item a month (depends on the price).

What I have found saves the most money is when you eat at home for almost every meal. I have found tricks to only spending 100 dollars a month on food. I know what is a good price for most items… such as how much peanut butter is on sale, or what is a good price for eggs. If the market doesn’t have it that week, I just don’t buy it until it’s on sale. Most of the cereals I buy.. I buy on sale. Today I just bought cereal for 1.99… which is a great deal at Ralphs!

I actually have a pretty frugal mother… but I took it a step further… she often wonders where I came from and tells me to go ahead a live a little. If she only know that I am living….now I don’t have to work myself into the ground to afford a lifestyle that won’t make me happy at the end of the day.

Stacy Says:

March 12th, 2008, 21:14 pm

This post reminded me exactly of my uncle and aunt. My aunt is a shopaholic and has absolutely no sense of being thrify, whereas my uncle is the total opposite. He’d never let my aunt go alone shopping and would always wait in front of every store to make sure she bought only what she needed. And back when dial-up was expensive and paid per minute, he never let his kids go online to do homework, even though they had a computer. The poor kids would come home from the library with dozens of books and the internet was a no-no. He knew nothing about home repair, yet whenever something broke, he made sure to attempt to repair it before he hired anyone. There’s a lot more, but I don’t want to make this more of an embarassment than I already have.

frugal mom Says:

March 18th, 2008, 12:09 pm

I think we are truly blessed when we can find happiness without having to open our wallet. Our children always remember the activities that cost little - feeding ducks, skimming stones at the beach, measuring worms in the garden (don’t ask). A frugal life is often the richest !

Alex Says:

March 18th, 2008, 23:56 pm

I agree with everything you wrote, Leo. I’ve been trying to live frugally for a couple of years now. I have a $20/month landline only, no cable, no magazine subscriptions, a cheap dial-up Internet connection, I cut my own hair, I bicycle everywhere (no car on purpose!), I only buy used clothes, my rent is very cheap, I rarely eat out, I buy frozen veggies, I have zero credit cards, I’m a vegetarian, I don’t consume alcohol/drugs/sodas, I live near my workplace, etc.

Other than high quality loose tea, my only real extravagance, I suppose, is that I only shop at my local co-op for groceries, so I often pay a higher price for groceries. Also, I only buy organic foods. I’m single and live alone, and my grocery bill is quite high. $200-$300 per month. Yet I almost never dine out, and I eat A LOT because I need a lot of fuel to bicycle all around town. I like knowing that my eggs are laid a mere 9.2 miles from my co-op, and that I only live 2 miles from my co-op! I feel that the higher price is worth it to support my community. I recently made the Swiss Breakfast recipe you posted. I bought everything in bulk at my co-op. I had to substitute peanuts for almonds because they were very, very expensive…$13.99 per pound!. Pecans and walnuts weren’t any cheaper. To gather the ingredients necessary to make 2 full batches, I paid a little over $20 for the ingredients. Each batch produced 8 baggies worth of breakfasts. So, that’s 16 breakfasts for a little over $20. Not bad. Frugal enough for my tastes. And, very tasty! Thanks!

Alex
Austin, TX

Vera Says:

March 19th, 2008, 19:33 pm

If more people lived like this, we would have an almost sane world.

Kate Says:

March 25th, 2008, 11:20 am

Love the list, if you were a lady I would add only one thing: use a Femmecup instead of tampons and pads, saves hundreds of pounds and helps the environment, healthy too!

Meg Says:

April 6th, 2008, 17:17 pm

I already do 32/50 of those, which is a lot better than I thought. 90% of my clothes are black, and I’ve just started making my own accessories- it costs less than $1 to make a bracelet that would get sold at the mall for like $10. And I am so master of “the sniff test”.

Bill Says:

April 10th, 2008, 19:49 pm

Great tips! Could I share a couple of renter’s tips that’s saved me lots of money? If you are a renter, always fill out the checklist during the walk-through of an apartment or home, and take photos, video (you can use the video setting on your digital camera), and make note that you’ve done this on the checklist. Many apartments will routinely try to charge you with the deposit for a small stain on the carpet, etc, even when the carpet had small stains when you moved in. They know with video they will likely lose if you take them to small claims court - at least you could entertain the court with the video.

Also make note of 60 days (or whatever is stated in the contract) prior to your lease coming due so you can research rents. We were paying $990 a month, and they wanted to raise it to $1090 a month. However, we found out that neighbors were paying less. We presented a polite, but, firm letter to the apartment management (which went to their corporate), mentioning we are good tenents who always pay on time, and care for the apartment, but, had to chioce but to move given the increase, and that our neighbor was paying less. We also reminded them of the video, photos, and checklist as we await the return of our deposit. End result: they dropped our rent $100 less than what we were paying per month. Hope this helps.

Amanda Farr Says:

April 17th, 2008, 0:45 am

I just want to say that I think you are a VERY WISE man.

diana Says:

April 17th, 2008, 5:38 am

Alot of good things to think about. I already do many of those things. There are of course some things that I would never do, such as cut my own hair…lol.
Thanks for all your artilces. You give some good advice.

Keviefriend! Says:

April 23rd, 2008, 2:43 am

Leo, I know it’s a year after the fact, but this is an incredible article. I am in fact moving closer to work (11 miles… Could walk if I wanted to, probably will once a week, at least half of it!), around the corner from my coop, drive a 38mpg Saturn, etc.
I agree with the renting often being cheaper… I say, additionally, that renters insurance is cheaper than property insurance too.

For what you might spend getting yourself mired in debt, you might have to live in a really crappy area, and then your car insurance (if applicable) will go up.

The area I’m moving into (Uptown Minneapolis), is on the fringe of Uptown and Loring Park neighborhoods, where a large number of the people who do have cars park them during the week and take the bus to work (less than ten minutes on the bus), or use the Minneapolis skyway system to walk more. Walking is amazing, and the older you get, the harder it is to relearn… A friend of our family just turned 85 and really can’t walk anymore just because she let herself go and drove around for so many years. People really don’t know how important it is to stay active, and if you save some money and headache in the process, so be it!
Kev

April Says:

April 26th, 2008, 11:26 am

These are some great tips. Now that everything is so much more expensive, I have been looking for some frugal ways to cut back. Thanks for sharing.

Jennifer Says:

April 28th, 2008, 12:50 pm

With gas prices steadly rising, everything else, of course, is affected as well. Gas is now at CDN$1.319 per litre (3.785 litres in US Gallon) in Vancouver, and it boggles my mind that people are still driving their big SUVs and trucks (the norm is one person/per vehicle) for commuting in the city. I realize that we can’t all go and buy smaller cars, and selling the larger vehicles - probably would be at a loss, but I don’t understand the “one person per vehicle” mentality either. I guess we still haven’t reached the threshold yet for higher gas prices. As for me and my spending; I’m buying as much locally produced foods as possible (spices are the exception), which helps cut back on transportation costs.

DJ Says:

April 29th, 2008, 15:06 pm

Great article! I love being frugal and agree with a previous poster that it gives you a sense of freedom. (And yes, I am VERY happy!)

Michigan has been in a recession for the last several years so tightening up has been a necessity for most people here. My husband and I make good wages but have always lived below our means. That has certainly made this economic crisis much easier to face. We really haven’t had to make many changes other than selling one of our large 8 cylinder SUV’s for a much smaller vehicle with great gas mileage. We have also decided to grow our own garden this year.

And for those of you who think buying is much better than renting, you need to look at Michigan’s real estate market. It’s a mess here. Foreclosures are up and our home values have plummeted. I know people who actually owe more on their homes than they’re worth. My sister’s home was appraised at $525,000 just five years ago. Today it’s appraised at $430,000. That’s a pretty substantial loss. Real estate is not a sure thing.

