Live A Thriftier Lifestyle

Do you want to Live A Thriftier Lifestyle? Then read on for some top tips.

Author Bio: Ryan Howard runs SmartParentAdvice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Ryan writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.

 

A lot of people live more extravagantly than necessary. I’ve noticed that when someone gets a raise or a new job, their lifestyle often becomes more expensive as well. But, is this really necessary? Does it make them happier? I would argue that in a lot of cases it doesn’t.

If you’re interested in living a thriftier lifestyle, it can be helpful to take a look at your current spending habits to see where you might be able to cut back. Having said that, if you’re looking for some quick wins, here are a few areas where there are often opportunities to save a little.

Choose Restaurants Based On Deals

Going out to eat can be one of the great pleasures in life. Unfortunately, it can also be quite hard on your wallet. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

A lot of times when a new restaurant opens up, they will send out coupons and offer promotions to get people in the door. If you’re trying to save money, taking advantage of these deals can be a great way experience a little fine dining, while also softening the financial blow. In fact, it can actually give you a good reason to try the hottest new places just as they are opening up. That way, when you’re talking with your friends, you’ll always be in the know about the best (and the worst) new places in town.

There are a few other ways to save money as well when going out to eat. For starters, eating out for breakfast or lunch tends to be a fraction of the price of going out for dinner. Cutting out alcohol, appetizers, and desserts will cut the bill down to size as well. Then again, this might cut down on the fun too much..

Cut The Cord to Live A Thriftier Lifestyle

Ten years ago if you wanted the option to watch more than a few channels, cable was a necessity. These days, there are so many streaming options available that paying for cable has become an unnecessary extravagance.

Between Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime you can get access to vast libraries of content. If you want live TV, there are options like Sling, DirecTV, YouTube TV  and fuboTV. So, you’re covered either way.

These streaming options are generally a fraction of the price of cable. In fact, there are even some services, like Tubi, that are entirely free of charge. Cutting the cord is one of the easiest ways to save, and you really don’t have to compromise much on the quality of content.

Plan Low Cost Family Outings

Family activities can be a blast. They are also a wonderful way to build lifelong memories, both for you and for your kids. However, some activities cost a lot more than others. What’s more, the cost of the activity is not always in line with the amount of fun that you will have.

Things like skiing and amusement parks can be a lot of fun. There is no arguing with that. But they are also quite expensive. There are plenty of family activities that are just as much fun, and cost a whole lot less.

One of my favorite family activities is hiking. It’s practically free, and can be quite enjoyable as long as the weather cooperates. You might even bring some food along, so that you can stop for a picnic somewhere along the way. This can be a great way to bond with your family, take in some natural beauty, and also get a bit of exercise. If you have young children though, just be sure to bring a baby carrier or stroller. Toddlers and young children will often be enthusiastic about walking in the beginning, but may need to recharge from time to time.

If hiking isn’t your thing, perhaps there is a beach with driving distance? Don’t like the sand? Check out a park and bring a frisbee or a soccer ball. When you’re with the right people, there are all kinds of things to do for fun.

Use Travel Mugs Instead Of Visiting Coffee Shops

Every trip to Starbucks is a small and seemingly affordable luxury. But, this is one of those things that seems innocuous but can really add up. I’m not actually suggesting that you eliminate this entirely from your routine. After all, catching up with a friend or business acquaintance over a cup of coffee or tea can be a lot of fun.

However, there are diminishing returns on how much joy you get out of each cup. If you buy coffee out every day, you hardly end up appreciating it. On the other hand, if you buy it out twice a month, it’s a bit of a treat.

If you want to have coffee on your commute, just bring a travel mug with you. It’s much more cost effective, and just as good at waking you up!

Wash The Car With Your Family

Washing the car is one of those things that I personally hate spending money on. After all, you take your car to the car wash, and a couple of weeks later it looks dirty again. However, if you have young children, this is one of those chores that can actually become a fun activity.

Kids love playing with water, and splashing it on the car. They might also enjoy trying to help you with something that needs to be done. I’m not saying you can do this every weekend without the kids losing interest. But, you can probably pull it off once every couple of months.

Final Thoughts

Life can be expensive at times. But, a lot of the time, the things we spend money on aren’t all that necessary. In many instances, people tend to get into the habit of spending on certain things without even really thinking about it. This is particularly true when it comes to recurring charges like cable bills that you don’t even actively pay for each month. It’s worth pausing from time to time to think about what you’re spending money on, and what you may not need in your life.

 

I do hope these tips will help you Live A Thriftier Lifestyle  you might also like my posts over at Serious Saver where I show you how to save on just about everything!  You might also like my post on  how to drink more water money-saving ways for eco-friendly ways and the anti shopping list