10 Beginner Frugal Living Tips That Actually Work (Without Giving Up Your Favorite Treats)

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10 Beginner Frugal Living Tips That Actually Work

Let’s chat about frugal living and 10 Beginner Frugal Living Tips that actually work —because around here at Grounded in Thyme, we’re all about stretching those dollars without sucking the joy out of life. (Spoiler: It’s not about deprivation. It’s about choosing what actually matters and ditching the rest. Think of it like weeding the garden—pull the junk, let the good stuff thrive.)

We’ve rounded up 10 beginner-friendly tips that are straight-up practical (pulled from the best advice floating around, because solidarity, right?). These have saved us real money without making us feel like we’re punishing ourselves. And yes, there’s room for treats—especially if your weakness is chips like mine. (Sour cream & onion, I’m looking at you. No judgment here.)

Track your spending and make a budget Download our FREE Grounded in Thyme Budget Planner (it’s cute and zero fuss), use a free app, or just a spreadsheet. Write down every little expense for a month. You’ll spot the leaks faster than you spot crumbs on the couch after chip night. This one’s the foundation—huge wins come quick.
Cook at home and meal plan like you mean it Delivery is tempting (we’ve all been there), but it disappears your money faster than a bag of chips in front of a movie. Plan weekly meals, shop with a list, batch-cook, and stock up on generics + staples like rice, beans, and seasonal veggies. Your kitchen will smell like home, and your wallet will thank you. We got you with this FREE Grounded in Thyme Weekly Meal Planner,
Shop secondhand first—always Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, eBay… we’ve found treasures (clothes, furniture, books) for pennies. It’s kinder to the planet and way kinder to your bank account.
Automate your savings Set up automatic transfers—even just $10-20 per paycheck—to a high-yield savings account. Pay yourself first. It grows quietly in the background while you’re not looking.
Cancel the subscriptions you’re ghosting Go through streaming services, apps, magazines, that gym membership you swore you’d use… If you haven’t touched it in months, bye. This one trick frees up hundreds a year for, you know, important things (like restocking chips).
Choose quality over quantity Spend a little more on things that last—like good shoes, pots, or a blender—instead of replacing cheap versions over and over. Future-you will be so proud.
Fall in love with your library Free books, audiobooks, movies, even tools and cake pans! We’ve borrowed everything from gardening guides to board games. Zero cost, all the fun.
No impulse buys—use the wait rule For anything non-essential, wait 24-48 hours (or a full week). Most of the time that “gotta have it” feeling vanishes. (Pro tip: This works great for late-night online chip orders too.)
Look at the big expenses first Housing, transportation, and food usually eat the biggest chunks. Small tweaks—like biking some days, carpooling, or living closer to work—can shave off serious cash without upending your life.
Budget for small treats (this is non-negotiable!) Life’s too short to go cold turkey on joy. Build in affordable pleasures—like a coffee date or (ahem) your favorite bag of chips—so frugality feels sustainable, not punishing. Trust me, denying my chip obsession just leads to a 2 a.m. rebellion. Moderation keeps us all sane.

Start with just 2-3 that feel doable (tracking spending and meal planning are my forever favorites). These habits compound quietly into real financial breathing room. You’ve got this, friends—we’re cheering you on every step (and every crunch) of the way!

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