MamaStone Says:

April 30th, 2008, 22:55 pm

I must say that I love it. We have been one-income for most of the 17 years we’ve been married. In our home, family comes first. That means, to us, the kids are more important than things. Our children do not have ANY video games (I know some will think we are horrible parents for that), we only own one television - it’s in the family room, my husband’s car is 16 years old and has 200,000 miles on it (we bought it for $700.00 in 2002), we bake our own WHOLE WHEAT bread, make whole wheat tortillas, cook meals at home most nights - mostly from scratch, if we “eat in the car” it’s something packed in an ice chest brought from our home, drink at least 8 cups of water each a day, grow a lot of our veggies, etc. We also do not use commercial cleaning products. I use baking soda and vinegar for most of my cleaning needs. We use homemade deodorant and baking soda for cleaning our hair followed by a rinse of apple cider vinegar and water for softness.

We set up a budget and stick to it - instead of credit cards or debit cards, we use CASH. Each pay day, we take out the budgeted amount for gasoline and groceries (our fixed bills - rent, utilities, insurance, etc. we write checks for). If the money is gone, nothing is bought until next pay day. We also tithe on all of our income (so, in essence, we are living on 90% of our income).

Will everyone agree that ours is a wonderful life - DUH! no, but it is a life we are happy with. I could get a job and double our income. But then, like the majority of Americans, we would be expecting someone else to raise our children and then wondering why they have different priorities and values than we have. With the choices we have made, WE are imprinting the lives of the children entrusted to us to raise (not the nanny, sitter, or daycare provider). Oh, by the way, we have also chosen to school our children at home - this way they are taught what is important - the 3 R’s, modesty, how to think for themselves, integrity, honesty - not what the government and society thinks is important - whatever the latest fad is, what is needed to pass this year’s test, etc.

Sorry this is lengthy, just near and dear to me!

Keviefriend Says:

April 30th, 2008, 23:42 pm

Mamastone,

I agree with you, about everything! I wish more people would do that…

Have you considered, though, the impact college will have on your kids? I don’t mean just with money, but culture shock? Do they participate in any activities, church, anything? I don’t generally recommend church, but some like it :)

But yes, I wish more people would worry more about their kids and maybe lift a finger to raise them. Even if they do send them to school, to spend the time in school with them, or talking about it and being involved. It makes me sick that some of these pregnant girls’ parents are actually mad at the schools, even though it’s VERY well known fact that during the Bush Administration has decided that sex ed is off the table and will NOT educate accordlingly. I guess my underlying point is that children are the responsilbity of the parents, no execeptions, and not just when it’s fun or comfortable.

Sorry, this is also near to me :)

simply living Says:

May 5th, 2008, 2:40 am

Great list! Some ideas are more practical than others, but I am already implementing a handful of these and I do not notice that my lifestyle is crimped in any major way.

I’d like to address the housing issue, if I may…

I live in a major West Coast city and bought my house in 2002, right before the prices got crazy (standard 30-yr fixed loan, no sub-prime). The property is a cute 1940’s Duplex - two legal units. I live in one and rent out the other, which pays for 65% of the total mortgage (including the rolled-in property taxes and insurance). My portion works out to be less than if I rented a much smaller studio apartment in my city! I also get to itemize certain tax deductions on this Duplex that are not allowed for a typical “single family dwelling,” such as maintenance and repair, property utilities, water, etc.

Yes, there are the added responsibilities of being a ‘Landlord’ for the extra unit, but I find it to be more fun and rewarding than a chore. It’s not for everyone, though.

So, is renting better than buying? Could be, I don’t know. It really depends on the individual situation. In my case, owning (and occupying) the Duplex makes more financial sense than renting something comparable in my area. I also cannot put a price on the peace of mind that owning my own place brings me. My goal is to have the place paid off in 15 years, well before I retire, and that will give me options and security in later life that renting cannot provide.

So, in certain situations (duplex? other?) buying might actually be better than renting.

One other thing re: Travel. I love to travel and experience new things, but use Priceline or other bidding sites whenever possible. I have stayed in fabulous 4-5 star hotels for a fraction of the price. I went to Tokyo last October for 8 days and spent less than $600 TOTAL, including airfare, hotel, food, bullet train. I had a great time! It’s possible to travel cheaply (but in style) if you are flexible.

Kate Says:

May 14th, 2008, 11:57 am

I am so happy I came upon your site. I was living the hamster life-style (running and running and not getting anywhere meaningful). I decided to make a commitment to the environment, my health, my family and my finances. Funny enough, these things all came together in learning to get rid of greed, to simplify, to spend time together, to not let your job define you, to give to others and to ride your darn bike to work! I have a lifestyle that many would envy in terms of simplicity, love, fun, health and peace. I was looking for it in all the wrong places!

Brenda Says:

May 26th, 2008, 2:38 am

Great article! Thanks! Please consider a printer friendly version. I would like to share it with a discussion group.

Jaimie Says:

June 3rd, 2008, 14:31 pm

Great tips! We follow many of them ourselves and have for a good many years. We own one car; it is paid for. There is nothing like freedom from car payments and high insurance costs.
I have read some very angry comments on your post and share your bafflement. We have gotten some incredibly rude comments on our car, (our stubborn insistence to not trade it in for new debt) and other things we do in our lives that is frugal. Honestly we don’t talk about it or make any kind of deal at all so I don’t know how our lifestyle is even noticed.
Maybe the thought of setting personal limits on spending and other behavior sends these folks over the edge. It’s too bad because personal discipline is one important path to happiness.

lotta Says:

June 7th, 2008, 18:34 pm

Hi!
Pleased to have found this site and pleased that YES there are other people who are considerate of the need to pull back and live simply. We do so for choice, and although I enjoy and love shiny things - we are realistic about what we spend our hard earned money. I have young children at home, reduced my hours to take care of my children, watch them grow and be there. We simply reduced our expenditure. I say simply but I fought against it for a long time. We live in an old house, buy second hand or freecycle and give as much back to our community as we can. These lessons are invaluable for our children. The understanding and respect and recognition that life isn’t just about them, rather it is about community is something that is lost today. Keep your mind open people. Do not sacrifice living for ownership. Practise gratitude, give thanks and savour life. Work? It is a means to supporting yourself and you family, not the be all and end all.

lotta Says:

June 7th, 2008, 19:06 pm

And yes - I am happy - more than one can imagine! Such a stress free way of living - maybe those who criticise you LEO for your choice of lifestyle/children/ etc are without children……… maybe their views may change when children come along when they realise that they have to be accountable to someone else for their actions.

Thankyou - thankyou - thankyou.

sherrie malik Says:

June 11th, 2008, 23:22 pm

Sherrie Interesting web site,as a low income senior living in a small low income apartment building I have learned how to be creative in the way I do things. I just wanted to add a couple saving tips. I never buy paper towels or napkins. I use rags for clean up rinse it out after each use and put it in the broom closet to dry until I need it again. I wash them on laundry day. The cloth napkins I have bought on clearence. They don’t need to match. I have a whole wicker basket full that I keep on the counter in the kitchen. Any kind of paper I get (even the direction sheets that come with my RX) that is printed on only one side I rip into smaller sizes and use for scrape paper. Who dosen’t use scrape paper? To cut down on laundry I only change my sheets twice a month and use the same towel all week. I ware my clothes more than once before putting in the laundry. I do take a shower daily. I can’t hang my clothes outside so I put them on hangers and hang them on the shower curtain rod to dry. I set up my ironing board fold my sheets once and drape them over the ironing board to dry. Your clothes really will last longer if you do not use a dryer. I have a used computer someone gave me and dial up internet to look up things and to read the newspapers and magazines so I save money by not having to buy them. I look for sale items in the grocery store and than buy several of the item. I do not buy any processed food. I do believe in organic food and do buy what I can fit into my budget. My grocery store has Amish chicken and eggs which although not organic still a better choice. I eat a lot of produce and eat all of my vegetables raw as that way you will get all of the nutrients none lost by cooking them. I save all of my bread wrappers and find many uses for them such as a way of storing food items after I have opened them. I use public transportation. I also buy from resale stores.I have a small wardrobe and only replace an item as needed. I use cloth bags for my groceries and recycle all that my city will take. That dose not save me any money but dose help to save our environment and my peace of mind..

