Frugal Living Tips for the Pandemic

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(Newswire.net — July 19, 2020) — Although the pandemic has caused money troubles for plenty of people, there’s still hope. For one, have a positive mindset, because money isn’t everything. In fact, this might be the perfect time for self-improvement. 

Exercise Self-Control

In order to ensure you have money for necessities, it’s wise to exercise some self-control. For instance, hold back the urge to purchase a stylish new outfit or anything else you don’t need. You can gain awareness of your actions by doing yoga or meditation.

Use Cashback Saving Options

Knowing your cashback saving options can help you save loads of cash. A few websites that offer cash back include Ebates, Ibotta, Swagbucks, MyPoints and others. Get cash back from shopping, earn rewards points, use free coupon codes and much more. You even have the chance to receive free gift cards in some cases.

Save Up for Emergencies

Since emergencies tend to happen when you least expect it, it’s important to have extra money just in case. From pet emergencies to broken legs, it’s smart to be prepared for anything. You can have money sent to your savings account automatically, and save up in no time.

Learn Something for Free

Learning something new can be exciting. You can find useful tutorials, resources and free classes online. Further, the library has a plethora of educational books about drawing, psychology, math, writing and other topics.

Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions

At first, subscriptions seem cheap, but they can add up over time. Therefore, consider cancelling anything you don’t need such as Amazon Prime, Netflix or magazine subscriptions. You can always subscribe again when you have enough money in the bank. Changing your bad habits can help you make smarter decisions.

Grow Your Own Food

You can grow a garden of herbs, vegetables and fruits, and save money on groceries. Plus, these will make your meals tastier and healthier. Just purchase some seed packets, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, more frugal lifestyle.

Lower Insurance and Phone Bills

Since the pandemic is causing people to drive less, some car insurance providers are lowering their bills. Try calling yours to ask if you can receive a discount too. Additionally, if you’re using your phone less often, you might be able to find ways to cut back on costs.

Avoid Overspending on Groceries

Instead of purchasing that candy bar you don’t need, commit to only buy what’s on your list. In addition to this, choose long-lasting items such as canned goods, foods you can freeze and others. Another piece of advice is to clip coupons.

Try Doing It Yourself

You don’t need to pay the handyman to unclog the sink, since you’re likely capable of doing it yourself. By doing a bit of research, you can find plenty of advice on how to seal drafty windows, change your oil and more. Finishing a project yourself can be a rewarding experience.

Make Your Own Gifts

If you want to be frugal, you need to get creative. Skip trips to the store to buy expensive gifts. Try making your own greeting cards and wrapping paper with stuff you may already have in your home. A few gifts you can make include cookies, artwork, crafts and more.

Have Fun for Free

Free entertainment can be a lot more fun than you may think. For example, you can spend all of your time at the library reading books, watching free movies or listening to scheduled talks. Visit a museum for free, listen to your favorite music or cook a delicious meal.

Instead of letting money issues bring you down, try seeing this as a challenge. Allow your money woes to make you a stronger person. Besides this, get smarter by learning how to be more frugal. Life can be easier when you choose to see the bright side.