Frugal Living For The Savvy Caregiver

While frugal living might sound horrible, the idea doesn’t mean that you’re giving up everything that you love. Far from it. You don’t even need to watch every single penny that you spend and make sure that you always get the best deal for your money. 

Instead, true frugal living focuses on making wise financial choices, ones that save you money and give you the means to live the life that you want to.

Being frugal is especially important for caregiving. Because, let’s face it, caregiving can be expensive. This is true for people who support their family members full-time, but can also be the case for people with less intensive roles. 

Even if your family member is able to contribute in some ways, there will probably be additional expenses along the way, some of which may be unexpected. 

Frugal living can give you more money in your pocket and make life much easier all around. So, let’s get down to it.  

We’ve broken the tips down into a few categories. You can use the links below to jump ahead or simply read the tips as we present them.

Frugal Living Approaches

• Budget Well
• Make Smarter Buying Decisions
• Save Money With Your Food
• Look For Help Locally
• Think About Your Entertainment
• Prioritize Health
• Cut Down Your Bills

Budget Well

Making a budget is always the first step to living frugally. After all, you need to have a sense of your financial goals and where your limits are.

But, a good budget doesn’t focus on keeping spending as low as humanly possible. It’s better to focus on creating goals and working towards these. That way there’s an appealing reason to keep cutting down expenses.

Being realistic is important too. If you want to follow a spending plan in the long-term, it needs to be flexible and it needs to have some space for the enjoyable things. Otherwise, you’ll find that you just can’t stick to it.

Once you have a rough budget, you can start looking for ways to make the savings that you need to.

Increase Debt Repayments

While the idea might sound counterintuitive, increasing your debt repayments is an important way to live frugally. Doing this gives you the chance to pay off your debts faster, which ultimately means that you’re paying less in interest and in fees.

It may even be worth running on a shoestring budget for a while until you can pay off your debt. This can make things easier in the long run – but be realistic. Don’t make your budget so tight that you’re in trouble the moment an unexpected bill comes along. If you do this, then you risk putting yourself back into debt later on.

Other Tips

• Use a free app or pen and paper to keep track of your spending. This makes it easy to see areas where you are doing fine and areas where you need to cut back.
• Look online for free budgeting templates or printables. These make budgeting a breeze, even if you haven’t done it before.
• Make sure you save. Even if your finances are tight, putting money away is essential. Costs often come out of nowhere and you don’t want to go into debt to pay a sudden bill.
• Get rid of credit cards. Buying things on credit makes everything more difficult in the long-run. Get rid of the cards entirely to make sure that you’re not tempted.
• Set up automatic payments for your savings. This makes it easy to keep saving and harder to stop. Automatic payments for your bills can be useful too.

Make Smart Purchasing Decisions

Prioritize Purchases

Take the time to seriously think about your wants and needs. A key goal of being frugal is to cut out unnecessary expenses. First, you need to think about what those are. For example:

• How often do you need new clothes? And, when you do need them, is buying new essential or can you look for second hand clothing instead?
• What appliances do you need? Many kitchen tools are nice to have, but you can get similar results with a knife and some elbow grease.
• Do you need to go out for coffee regularly? Could you, for example, take a thermos of coffee from home and drink it in the park, or something to that effect?
• Do you need two cars for your family?

Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism goes a step beyond just buying what you need. Instead, minimalism focuses on redefining your wants and needs to begin with. It is based on the idea that less is more. 

The current minimalism movement owes thanks to Marie Kondo, who wrote a book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The book inspired many and has led to a show on Netflix called Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. 

One key principle is that you should “discard anything that doesn’t spark joy”. This simple technique can make decisions about what to keep and discard easy. 

A minimalistic focus is good for your finances too, as you can sell items that you no longer need. eBay and Craigslist are common places to make such sales, but you could also rely on second-hand sales apps or even host a garage sale. 

You’re also likely to find that minimalism influences your purchasing decisions. You’ll be less likely to buy things that you don’t need, which is great news for your bank account.  

Try Thrift Shopping

When you do need something for the home, thrift shopping can be a powerful choice. You can often get items at a fraction of the retail price. You can scour eBay and Craigslist too, looking for bargains.

Thrift shopping can take longer than going to Walmart or Target, so it might not always be the best decision. But, the process can still be worth it. 

Just make sure to do a little research first. Items at a thrift shop are often cheaper than retail – but not always. Something from Walmart, for example, could easily be cheaper than the thrift store equivalent, especially if it is on sale. 

Budget Products Are Often Better

In many cases, the budget version of a product is as good, if not better, than the more expensive version. Take a kettle, for example. The product has the same basic function no matter what – boiling water. 

More expensive versions look nicer, sure. They might have added features too. But, they all do the same thing. A more expensive kettle could last longer and might have a better guarantee, but the reverse could easily be true too. 

Sometimes, the more expensive product might even be more prone to breaking, as it has more features and there are more things that can go wrong.

…But Not Always

There are also times where quality matters. 

Take shoes, for example. A very low quality pair of shoes may not last very long at all, while a decent pair could last you years. Buying cheap shoes could even end up costing you more money, as you need to keep replacing them when they wear out. 

Plan, Research, and Shop Around

Regardless of what you’re buying, take the time to shop around and do your research. Work out whether the brand you’re interested in is as good as it sounds and whether there are cheaper options out there.

This pattern doesn’t just apply to regular household items.

You can also shop around for medical equipment and even prescriptions. There are often lower priced options out there.

For example, some pharmacies aim to increase customer loyalty by keeping their prices low. Some may have loyalty cards that provide additional advantages.

Other Tips

• Try cash back apps. These let you earn credit or gift cards for the money you spend. While you don’t get a lot of money with these apps, the income can still add up. Just be sure that you don’t increase your spending because you’re using the app.
• If you get tempted easily, unsubscribe to as many marketing emails as you can. The fewer adverts you see, the easier it is to avoid impulse purchases.
• Make sure to use things fully – like the little bit of toothpaste left in the tube or the shampoo at the bottom of the container. Doing so means you have to buy new products less often, which saves you money.
• Avoid disposable products as much as you can. The cost of these adds up fast and they’re not great for the environment either.
• Use less. It’s easy to use more than you need to of many products, including seasonings, shampoo, toothpaste, and detergent. Decreasing the amount you use, even by a little, can help you save money. Small changes like this have noticeable effects on your bank account over time.

Save Money With Your Food

Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry

Being hungry influences the decisions that we make. This is particularly bad when you’re shopping. 

Have you ever been to the grocery store when you’re hungry? If so, you might have noticed that it’s much harder to make good decisions about food and drink. Many people end up buying more junk food when they’re hungry too. 

Shopping for food isn’t the only situation to watch out for. 

For example, if you’re hungry when you’re shopping for household items, you might spend less time on the decision, as you’re in a hurry to eat. This could easily mean that you buy the wrong thing. Or, you might end up giving into temptation and buying fast food on the way home. 

Keep Snacks On Hand

If you’re going out, try to have some food with you at all times. Look for things that are filling and portable. Pre-made protein shakes (like Boost or Ensure) or protein bars are often good choices, as they’ll quickly knock the edge off your hunger.

You can make your own energy bites and protein bars at home too. Doing so gives you full control over the ingredients and ensures that you’re getting a healthy snack.

Look For Help Locally

Your local environment is a treasure mine of support. We’re not just talking about asking friends and family for favors either. There are many ways to benefit from the people around you, without taking advantage of them.

Hire Someone You Know

If you don’t have the skills to repair or build something you need to, there’s a good chance that someone in your neighborhood does.

Take computer problems, for example. Getting an IT specialist to come to your house can be expensive and frustrating. Most of the time, the same problem could easily be solved by someone tech-savvy in your local neighborhood. Such a person might charge a fraction of what a professional would.

Similarily, someone local may be able to deliver groceries to a senior family member or even home cooked meals on occasion. This could easily be less expensive than a food delivery service. You never really know what options are out there until you start looking around.

This is, of course, an area to be wise about. Some tasks can easily be completed by someone in your local area, while others will need a professional. Take electrical work, for example, this isn’t a task that you want an amateur doing. 

But, moving furniture? You shouldn’t need to pay a professional to do this. 

Trade Skills

Trading skills is another approach in a neighborhood setting. This allows everyone to get the help they need without money trading hands.

For example, you might be able to provide some childcare, lessons or even home cooked meals in exchange for handyman services around the home. These no limit to the types of trades that you can make, just keep your eyes open for opportunities.

Try A Clothing Exchange

Let’s be honest. Most of us look for new clothing long before the current pieces have worn out. Clorthing, after all, is a statement. It can also be a way to feel good about yourself.

Exchanging clothing can be a fun way to breathe new life into your wardrobe, without needing to spend any money. This is a practice that you could set up yourself with a close friend or two. Or, you could broaden it out to involve an entire community.

Other Tips

• Fix things yourself. YouTube is a powerful way to learn how to fix many things. You can save yourself a decent amount of money by doing repairs yourself.
• Get to know your neighbors. Being connected in with the people makes it easy to find out how everyone can help each other.

Think About Your Entertainment

Being frugal doesn’t mean that you should cut out entertainment. Relaxing and enjoying yourself is important for your stress levels and your mental health. 

Enjoying yourself regularly might even help you to save money, as you’re less likely to feel hemmed in by your budget. It’s very difficult to stick to any lifestyle that doesn’t allow you some pleasure.    

Try An Entertainment Budget

Having an entertainment budget helps you to keep your spending in check, without having to second-guess every decision. This is important, as it’s hard to enjoy yourself if you feel guilty about every dollar that you spend. 

This approach also means that you’re planning your spending ahead of time, rather than deciding on the spur of the moment. 

Split Food and Drink

Going out for a coffee, a meal, or a glass of wine is a lovely treat – one that can get expensive fast. If you’re going out with a friend or a loved one, try splitting what you order instead. Doing so can even be fun, especially if you’re sharing a meal. 

This approach is a great way to still enjoy going out, while keeping the costs down. 

Use Your Library

Libraries have always been powerful for entertainment. This is more true these days than it ever has been before, as you’re not just limited to borrowing books. Many libraries allow you to borrow other things too, such as DVDs and puzzles.

You’re not limited to physical items either. It’s often possible to borrow eBooks and audiobooks. Some libraries have signed up to services that allow you to stream movies and documentaries for free.

Kanopy is one example. Users sign up with their library card and tend to get 10 credits per month to watch films. There are many options on there, including some modern films and classic ones too.

Think About What You Can Do At Home

You can often mimic a night out at home for a much lower cost. Take going to the movies, for example. This can get expensive fast, but watching a film from home can be just as enjoyable.

Renting a DVD or streaming a movie will be much cheaper than going all out at the movies. Snacks are cheaper at home too. You might even get the movie for free if it is through your library or borrowed from a friend.

You can’t watch the newest releases this way, of course, but there is no shortage of good films and TV shows to choose from.

There are other things to do at home too, like having a romantic dinner by candlelight.

And honestly, you’re not missing out by doing things at home. You end up with more flexibility and you get more for your money. This even gives you the chance to have date nights or family nights much more often.

Other Tips

• Look for free events and activities. There will often be some of these in your local area, especially around the time of school holidays. While some such activities might be geared towards kids, others are suitable for adults or families.
• Check out your local senior center. These centers often have inexpensive programs, activities, and services for seniors.
• Cancel your cable. If you watch TV regularly, a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu tends to be cheaper and still gives you plenty of options. Or, if you’re not an avid TV watcher anyway, you could skip the steaming service too.
• Make sure your home is well-insulated.
• Cool your home a little less in the summer and warm it a little less in the winter. You’ll soon get used to the difference in temperature.

Prioritize Health

Staying healthy can sometimes seem expensive. Processed food, for example, is sometimes cheaper and involves much less effort than buying whole foods and preparing meals yourself. Going to the doctor might cost too, along with paying for any prescriptions and any related expenses. 

In the long-term though, staying healthy will save you money. Health challenges can be expensive, often in unexpected ways. One study showed that poor health:

• Decreases productivity and can make people less useful at work. This may mean that the person may earn less money, may be less likely to get a promotion, and could even lose their job. 
• Lowers the odds of surviving. 
• Increases medical spending. 
• Can make it more difficult to save, as unhealthy people are often less patient. 

