Do you want to know how you can start to save money living simply? Follow these 15 tips I have followed for years to slowly start cutting costs and living a more comfortable and freeing lifestyle.

1. Reduce Impulse Spending

Impulse buying is often driven by sales, trends, or emotions, leading to unnecessary expenses. Living simply encourages intentional spending—buying only what you truly need or value. By waiting before making purchases or creating a budget, you avoid wasteful expenses and save money that can be allocated toward meaningful goals.

Tip: I like to check out the thrift store first if I am in need of a new piece or pieces for the home, clothing, and cookware/bakeware.

2. Less Frequent Dining Out

Cooking at home using simple, wholesome ingredients is so much cheaper than dining out or ordering takeout. Planning meals, prepping ingredients, and mastering a few staple recipes not only saves money but also ensures healthier and tastier meals for your family.

If you live out in the country like us, eating out less is a lot easier! We don’t have the amenities like restauraunts or delivery like we did when we lived in town.

Tip: To avoid spening money on dining out, consider batch cooking freezer meals to pop in the oven on a night when you are feeling too tired to cook, or when you are busy. Meals like my cast iron meatloaf, or hearty dutch oven chicken stew work great for the freezer, simply prep, and cook them in a freezer safe dish!

3. Minimilist Wardrobe

A simplified wardrobe consists of versatile, high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched for various occasions. Avoiding trendy, fast-fashion items reduces the need for frequent replacements and ensures your clothing lasts longer, saving money in the long term.

Tip: Check out the thrift store first when adding pieces to your wardrobe. Look at the fabric content and opt for natural fibres such as cotton, wool, linen, and silk. I like to check out the men’s and woman’s section. Sometimes the means section has THE BEST quality vintage sweaters!

4. Lower Housing Costs

Downsizing to a smaller home or decluttering your current space reduces costs for rent, utilities, and maintenance. By embracing minimalism, you prioritize comfort and functionality over unused or excessive space, leading to financial and mental freedom.

On our move, we didn’t move into a smaller home, but a bigger one. However, our living expenses are so much cheaper than they were in out small home in town. When we were planning to buy we ran the numbers and realized our new, bigger home would actually SAVE us money.

At our first home we had an inground pool, hot tub, natural gas, and electricity. This cost us A LOT of money to upkeep and run. Our new home is larger, but we don’t pay for gas since we are on a wood furnace and wood stove with a propane back up which we would only fill once every year or so.

Our electricity bill has been cut to less than half of our other place since we aren’t running a pool and a hot tub anymore.

Tip: Consider ideas to cut costs in your current home, or look for an opportunity to move to new home that will provide you with cheaper home costs.

5. DIY Solutions

Living simply encourages a hands-on approach to solving problems. Whether it’s making your own cleaning products, repairing broken items, or crafting gifts, DIY solutions save money compared to buying new or outsourcing. They also give you control over quality and sustainability.

Tip: Start small by learning one DIY skill at a time. For example, try making an all-purpose cleaner with vinegar, water, and lemon peels. This is an easy and cost-effective way to reduce household expenses while avoiding harmful chemicals. Gradually expand your DIY skills to other areas, like sewing or basic home repairs, to save even more.

6. Mindful Grocery Shopping

Planning meals and sticking to a shopping list prevents overspending on unnecessary items. Buying in bulk, choosing seasonal produce, and avoiding pre-packaged convenience foods not only cut costs but also reduce waste.

I like to make as much “convenient food” as possible. Especially Oliver’s school lunches. Instead of leaning towards packaged food like puddings, fruit snacks, packages cookies etc. I like to make homemade cookies, and fruit leather for school. I buy in season fresh fruits and vegetables and stock up when the sales hit.

Tip: Plan meals using seasonal or sale items. Make a shopping list and stick to it to avoid extras. Prep meals ahead to use everything you buy and cut waste.

7. Sustainable Choices

Investing in quality, durable items instead of disposable or cheaply made products leads to long-term savings. For example, we use reusable cloths for rags instead of paper towels. We’ve also invested in a water filter instead of buying bottled water which can add up over time and produce necessary waste!

