As we know prices on many items have been rising. Leaving some to wonder if those prices will ever go back down again. Although we may not be able to control the rising prices, we can control how much we use of what we have that we spend money on. Here I am going to share 10 Frugal living tips to make things last longer! By using some simple tricks and tips, we can help our things last longer. Therefore, getting our money's worth out of them.
Why should we be frugal?
There are different reasons why one may feel that they should be frugal. Some reasons are because frugality is about making the most of what you have and enjoying life. You learn to live within your means and possibly become debt-free. You save money on groceries, utilities, and transportation costs. You have more money to invest in yourself and your future.
Stretching what we have
When we stretch things that we have making them last longer, we are getting our money out of them. We are not wasting product or our money. For example, if we have more left of something and throw it away, we are being wasteful. It is also like throwing away some of our money that we spent on it.
10 Frugal living tips
1. Cleaning wipes
There are many different things that we can use to clean our home with. One being cleaning wipes. There is a little thing I have found that has helped me to get a bit extra out of my cleaning wipe container. This tip allows me to usually get an additional 2-4 wipes worth out of it before throwing it away. Although that is not a lot, it can be the difference between throwing away the container when all of the wipes are gone and wiping down your kitchen counter tops and table one more time before doing so.
- When I have used up all of the cleaning wipes, there is usually some solution left at the bottom of the container. Rather than tossing it then, I will use a paper towel or napkin and put it into the bottom. I don't stop there. Next, I will squeeze it out leaving more liquid to use later. This can give you a few extra cleaning wipes to use.
2. Paper towels
Regardless of the size of paper towel roll I purchase I am able to get more pieces of paper towel out of it. Whether it be part of the roll or all of it, every extra amount I am able to get out of it helps.
- When it is time to use a paper towel, if we do not need a whole one, we will tear it in half. This very simple act can make your paper towel rolls last up to twice as long. This also helps to prevent waste by only using what we need.
3. Napkins
Have you ever been handed a stack of napkins at a fast-food restaurant? If you’re like me, you thought, “What am I going to do with all these napkins?” It can be tempting to just toss them in the trash, but there’s actually a much better use for them.
- Rather than throwing them away, keep them in your car so you have them when you need them. Napkins come in handy for all sorts of things – from cleaning up spills to drying off your hands. So next time, don’t throw away those extra napkins – put them in your car instead!
4. Condiments
If you’re ever given extra packets of condiments from a fast-food restaurant, don’t throw them away.
- Instead of tossing the extra condiments, store them in your pantry. If you run out of an ingredient and are in a pinch for a recipe, they just may be the perfect standby. Also, if you are out of a bottle of ketchup for example and are not going to the store right away, you could use packets that you have on hand.
5. Return envelopes
If you’re like most people, you probably discard the return envelopes that come with your bills and other mail if you don't need them. But did you know that those envelopes can actually come in handy around the house? Here are a few ways to put them to use.
- If you use a cash envelope system, these could come in handy to use.
- They would be a great place to keep coupons organized in.
- If you have children or grandchildren, they could be added to their paper and coloring supply.
6. Samples of makeup
I learned this tip from my mom. When I receive a sample of makeup that is in a packet, sometimes once opened it is enough for one use. If there is enough for more, sometimes it will dry up once it is opened. To help avoid that and to also help to not use all of it at once, simply use a pin to puncture a small hole in it. You can squeeze out just the right amount that you would like to use and making it possible for more than one use.
7. Lotion tubes
There have been many times that when I could no longer squeeze anymore lotion out of a tube, I would just throw it away. One day I did something different and wish I had done this a long time ago.
- When I can't get any more lotion out of a tube, I cut the end of the tube off. I can usually get several more uses out of it with the amount that is still in it. As the lotion is used up, I trim the bottle down in size more to be able to reach the remainder of the lotion that is farther down in the tube. I do this until there is no more left in it.
8. Hangers
In addition to using hangers to hang up clothes, I have found another use for them as well.
- I like to hang decorative items on our front door. For the ones that are not hanging up, I simply drape the ribbon of it on a hanger and hang them up inside our coat closet by our front door. This keeps them organized and gives an additional use for some hangers we were not using.
9. Bottled Soap
It often seems as if bottles of soap can be used up so quickly. One simple trick can help to make them last longer.
- When your bottle of soap has a small amount of soap left in it, rather than tossing it, add some water to it. By doing so you are increasing the amount of use you can get out of it and using up all of the soap.
10. Old blankets
Do you have any blankets that you are tired of or that may have a tear in them? Before throwing them away, consider giving a new purpose to them first.
- I like to keep some extra things like a blanket or two in our vehicles. If we are on a long drive and our kids would like to nap and have a blanket, we have it. If unfortunately, our car was to break down and it is cold outside, blankets can come in very handy for warmth.
Conclusion
Being frugal is a mindset that can change your life for the better. It’s not about deprivation or being cheap; it’s about making smart decisions with your money so you can have more of it to spend on what you really want. When being frugal you can save money, time, and energy by being mindful of the things you purchase and how you use them. By being frugal, you can help to make sure that you get the most out of what you have.
Please head over to my homepage and sign up for the Frugal Change email. Thanks!!
Jess G says
Great information - really gets you thinking about all the ways we can save money & resources!
Amy says
Thank you!