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Mulching is a key way to suppress weeds and conserve water this summer – Shutterstock Gardens often struggle when heat rises, rainfall drops, and weeds move in fast. Mulch changes that equation by acting like a protective blanket that locks in moisture and blocks unwanted growth. Gardeners who use mulch correctly often cut watering needs while keeping soil temperatures more stable. The best part comes from how many affordable materials already exist in everyday spaces. […]
Arizona: a gorgeous place to live, and one of the worst states for increased water bills – Shutterstock Water bills across Arizona have started to climb in ways that catch many homeowners off guard. Monthly statements now reflect higher usage charges, even for households that stick to routines they have used for years. Utility companies across cities like Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson continue adjusting rates due to long-term supply pressure and infrastructure costs. Families now […]
Many people living on fixed incomes focus on the usual budget cuts, but the most powerful savings opportunities often fly under the radar. The truth is, households lose out on thousands every year simply because they’re unaware of what’s available. These aren’t the recycled tips everyone already knows. They’re little‑known strategies that almost never show … Read more
For some of us, frugality comes naturally. But for others, frugal living conjures up images of a miserly, meager existence. No wonder so many tune out when the topic of frugality comes up! But what if I told you living frugally doesn’t have to be painful or boring? And what if I also told you it could bring financial peace, security, and even freedom? It’s true. A frugal lifestyle can provide all this and more. I want to share with you the whys and hows of frugal living. Then I’ll inspire and motivate you by sharing my 53 favorite frugal living tips. Ready to start saving? Let’s go! Why Embrace Frugal Living As someone who’s always been frugal, I can vouch for the benefits of living a frugal life. There are so many! For those who need a little more convincing, here are my top reasons to embrace frugality: It’s Easier Than Earning More Frugality is the simplest, quickest way to improve your finances. When compared with increasing your income, living frugally is far easier. You don’t need special training, knowledge, or tools to save money. Simply pick a tip and get started TODAY! I think of frugality and saving as low-hanging fruit. Take those easy wins and use them to propel your finances forward. It’s Powerful Underneath the simplicity of frugal living is its incredible power. With a few frugal choices, you could save thousands of dollars every year. Those thousands of dollars could become tens or even hundreds of thousands when saved and invested over time. Imagine the options and freedom that kind of money could bring to your life. Frugality can help you get there. It’s Freeing Being frugal can play a huge role in helping you reach financial freedom. How? It increases the gap between your income and expenses. This gap is your savings. When invested wisely, your savings are what will get you to financial freedom. While a decent income also plays a part, you won’t get far if you spend it all. Frugality is the other half of the financial freedom equation. Embracing it can help you reach your goals sooner. It’s Painless (When Done Right) Some people think frugality is difficult and takes the fun out of life. They’re just doing it wrong! The truth is—living a frugal life can be completely painless. The key is to focus on your values. Cut back hard on things you don’t value. Then, enjoy spending on things you do. That’s the secret to frugality without deprivation. It’s Rewarding Maybe I’m a money geek, but I find frugality and saving to be incredibly rewarding. Seriously, though, how can you not feel good about slashing an expense in half? Or cutting a no-longer-needed expense? Frugal changes like these are undeniably rewarding, both emotionally and financially. If you’re having a hard time embracing frugal living, try focusing on the rewards. That may be what you need to get started. It’s Fun I honestly find frugal living to be lots
Simple living is about enjoying your life without spending too much money, and these 13 hobbies prove you don’t need a big budget to have a fulfilling creative outlet. 1. Writing Writing is one of the most rewarding and cost-free hobbies out there. All you need is something to write on, whether that’s a notebook or a free platform like Google Docs. Anything you write is just for you. You don’t need to share it with anyone if you don’t want to. It also doesn’t need to be good. It’s very fun and creative, even if it never goes anywhere. 2. Puzzles Puzzles are a relaxing, inexpensive pastime, and you don’t even need to buy new ones. Many local libraries now run puzzle swap programs, allowing patrons to exchange completed puzzles for new ones, meaning the fun can keep going at little to no cost. 3. Embroidery Embroidery and cross-stitch are perfect for anyone looking for a creative hobby on a budget. The supplies are cheap, and each project takes quite a while, so a little goes a long way. 4. Running Running may be the most accessible hobby on this list. You don’t need a gym membership or any equipment. Just a good pair of shoes and the open road. Don’t fall for all the hype surrounding all the things you might “need” for running. You don’t need it. 5. Yoga You technically don’t even need a mat to get started with yoga. Free instructional videos are widely available on YouTube, and a blanket or towel works just as well as a mat for beginners. 6. Cooking Cooking doubles as both a necessity and a creative outlet. Beyond the enjoyment of experimenting with ingredients, there’s real satisfaction in making a meal taste like a $20 plate for just $2 a serving. Experiment with some other cultures’ food, and you may find that it tastes even better than any takeout you could have ordered. 7. Upcycling Mending, upcycling, and repurposing cast-off materials are inexpensive and deeply satisfying hobbies. The appeal is simple: being able to think, “I could really use a ______,” and make it from materials you already have. You can also take walks or drives around the neighborhood to find trash that you can upcycle as well. 8. Crocheting Crocheting is a wonderfully budget-friendly craft, especially when you source materials creatively. Neighborhood apps and local buy-nothing groups are great places to find free or cheap yarn from people looking to de-stash their supplies. A blanket can even be knitted using many different yarns, as long as they are close to the same weight. 9. Trash Collecting Not your typical hobby suggestion, but trash collecting has its fans for good reason. It’s super cheap (just gloves and bags), good for the environment, good for your body, and good for your self-esteem. You can also join existing “clean-up” groups that work to clean up beaches, parks and other public areas. People will even thank you for it. 10. Digital Photography