Tip: Review your day to day usage. Where can you swap a disposable item for a reusable one? Need a new item? Create a budget to save to invest in quality instead of buying cheap right away.

8. Avoid Debt and High Interest Payments

Living within your means eliminates the need to rely on credit cards or loans for everyday expenses. This prevents the cycle of high-interest debt, late fees, and financial stress, leaving more money for saving or investing.

Tip: Always pend less than you earn and save for those big purchases. Use cash or a debit card to avoid debt and interest charges. Don’t fall for the points trap. I’ve had many points credit cards, and if you master the simple living lifestyle by drastically cutting back your need for spending, those points that companies advertise won’t add up enough for them to be worth it for you!

9. Grow Your Own Food

Starting a small vegetable or herb garden can reduce your grocery bill and ensure you have fresh, organic produce at your fingertips. Even a few pots of herbs on a windowsill can save money compared to store-bought options.

If you want to grow a garden that will last you year-round. Learn how to preserve your own food from your garden. By picking up the skills of canning, freezing, and dehydrating, you can provide yourself and your family with food year-round.

Tip: Start by building a small garden or container garden. Grow vegetables that you love and are easy to grow such as tomatoes, herbs, and beans. Then learn to can your own tomato sauce and freeze those beans! Each year add more to your garden and learn how to preserve those!

10. Use What You Already Have

Rather than buying new, living simply involves creatively repurposing or repairing items. For instance, old jars can be used for storage, or worn-out clothes can be patched or turned into cleaning rags. This mindset reduces waste and unnecessary spending.

Ways we use what we have:
– Reuse old canning lids to store dry goods, or freezing
– Old tea towels for kitchen rags instead of paper towel
– Save lumber for fixing or new projects
– Patch up clothing before buying new or tossing
– Feed bags for lining the chicken coop
Scrap onions, carrots, celery, etc. for soup broth

11. Simplified Entertainment

Instead of expensive outings, living simply embraces low-cost or free activities like board games, nature walks, or library visits. These activities create lasting memories without straining your budget.

Tip: Swap out all those costly outings for fun for free activities like a picnic at the park or a game night at home. Simple moments often create the best memories.

12. Avoid Trends And Fads

Trends in home decor, fashion, or technology can lead to frequent and costly upgrades. By prioritizing timeless, functional items and embracing your unique style, you avoid the constant expense of keeping up with the latest fads.

Tip: Know when to acknowledge a fad or trend. Generally, whatever you see pushed on social media is a trend. If you find yourself needing to update your wardrobe or home too much because it is “outdated”, you are most likely following trends. Before you buy make sure you truly love it, and ask yourself if you will still love it just as much 5 years from now.

13. Homemade Gifts And Celebrations

Crafting gifts or hosting simple gatherings reduces the financial burden of extravagant celebrations. Homemade items, like baked goods or handmade crafts, are often more meaningful and cost-effective than store-bought options.

Tip: Make your family’s birthday cakes, and invest in a felt or fabric banner instead of buying new each time. Invest in timeless servingware to use for all gatherings.

14. Fewer Beauty And Personal Care Expenses

Adopting a minimalist skincare and beauty routine with multi-use products (e.g., coconut oil as a makeup remover and moisturizer) eliminates the need for expensive treatments or a collection of products. This approach is not only economical but also healthier for your skin.

I like to keep a simple skincare routine. I don’t get my nails done anymore, I don’t dye my hair, get professionally waxed, eyelashes, etc. My haircare is minimal and low budget. I even cut my own hair at home! This helps reduce my beauty and personal care expenses drastically!

Tip: If you love getting your nails professionally done. Consider investing in an at-home kit. Or embrace your natural beauty by letting your hair grow out to it’s natural color!

15. Learn Basic Skills

Skills like cooking, sewing, or basic home repairs empower you to handle tasks that might otherwise require professional help. For example, knowing how to hem pants or fix a leaky faucet saves on tailor or plumber fees. Plus, these skills often lead to more sustainable and cost-efficient living habits.

More Posts Like This


Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *