By making cheap living a way of life, one will be able to save a considerable amount of money every year. Contrary to popular misconception, cheap living does not need to be Spartan. A person can live quite comfortably on a limited budget. The key to cheap living is self discipline. One will have to make a budget and then stick to it. Impulse shopping and other bad habits will have to go. Following is some practical information on how to live frugally.
Saving Money on Food and Household Supplies
The average American spends $320 on groceries and $230 on dining out every month. This comes to a total of $550. A person who wants to make cheap living a way of life should dine out less and eat at home more.
A person can also save money by eating out at “off hours.” Many restaurants offer discounts to people who come in the middle of the afternoon instead of at lunch or dinner time.
Another aspect of making cheap living is buying generic food items and cleaning supplies. Most supermarkets and dollar stores offer generic food items that cost less than well known brand names. Generic detergents and cleansers work just as well as brand name cleaners.
Saving Money on Travel and Leisure
The average American spends $50 a month on entertainment. While this is not a large expense in itself, it is larger than it needs to be. A person who wants to make cheap living a way of life will cut all unnecessary expenses. Instead of renting movies, one can watch an unlimited number of movies online for only a few dollars a month. Instead of going out with friends, one can stay home and enjoy a good conversation, movie or game around a bowl of popcorn.
Most people spend well over $100 a month on gasoline for the car. While a car is a necessity in this day and age, one does not need to drive to the corner store that is two or three blocks away.
Walk or ride a bike. Not only is it cheaper, it is also good for one’s health. Carpooling and taking the metro will also save one a fair bit of money on a monthly basis.
Buying Secondhand Items
In order to make cheap living a way of life, one will need to be willing to buy items secondhand. Craigslist and eBay offer secondhand items in excellent condition; these used items usually cost only a fraction of what they would cost brand new. Goodwill stores and other secondhand stores are a good place to find clothing, furniture, accessories and more.
In order to make cheap living, one will have to make lifestyle adjustments. One will need to see which expenses can be reduced or even eliminated and then make a monthly budget. Making cheap living a way of life is worth it, as it will enable one to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year.
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