Anon Says:

June 12th, 2008, 16:12 pm

I realize I’m late to the conversation, but here are my thoughts:

1. I prefer NO car :)
13. I prefer NO TV :)
23. Never started :)

5. I tend to avoid buying stuff. But when I do decide I need something, I tend to go new, unless I can find EXACTLY what I want used, which is rare. I figure this is a small vice, since I tend not to need to buy a lot of stuff.

6. 2k seems high– I’d be more interested in what the median is; that’s usually far more telling for financial things (the average is generally skewed by a small number of spendthrifts with money to burn)

9. I’m still working on figuring out what a minimalist wardrobe is in a climate with (at least!) four seasons. When there’s a 100 degree temperature difference between the hottest and coldest days of the year, with every possible variation in between, (and it’s multivariate: temperature, humidity– wet cold goes right through you MUCH more bitterly than dry cold, just like wet heat is far more debilitating–, wind, precipitation type and severity) you need a wider variety of clothing.

18. I’m not coordinated enough.
19. I prefer the train.
20. As much as I can. I like walking.

21. I usually just give it away to the thrift store– it’s my payment to them for taking all my junk as I was going through my un-packratting phase. And, not getting money back reminds me to be more careful with what I buy in the future.

29. Why? I just pay them off every month. Money out of the budget is money out of the budget whether it comes from the CC or cash. Actually, using a CC makes me MORE careful about what I spend, because I actually have to account for it more carefully. Cash in the pocket is much easier to spend, and therefore much more dangerous.

33. I’ll be so glad when I get the student loans paid off– I hate being in debt.

36. This one utterly baffles me. Why in the world would I go back to using a landline when it’s more expensive and does less? I leave my cell set to vibrate, and I only answer it when I feel like it. It’s not attached to me at all times, so people know they’ll often need to leave a message. (Giving the advice of not having more than one phone would make sense, but why choose the more expensive and less useful phone to keep? I don’t get it.)

50. Thank you for the cheap breakfast links! My third wost health and financial vice is grabbing breakfasts on the go.
26. This is my second worst health and finantial vice.
34. This is my worst health and financial vice.

Little Says:

June 19th, 2008, 2:06 am

Leo,
Your article is very useful specially nowadays when everything is very expensive. Surely, I will try to do those tips that you gave as long as it is applicable from where I live.
Little
(Philippines)

Megan Says:

June 23rd, 2008, 16:08 pm

Thanks Leo - this is great advice. I am getting out into the real world and having troubles living frugally, and I think this article will really help me to focus on what’s important for me and how to make a balance in my lifestyle.

My only advice here is that it’s great to decide to live a frugal lifestyle but it’s NOT great to judge others for deciding to spend more. My family, growing up, never spend extravagantly, but my good friend’s family would judge us with every purchase we made because they lived frugally to the T. They would make comments on our cars (which are more expensive brands - but were bought used and cost less than their cars which they were too cheap to keep up or trade in when it was time, leaving their kids and my friends to deal with breakdowns on the freeway all the time) and our clothes (usually purchased on sale, etc..)

It really bothered me because compared to others in our area, we didn’t spend too much but I felt I had to hide things we’d saved for because they judged others that way. It’s also annoying to wear a new outfit that makes you feel confident and have someone make comments about how you’re living an unwise lifestyle. To me, it’s important to spend wisely but there are just some things you shouldn’t skimp on…

Soham Says:

June 24th, 2008, 0:54 am

Thank you for the advice. Cigarettes with tea eats away more than ten percent of my income which is more than the rent I pay for the house where I live with my wife and a daughter. I know I have been foolish, but it is quite hard to kick the habit than being foolish.

Frank Says:

June 30th, 2008, 3:12 am

this is a great article, i took what i liked and what worked for me, i can see that the author knows how to balance both fun and saving… as i try to do… i’ve saved over 200 each month for the past 4 months just keeping up with things and spending and planing smart. try some of these or what you think can help and you’ll see a difference too. you don’t have to do all of them to save… just try some and you’ll save something, and saving something is always better than saving nothing.

Senior Life Insurance Guy Says:

July 5th, 2008, 10:58 am

I think this is the type of list that we should encourage our schoolchildren to absorb. The endless obsessions that we (including myself) indulged in, the wants that were never really needs, the desires, sometimes fulfilled, that had no real meaning.

Eek! What was I thinking about? The Joneses?

Thanks so much for this. I will endeavor to spread the word about this article and others like it.

Hinio Says:

July 6th, 2008, 5:43 am

You do realize that most women can’t really follow your frugal tips… Cutting our hair ourselves (and the minimalist wardrobe) seems like a good guide on how to teach your wife to not be sexy, so that she can not want to have sex with you. Hot.

Stephen Smith Says:

July 6th, 2008, 8:29 am

Hi Hinio, I have to say that I disagree with you on the haircut thing. A few years ago I was in a tight financial spot and my girlfriend resorted to having me cut her hair, so we went all out. I washed her hair in the sink and then she sat in a chair in her bathrobe and sipped tea while I trimmed and layered her shoulder-length hair. (I got some pointers from the internet first!) Conditioner, scalp massage, you name it.

It turned out to be quite an intimate and sexy experience - and the haircut turned out pretty good too.

Yash Says:

July 14th, 2008, 11:02 am

Well these are good tips, BUT you missed the most important one. HAVE LESS KIDS! You “practically” missed that one! If you have less kids you wouldn’t have to follow many of these tips like cutting your own hair or canceling your cable.

Frugal Adviser Says:

July 14th, 2008, 19:11 pm

That is a good thinking, but sometimes is had to give up habits….but I must admit, some of the tips are actually very good and I will try to change something ….for our better future… :)

Vern at AimforAwesome Says:

July 14th, 2008, 23:54 pm

51. Move to Thailand and teach for a year. Make 33,000 baht (1100 usd). Live away from Bangkok. Pay 100 for room. 200 for food. $50 for motorbike gas. $100 for fun and save the rest. My partner and I live on $400 usd per month here. We’re more than happy with that. Millions of Thais live on $166-200 per month their entire lives. If you aren’t addicted to something you can do fine on $400-500 a month!

What? Saving 600 a month isn’t good enough? Teach extra classes on the weekend and make another 300/month pretty easily. STILL not enough? Start a blog or other web site and over the course of a year it could be bringing another $100-500/month.

You can change your life entirely - don’t think the hand you’ve dealt yourself in America is the only hand you get. There’s a whole world out there to try. You CAN live elsewhere you just have to make it happen. Why not? How many lives you have that you know about? Probably just this one… better make it good!

Amy Says:

July 15th, 2008, 16:34 pm

I am surprised by the shallowness of some of these comments.

So, Leo has six kids. What do you expect him to do, give them away? Those without children will not understand the deep joy children bring to our lives. (And for heaven’s sake, it’s “FEWER kids”, not less. If you are going to be nasty, at least be grammatically correct.)

Is it difficult to understand that a person might prefer camping to staying at a “5 star resort”? Is it inconceivable that a person would choose to spend their time at home gardening, writing, teaching their children, etc. rather than spending 60, 80+ hours per week at work in order to buy the latest ____ ?(fill in the blank.)

I guess I’m reading posts from some of those who have the bumper sticker “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” Whatever are you doing at Zenhabits?

selly Says:

July 21st, 2008, 9:01 am

The more money we spend the more we earn. This is not about the indiscriminate waste of money, but still, if a large family, is a difficult to use one car for all family, so in the first and second 2 cars is still time savings, and can spend more time with your family, a good attitude in the family have to buy.

Jo Says:

July 29th, 2008, 16:18 pm

Well, I really like some of these ideas, especially waiting 30 days to buy things that are not essential. However I find several of the ideas are aimed too strongly towards men. Minimal wardrobes, self-cut hair, and clothes that are very worn are all more acceptable on men than women. In this world us ladies are judged almost entirely on how we look. We just can’t compete in the business world looking frumpy.

Also just curious if you have trouble cleaning greasy dishes with cold water? Or utensils and cutting boards that have touched meat?

Jeff Says:

August 2nd, 2008, 1:57 am

I love all of these good tips. In this economy you need to save wherever you can. Don’t be too proud. Look for deals and ask for deals. My sister-in-law is quite wealthy because she has lived frugally all of her life.

RezaJ Says:

August 2nd, 2008, 6:30 am

I belive in give and take policy.Our nature and everything in our planet is balanced with this theory.You can not only take some times you must give.Peace to all of you.

Anna Says:

August 6th, 2008, 5:19 am

Love it, love it, love it. Love your blog. Thanks!

Anna Says:

August 6th, 2008, 5:21 am

Oh, and by the way, although owning my own home probably is a crappy financial decision, it’s so rewarding in so many other ways that this one lunacy I’ll stick with :-D

warren Says:

August 11th, 2008, 6:27 am

Hi,

Great post and i agree on pretty much all of it. Like some of the other guys I also already do alot of the above. I do have a few others that you may do also, although some people may think theyre a bit extreme.

I am definatley a frugal person. If I was ever to be rich i would still think about ‘the worth’ in something prior to buying it. I have made foolish purchases in the past and have come to a point now where I realize they have been wasteful.

My frugality extras are

1 - I haven’t used shaving foam in years. I have used hair conditioner instead for that time and it works perfectly for me. Any type will do aslong as it feels a bit oily on the face. It works as well as expensive shaving foams and one tube of conditioner last ages.

2 - I drink alot of water so I urinate alot. I don’t flush the toilet after each piss. In fact I think I flush it once every 4 or 5 pisses or until the bowl starts to smell. Some people may think this is going too far but I think its fine. Its saves water which is going to become more and more scarce and it also saves me alot in water bills.

3 - I dont use normal deoderant. 1 - because I don’t think theyre good for the body and 2 - because theyre also a rip off. Instead I use a natural crystal deoderant which means I still sweat but it doesn’t smell at all. I’ve also had the same one for the last 8 months now and its still 3/4 full!

I’m pretty generous to other people but I’m naturally frugal by nature.

Cheers

Cathy Says:

August 13th, 2008, 16:44 pm

I agree with the distinction between cheapskate and someone who is frugal. There are actually two types of cheapskates: the person who will buy anything as long as it’s cheap (and who will brag about what a great buy they made, even if the product is falling apart a month after purchase) and the person who spends all sorts of money on themselves, but next to nothing to benefit their family and friends.

I think we need a new term for people who are smart, generous and frugal. How about Thriftmaster?

Cathy Sykes
http://www.moneytospare.net

Kirstie Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:41 am

I can’t believe that there are posts describing this very sensible list as extreme!

Why not just earn more and buy more stuff? Well I know its a cliche but aren’t the figures 5% of the world’s population uses 30% of the world’s resources? I just don’t think spending loads of money and buying loads of stuff as a way of “supporting the economy” is a long term strategy.

Ray Says:

August 18th, 2008, 12:46 pm

I dont think I’m cheap but everyone else says so. I refuse to pay for my own cell phone because my job give me one. I also refuse to buy a car because I use the one my job lends me. I also refuse to pay for milk or cream even though everyone else in my department has put in for it. MY point is this, Why should I have to pay for anything when everyone else is paying? I like the free ride I get. Oh, did I mention that I make 160,000 a year? Yes it’s all true…but I am definitely not cheap!!!

Denise Says:

August 25th, 2008, 15:30 pm

This is awesome, Leo! Things that drive me crazy…people living beyond their means, greed, wasting resources in buildings with vast, open space (office and residential), huge cars/SUVs…etc. Almost every piece of furniture in my RENTed home is from a yardsale and I get comments about how cozy and pretty it is! I buy my clothes at a few nice thrift stores around here (as I am usually here or at work in a uniform!) As a nurse, I can tell you that your eating and not smoking habits not only save you money but can keep you from having open-heart surgery in the future (major plus!) I have a friend that owns a Hummer (she regrets it now with gas prices) but when she comes to my house, she has to park it on the street. I told her it is just fundamentally wrong about that vehicle in MY driveway! Oh, and don’t get me started on designer purses, full-bred dogs, and eating/using animal products! Veganism rules!!!!!

Great post, I enjoy it!

tony Says:

September 3rd, 2008, 18:25 pm

Oh My God Megan, you are soooo hot!!! please email me ASAP!! tonystark1@gmail.com

Ness Says:

September 4th, 2008, 16:08 pm

Excellent Blog. I am turning into the Coupon Queen. I use http://www.shoppinggenius.org

Rebeccah Says:

September 9th, 2008, 23:22 pm

I love this article. I make enough money, but realize that there are really very few things that I need to still be happy. It is not fair that some people in this world are living under such awful circumstances while others have the convenience to go out and “make themselves happy” buying things that probably are not actually doing anything good for their well being. I feel that any ways that I can save money are best spent towards charitable organizations.

Samuel Says:

September 17th, 2008, 22:15 pm

Hi all,
I hope all is well.
I don’t know if any of you might be able to help me, but i am looking for the most youngest frugal person in the world. I know its probably a long shot but, if any of you think you might be able to help me please contact me on: s_kc@live.co.uk

I would greatly appreciate it if you could contact me. i am based in UK.

Kind Regards

Jennifer Says:

September 18th, 2008, 12:34 pm

To Samuel…why? Are you just curious, are you doing resarch? I think it’s great when young people actually ‘get’ the frugal concept and apply it to their daily lives, but am not entirely comfortable with the question without knowing where you are going with it.

Chris S. Says:

September 20th, 2008, 19:48 pm

I’m a college-age guy living in the states, not making a whole lot of money. So naturally I’m going to have to downscale my lifestyle a bit, and I think I’ve reached a nice balance.

I could not survive without my car, but it’s six years old and plenty cheap. My cell phone makes my life 200% easier, but it’s just that: a phone, not a fashion accessory with all kinds of toys jammed into it. I’m typing on a Dell bought while I was in junior high school, freeloading my wireless internet. (Pirating my music too, but don’t tell anyone.)

So what I consider the “essentials”, my apartment, car, etc. are all reasonable, leaving the extra cash I have to go towards luxuries. To me that’s little things like going to this great Japanese steakhouse every week or two, all the way up to my $2,000 Gibson guitar. It’s about priorities. Someone else could care less about a musical instrument, but are in love with their Corvette, or iMac, or Italian villa.

Nice article, even if it is a bit on the extreme side of the spectrum. (That is, if you follow ALL of the tips. Picking and choosing is fine.)

Chris S. Says:

September 21st, 2008, 14:36 pm

@Leo - You wrote (over a year ago):

“I do earn more money (read my bio) — in fact, I doubled my income in a year, and now I’ve quadrupled it a year later. At the same time, I live frugally and spend less than before. The difference means that I can save and invest, instead of wasting it on more stuff.”

This doesn’t make sense to me. What is the point of making money if you’re not going to spend it? I thought that the purpose of “frugal living” was to be able to cut back on unsatisfying work and have time to enjoy the simple things more. But if your work is satisfying and profitable, why not take advantage of that? Buying yourself nice things when you have the opportunity does not equate to extravagance.

And after reading some of these comments, I’m not sure I’d want to follow a lifestyle like this. Many commentors seem condescending and in self-denial.

Lily Says:

September 22nd, 2008, 9:17 am

I hear you, Megan! A colleague used to make all sorts of nasty comments when I was feeling something nice. So what? I don’t buy so many clothes and shoes but I want them to be nice and durable. I never said anything about her, her money or her lifestyle but she felt entitled to speak her mind…

Jeni Says:

October 1st, 2008, 22:58 pm

Great lens with some interesting suggestions. Especially like the idea of the ‘30 day list’ - that should help to cut down on impulse buying - (especially online I hope) - will give it a try.

