In this article, we bring you a list of 56 crazy tips to save more money fast.

To not overwhelm you we divided them into common sense, creative, and extreme tips, so check out the ones that apply to you!

What Is Extreme Frugality?

Extreme frugality encompasses cutting expenses as much as possible to save more money. It forces you to look at your spending and come up with new, creative solutions not to spend any cash. 

Look at it as financial minimalism. You look to spend as little as possible and simplify your finances overall.

When analyzing your spending don’t get too stuck on smaller expenses such as clothes or cosmetics.

Focus your attention on cutting expenses on the big three: housing, food, and transportation. This will bring you greater savings in the long run.

Why Extreme Frugality

There are many reasons why you should look into extreme frugality as your financial solution. 

You might have a big debt you need to pay off. Or you might have lost your job or have to live on a small income. You also might be crazy enough to try it as a challenge.

Whatever your reason, be prepared to go out of your comfort zone in order to save as much money as you can by being super frugal.

An extremely frugal lifestyle will definitely keep you from spending and you will surely save money on things you didn’t even think were possible. 

Is Being Extremely Frugal Bad?

Frugality by itself is a virtue. Frugal people learn how to manage their money responsibly and therefore invest in their future. 

On the other hand, going to extremes is never a sustainable practice. Think about it as going on a strict diet. You are motivated for a few days before giving up because it is just not sustainable for a long time.

It is the same with extreme frugality. It is a great way to save money in dire situations, but in the long run, it is really hard to keep at. 

It’s also worth mentioning that some argue that extreme frugality is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. This would categorize extreme frugality as a mental illness. If you want to learn more about this, take a look at the article on Everyday Health.

Common Sense Frugal Ways to Save Money

It is smart to be frugal and manage your money well. This way you can live more comfortably and not stress about the future.

Here are some common sense frugal ways to save money every responsible adult should be aware of.

1. Budget

Create a monthly budget and stick to it. Know how much money goes into your account and how much goes out. Analyze your finances and allocate a specific amount of money to each of your spending categories.

2. Pay your bills on time

Automate your finances. Know when each bill is due and make sure you pay them on time.  You don’t want to have to pay late fees additionally.

3. Cook your own food

Mealplan ahead and buy only what you need to prepare the food in the meal plan. Cook every meal you eat on your own. Don’t waste money on takeout or pre-made meals. Make foods from scratch instead of buying them. This includes bread, tortillas, soups, oatmeal, plant-based milk, coffee, etc.  

4. Don’t use your car 

Depending on your lifestyle, look into alternative transportation options. Walk, ride a bike, carpool, or use public transportation. 

5. Buy generic brands

Don’t buy into pretty packaging. Generic brands are the same products as household names just without any branding. Plus they are much cheaper.

6. Line dry your clothes

Please don’t use an electric dryer to dry your clothes. Not only does it waste unnecessary energy, but it also wears out your clothes much faster.

7. Use reusable items

Different types of textiles come in handy in so many ways. Here are some to name a few: kitchen towels, bathroom towels, cleaning rags, cloth diapers, tissues. And you rarely have to replace them.

8. Cut the cable 

With all the free entertainment online, in 2021 you really don’t need cable TV anymore. Just cut the cord. You won’t regret it.

9. Use public library

It’s surprising how few people take advantage of public libraries. They are a rich source of entertainment for the whole family. You can borrow books, magazines, music, and even movies!

10. Play board games 

Another great way to have free fun is to play board games at home. Did we mention that you can also borrow them from some libraries?

11. Invite friends over

Instead of going out, next time invite your friends over. You can treat them to a nice meal or a drink and it will be the same amount of fun but much less pricey.

12. Repair what you can

Whether it be furniture, electronics, shoes, etc. first check if something can be repaired. Sometimes you can also repair it by yourself with the help of online tutorials. Older things are made to last so don’t replace them if there is no need.

13. Use coupons

Coupons can save you a lot of bucks. Use online services like Honey to check for coupons when online shopping. Don’t hesitate to also check regular catalog coupons for your favorite supermarket.

