A few months into 2021, it is clear to see how important frugality is for most Americans. Last year, we watched many businesses close and our whole way of life change.

So, if you are new to this whole frugality thing, here are some easy ways to get yourself going!

What Is Frugal Living?

Frugal living is the act of cutting back on spending money and saving on purchases you make every single day. These small changes will add up quickly and help you reach your financial goals in no time.

One of the most popular traits of a millionaire is that they started out living frugally, and they follow through with this even when they are rich. Many people don’t realize that millionaires live a frugal lifestyle, and, in most cases, you wouldn’t even know how much money they have in the bank.

Frugal living is not choosing products that are cheap over products that are high quality. You do not have to deprive yourself of things you want or not live your life. Frugal living is simply living below your means, so you can save your money for more important things.

Here are six of the most popular frugal trends in 2021.

Coupons

Coupons, baby. They’re back! And guess what, now there are digital coupons! Your grocery store experience just got even easier.

Using coupons is way easier than it used to be now that there is technology that allows you to keep everything digital. However, it can still be an overwhelming process. Here are some steps to take to get your coupon-ing on:

1. First, you should consider setting up a separate email account that is specifically used for coupons and newsletters from manufacturers. That way, you can know exactly where your coupons are instead of scrolling through your main email searching for them. You can also save all of the grocery store ads you receive.
2. Once you have all of your coupons, take about 30 minutes every week to organize the coupons you have and take the time to sit down to plan your meals around the coupons that you have for that week. It won’t take long for you to start saving some money!

Cash Back Apps

Cashback apps are used for more than just getting money back on your groceries. You can even get cashback on items that you already buy.

When you use a cashback app, it will tell you what stores they partner with for offers.

All you need to do is go on the app and find the store you are going to be shopping at. Find your rebates and start shopping! You will be getting cash back for buying the things that were already on your list.

Ditch the Cable

This is becoming more and more popular by the day. It is becoming more common to pay for streaming services instead of paying for cable.

All you need to pay for is the internet and you can watch whatever you want whenever you want. Some of the most popular streaming services today are Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Disney, HBO Max, and YouTube TV. Some streaming services don’t cost any money at all such as Peacock—read more from Kristin Stones, Cents and Purpose.

Stick to Shopping Lists

When you go grocery shopping, it can be so easy to just throw whatever you feel like into your cart. One effective way to save money is to stick to what is on your grocery list and buy only what you need. It will be very difficult to do, but there are ways you can do this.

For example, most grocery stores offer order pick-up. This means you can order all of your groceries online instead of going into the store. This will save you from impulse buying and make sure you stick to your list. This service is free at most grocery stores, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra for the convenience.

Stay Away from Your Credit Cards

When you use a credit card, it can be tempting to just buy whatever you want and worry about it later. This can not only incur tons of interest charges, but you will also rack up debt. Getting into debt can be incredibly hard to get out of, especially if you are already on a tight budget.

Avoiding credit cards can save you money now and in the long run. Using credit cards makes it easy to live above your means because the purchases don’t affect you right away.

If you are already in debt from overspending on a credit card, you can check out a website called Unbury Me.

This is a loan calculator that works to help you pay off your debt in an affordable way. This will help you manage your debt while still living a frugal lifestyle.

Summary

Living frugally is the new way to live. It is important to save money for emergency expenses as well as financial goals.

By living a frugal lifestyle, you will be able to cut your expenses down and save more money for things you are wanting to gain financially.

Being frugal means that you are spending your money with intention in every purchase instead of spending money on a whim—and trust us, you can do it!

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