How to Live Cheap Without Sacrificing Comfort

Can you save money without feeling like you’re giving up everything you enjoy? Oftentimes, when people hear they’ve got to budget, they equate it to giving up all the fun in life and being miserable in the name of saving money. Frugal living tends to come with a bad reputation, but it doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself of the good things in life. You can cut costs while still enjoying yourself—let me show you how.

Step 1: Redefine What Frugal Living Means

Living frugally is about being smart with your money, not about depriving yourself. By spending less, you’re reducing financial stress and working toward your savings goals.

Quick Tip: Living intentionally with your finances doesn’t mean giving up everything; it means prioritizing what truly matters to you.

Step 2: Find Quick Wins to Cut Costs

Starting your frugal living journey with quick wins will show you how easy it is—and how good it feels—to save money. Here are some ideas:

Meal Prepping: Having meals ready at home makes it harder to justify expensive takeout.
Use Coupons: Most grocery store apps now offer coupons you can clip and apply directly during checkout.
Shop the Sales: Buy school supplies in August when stores are clearing out inventory. You’ll save 50-80% on items your kids will need next year anyway.

Other ways to save include:

Reducing energy use at home to lower your utility bills.
Shopping around for better deals on services like internet and cell phone plans. For example, my husband and I reduced our cell phone bill from $97 to $25 and our internet from $65 to $35—a savings of nearly $100 per month!
Cancel subscriptions or memberships you’re not using, like gym memberships or streaming services.

For more ideas on cutting costs, read Essential Money Management Advice for Beginners.

Step 3: Prioritize Spending on What Matters Most

Intentional spending means focusing on what truly brings you value and joy while cutting out unnecessary expenses. For example:

Skip daily takeout or pricey coffee runs and put that money toward a bigger goal, like paying off a credit card or saving for a vacation.
Think about what you’ll gain in the long run. Paying off a credit card might free up $100-$150 monthly, which can then go toward your savings or other priorities.

Aligning your spending with your goals makes saving money feel less like a sacrifice and more like a wise choice. Learn more about How to Create a Monthly Budget That Works.

Step 4: Embrace DIY and Minimalism

DIY projects and a minimalist mindset can save you money and simplify your life:

DIY Projects: Learn simple tasks like changing your car’s oil or tackling small home repairs. You’ll save money and gain valuable skills.
Shop Secondhand: Instead of buying a new dresser, find a secondhand one and refinish it with paint or stain. It’ll look brand new for a fraction of the cost.
Declutter and Minimize: Avoid buying items you don’t truly need. A minimalist lifestyle not only saves you money but also creates a more organized and peaceful home environment.

If you’re unsure whether to make a purchase, ask yourself: Do I truly need this, or am I buying it just to buy something?

Living Frugally Without Feeling Deprived

Living frugally doesn’t mean you have to be miserable or deprived of all life’s joys. It means being intentional and practical about what’s worth spending money on. For example, when I looked over my credit card bill recently, I noticed many random purchases I didn’t need. While I gave myself grace (it was the holiday season, after all), I became more aware of unnecessary spending.

Pro Tip: Awareness is key to developing smarter habits over time.

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