The Art of Saving Money: Start by Being Frugal

FRUGAL: The skill of avoiding wasteful spending, being thrifty, penny-wise, and a careful saver.

These are my personal views, which may not align with yours. Since everyone is different, my methods work for me, and your methods should work for you.

For me, self-control is key. It means not spending just because you want something, just because you need it, or just because it's on sale. Being frugal is ultimately about prioritizing purchases that genuinely matter to you.

Here are some tips that have helped me become the frugal saver I am today:

• Make a shopping list and stick to it.

• Shop when you're busy and in a rush, so you don't have time to buy items not on your list.

• Avoid carrying all your credit cards with you (if you own any). Take only the one you plan to use, or none at all. If using cash, bring a specific amount and set a limit.

• Don't buy just to keep up with the Joneses (society, fashion, or others). Be true to yourself—love what you have or want because it’s meaningful to you, not because of others.

• If you must shop, use coupon sites like these to save:

o thekrazycouponlady.com

o rakuten.com

o retailmenot.com

I never make a purchase without checking one of these sites first. We’ll dive deeper into coupon savings in a future post. Until then:

“Spend less, to have more, to give more.”

The Penny Hoarder