How can you live frugally without looking cheap? Let’s see!
Do you hope no one sees you using coupons at the grocery store? Do you feel uncomfortable brown-bagging it as the rest of your co-workers go out for lunch? Do you hate the idea of parking your old-school Camry in a lot packed with BMWs? If so, you’re not alone.
Experts admit that, in this country, there’s a pretty big issue with perception. While no one should be ashamed of saving money, there’s a sort of pressure to conform.
If keeping up appearances is something that has always been important to you, there are many ways to do it without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to live frugally without looking cheap!
1. Purchase at the right time
If you want to buy something that implies spending a larger amount of money than usual, research when it’s the best time to buy. You can predict when prices may be lower due to several sales that occur every year.
Moreover, some categories of products reliably follow certain pricing patterns. This strategy will help you live frugally without looking cheap.
For example, home prices usually peak in the summer, fitness products are often cheaper in January, and the weeks leading up to Black Friday in November are usually prime time to buy electronics.
Personal finance experts advise you to shop during your state’s sales tax holiday to save even more money. States may have specific dates when no tax is levied on purchases ranging from clothing to back-to-school supplies to generators and disaster preparedness products.
2. Choose low-cost experiences
Another trick to live frugally without looking cheap is to choose low-cost experiences. You don’t have to spend a large amount of money to create unforgettable moments with family or friends.
Going to the park for a lovely picnic with your significant other or some friends can be just as fun as eating out at an expensive restaurant. Plus, the great outdoors can provide a far more enjoyable experience if the weather is on your side.
Many metropolitan areas also have attractions and museums that can be inexpensive. For instance, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., is free, along with other Smithsonian museums. In fact, there are many parks, zoos, and museums across the country that offer free admission days or reduced rates for residents.
3. Eliminate monthly subscriptions
Before you can live frugally without looking cheap and buy the things you think will impress your neighbors and friends, you need to make some room in your budget. The quickest and easiest way to do that is to cancel unused monthly subscriptions.
What’s tricky with these is that they are often set on auto-pay. It’s convenient to have your subscriptions like this if you want to avoid missing payments, but it will cost you more if you forget about them.
While apps like Trim and Truebill can automatically find and cancel unused subscriptions, you can do it yourself by simply having a look at your bank and credit card statements to find recurring charges.
As you review your monthly subscriptions, think about how frequently you use each one and whether it coincides with another service. Rather than spending money on multiple streaming services, beauty subscription boxes, or news websites, choose the one you use most and eliminate the rest. You’ll save money, which you can then use to live frugally without looking cheap.
4. Shop for new insurance
As mentioned above, if you want to live frugally without looking cheap, you need to find ways to make money available for things you want to purchase. Besides canceling monthly subscriptions, insurance is another area in which you can find savings.
According to personal finance experts, you should check your insurance to ensure you have the right amounts and use the internet to compare free quotes to get the best coverage for less.
Changes in your circumstations or age could mean lower rates, or in some situations, new insurers may join the market and bring with them more competitive premiums.
This being said, if you want to live frugally without looking cheap, make sure you have the right insurance to avoid overspending on one you don’t need. By the way, here’s a book that can help you make frugality stress-free!
5. Reduce prescription costs
Another way to save some money so you can use it to live frugally without looking cheap is to reduce prescription costs. For those with chronic or serious medical issues, the cost of prescriptions can add up quickly. Save money without sacrificing your health by utilizing discounts and looking for generic medications.
If it’s possible, talk to your doctor to identify generic drug options. They are just as effective as brand-name medications and much more affordable.
Another strategy to save money on prescriptions is to fill them for 90 days instead of 30. This can also improve adherence to taking medications as directed, keeping you healthier and lowering overall healthcare costs.
Keep reading to find other ways to live frugally without looking cheap!
6. Travel in the off-season
You can still explore the world on a budget. If you want to live frugally without looking cheap and you’re thinking of going on a trip, choose the off-season. That means heading to Europe during the winter months or Hawaii in the late spring or fall.
Not only will you save money by traveling in the off-season, but you’ll also avoid the crowds. Going on vacation during the shoulder seasons, when the weather is still nice but the prices are lower, is also a great strategy.
According to VRBO, a website listing vacation rentals, property rentals at lake and beach destinations drop by up to 30% after Labor Day.
7. Use loyalty programs
If you worry that using coupons at the store will make you look like a cheapskate, find some store loyalty programs that work for you. For groceries, chains like Target and Kroger have apps that allow you to clip coupons digitally. All you have to do is scan a device or enter your phone number at checkout, and that’s it. That’s one of the best ways to live frugally without looking cheap. Saving money was never easier!
The drugstore Walgreens also lets customers accumulate points through its loyalty card, which can then be converted into discounts. Panera Bread, Starbucks, and many other chains have loyalty programs too, rewarding visitors with discounts and free food.
But that’s not all; step up the saving game and install a browser extension from a deal site like Honey, Rakuten, or CouponCabin.com. This is a great strategy to live frugally without looking cheap, as you can do this for your regular online shopping.
8. Maximize travel rewards
Last but not least on our list of ways to live frugally without looking cheap is maximizing travel rewards. To stick to your budget, use loyalty rewards programs to accumulate points toward free hotel stays, award flights, and complimentary upgrades.
A travel credit card can provide additional points and perks, but make sure you’re able to reach the minimum spending threshold on your credit card to obtain the most rewards and benefits.
Moreover, some credit cards have exclusive partnerships with travel companies and other retailers. You may be able to save on your flight, rental car, or hotel, and no one will be wiser.
However, as with any credit card, make sure you only charge as much as you can easily pay off each month. Otherwise, you can end up paying more in interest than you’ll save on travel expenses.
If you liked our article on ways to live frugally without looking cheap, you may also want to read Get Free Gas at the Pump: 10 Ways to Reduce Transportation Expenses.