14. Use up leftovers

Never throw away good food. When there is some food left after a meal, pack it up in a container and eat it tomorrow. If you collect a lot of random pieces of leftover food throughout the week, make e.g. Friday a leftover day where you challenge yourself and your family to eat all the leftovers for lunch.

15. Do a pantry challenge

Go through your pantry regularly and check what you have. Use up the food that is about to go bad quickly. Come up with recipes that contain only the ingredients from your pantry. 

16. Do a freezer challenge

Same as the pantry challenge just with the food from your freezer.

17. Buy second hand 

You would be surprised how much cheaper you can get quality stuff if you buy them second-hand. By that, we don’t mean only clothes but big-ticket items like electronics, furniture, and even a car. Sometimes the second hand is as good as new and only a couple of months old. 

18. Create capsule wardrobe

Create a cohesive collection of functional items in your closet. Come up with a few outfits for any occasion you might experience on a day-to-day basis. This will not only make getting ready much easier but also prevent you from unnecessary spending.

19. Be your own esthetician 

Maintain your appearance at home. Do beauty treatments like pedicure, manicure, waxing, and eyebrows on your own. These are luxuries that you can save money on easily. It will just take you some time to get a hang of it.

20. Exercise at home

Invest some money into a mat, a couple of weights, and an elastic band if you want to have the choice of using some equipment. On the other hand, you can do just bodyweight exercises. Search YouTube to discover a ton of exercise videos tailored to working out at home. Also, going for a walk or running is free.

Creative Ways to Achieve Extreme Frugality

What if you are already frugal and apply all the tips above in your everyday life?

Take a look at the more creative ways to squeeze even more savings every month!

21. Cut your own hair

Lots of people tried this during the lockdown and succeeded marvelously, so why wouldn’t you? Especially if you just need a regular trim, there is not a lot of space to go wrong.

22. Color your own hair

Buy hair color in a drugstore or a supermarket, follow the instructions on the packaging, and voila! You are your own hair expert.

23. Wash your hair less often

If you have dry or curly hair it is even better for you to wash your hair less often. Try to do it only once a week and see what happens! It will save you lots on shampoo, conditioner, and water!

24. Grow your own food

Start your garden with a couple of root vegetables (they are easiest to grow) and go on from there. If you live in an apartment try to grow your own herbs. Investigate what grows well in your climate and enjoy the fruits of your labor, literally!

25. Cook 5 ingredient meals

The simpler, the cheaper. You don’t have to be a chef to cook simple meals. Just take a look at your favorite dishes and see what ingredients you can leave out. Your digestion will thank you. 

26. Unplug electronic devices 

Don’t forget to unplug your electronic devices when you are not using them. Even if they are turned off they still use a small amount of electric energy.

27. Get a roommate 

Look into renting portions of your home out for income. Downsize and get a roommate for a room you are not using. Their rent can supplement a part of your income or you can use it to pay for utilities.

28. Live with your parents

A more extreme way to cut expenses on housing. If you have the option to live with your parents for some time it is a great way to save a huge chunk of your income.

29. Do a no-spend challenge

In a no-spend challenge, you decide not to spend money on anything non-essential for a certain period of time. You can do it for just a day to a whole year!

30. Dilute soap and detergents  

Add water to extend the life of your liquid products. If you don’t go overboard, this won’t affect their effectiveness.

31. Use every last drop of a product 

Cut open your hand creme, shampoo, or conditioner bottles. There is still a ton of product left in the bottom which doesn’t get used. You paid for it, use it till the last drop.

32. DIY your cleaning solutions

Making cleaning solutions is really simple and cheap. All you need is white vinegar or baking soda and water. If you are feeling bougie you can try this 3-ingredient multipurpose spray.

33. Purchase almost expired food

Always check the foods that are discounted because their expiration date is due soon. You just might find something you need for that week. But don’t buy the food that you won’t use soon.

34. Stop Drinking Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages cost a pretty penny, so decide to stop drinking them. It will not only spare your wallet, but also your liver will be thankful.

35. Reuse old paper as wrapping paper

Get creative and use your paper grocery bags or old newspapers as wrapping paper next time you buy gifts. You will be surprised how many people will get inspired by this!

