Frugal living
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Choose children's or men's footwear for a broader fit, as these styles typically exceed the width of equivalent women's sizes.
The sizing standards for kids' shoes align with men's, resulting in a wider cut; some shoppers also note lower prices.
- This reflects personal experiences where users found this fit better.
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Purchase pine pellet bedding for horses as an alternative to standard cat litter.
It is identical to branded Feline Pine but has a much lower cost per pound.
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Learn simple alterations to modify thrifted clothes that are too big or small so you can keep wearing them.
This saves money.
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Press small soap remnants onto a wet new bar to make them stick together.
They will stick together if pressed firmly onto a wet surface.
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Buy a pork loin and cut it yourself into chops to save money.
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Freeze individual portions of batch-cooked meals for later use if you have a freezer.
- requires a freezer
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Check secondhand shops often since their stock rotates.
Stock changes daily, so going back regularly improves your odds of finding what you need.
- It usually takes people who treat it as a hobby to get really good finds.
- Not all thrift stores are created equal.
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Drink tap water instead of purchasing bottled beverages to save money.
Purchasing bottled water wastes significant funds.
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Flush only when necessary (e.g., skip flushing for urine) to conserve water.
Saves water.
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Shop at small, independent, or church-run thrift stores instead of large national chains like Goodwill or Value Village to find better prices and avoid inflated markups.
Independent and charity-focused stores are often less interested in maximizing online profits and more focused on getting goods to those who need them, resulting in lower prices.
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- Support local independent thrift stores rather than large chains like Goodwill or Salvation Army.3
- Shop at family-owned or smaller independent thrift stores to find better pricing and selection.5
Clean used garments before putting them on.
In case the previous owner didn't.
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Catch cold water in a container while waiting for it to heat up, then use it for cooking, watering plants, or hand-washing delicates.
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Work out value by calculating the price per unit or weight, not just the total package price.
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Meal plan weekly purchases to avoid buying excess produce that spoils.
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- Begin meal planning by checking what you already have in your storage areas, then purchase only the specific items required to finish those recipes.8
Watch prices carefully as thrift items are not always cheaper than new ones.
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- Keep a list of specific items you are watching for when visiting thrift stores weekly.3
Combine all errands into a single day and order them efficiently to save time and fuel.
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Collect quarters left in shopping carts at Aldi if you shop there.
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Collect vegetable ends, stalks, and peels in a freezer bag to make homemade broth when full.
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Resist buying items simply because they are cheap; purchase only what you actually need.
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Buy kitchenware, tools, and small household items at estate sales for good value.
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Focus on paying rent and utilities, and purchasing food, over other expenses.
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Cut open flattened toothpaste tubes to extract paste from the shoulders for a few more brushings.
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Buy produce that is marked down because it is about to be thrown out or does not look completely appealing.
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Toast frozen bread slices directly in a toaster or microwave for quick consumption.
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Put on a sweater or coat and turn down the thermostat instead of using the heater.
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Use frozen concentrate mixed with water in a jug over ice instead of buying bottled juice.
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Use plastic grocery bags as liners for small trash cans, such as toilet bins.
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Save and reuse glass jars from purchased foods like tomato sauce or pickles for storing other items.
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- Reuse clean yogurt or ice cream containers to store leftovers, rice, flour, sugar, or small items like screws.4
Expect appointments at cosmetology schools to take several hours, even for simple services like root touch-ups or basic cuts.
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Use a rubber scraper to remove all remaining sauce or product from jars and cans.
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Attend art gallery openings to access free beer, wine, and snacks.
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Turn surplus coffee into frozen cubes so your iced version stays strong instead of diluted.
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Recognize that outlet stores often sell lower-quality goods manufactured specifically for them rather than overstock.
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Check if local barber colleges offer extremely low-cost cuts for training purposes.
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Search thrift stores, charity shops, or consignment shops for bargain holiday decor.
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Prepare multiple portions simultaneously to ensure you have food saved for later.
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Shop garage sales in nicer neighborhoods for better quality items.
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Fix broken items and clothes with adhesives, stitching, or epoxy rather than discarding them.
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Transform leftovers into different dishes rather than just reheating them.
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