As a homeschooling homemaker living in the suburbs of a big city, I am always learning new ways to live more simply and frugally. I have found that adopting a simple life often means you will naturally save money since a big part of living simply involves re-using what you already have.
Sometimes it can be tricky as saving time can become the priority over saving money. This is why a slower way of living tends to go hand in hand with living simply. However you don’t need to change everything in your life to live simply or frugally as making small changes can bring much contentment and peace.
Here are some ways that I live simply and frugally as a Homemaker.
- Reusables: Instead of disposable items try reusables such as cloth nappies. I know this may seem like a burden if you haven’t had success with them previously. With our first baby I tried it and it seemed to complicated and they leaked as I didn’t know the tips and tricks to make it work so I gave up. Second time around I did more research and planning and they work really well although I don’t use them at night and if my hubby changes the baby he uses disposables. Still, this saves us quite a bit of money on a weekly basis as well as less waste.
All stained and worn out clothing get used as cleaning rags as well as old tea towels. Cotton napkins over tissues or paper towels where possible. If you don’t mind sewing you can cut up old towels into squares with cotton backing for dish cloths or cleaning wipes. I’ve even made baby wipes out of an unworn cotton jumper. I gave some of these to a family member who used them as makeup remover wipes and said they work really well!
2. Buy used: Again this doesn’t necessarily sound appealing but I have done this my entire life so it comes naturally to me. Charity stores, eBay, garage sales and Facebook marketplace depending on the item. It does take time and patience but that is the beauty of living simply and having time to wait. I plan in advance what clothing or goods I will need for the next season and start looking early.
3. Repurpose everything!: This is where my minimalist side and my frugal side collide a little. I want to get rid of excess stuff but see the potential to repurpose. Sometimes it’s a balancing act of knowing what you will actually use. Clothing to cleaning rags are a favourite but there is so much that can be re-used. I think repairing items has become a lost art;)
4. Cut down on takeaway or eating out: if you are a homemaker then you probably cook a lot from scratch already. As a family we like to eat out sometimes but like most things it is about balance. For the past year or so I have been making coffee at home using a mocha pot. We aren’t big coffee drinkers but this is nice and cheap when you do feel like one. We buy fair-trade beans in a large bag from the supermarket so it works out good value and actually tastes good!
Make it a habit to use any leftover food. Instead of throwing out those few leftover cooked veggies, save them and use them in an omlet in the morning or add to a soup or salad. It’s amazing how far food can stretch when we don’t waste any. Chopping up food into bite sizes seems to make it more appealing to little ones to snack on.
5. Reduce wants: the most effective way to live simply and frugally is to be content with what you already have. Not desiring to keep up with trends and not coveting what others have will mean that you live more simply and frugally without trying. Evaluating what you really need is important also. You may think you need certain subscriptions or to update technology but maybe you don’t.
There are a lot of smaller ways that you can save money by living simply but these are the main areas I have seen a difference. They are really just ways that people in the past used to do things. I have found a lot of satisfaction and fulfilment by living more simply and finding ways to save money. To live within our means and not have debt is very freeing. Living simply is a more relaxed way of life. Not that I’m not busy! It’s just that I’m busy within the home doing things at my own pace:)
What ways do you live simply and frugally?
- Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Hebrews 13:5
For more encouragement on living simply:
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