36. Look for free stuff 

People give away a lot of stuff they no longer need for free. Next time you need something for your home take a look on Craigslist or Marketplace if somebody is giving it away. 

37. Buy blackout curtains 

Use blackout curtains to keep the light out and preserve the heat in your home. This way you can handle extreme temperatures more economically.

38. Don’t wear makeup

If you feel up for it, try to not wear makeup on a regular basis. You can still keep your old makeup for special occasions, but this will prevent you from buying new ones.

39. Use up sample products

Don’t hesitate to take free samples at the shopping malls and hotels. It is also good to take a look at all the promotional stuff you can get for free come election time or the launch of a new product. Also, check if your company offers some free merch for their employees.

Extreme Frugal Tips to Boost Your Savings

This wouldn’t be an article about extreme frugality if we don’t offer you some extreme frugal tips. Just be careful not to get too caught in these, because they will significantly lower the quality of your life. 

These are extreme ways to cut expenses and are not meant to be used for longer periods of time.

We advise using extreme frugality only if you find yourself in a financially vulnerable situation, such as unemployment or debt.

40. Stop shaving

Let your hair grow and stop buying single-use razors.

41. Turn on heating only in extreme colds

Postpone turning on heating until you can no longer endure the cold. Wear a lot of layers of thick clothes and use blankets to keep warm.

42. No AC

Similar to the previous one, try to endure the heat without turning on the AC. If you can’t, use a ventilator instead of the AC, it consumes a lot less energy.

43. Eat other people’s leftovers

Check with your family or neighbors if they have some leftover food they are about to throw away and ask to take it.

44. Forage for food

Learn about what foods you can forage. Take walks through a nearby park or forest and look for edible plants or mushrooms.

45. Wash disposable items

Just because they are advertised as single-use doesn’t mean you have to use them only one time. Wash ziploc bags, plastic containers, straws, disposable cutlery, etc. to get more use from them.  

46. Dumpster diving

Dumpster diving is salvaging unused items from large commercial and residential garbage bins. You can find so many useful items by doing this, just make sure it is not illegal in your area.

47. Live in a tiny house

Downsizing your home can bring you the biggest savings. Tiny Life reports that 55% of people who live in tiny houses have more savings in the bank than the average American. Also, 68% have no mortgage compared to the 29.3% of all US homeowners.

48. Live in a van

You might have some upfront cost of buying an RV and getting it ready for the road, but after that, your costs of living are just food and gas. For some, it is a good way to pay off debt fast.

49. Drink only tap water

Drink only what’s free. You don’t really need anything else than water. Just make sure that the tap water from your area is actually drinkable.

50. Raise your own farm animals

Meat can cost a lot of money. Some decide to go vegetarian or vegan to save money, but if you don’t want to give up eating meat and dairy you can raise your own farm animals. 

51. Become vegan

On the contrary to the previous tip, you can opt-out from eating any animal products. Plant-based groceries are much cheaper than meat and dairy.

52. Live furniture-free 

For some living a life with no furniture is a valid option. You own little to no things and sleep on the floor. Imagine that!

53. Fast for longer periods of time

Some give up food for longer periods of time. This unfortunately is a reality for people who can’t afford to have three meals a day, but please don’t practice this if you don’t have to.

54. Flush toilet once a day 

Well, yes, this is also an actual money-saving tip. Save on water and flush your toilet only once a day.

55. Eat expired food

Pick out mold and gross parts of the food and eat around it.

56. Sell everything 

Become an extreme minimalist and live with only a specific number of items you set for yourself. Downsize as much as you can and earn money from selling everything you own.

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Can Extreme Frugality Make You Rich?

At the end of the day, there is only so much you can cut from your budget. You can only save so much and to become rich you need to increase your income.

Practicing extreme frugality means trading comfort for saving. You do everything by yourself and this takes much of your time. You can achieve abundance more easily if you focus more on raising your earnings.

Common sense frugality and an abundance mindset are a winning combination to wealth. 

Put your focus into saving on the big expenses and having a higher income. This will result in a lifelong comfortable living and wealth.

Have you tried any of these tips? Let us know in the comments!

