Getting Started with Frugal Living: Yes You Can!

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

25 Jan 2009 08:16 AM

Right now many of us are feeling overwhelmed. Bills are getting higher and we know that we have to save money. But trying to go about doing that can be very daunting. The last thing you need when things get tough is to have more stress on doing things right when it comes to cutting back on the expenses. Here is how you can get stated living frugally in a few easy steps.

Choose just one area of savings to get started. Pick a bill or an expense and see how you might make it less. For example, let's look at food. There are several ways to cut a food bill.

1. You can cook more from scratch instead of prepared or convenience foods
2. You can buy food in bulk
3. You can cut down or eliminate eating out
4. You can shop for groceries with sales and coupons
5. You can reduce your intake of expensive foods, such as gourmet, meat, candy, soda, organic, etc.
6. You can eliminate food waste by using up leftovers

Pick one area that you would like to start with. Doing this is helpful because you won't be overwhelmed with that "I don't know where to start" feeling. You will also be encouraged by your progress to eliminate expenses in another area.

Once you have gotten used to some basic frugal living practices, you can then move on to more ways to save. For example, let's stick with the expense of food. There are more strict ways to cut a food bill even further.

1. You can use powdered milk instead of fresh milk
2. You can grow or raise some of your own food
3. You can join a food co-op
4. You can freezer cook your meals to save time, money and food
5. You can buy your food from food thrift or salvage stores
6. You can find free food sources such as gleaning a farmer's field, dumpster diving or bartering for food.

Not all of these methods will fit in with every lifestyle, and that is okay. You are still being frugal even if take little steps at a time. Concentrate first on areas that will be easy for you to do, and then move on to challenge yourself a little bit more.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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