Being more frugal doesn’t mean denying yourself shopping treats or rewards. It simply means being more aware of the financial impact and making smarter decisions.
Step 1: Always Make a Strict Grocery List
Grocery shopping can easily get out of hand financially, especially if you’re craving particular foods or sweet treats. Meal planning will help you immensely when it comes to your finances (and your diet), so be sure to make a list based only on what you need for your meals.
You can allow yourself treats in line with your chosen diet, but make treats a part of the list, planned in advance, instead of browsing the store shelves.
Step 2: Always Keep an Eye Out for Discounts
If you’re going to shop, then you may as well do your shopping at the best time for discounts and deals to save the most money. You can regularly check for coupons and discounts for all your usual stores, as well as looking for new opportunities to earn you rewards. Online tasks like completing surveys for gift cards allow discounts at major marketplaces like Amazon, meaning you can save money when you shop.
Step 3: Avoid Impulse Buying
Impulsive buys can easily drain your money, and in time you may look back and wonder what you were thinking. If there is something you’re considering buying, take a step back, and allow time to pass before committing. If you still want the item after a certain period, then allow yourself the purchase.
Step 4: Shop in a Good Mood
Shopping when you’re feeling positive means you’re more likely to stick to what you need and not get distracted. When you’re in a low mood, you’re more likely to splurge on impulse buys or unneeded items for short-term mood improvement.
Step 5: Treat Yourself at the End of the Month — Not the Beginning
Payday arrives, and your natural instinct may be to treat yourself or take a big night out. However, this can be risky in terms of overspending, especially if you don’t have good budgeting habits for your outgoings.
Instead, leave your treats until the end of the month, when all your bills have been accounted for, and when you can comfortably see what’s left. This means you will better see how much you can spend.
Step 6: Shop Online
Online shopping allows you to see more easily what you’re spending, with prices clearly displayed in your basket total. Shopping in person means you’re more likely to fill up your basket and be shocked at the total at the till — by which point you feel pressured to still buy everything.
Step 7: Shop Alone
Outside influence can result in unwanted purchases, whether it’s a friend encouraging you to ignore your grocery list and stock up on treat items, or a loved one you’ve taken clothes shopping who tells you that you look good in everything and should, therefore, buy it all. When trying to be frugal, shopping alone and mindfully can be better.
Step 8: Check Delivery Terms
When shopping online, the delivery cost can influence everything. If it’s free shipping, this is naturally ideal. However, don’t be sucked in by offers of free delivery over a certain amount — as this may result in you spending a lot more than originally intended simply to grab the free delivery deal (when in actuality it would have cost less overall to simply pay the delivery charge).