So, putting the time and money into promoting your health now is likely to save you money in the long-term.  

Don’t Put Off Doctor’s Visits

The price of a doctor or dentist visit can be very off-putting. But, this isn’t a reason to avoid going. Keeping your appointments is critical for managing your health in the long-term.

Besides, medical costs aren’t as rigid as you might expect.

There is often flexibility in what you pay. Some places will also offer payment plans that help you to keep your appointments without breaking the bank.

Don’t Overwork Yourself

Working more hours, or even taking on an extra job, can seem like an easy way to balance your finances. And sure, making more money can be important, some of the time. 

Other times, you can create an unhealthy cycle. 

Having time to unwind, to relax, to de-stress is critical for your physical and mental health. Working too much can compromise your ability to do so. You could easily end up highly stressed and worn out. 

Your physical health might suffer too and, as we mentioned before, poor health can be expensive. 

Being stressed like this isn’t just bad for your body, it’s bad for your finances too. Most of us don’t make good financial decisions when we’re exhausted. It’s also very easy to take shortcuts like ordering food, or you might do some retail therapy to feel better.  

Having a healthy work-home balance is essential for staying healthy and keeping your finances in shape. 

Cut Down Your Bills

Decreasing your bills around home is another easy way to save money. You probably don’t have that much control over the rent that you pay, but utility bills can often be decreased.

Shopping around is one of the first steps. Make sure that you’re getting the best value for your money. Other tricks include the following:

• Wash in cold water rather than hot. Cold water takes less energy and is just as effective at getting your clothes clean.
• Use full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, rather than running partial loads.
• Use a dishwasher. While this is counterintuitive, washing dishes by hand often uses more energy than running a dishwasher, especially if you wait until the dishwasher is full before you run it.
• Limit shower times. Heating water is a large chunk of your electricity bill each month. Cutting your time in the shower down can have strong impacts on the amount you pay. And, let’s face it, many of us have longer showers than we need anyway.
• Use a drying rack instead of a dryer. This is especially good in the summer, as the sun will get your clothes dry in no time.
• Always pay your bills on time or early. You may get a discount for doing so and are also avoiding any late fees, which is certainly a good thing.
• Drive less. Walking or biking instead is good for your health and saves you money too.
• Haggle. You can often haggle with your utility company and end up with a lower bill. This happens because there are multiple packages and pricing approaches for any given company.

You can also seriously think about downsizing.

Moving to a smaller house can be amazing financially and having a large house isn’t a necessity anyway. Many people find that they do just as well, if not better, in a smaller house.

Make Extra Money

Working yourself to the bone isn’t a good idea, but there are ways to get some extra income without too many problems.

Take Advantage of Hobbies

Many hobbies can naturally turn into ways to make money. After all, if you’re making something, you could turn around and sell the finished product online or in local stores.

Anyone passionate about refurbishment is likely to find a good audience willing to buy the refurbished item.

You can’t always make money from a hobby, of course, but you’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to pay for your work if you just reach out. If nothing else, you have little to lose.

Sell Old Items

If you’ve got things that you no longer need, why not sell them? A garage sale could be perfect if you have a large number of items to sell. If not, perhaps somewhere like eBay, Craigslist, or a second-hand sales app like LetGo.

This idea is perfect if you’re also trying to declutter, as you know that the items you’re getting rid of are going to a good home – plus, you’re making money from them.

Try a Side Hustle

Side hustles are what the name suggests, a way to make money on the side. So, you’re earning some extra without picking up a full-time or a part-time job.

Some people turn to the gig economy, like being a driver for Uber or something similar. Others work for themselves instead, perhaps by selling a service like tutoring.

There’s no limit to the number of ways that you can make money. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box either. A good starting point is to think about your own talents. What do you have that other people might need?

Final Thoughts

As you’ve probably guessed, this list is far from complete. It would be impossible to cover every way to save money in a single list. There are just too many options and new approaches arise all the time. 

The most important thing is to simply pay attention to your spending. Think about the decisions that you make and whether you can do things more efficiently.