Eager to boost your savings? Look no further! Implementing these 21 practical frugal hacks will yield impressive results over time. By adopting these simple yet effective tips, you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save and put towards your financial goals.
Save Water with a Tap Spray Head (You can Save up to 15L / Min)
Kick-starting our series on frugal hacks with a simple yet impactful idea – conserving water and the planet. Did you know that by attaching an inexpensive spray head to your kitchen or bathroom taps, you can reduce water waste significantly? In fact, this small modification can save up to 15 liters of water per minute! That’s not only good for the environment but also for your wallet.
Use a Rubber Band to Use Less Dishwashing Liquid
A satisfying yet unnecessary gesture: squishing down a bottle’s nozzle often leads to an overabundance of product. Take dishwashing liquid as a prime example – a mere drop can suffice for effective cleaning. To curb this excess, try wrapping a rubber band around the pump’s neck. This simple modification limits the amount released while still providing enough to get the job done.
Use Nutshells to Light the Fire
When it comes to starting a fire, we often rely on expensive and potentially hazardous options. However, with a little creativity, you can turn everyday household items into effective fire starters. Take nutshells, for example. The next time you’re preparing nuts for baking or salads, don’t discard the shells. Instead, dry them out and use them as cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical-based fire starters.
Not only will they burn longer than their chemical counterparts, but they’ll also reduce your environmental footprint.
Make a Scourer Sponge from a Mesh Bag
When it comes to kitchen efficiency, it’s amazing how simple changes can make a big impact on your wallet. One often-overlooked hack is to repurpose everyday items in creative ways. For instance, instead of tossing out old sponges or letting mesh bags from produce packaging go to waste, you can combine them to create an effective scrubbing tool.
By wrapping the sponge in the mesh bag and securing it with a rubber band, you’ll be amazed at how much more powerfully it cleans – all while saving money on scourers.
Make your Own Granola
Making your own granola at home is not only a cost-effective way to start the day, but also allows you to customize the recipe to your taste preferences. To create this delicious and healthy breakfast option, you will need a combination of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and sweeteners. For this particular recipe, combine 250g of oat flakes with 25g each of almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts, as well as 20g of dehydrated grapes.
Add a pinch of salt to balance out the sweetness, then mix in 2 tablespoons of corn oil and 65g each of agave syrup and honey. Finally, add a few tablespoons of water to bring the mixture together. Spread the granola onto a baking tray and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow it to cool before serving and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Make your Own Fabric Softener with: ½ L of Hot Water, 1 Cup of Baking Soda, ½ Cup of Vinegar, and Essential Oils
Ditch the store-bought fabric softener and create your own at home with this clever hack. The difference is palpable – clothes that feel like sandpaper just won’t cut it! So, what do you need? Simply gather the following ingredients: half a liter of hot water, one cup of baking soda, half a cup of vinegar, and a few drops of aromatic essential oil. Combine them in a plastic bottle, give it a good shake to mix everything together, and you’ll be enjoying soft, gentle fabrics in no time.
Make Breadcrumbs from Dried Out Bread Instead of Throwing it Away
Transform stale bread into a versatile ingredient by converting it into crunchy breadcrumbs. Rather than discarding it, take advantage of its potential by cutting it up into chunky pieces and blending them for 30 seconds. This simple process eliminates the need to purchase breadcrumbs, saving you time and money.
Use Grocery Bags as Waste Bags
A simple yet effective trick I’ve adopted is reusing my grocery bags as lining material for my trash can. By doing so, I’m able to cut down on unnecessary purchases of garbage bags while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impact of plastic waste. This small change has made a noticeable difference in my daily routine and wallet.
Use Eggshells as Fertilizer
A simple yet effective hack that caught my attention is the use of eggshells in gardening. As it turns out, these shells contain a wealth of nutrients, including calcium carbonate, potassium, and magnesium. These essential minerals are vital for nurturing healthy plant growth. To put this hack into practice, simply wash the eggshells to remove any impurities, crush them into smaller pieces, and mix them into the soil surrounding your potted plants.
Cut up Old Pillowcases to Make Dusting Cloths
Before discarding old, worn-out pillowcases, consider repurposing them as reusable cleaning cloths. Cut them up and use them for dusting, mopping, or wiping down surfaces. Not only will you reduce waste and save money on buying new cloths, but you’ll also breathe new life into these often-overlooked household items. Of course, there may come a time when it’s necessary to replace your pillowcases entirely.