Jay Says:

October 2nd, 2008, 3:16 am

What a great list of ways I can try and get in the frugal spirit!! Thanks Leo! I do try and do my best around the home with a worm farm and compost bin. I also use a washing line and cover so I can dry my clothes and laundry all year round which saves me a heap on energy bills. If anyone is looking for cool washing lines check out http://www.ecowashinglines.co.uk which is where I got mine from. Thanks again Leo and keep the tips coming if you have anymore!

Kelly N Says:

October 2nd, 2008, 23:34 pm

Leo…Thank you! I was looking every where for amlist of ways to be more frugal and less dependant on the material things in life and I found your post and site…Its great and I love reading all your tips.

christine Says:

October 3rd, 2008, 6:48 am

excellent tips!
we do a lot of these, such as commute by bike, i cut my own hair, no cable TV, walking and exercising without a gym (you can do pull ups on tree limbs! or try parkour!) line dry clothes…

may i add a couple?
greywater in the bathroom, cloth menstrual products for us girls (don’t flame me please!)

cheers
chris

matt Says:

October 9th, 2008, 19:27 pm

its a good article. i mean yeah i wouldn’t wanna live exactly like him but if your in a situation where your unemployed or maybe sending a kid off to college and you really need to strap yourselves financially these are good tips

Ryan Says:

October 24th, 2008, 22:17 pm

Hi Leo,
I don’t know if you actually read all these comments–I know I didn’t–but if you get this, thanks for the article. I enjoyed it a lot.
Here in Costa Rica, we eats tons and tons of rice (and some beans). It’s not too great unless you add some spices, but it gets the job done, nutritionally-speaking. And it’s pretty cheap.
-Ryan

Valeria | TimelessLessons Says:

November 10th, 2008, 5:51 am

I really liked some of these ideas, especially waiting 30 days to buy things that are not essential. However I find several of the ideas are aimed too strongly towards men.

Minimal wardrobes, self-cut hair, and clothes that are very worn are all more acceptable on men than women. In this world us ladies are judged almost entirely on how we look.

We just can’t compete in the business world looking frumpy. Anyway, just my take on the subject.

Susan Says:

November 13th, 2008, 17:11 pm

Hi Leo,
I have done most of this list for 20 + years - now my children (most of them) follow it.
I read where one of the people said ‘No pets’. I have pets and am a foster Mom for the local animal shelter. Dogs and cats are wonderful companions and teachers. They are well worth the cost. I make my own pet food so the costs are minimal (except for the yearly shots - they are all ‘fixed’). It disturbs me that they are - for a lot of people - considered disposable. Kindness should also extend to animals.

Benjamin Says:

November 25th, 2008, 5:19 am

For some great quotes on frugal living, please visit the Successful Living Quotes Blog (www.successfullivingquotes.com).

Be Inspired!,

Ben

Lily Says:

November 25th, 2008, 5:23 am

This is the link —> http://www.successfullivingquotes.com/2008/11/time-to-get-frugal-frugal-quotes.html
(I gladly skipped Coehlo :))

Bryan White Says:

November 29th, 2008, 7:35 am

I am a great believer in living frugally. I can’t really understand why you wouldn’t live frugally. The peace of mind of spending less than you earn is awesome, to know you have money in the bank if anything untoward happens is a great situation to be in.

It’s interesting that many to the tips in this post I already follow. I do have one weakness, I like to buy the odd gadget or two but I justify these by the fact that I have reduced my consumption so much.

Great post, very thorough.

Jess Says:

December 2nd, 2008, 14:03 pm

Great Tips- I know a lot of these seem like logic to me, but so many people are lazy/in the habit of spending money where they don’t need to. I know recently, I saved a ton of money by getting over the counter generics rather than the name brand cold medication. Worked just as well.

When it comes down to it, I think it’s the act of being a conscious spender, instead of being in that robotic consumerist mindset.

Thank you for this post!

Ron Towns Says:

December 4th, 2008, 18:54 pm

The news about the economy is enough to drag you down:
• Housing prices are in free-fall
• Unemployment is skyrocketing
• The stock market is like a roller coaster
The government is doing what it can by injecting billions here and
billions there – so far to little effect.
You know what’s really going to make a difference? People refusing to be victims. Seriously, one-by-one, as we commit to our highest dreams and ideals,
and take the required actions to achieve them, we can collectively
defeat any circumstance – including the worst economic conditions
in a century.
I truly believe this, and I’ve already started doing something about it. Last
year I found a program called Having it All: Achieving Your Life’s
Goals and Dreams. It incorporates everything I’ve learned about the art
and science of goal achievement – something I’ve been obsessed with
for 25 years.
For instance, only recently did I come across something that is
mind-blowingly exciting: Scientists have discovered systems in our brains
that essentially govern our levels of achievement – much like a thermostat
sets the temperature in a room. Here’s the thrilling part: When you know
how, you can recondition these systems, in just a few minutes per day!
The implications are huge for anyone who wants to achieve more in life.
For the first time in human history, we know how to remove the mental
obstacles to success, and actually reset what scientists call our
internal “expectancy points.” This means that you can literally recalibrate
your subconscious mind, obliterate your old self-imposed limits, and
redefine what is possible in your life.
Having It All shows you exactly how to do this, step-by-step, so that you
can easily create the life you’ve always wanted. So here’s the deal: For
a limited time, I am slashing $50 off the retail price.
Go to http://www.johnassaraf.com/hia now to take advantage of this limited-time offer – just enter the coupon code “2008GIFT” at checkout.

Outlet Says:

December 15th, 2008, 17:07 pm

It is incredibly useful article. Thank a lot for gift ideas!

Annie Says:

December 17th, 2008, 19:26 pm

These tips are great and really help me to reconsider the thoughtless ways I’ve spent money in the past.

My biggest and best money saving tip is to buy an auto repair manual for your car: You can save hundreds in car maintenance by teaching yourself how to fix common, basic repairs and avoiding overpriced service shops.

This is a good article that summarizes the benefits of DIY specifically in the case of brake replacement: http://www.haynes.com/news/5/

DIY car repair can save your budget from unpredictable blows, and for me, it’s actually turned into quite an enjoyable and therapeutic hobby.

andy Says:

December 17th, 2008, 23:15 pm

Wow, what a set of tips. My aim is to implement atleast 10 of these in 2009.

Kathy Says:

December 18th, 2008, 20:13 pm

Consider the quote below…..how much of what we buy are we willing to exchange a portion of our lives for?

Henry David Thoreau
The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it…

Robert Reinhardt Says:

January 5th, 2009, 17:18 pm

I am faced sometimes with people in my life that are both drawn to, but also shy away from my desire to let go of things….stuff. They like what it represents, but - are dis-trustful of how it appears that I might too easily pack up in a bag and go.
I am down to owning only what can fit in 2 (small) car loads - and, - if I had to go somewhere - I could do without 1/2 of it - my essentials fit in one.
I do this as a way of being available to the people in my life, and to not be encumbered by or pulled away by things. - Peace. - Robert

Kate Says:

January 10th, 2009, 23:51 pm

I loved this article! Loved your perspective. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas.

Leona Says:

January 12th, 2009, 23:53 pm

I just found your blog and I love it. My tip for better dressing on a budget - simple organization. I love buying clothes, but like you, I had a bad love affair with credit cards and needed to change my behavior. I find that I buy fewer clothes and actually dress better when I plan my outfits in the evening for the next day, usually while I am getting out of my office wear into my jeans for the day. It only takes a minute or two and minimizes rushing around in the morning trying to find a pair of matching socks. I know because I used to do this a lot. I get much more out of the clothes I have, and I enjoy the creativity in putting together new looks with the same wardrobe. I dress more professionally at my job than when I constantly bought new things. It has also helped me to get rid of any clothes that I do not wear or do not like. Simplicity can also be fun!