The post Extreme Frugality: 56 Crazy Tips to Save Money Fast! appeared first on Rebi Simple Living.

We bring you a list of top 10 tips to ensure your success. Hint: it’s all about being prepared in advance.

What Is a No Spend Challenge?

A no-spend challenge is a money challenge where you decide not to spend money on anything non-essential for a certain period of time. 

The point of this challenge is to cut out needless spending, focus on what you already have, and get to know your spending habits. In that way, you save a lot more money than you would otherwise.

Challenges are always a fun way to change some things in your life for the better.

This spending freeze can last from just a day to a whole year! Whether you decide to do a no-spend week, no-spend month, or even a no-spend year, it is up to you. 

1. Define the No Spend Challenge Rules

Before you start with your no-buy challenge you need to define some rules.

You can buy only essentials and need to withhold from buying unnecessary things.

But what does that exactly mean?

Here is the set of rules which I follow when I decide to do a no-spend month.

ALLOWED

• Housing (Rent / Mortgage)
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Food
• Basic Toiletries
• Transportation

NOT ALLOWED

• Dining Out
• Entertainment
• Travel
• Clothes / Shoes
• Home Decorations
• Beauty Treatments
• Make-Up, Beauty Products, Perfume

These rules are up to you and your circumstances. If you find gym membership something of essential importance you put it into allowed items. If you work from home, you can move transportation into not allowed. You get the gist. These are just my guidelines to make it easier for you.

2. Plan Ahead

After you set the rules for your spending freeze, it is time to plan ahead for any upcoming expenses during that period of time. 

Look at your calendar and mark any upcoming events or projects. Write them down in your planner.

Then, set aside the necessary amount of money for those expenses in advance.

If you have any upcoming birthdays or events, plan ahead what presents you will bring. Plan on what you will wear on those occasions and if you need to buy something new. If you can pay for some bills in advance do that. If you have any home renovations going on make sure you have money to pay for that.

Prepare for as much as you can in advance and plan on how you will handle the tricky situations.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

Don’t fail, prepare.

3. Do a Pantry and Fridge Inventory

Our kitchens are often filled with forgotten food that we simply let go of and not use. This is your chance to use up those foods and save on your grocery budget.

Do a pantry, fridge, and freezer inventory and declutter it. Bring out everything out in the open. You will be surprised how much food you have before going to the store.

• Discard the food that is expired. 
• Categorize the food that is left. 
• Check what you need to use up quickly.
• Make a list of foods you have.
• Write what you are lacking.

Depending on how much food you have, you can do a freezer challenge. Challenge yourself creatively to consume all your freezer foods!

Find recipes you can make from the food you already have. Try to eat simpler and quicker meals.

4. Meal Prep

If you still don’t meal prep, this is the perfect time to start!

Not only does meal planning help you eat more healthily, but it also saves you time and money.

Eat most of your meals at home and prepare food to bring to work, school, etc. This can save you thousands of dollars a year!

If you follow my tips you will already have the list of food available to you from your pantry and fridge. Write down a number of recipes you can make from the food you already have. Research new recipes online, the options are endless.

• Plan what you will eat for the following week. 
• Try to make the dishes filling and healthy. 
• Add more fiber and protein, this way you will be full longer.

Only when you know what you will cook in the following week, write down the grocery list and go to the supermarket.

Set aside time once or twice a week to prepare the bulk of your meals for the week. I like to do it on Sundays and Wednesdays. 

If you plan on bringing food to work, make sure it is solid and won’t spill in your bag. Trust me, I had this happen, especially with sauces!

• Cook bigger portions so you can eat one dish for two or three meals. 
• Get used to eating the same or similar meals more times a week.

Also, don’t forget about the snacks. Get creative and make them from scratch.

5. Get Creative

I already mentioned getting creative in the kitchen, but it also applies to other areas in your life.

Sometimes it can happen that during the no-spend challenge something breaks in your home or your shoes fall apart. In that case, you are allowed to spend money.

However, you can also look at it as another challenge! You can search for a solution where you don’t need to spend money. There are a lot of Facebook groups where people donate things they no longer need. In my country, for example, they are called Sharing is Caring.