Here’s the uncomfortable truth nobody in the personal finance world wants to admit: the “new” money-saving advice is mostly just old advice with a podcast and a better logo. Before budgeting apps, before cash-stuffing aesthetics on TikTok, and before influencers built brands around “frugal living,” people were just… actually living frugally. They had these 7 habits baked so deeply into daily life that wasting money felt genuinely strange, and those habits for some reason vanished recently. It’s time to bring them back. Not out of some nostalgia trend, but because they flat-out work, and your bank account is tired of waiting for you to figure that out. There are some things that should be left in the past, but these seven old-fashioned frugal living tips are not among them. These old-fashioned frugality tips need to be revived so we can all start saving money and living frugally! Keep Appliances Simple Buying appliances like dishwashers and washing machines might be necessary today, but look out for the most basic models. These basic models are a lot cheaper, and they still get the job done , and you don’t need all those bells and whistles. Also, since they’re simpler, there’s a better chance that someone other than an expensive technician can do repairs, and they break down less frequently. No, despite what the ads tell you, you don’t need your fridge to connect to your phone. Only Wash What’s Stained, Smelly, or Wrinkled When they undress at night, most people toss everything they wore that day into the laundry bin. Except for underwear, this often isn’t necessary. Washing clothes less frequently will lower your bills and extend the life of your clothes. You can also keep separate work, going out, and chore clothes to keep your work clothes as clean as possible- and no one cares if your chore clothes get a little stained. Reuse Plastic Shopping Bags If they don’t have holes, plastic shopping bags are good for trash can liners, throwing away used cat litter, and future shopping trips. If you can’t reuse them, see if a local store has a collection bin for recycling them. Reuse Durable Food Packaging You can also reuse some food packaging. For example, when you finish a package of deli meat that came in a plastic container, you can reuse the container for food storage. We make fun of grandma for not knowing what is in her butter containers, but there is no reason to spend money on nice containers besides for aesthetics. Keep those containers and reuse them until you can’t! Walk or Ride a Bike When You Can When you drive for an errand, you use gas, which costs money, and you’re putting more wear and tear on your car. Walking or riding a bike instead avoids those things and gives you exercise and fresh air. Do your best to avoid the car and walk where you can. Seek Daycare From Family and Friends Daycare facilities are really
Couponers are always up for a challenge, but with the rise of surveillance pricing, they are being forced to find new, innovative ways to save money at checkout. Shutterstock Some couponers are casual clippers of the promotions that fill our mailboxes, while some take stacking discounts and tracking sales cycles to a higher level. In either case, a new obstacle to coupon savings is sweeping over the marketplace. This obstacle is not readily seen. Because […]
Everyone refers to 529 plans as college savings plans for kids. And that’s how they started out. But these tax-advantaged plans have evolved into so much more. You can benefit from your own 529 plan. Whether or not you’re in school right now. Even if you don’t have kids and never plan to. If you think you might ever want to get more education… if you’re current profession requires continuing education… if you’re thinking about […]
Over all the years I’ve been writing this blog, Ben Carlson is among the top few writers I’ve linked to most often (Jim Dahle and Christine Benz are probably the competitors). Ben recently released a new book, which I just finished reading: Risk and Reward: How to handle market volatility and build long-term wealth. In short, it’s excellent. It would be on my short list of books to recommend to a new investor, and I […]
The Tax Planning Window There’s a window after you retire but before Social Security and RMDs kick in where your tax flexibility is at its peak. Here’s how physicians waste it, and how to use it. Your accountant will tell […]
Most retirees spend decades preparing for retirement taxes, but many never spend much time thinking about what happens to those taxes after they are gone. Early in retirement, the focus is usually on generating sustainable income and keeping taxes manageable each year. But for households likely to leave assets behind, the planning process eventually starts to shift. As the focus moves towards leaving a legacy for your loved ones, tax planning becomes more about […]
Choosing a financial planner isn’t just another decision on your list. It’s a relationship that can shape how you make financial decisions for years—sometimes decades—to come. The right fit can help you feel more clear, more confident, and more intentional with your money. The wrong fit doesn’t always fail dramatically—but it can quietly lead to second-guessing, missed opportunities, or advice that never quite feels aligned. So if you’re at the point of choosing someone, it makes sense to […]