“My Grocery Bill Is Almost Half Of What It Was”: 30 Frugal Habits People Swear By

Reusing normal ziploc bags. My parents did it all the time growing up in the 80s and 90s. Not sure why people think they’re single use. They are durable enough to use many times over with enough care.

This is one from a long time ago, but thrift store plates that don't match. They tend to be less heavy, and they all do the same thing a little different than the other which is good depending on the kind of food you're having.

And if one plate breaks, you don't care.

The idea of maintaining a 'four piece set' when a plate breaks seems just another thing to manage, that really does not matter.

Bar soap. I quit buying fancy body washes etc and just went back to basic bar soap. Way cheaper, less garbage, simpler, works just as well if not better.

Buying clothes secondhand only. 3 years in and frankly I no longer see the point of ever paying retail prices for new clothes. I thrift about once a week and over time have easily found everything I need. Bonus: it’s helped with my mindset in sort of training myself out of immediacy/instant gratification and into longer term planning and patience.

I will buy shoes new as needed, however.

Not eating fast food at all. As weird as it is to say, I am glad they upped the prices.

Buying an upright freezer made it easier to prep meals in bulk at much lower cost thus saving not only money but also time. Why cook rice 9 times for 9 meals when I could do it once and portion it out and freeze in the time it takes to cook it for 2? Why do bolognese sauce for 8 portions when I could do 40 in the same time plus another 10 minutes for portioning? Even my skeptical husband has admitted it was highly worth it.

Quitting smoking. It came, of course, with better health benefits. But the initial greatest impact was my wallet. Smokers are literally burning up their dollars.

Getting rid of my new high trim vehicle to drive a 2008. Getting rid of the loan and warranty saves me 12k a year. I’m so happy to be driving this piece of s**t that’s good on gas with no car payment. I do not envy anyone with a brand new car anymore. Especially the high trim models. I’d rather save the money for the apocalypse.

We have a Swiffer mop, but we haven't bought the pads for years. My husband knits reusable pads out of cheap cotton yarn that last for several years, and we just use regular floor cleaner in a bucket to mop. 

Cutting the tops off tube containers like face wash, lotion, etc. and scooping out the rest of what is left has been a big money saver! You’ll be amazed at how much is still left once it stops squeezing out. To keep the product from drying out, slide the cut piece down onto the area where you made the cut.

Learning how to cook.

I second this. Used to eat out 2-3 times a day, then moved to a more expensive city and was forced to start eating at home. Now I prefer having my own home-cooked meals over fast food.

Adding insulation to my attic and air sealing my house. Yeah, it certainly helped out power bill, but the increase in comfort is much appreciated as well.

Menstrual cup - been using the same silicone one for more than 6 years. So much prefer to tampons for many reasons besides saving cash.

Getting a reusable water bottle!!! Keeps me hydrated & saves me a few dollars when I’m out and about.

Giving up alcohol. I quit last year after going through my budget at the end of 2022 and realizing the insane amount I spent going out. I still go out with my friends, but I drink club sodas instead now- which normally bartenders don’t even charge me for or are free refills. Went from spending $500+ /month on alcohol to maybe $30 on flavored seltzers. Huge huge win, and I am not only better off financially, but mentally and physically also.

Bought a bread machine from Goodwill for $15. We used to buy bread that was $3 a loaf, but now making our own bread costs us pennies.

Furniture, appliances, home decor: find them gently used on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or EBay. Exceptions for certain personal items like mattresses.

I stopped driving to run small errands. I walk instead.

I really enjoy the walks through my neighborhood. I stop at the store to pick up whatever I need, or run into the bank.

I cut my gas cost in half. And I get the exercise.

Cycling ! Super cheap mean of transportation (basically just maintenance and even that is super cheap), good for your health, makes you smile. Can't believe there aren't more people doing it, it truly feels like a cheat code. It's my main way to go from A to B. I'll buy a cargo bike for sure.

This year I stopped getting coffee and drinks outside. This saves me about $125-$150 per month. I’m unexpectedly not even missing it and I’m planning to throw this money into my retirement account.