You can also try to fix it by yourself, or ask a family member to help. 

Avoid spending money where you can, and by doing that learn something new or gain new experiences.

6. Sell the Items You No Longer Need

Take this no-spend challenge as a chance to go through your home and declutter it. Organize your home and set aside items you no longer need or want.

Categorize items you want to get rid of into three piles: donate, throw away, and sell.

Try to sell items that are valuable, in mint condition, and pricey.

Before listing the item check other people’s prices on the listing websites. Set your price somewhere in the middle. You don’t want to be suspiciously cheap or too expensive.

You can list them on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or some other website. Make sure to clean them and make a photo of them in a nice setting. You can also style them like you would in your own home.

The more appealing the photo looks, the easier it will be to sell the item.

Don’t lie in your listing, add a true description of the item, and use relevant keywords.

7. Pay With Cash

I recently watched a documentary where experts said that it actually hurts our brain to spend cash. This is why so many people fall into trap of using credit cards and getting into credit card debt.

Using that logic, if you pay with cash for most of the stuff during your no-spend challenge, you might buy and spend less.

Also, when you have an exact amount of cash allocated for something you have to really pay attention to what you are buying and how much it costs.

If you take only 100 dollars with you to the grocery shop, you will closely monitor what you are buying and most likely spend even less than what you bring.

Try to do it and see how it goes. If it doesn’t work for you, you can also try paying with your debit card. That way you only spend money you already have, unlike with credit cards.

8. Avoid Temptation

Don’t be fooled, no-spend challenge is a hard task to accomplish. You want to set yourself for success from the beginning.

Try to avoid temptations where possible.

• Unsubscribe from the newsletters by retailers.
• Don’t go to shopping malls.
• Avoid social media.
• Don’t fall for deals.

Notice when you get most tempted to buy something. Work to cut out that temptation.

My biggest weakness, for example, is home decorations and furniture. We are in the process of slowly renovating our apartment, so when I see sales in furniture stores, I feel like I have to buy something in order to save money down the road. 

I have to always remind myself that sales are cyclical and that they will repeat themselves by the time we decide to redecorate the specific room. In order to not even know about the sales, I stopped following furniture retailers on social media and unsubscribed from their newsletters.

9. Make a List of Free Entertainment

Life gets boring, especially when you count every dollar. 

It is true that you save most when you spend most of your time at home. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to only fun at home.

Make a list of free entertainment in your city. 

• Check out local news sites for free festivals and events near you. 
• Join the library and lend free books. Libraries also tend to have free events for kids and adults. 
• Get active – go for bike rides in nature. 
• Invite friends for movie or game nights. 
• Visit the surrounding towns. 
• Discover hidden gems in your area.
• Brainstorm with your family creative ideas for free and fun activities. 

You will be surprised how much you will come up with that otherwise you would never even think of!

There is fun all around us and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time.

You just have to get proactive about searching for new things to do with your family and friends that will not break the bank.

10. Get to Know Your Spending Habits

Take advantage of this time to get to know your spending habits.

What is your biggest money weakness? 

Journal during the no-spend challenge and take note of occasions when it got really hard to stick to the rules.

Only when you get to know your weaknesses you can start working towards combating them. 

At the end of the no-spend challenge go through your notes and make a list of your biggest challenges. Then think about them and come up with solutions to overcome them.

Everybody is different and lives in different circumstances. What might not be a temptation for me might really be hard for you. 

Be gentle with yourself and slowly work on bettering your spending habits. 

Remember: your relationship with money is long-term. It is important to learn valuable lessons that you will stick to even when you complete your no-spend challenge.

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No Spend Challenge as a Life-Long Money Tactic

Use a no-spend challenge when you feel like you need to get your finances in order. Decide on a certain period of time. Look at it as a ground zero when you need the motivation to continue with the frugal finances.

There is no better way to get motivated than to shake things up a bit. A no-spend challenge is a really effective tactic to save more money. Just be prepared to work hard to succeed in it.

Have you ever done a no-spend challenge? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

The post 10 Tips to Crush Your No Spend Challenge and Save More Money appeared first on Rebi Simple Living.