Julie Says:

January 13th, 2009, 12:03 pm

Frugality is not just for poor people. My husband and I have MILLIONS in real estate assets (started by buying our first home at 18 years old) and are entirely self-made.
We live in a modest home, drive used cars, shop for clothing at thrift stores, and generally just live simple lives.

Why? Because we want to do better with what we have than just fancy purses and designer jeans and exotic vacations. We started a scholarship fund, donate heavily to several charities and our church and take time off to get our hands dirty helping others. Mother Theresa once said, “Take your extra coat off and give it to your brother in need. It belongs to him.” Frugality can be an act of charity. I am currently saving, not for a COACH purse but to donate to meth addicted babies.

Also, want to note (I know I’ll get railed on for this) that I have nine children. We’ve raised them to be beautiful, big hearted people. My daughter (who’s 13) wouldn’t LET me buy her a $39 pair of ROXY jeans at Macys. She wanted to get some at the thrift store and donate the $35. She smiled and said it was “green” to buy pre-owned. She volunteers at a soup kitchen in her free time.

I know my children are going to grow into fiscally and morally sound people and if they don’t they have eight siblings to either kick them in the rear or help them out, depending on what the case requires. I’m glad I didn’t have just one. I might have been able to give one child more STUFF but stuff rots in a dump and eventually that child will be without family (children usually outlive parents)

Having nine kids may not be the most frugal way to live, but I believe in love first. My greatest achievement in life has been producing a family that is a indestructable circle of love. My greatest joy is watching my children together.

Thanks for what you do. Keep smiling and God bless you and your six.

Michael Says:

January 17th, 2009, 10:24 am

My monthly expense:
rent 680
food 100 (vegetarian)
internet (30)
pay as you go phone (5)
phone line (25)
I live just around $1000 per month.
While I agree being frugal but frugal doesn’t equal to cheapskate. I give to charity consistently. We don’t bring money to the world when we’re born and we don’t take money with us when we’re dying. The reason I am being frugal because I want to have freedom. I don’t like being tie to the loop of working/consuming.. When my investment is offsetting some earned income, I can choose to work less and do things meaningfully. Hope this can shed some light on this issue.

DesktopBudget Says:

January 18th, 2009, 1:27 am

I will recommend using DesktopBudget.com Its the best offline personal finance manager I have seen up till now.

Corey Says:

January 21st, 2009, 3:39 am

I especially like numbers 18, 37, and 45. By biking to and from work this coming summer, I will save at least $200, since it’s about a 15minute commute by car. I also avoid washing jeans at all costs - they almost always pass my smell test. I havent had my hair cut professionally in several years, at least saving $150.

Dana Says:

January 25th, 2009, 7:38 am

This is an awesome list! Your blog inspires me everyday.

Heather Says:

January 27th, 2009, 15:11 pm

I really liked all of your ideas, I am definitely going to put to use the 30 day wait for new items, I love that. I wanted to offer another great frugal suggestion. We have 6 kids and while hand me downs have been great, sometimes the size and seasons don’t really match up. We have befriended several families in our church, and we all just clothing swap, when one child outgrows a size it is passed on to another family in the group. We call it Tengo no Tengo which means I have, I have not. We just post what we have to offer and whoever responds with a need get them. We haven’t limited it to only clothes either, we trade all sorts of things such as furniture, appliances, and we have even had a couple of mechanics special cars traded. It not only saves tons of money, but builds a community of people working together. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to see one of our friends children wearing a special outfit that one of my daughters once wore. Not only did I get to bless them, but I got to be blessed with the memories of my children when they were smaller.

D Says:

February 2nd, 2009, 7:44 am

Hi from Russia! I really love this blog

pn Says:

February 3rd, 2009, 0:07 am

I agree with almost everything you have listed –and do a huge number of your suggestions already. But one item boggles my mind–how do you make do without a hot water heater? It’s one thing to take a cold shower yourself, but with 6 kids, how did you bathe them when they were babies? How do they bathe now? Seriously? Just asking.

Jason from Money Theory Says:

February 15th, 2009, 4:10 am

Fantastic list! I totally agree with you that living frugally is living a less-stressful life. If we always strive for more and more stuff we have to make more money. And that leads to more career responsibilities and less time for yourself and your family.

Deb Says:

February 22nd, 2009, 20:33 pm

Good for you, Leo! We do a lot of these things. I am just like the woman in an earlier post who was also born in 1953. My husband and I both had parents who were over 40 when we were born and they went through the Great Depression too. We also grew up in a neighborhood of mainly German descent where people were frugal, hardworking, honest about paying bills on time and took care of what they owned (you may not be able to replace it and it looks better when you take care of it). We carried those lessons through life. My dad always emphasized that it was more important to be honest and pay what you owed than to try to impress the neighbors with things you couldn’t afford. Nobody seems to feel that way anymore. My dad worked for the electric company and he always said turn out the light when you walk out of a room, why give my whole paycheck back to the electric company?
Even now that we are older, kids are grown and we have more money, we still are frugal about things. Why waste food? Why spend more when you can shop around and get something for less? Who do we need to impress?
It was a good feeling last year when I went with my 22 yr old son to buy a car. He is paying for it himself. I was co-signing. The car salesman was sort of rude because we came in right before closing and he didn’t think we were going to buy. When he found out that I don’t work and we owed NO money except a small amt. on the Master Card that we pay off every month, he got a little nicer. When he checked our perfect credit rating, he suddenly got really nice. heh “Come back and buy (an expensive) car from me” me: No thanks, the one I drive is fine.
Good for you, your kids will grow up with the right values and you won’t have to worry about them ruining their lives with debt when they are on their own.

Leslie Says:

March 1st, 2009, 0:14 am

Really agree with most of your suggestions. However, if you live in a hurricane area (New Orleans) our next car will probably be a (used) SUV simply because of what we must take when we evacuate. You have to choose your battles.

SuperMoi Says:

March 4th, 2009, 15:41 pm

One of the tips I really liked was #40. A really great site with a lot of info on saving gas and reducing your CO2 output is http://www.EcoDrivingUSA.com.

OhWiseOne Says:

March 8th, 2009, 23:05 pm

I think you are a cheapskate. Some of the tips are good and others really cut into quality of life. One car for a family of 8? That is just unreasonable and impractical. Balance is always the way to go. Everything in moderation and it seems that too much of your time and focus and energy goes into how to almost obsessively save money. This time could be used to earn more. Which could only supplement your contentment, such as providing your children with more options thru transportation, flexibility, lessons and activities. It is impt to remember not to limit their world but to make it bigger. This in no way has anything to do with materialism, quite the opposite. There is a spectrum here. On one extreme is materialism and the other extreme is too frugal. The middle ground is always the way to go…

Leo Says:

March 9th, 2009, 6:59 am

@OhWiseOne: Thanks for your perspective, but remember that what seems unreasonable for you might not be for me. My family of 8 has no problem whatsoever making it with one car. Yours might need two cars, but then again, sometimes when we think something is absolutely essential we don’t know that it’s not unless we try to give it up. That’s what I found — two cars are not a necessity.

kat621 Says:

March 10th, 2009, 21:48 pm

I shop at thrift stores and usually donate the clothes that doesn’t fit back to the thrift store. My older sister has similar taste in clothes so sometimes we swap. Also, some of the Department stores (JC Penney, Target, Kmart, Walmart) will have sales like 70% off, closer to the next season, so I can have new winter or spring close.

paul Says:

March 11th, 2009, 8:57 am

Hi folks, Im new here. Just testing before I get much further as to not knowing what this URL thing is and without typing anything there will let me post?

karadarlin' Says:

