Bad habits are hard to get rid of, but good habits will serve you well. They may even save you time and money.
Most off-gridders are very frugal. Here are eight good habits of frugal people:
1. Have a positive attitude.
Most frugal people are positive thinkers. With an optimistic outlook on life, frugal people are able to see benefits in all things. Even in areas of conflict, they can still express their own views while recognizing the views of others. In this way, frugal people can achieve their goals – and help others achieve their own goals, too.
2. Have the end in mind.
Frugal people keep the finish line in mind to achieve their goals. Having a timeframe for completion of a project enables you to take control of your life by not being controlled by outside forces. As a result, cutting back on expenses and living inexpensively will be much easier.
3. Don’t waste anything.
Frugal people use everything! They don’t throw away the ketchup bottle when it still has some ketchup left in it or the toothpaste tube away even after it is tightly rolled. They use everything down to the last drop, and they often reuse the containers as well. If there is something in the trash at a frugal person’s home, it’s because there’s absolutely no life left in it.
4. Stay at home.
Don’t confuse staying at home with being unsocial. Frugal people have a positive attitude on life and communicate well with friends and family, but going out on the town does cost money. There is gas money, and then there’s always the temptation to eat out or to buy something knew. While frugal people will leave home for necessities, for work or to spend time with friends and family, they make it a habit to stay home as much as possible.
5. Have productive hobbies.
Frugal people have plenty of hobbies, and all of them are productive. Video games are fun, but they don’t produce resources or improve something. When frugal people choose hobbies, they often chose ones that require hard work and have a positive and tangible end result. For instance, you can create new recipes with cooking, you can create or repair furniture with building, and you can gain new knowledge with reading.
6. Collect coupons.
Frugal people check for coupons in the newspaper or online every single day. In fact, it is rare that a true frugal person will buy something without looking for a coupon. For example, a frugal person in need of a new dishwasher will wash dishes by hand in the sink until a good quality machine goes on sale.
7. Set aside emergency funds.
Frugal minded people will set aside some money each month for emergencies. They refuse to touch this money unless the need arises. These spare funds can be used for everything from unplanned car repairs to medical emergencies.
8. Fix things.
Frugal people fix and repair their belongings. For example, if the leg of a piece of furniture cracks, a frugal person will attempt to repair it before throwing it away and replacing it. Granted, in today’s world, not many things in the world are built to last a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be mended to last as long as possible. Repair should come before replacement for everything, from clothing, to appliances, to cars, to furniture and beyond.
As you follow these tips, you will find that living a frugal lifestyle becomes easier and less stressful than your previous way of life. You will find new uses for things and new ways to gain the most value from all your possessions. And here’s a side benefit – you will enjoy the simple things in life more than ever.
What are other habits of frugal people? Share your suggestions in the section below:
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