In that case, consider investing in high-quality natural silk options that offer a wide range of colors and styles to match any bedroom décor theme.
Grow your Herbs
Indoor gardening offers a unique opportunity to cultivate your own herbs without breaking the bank. Not only can you save money on grocery store prices, but you’ll also experience the joy of nurturing living things and savor the fresh flavors that come with using homegrown ingredients. To get started, look for inexpensive plastic pots or containers that are well-suited for indoor use.
Fill them with rich potting soil to provide a solid foundation for your herb garden, and you’re ready to start growing!
Use Baking Paper to Polish Faucets
When looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional faucet polishes, consider leveraging the power of baking paper. The waxy coating on this inexpensive material can effectively remove water spots and fingerprints, leaving your faucets shiny and streak-free. Not only do you save money by not having to purchase specialized polish, but you also avoid exposing yourself to harsh chemicals.
And as an added bonus, this versatile tool is perfect for both polishing faucets and baking those delicious scones.
Make an Air Freshener with Baking Soda and Essential Oils
Take a breath of frugality with this innovative hack! Combine baking soda, a natural odor absorber, with a few drops of your preferred essential oil to craft a homemade air freshener that’s both effective and cost-friendly. This simple yet clever solution leverages the deodorizing properties of baking soda, pairing it with the inviting aroma of essential oils like lavender, lemon, or peppermint.
Unplug your Power Strips
While it’s easy to overlook the humble power strip, the small LED lights that illuminate its front also draw a tiny but cumulative amount of electricity. To make a tangible impact on your energy consumption and subsequent utility bills, take the simple step of unplugging your power strips when they’re not in use. This minor adjustment can collectively add up to significant savings over time.
Work out at Home or Outdoors
The financial burden of gym memberships is undeniable. It’s natural to feel a pang of guilt when you miss a session. However, there’s a convenient solution that requires minimal investment – free online workout sessions. With the flexibility to work out at your own pace and without the need for elaborate equipment or membership fees, staying active has never been more accessible.
Get Creative with Leftovers
Transforming leftovers into fresh culinary creations is an art form. By repurposing ingredients like leftover mushrooms, an egg, and flour, you can craft a mouthwatering breakfast that’s as delightful as it is innovative. Online resources abound with creative ideas for reducing food waste, or consider investing in a book like ‘Easy, Quick, Delicious Recipes with Leftovers’ to unlock the full potential of your scraps.
Make Hand Scrub with 1 Cup of Sugar and ½ Coconut Oil
I’ve since abandoned my reliance on commercial hand scrubs, thanks to a simple yet effective DIY alternative. By combining 1 cup of sugar with ½ cup of coconut oil, I’ve created a gentle exfoliant that effortlessly removes dead skin cells, while the moisturizing properties of coconut oil leave my hands feeling soft and nourished.
Turn the Heating Down by Two Degrees
While a mere two-degree reduction in your home’s temperature may not be perceptible to the human experience, it has a significant impact on energy consumption and your bottom line. By shaving just two degrees off your usual thermostat setting, you’ll not only reduce your carbon footprint but also enjoy lower utility bills and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Keep Coins in the Piggy Bank
Instill in children the value of saving and building wealth by starting with small, everyday habits. The concept is simple yet powerful: every coin counts! By dropping spare change into a piggy bank or designated savings container, kids can watch their funds grow over time. This humble beginning can lead to significant financial milestones, such as setting aside money for a special treat or bolstering a rainy day fund.
Use Passive Cooking
One lesser-known benefit of cooktops is their ability to retain heat for an extended period after power is shut off. This clever hack leverages this property to your advantage! Simply heat your pots and pans as needed, then adjust the setting to zero and let the residual heat do the work. The result? A cost-effective cooking solution that’s both efficient and practical.
Buy Whole Vegetables and Fruit
When it comes to produce, the price difference between whole and pre-chopped options can be substantial. A simple yet effective way to cut costs is to take matters into your own hands and chop the vegetables and fruits yourself. This approach not only saves you money but also allows for greater control over the size and quality of your chopped ingredients.
Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a moment to compare prices – you may be surprised by just how much more expensive pre-chopped options can be.