March 11th, 2009, 9:10 am

This is a wonderful list. Kudos to you for managing to keep your life happy and low cost.
However, we can’t do withour cell phones (my fiance and I). He is a Drill Sgt and works horrible hours. It is the only way he can counicate with the other DS’s throughout the day. We have no landline, and cell phones can go with us wherever we go. I don’t like to make a 12 hour drive home without my cell. Plus we have no long distance fee, free calling to other cell phones and free texting. They are just a need in our lives.
It goes the same for cars. We need two cars. He leaves for work at 3am and usually gets home around midnight. On some occasions he will work a 35 hour day. I have to get to work, school and take care of all of the regular chores. There is no public transportation here.
No cable has saved us some money. We LOVE movies. We tend to buy buy buy because we watch the same things over and over again. We both read a lot, and I do mean A LOT. I have been burning through about two books per day. Sometimes you just want to sit in front of the TV and not think.
Quitting smoking is on our list of things to do. We decided no children until we are both non-smokers. It will save us about $7000 a year.
These are great suggestions. Many just are not possible for our military lifestyle, but if I could, I would!

cindy Says:

March 11th, 2009, 9:26 am

Someone at the top said a world full of frugal people would not be a world they would want to live in. But if everyone could be happy with what they have, then there would be no need to cheat and steal and kill. Look at the world we have now. But unfortunately, not everyone will change their ways and live this way, so you dont have to worry about it. Thanks, from marysville, Ohio

paul Says:

March 11th, 2009, 10:12 am

Sorry about that last post folks, first time on here. My wife and I are homesteaders and know a lot about frugality. One of the first things I would do to save a lot of money on utility bills is install a preheater in my hot water system. Buy a used electric water heater, 30 or 40 gal. is all you need. The top of the tank should be marked as to where the cold and hot connections are to be made, mark them with a marking pen on the tank because once you remove the jacket the H, and C, will be gone Then strip off the sheet metal jacket, and all the insulation until you have just a bare steel tank, it will now be a lot easier to get down into your cellar or wherever your existing water heater is. Set it up on a few bricks or cement blocks so air can circulate all around it. If you feel like you cant do the small amount of piping it needs to be complete, it would be worth have plumber do that part for you, as it would not take much more than an hour to complete. If you feel confident enough, do it yourself by cutting the incoming cold water supply pipe and attach it to the tapping on your bare tank that has the dip tube in it or the tapping that had the cold marked on it. Then pipe the hot tapping from your bare steel tank to the cold on your existing water heater. What this does is bring incoming cold water that is normally about 52 degrees, and brings it up to room temperature for free, before it goes into your electric, or gas, or oil, water heater.

Steve Holden Says:

March 16th, 2009, 20:00 pm

Leo:

While I don’t have TMoney’s anger about your article I do wonder when you think people should stop having six kids. Or do you plan for the world population to grow indefinitely?

Personally I think your family planning, or lack of it, is rather irresponsible, but of course you aren’t alone. Ultimately there will be a reckoning for the overpopulation that the human race is forcing on a globe ever more threatened by its most rapacious inhabitant.

There’s a lot to be said for birth control even if it sometimes means keeping it in your pants.

girl from EU Says:

March 25th, 2009, 9:57 am

What a mean and offensive comment! You think a bunch of large families are causing overpopulation? BS, in the Western world people have less and less children.

But let’s forget trolls.

Point 5 contradicts 33 - yep, renting is better than a mortgage, but the best thing is being able to fully pay your house. Which is my hub and I are going to do - so we opted for a small house, it is enough for the 2 of us and we’ll be able to resell it when we need to.

Izzi Says:

March 31st, 2009, 0:24 am

Leo, ‘Thank You’ for having the courage to stand up to people like TMoney….i mean really? who is ‘really’ deceived here??
I LOVE your tips Leo….AND love to follow them and find a sense of ‘freedom’ from just taking a few that apply.
Some I can leave but HEY, we’re all different arn’t we!
now there’s a tip TMoney!! take what you will and leave the rest…no need to rave on & on like you know better!!

Izzi Says:

March 31st, 2009, 0:27 am

girl from EU…’i know’
arn’t some people just plain mean!
I mean so ……….’mean’
sigh……sigh…..whether you have 1, 4 or 6 kids…or hey, whether you have none….people will always find something to pick fault with you about!
Love your sites Leo!
Just love em…………

Izzi Says:

March 31st, 2009, 0:29 am

Girl from EU…yes, people are just plain nasty arnt they..
whether one has none, 1, 4 or 6 children….people will always find something to pick at someone about…
so self righteous too!
Steve Holden…get a life!!

b charles smith Says:

April 16th, 2009, 11:17 am

I know that wasn’t really required. Some good back talk though :>

b charles smith Says:

April 16th, 2009, 11:23 am

For Izzi, you might need this.

http://www.bookhotelscheap.net

rest would be good

GT Says:

April 16th, 2009, 12:40 pm

Great list!
my addition to that list:
Something no one mentioned is-
saving money by not taking part of Toxic western medicine.(going to allopathic MD’s/taking meds that cause adverse reactions)
By:
Holistic living,preventative dietary overhaul, using plants/herbs/homeopathics for your ailments saves loads of income.Do your own research of plant based medicines.(library or internet)
Grow medicinal plants from seed in pots/or gardens.
Make tea’s/infusions/oils-for healing.
The more you avoid western-modern medicine the healtier you become-the more you save money-no one gets sick in the family!
great website for holistic healing
one my favorite;
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com

Dan Says:

April 21st, 2009, 9:26 am

awesome list. really. my personal favorite, which i have used to great effect actually, is #14. The library is your friend.

Michelle Says:

April 21st, 2009, 9:28 am

This is easily one of my favorite articles on the whole site. Thanks Leo. How is the belly fat challenge going?

Tina Says:

April 21st, 2009, 9:31 am

While I think this is a great post, the question I have is whether you think that focusing too much on cutting costs reduces how much energy you have around you for attracting abundance?

casper Says:

May 7th, 2009, 20:16 pm

I agree with saving money on car and house and etc. Also, by getting a better job or by working more hours people would have more money too.

smily Says:

May 7th, 2009, 20:19 pm

Another reason why we should live frugally is that we would have more free time if we don’t have time to enjoy simple things in life such as companionship, friendships and we wouldn’t be overwhelmed with everything that the world can offer.

Kat Says:

May 10th, 2009, 16:08 pm

I dont think these suggestions are about being frugal they are about focusing on a healthy and more enriched life. Whats so great about going shopping and buying stuff you dont need or think you need? all you are doing is buying into a consumer focused world making someone else disgustingly rich and distroying our planet! forget about saving money saving our planet and working towards REAL happiness is what these 50 tips promote! I wish more people could see this.

kat Says:

May 10th, 2009, 16:15 pm

TMoney I pitty you and feel sorry that you have succummed to the clever marketing world that has sucked you in to making you think working and making money to consume and consume and consume is what life is about. I would guess you are one who lives to work rather than works to live. You should read Consumed by Benjamin R Baber and see what a ride youve been taken for. I hope such a book can open your eyes and help you shut your wallet and get back to the real important things in life.

Chris Conrick Says:

May 11th, 2009, 9:16 am

I have created a Custom Search Engine for finding bargains, discounts and coupons. It saves a lot of time - the search results are only from sites related to bargains, discounts and coupons. And it makes the process of comparison shopping easier.

It is powered by Google. Try it and if you find it of benefit please tell all your friends on this site.

marie Says:

May 24th, 2009, 13:32 pm

hats off too you mr loe,love to have freedom with the money ,and spend the extra money on what like to spent on like helping someone

Mike J Says:

May 28th, 2009, 5:26 am

Do your holiday shopping after the holidays. We make our own easter baskets. I just got new baskets this year for my 9 grandchildren and put them away for next year. I bought them a week after easter, they were marked down from $7.00 to .25 ea.
For Christmas I decided to replace all our old lights with the new LED lights which amounted to a very good savings on my electric bill. After chrismas sale at Walmart was fantastic, I stocked up for next year at 75 to 90% off everything. It’s well worth putting money aside to shop for next year at the after holiday sales.

