Living frugally to make living on one paycheck easier isn’t as bad as it sounds. Frugal living isn’t about living a boring, activity-free life; it just means that you need to find savvier ways to spend less of your hard earned money. There are countless ways to have a great life while, at the same time, living frugally. Let’s explore some ways to live frugally and stretch your paycheck.Â
Being frugal means that you get smarter with your money. When you need something, groceries aside, before you buy it new, think of ways to buy it smarter. For example, people sell a wide variety of items in excellent condition at yard sales and on craigslist. You might also be surprised to find some great buys at thrift stores or Goodwill. Frugal living, so that you can live well on one paycheck, means keeping things simple. If you don’t need it or won’t really use it, don’t buy it. While that might seem like an obvious statement, you’d be surprised how many things people purchase but never use!
If you are a reader, find your and local library and rent your books instead of buying them; this can save you hundreds each year. You could also start a book swap among your friends or neighbors.
If you’re a movie buff, rent movies instead of going to the theater. Between the price of admission, the cost for food and beverages and the gas money to and from the theater, you’ll save hundreds each year! Pop some popcorn, buy your own candy, grab your favorite beverage and get comfy. This is another great way to be frugal.
Group your errands together, or plan them out, in order to spend less money on gas, especially with gas prices so high. This is one of the not-so-secret secrets of people who’ve mastered the art of frugal living. Car pooling and using public transportation whenever possible will help you save even more.
Obviously, frugal living habits must extend to the grocery store and the kitchen so that you can successfuly live on one paycheck. Creating a meal plan for the week, or even the month, will help you make a better grocery list so you can shop smarter. Making a full grocery list before going to the store will help you buy only what you need and make impulse buys a thing of the past. As well, when you make your own pre-planned meals at home, you will reduce the frequency with which you eat out which in turn will save you money.
Blending frugality and fun can, at times, be difficult.  Having fun at parks or literally in your own backyard doesn’t cost a dime and it’s great family time. Check out community events in your area for free concerts and free things to do as most cities across the United States put on free concerts and other activities. You can find information on event flyers, in the newspaper or on the local TV station websties.
When living on one paycheck and trying to live a more frugal lifestyle, look everywhere including the internet and local newspaper, in particular, for information. Check out one of the many frugal living sites for information, fun tips, creative suggestions and cool ideas for cutting out expenses without cutting out the fun while still making the most of your hard earned money.
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