5 frugal living tips

A big Tightwad welcome to Heather, who shares her ideas on frugal living tips.
Making a few adjustments to your everyday routine can help you save a lot of money in the long run. There are hundreds of ways to cut corners, but we’ve listed 5 ways to save money that can make a big impact.
Buy a Smaller House If you must buy, buy small. Don’t force yourself into a one-room shack, but don’t buy more than you need. For every additional square foot you buy, you’re paying more for your mortgage, more in taxes and home insurance, and more in monthly utilities.
Use One Car If you and your partner have such conflicting schedules that you just can’t work around one car, then find ways to carpool with friends or co-workers. Or even just buy a smaller car. A large SUV will cost more in insurance and will bleed you dry on gas.
Don’t Eat Out If you shop for all your meals, you can spend $1 per meal per person. When you eat out, your meal can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per person, depending on where you eat. It’s easy to see how much you can save if you just plan ahead and do your own cooking.
Get Rid of Cable It can easily cost over $100 a month, and most shows are now available to watch for free online. If you can’t find what you want online, try the local library. Many now check out DVDs just like books.
Stay Healthy The simple acts of eating healthy and regularly exercising can keep you healthy and fit, reducing your susceptibility to illness and your need for doctor visits, which can cost hundreds of dollars per year. Skip the expensive gym membership and gourmet organic food. Focus on whole, natural fruits and vegetables, and get regular exercise by walking or running around your neighborhood, riding a bike or swimming.
Have you tried these tips yourself? How much have you been able to save? Born and raised in North Carolina, Heather Green has worked as a fashion and beauty consultant as well as freelancing for various wedding, fashion, and health publications. She currently acts as the resident blogger for Online Nursing Degrees where she’s been researching mental health nursing programs as well as camp nursing programs.