GT Says:

May 28th, 2009, 15:14 pm

Reply to Mike J
read #11 again-
Don’t shop. Don’t go to the mall or other shopping area or department store to look around and shop. Go to a store if you know what you need, and then get out. Many times people go shopping, with a vague idea of what they want, and get caught up buying much more. Or they go just for fun, as a form of entertainment. That ends up costing a lot. It can really add up. Instead, stay away from shopping areas and find other ways to have fun (more below).

GT Says:

May 28th, 2009, 15:20 pm

Instead of SHOPPING
use your creative immagination
1-make things yourself to give people
2-cook as gifts
3-give free babysitting
4-volunteer work
5-give a free drive
6-teach as a gift (teach something you know)
7-give a free sleepover/breakfast
consumers are brainwashed that they need to shop to give gifts,think outside the box
Mike J

Mike J Says:

May 29th, 2009, 7:19 am

My wife’s family is very large, over the years giving Christmas gifts to brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, etc..really started to get overwhelming. I finally stopped the madness and now we just bake cookies for everyone.

Jared Says:

June 2nd, 2009, 12:04 pm

Thanks for all the information. I haven’t bought anything new in such a long time. Sometime I wake up in the morning and wonder why I still have t-shirts from the 90’s. Shop cheap, eat healthy, and live the dream.

Thanks

GT Says:

June 2nd, 2009, 17:09 pm

Possible options to “SHOPPING in conventional stores”
1-Learn how to sew make your own clothing-I do.

2-Thriftshop/used clothing stores/Goodwill-I do.

3-Hit the streets look for Garage Sales-I do.

4-Trade with friends/family/neighbors-I do,but not often enough.This Cost nothing and the best one on my list!

If there is a will there is A WAY!

We are so spoiled living in the USA,consume consume consume,We want more,we want it bigger,we want it better,we want a more expensive version……….Time to keep it simple!

The Schools in the USA used to teach “home economics”:
Sewing/cooking/arts-crafts/woodworking/shop-metalwork.
And now no more, no wonder we are turning into people who consume,buy,and spend money,
we cant make things we need ourself,who will teach us?

free divorce papers Says:

June 7th, 2009, 1:03 am

I have read a lot of money-saving articles but not written this way. And I will say I agree with most of what you say. We actually practice most of them.

Chicago Storage Says:

June 7th, 2009, 4:04 am

Well these frugal tips are definitely great for many people including myself, I will make sure that I print them and look at them carefully.

Nathan J Says:

June 7th, 2009, 5:40 am

I like #14 - we use the library a lot, and I recently signed up with a service that helps me make sure I don’t get overdue fines:

http://renewbot.com/

Wayne Says:

June 9th, 2009, 2:05 am

Hi faux I think all I have to say is that STop all this Fantast Expenditure and live withing your means….The Rescession made me lose my jobs but anyway I joined Online opportunities and now Im making 4 Times my salary…..So I made a blog about it Check out The Systems

Wayne Says:

June 9th, 2009, 2:06 am

http://moneymakingsystemsthatworks.blogspot.com/

Cris Says:

June 10th, 2009, 17:33 pm

That was really good most of the stuff I do such as my own hair and nails, a week grocery list, energy saver(i love earth) travel less and so on but of course everyone cant follow all these rules… some ppl may live in the city or the country where stuff is waaaaay too far to ride a bike. we work out at home in simple stuff… we did buy the ab lounge which works by the way but everything else is pushups squats or just walking around that big suburban neighborhood lol…but that wouldnt have workd back in our old neighborhood(too many stray dogs lol) but i really like that list…..hopefully one day i will stop going to the mall… lol…but i like it so thats why i try to sub out other things that arent as important bc i love clothes(i shop clearance 90% of the time) but other things i can sacrifice like going out(been there done that) or eating out (i can throw down in the kitchen) so everybody has their own frugal side about them some are just more than others

Kingston Says:

June 15th, 2009, 22:09 pm

The above views are very humous, I agree some, but disagree some other.For instance,”Rent rather than own. ” We have the ritght to own a new one, so we’ll try our best to earn money as long as we have some goals.

Irene Says:

June 16th, 2009, 22:24 pm

Sometimes, I prefer to be a cheapskate.Try to consider it in another direction. To be a cheapskate will make me live a better life, unbelievable? I totally agree with some of your suggestions,such as do not shop, find free entertainment, commute by bike and stop using credit cards. Which must be the most significant is planning ahead! I do not think these will make us bored at all! Imaging go to work by bike on a morning, fresh air around you make us so energetic. I have joined in this range for a long time and frankly speaking, I am satisfactory!

hollysyouporn.com Says:

June 17th, 2009, 6:38 am

Easy said than done some of these I think!

Ken Says:

June 18th, 2009, 20:44 pm

i have to admit that you are cheap. i am very very cheap but these tips might save me even more money……… thanks

Lily Says:

June 20th, 2009, 18:03 pm

I swap and sell in various ways.

SWAP
• make-up (but also clothes and books) on MakeUpAlley
• clothes on BigWardrobe

SELL
• on eBay
• used DVDs at Blockbuster
• on my blog
• CDs on artists’ forum - if there is a marketplace section

Lily Says:

June 20th, 2009, 18:07 pm

I realise now that in my older post I wrote

“A colleague used to make all sorts of nasty comments when I was feeling something nice”

instead of

“A colleague used to make all sorts of nasty comments when I was WEARING something nice”

Freudian slip?? :)

Kameron Says:

June 23rd, 2009, 19:18 pm

I’ve always been a cheap bastid (pardon me, frugal). And it’s funny to me how since The Economy (R) has gone to crap, everyone’s panicked … but I’m doing the exact same thing with my spending as 6 years ago. Stick to my budget, bargain shop, 15% of my income saved for retirement.

If you can get in the habit of using a few of these cheapskate tips, you’ll be better of in the long run. And by better off, I mean a millionaire because you’ll have a big fat Roth IRA waiting for you at 50 or 60 years old…

GT Says:

June 23rd, 2009, 20:20 pm

I have seen people that Do live in caves (asia)
They are seaweed farmers and life off the land,do with verry little.
This same area I am referring to in Asia is where the average population makes one dollar for a 12 hour day of hard labor.
They manage,they are some of the most beautifull unspoiled people I have ever seen,They give even when they have so little to give.Close family ties,live off the land,spiritual (I am nOT talking about man made religious fanatics)In tune with the forces of nature/cosmos.
Great examples of humanity and how we can live off barely nothing if we try.
———————————————————————-
The opposite we see-
In the USA
it’s just a waistland of spoiled suburbia housewife’s who need their;
Malls,SUV’s,Latte coffee for $5 per cup,Prozac,botox,hair+nails done every week,
they are Fat-(More like OBESE)unhealthy/depressed-pumped full of prescription meds.
Are the people in the USA lucky to have all these expensive”toxins”?Is this what money buys?
Some of the comments on this discussion are mindboggling to me.
“I have the right to own a new house”
“I need the Mall”
“I want nice things ,so what”
“I want to eat out”
Spoiled,spoiled,spoiled,spoiled consumer manipulated zombies.

Miranda Says:

June 26th, 2009, 11:42 am

I don’t generally post to anything I read, but I feel that I must. First of all, I didn’t read all of the posts because I was tired of people criticizing how others live their lives. If you don’t want to be frugal or save money, why are you reading this? There will always be sacrifice to accomplish what you desire. You will sacrifice more time for more money, earning money for more time, or sacrificing material things to save money (This also applies to situations that don’t involve money).
I want those of you that don’t understand frugality to hear me say, ” I ENJOY being frugal!” I think it is fun. It’s a challenge. Kind of like a game that is also allowing me to save for the ultimate future, which is being even more frugal while blessing other people’s socks off! Giving them a “hand up” instead of a “hand out”!

tATu fan Says:

June 27th, 2009, 4:52 am

This is early a perfect list, maybe another extra line, stop paying condominium taxes and buy your own house with the same money.

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