Cutting Costs: Frugal Living on Everything

Frugal living means cutting costs on everything that your money, time and effort are spent everyday. When you're at home, in the office, restaurant or gym, compose yourself to follow the path of a poor man.

There's a big difference between being frugal or cheapskate. The former is when you are happy to do it while the latter still has a guilt feeling when trying to become tightwad or spendthrift.

So, here I go again, hitting the letters on my computer's keyboard; trying to finish this hub while minimizing the use of electricity. I don't have to sleep late just to complete this article.

I'll make it simple and you can add comments as I present some tips that I experienced while making things end meet. I used the phrase several times to stress that simple living doesn't mean you'll not be updated with the latest on cars, clothing, entertainment, books, foods and news.

You're in control of yourself and the start of a happy and simple living begins now.

FRUGAL EATING means cooking your own food. Create your own menu. Eat less meats, more on vegetables. You can grow your own veggies for fresh salads. Go organic as the ads promote. Avoid frequenting cozy restaurants and fastfood, not to mention the health hazards.

You can bring your own food at the office. Avoid drinking too much sodas for it brings too much calories in your body. Drinking water is the safest. It will not make you fat but keep your body hydrated.

We spend lots of money on food. To cut costs, you can rely more on pasta products. You can eat more but it will not make you obese.

Avoid fatty or fried foods. It's safe to boil, steam, broil or barbecue it to eliminate bad cholesterol.

Create your own weekly menu in order to monitor your food intake.

CHEAP CLOTHING doesn't mean hand-me-downs or donations from charity institutions or Salvation Army. You can still buy affordable clothes but create a minimalist wardrobe. I'm a casual-type of person when it comes to clothing. Jeans, plain shirts (white, black) with rubber shoes or sandals.

With less but presentable clothes, you will avoid too much clatter at home. As long as you're presentable, you'll not be the center of criticisms.

.Have a set of formal attire that you can use for a formal gathering.

Free entertainment means public libraries that are being updated nowadays. More donations on books, magazines, newspapers or DVD movies are the things you can borrow from it.

You don't need cable in order to watch your favorite films or buy books if you can just borrow it.

Entertainment can cost you money, a lot, just to play computer games or watching movies at the theater..

You can watch some free shows at the park. If you like classical or rock concerts, you can cheer your heart out while the artists are performing.

You can still have fun without paying for it. It doesn't have to be costly

RENT a house or a room and you can still save some money. It may not a sound decision but paying for a brand new home will surely exhaust your pocket.

House mortages and its interest can accumulate that if your payments are delayed, the bank can still another interest on it.

You can still buy a home in the future as your savings pile up while you're still working. It deosn't have to be huge that you'll encounter problems in maintaining it.

It is more practical to have a smaller car that SUVs and the like. You can save gas and it;s still comfortable, even with your family.

When it comes to biking, you can really save money. Not only that; it will help you body toned up. Going to office with bike is easy while you're having a dose of daily exercise, especially your legs.

 My computer doesn't consume much of the electricity at home but electric fan. I used to argue about it with my mom.

Instead of using a dryer of the washing machine, you can sundry your clothes. It will miminize your power bills and still, you can sanitize your clothes due to the infra-red rays of the sun.

Instead of incandescent lamp, use flourescent light because it minimizes electric usage.

Shopping is a temptation to spend more of your money, through cash or credit. Instead of visiting the mall daily, you can buy your groceries weekly.

Choose food items that can last for long or with long shelflife.

Fresh food and vegetables will only last for a week, so, you need to but it once a week.

Look for items at the SALES section. Or you can buy USED items when you needed it badly.

This list will be endless and you can add more worthwhile tips while living in your car.  Just for a change of atmosphere while savoring the simplicity of frugal living.

FRUGALITY, I may say.