As mentioned in my recent post You May Be Wasting Thousands Of Dollars On These 7 Things, we’re keeping a close eye on our spending, embracing frugal habits, and always looking for smarter ways to manage our money.
No matter what your income level is, it’s worthwhile to eliminate wasteful spending wherever possible. There’s no reason to spend money without getting value from it.
Below are several simple, practical steps I’ve taken recently to maintain a frugal lifestyle. They’re straightforward, easy to repeat, and they add up.
I may turn this into a monthly series. Writing down ways I save helps me remember what worked, and I enjoy reading how others are trimming costs too.
1. I meal-prepped.
Meal prepping is one of the easiest ways to cut food costs, especially if you tend to overspend on takeout or impulse purchases. We recently had to return home briefly to get warranty work done on our RV, and I took advantage of our full-size kitchen.
Cooking in the RV is possible but more limited—the smaller kitchen and reduced stove space mean fewer meal options. So I prepped meals both for our stay at home and for when we’re back on the road. One batch of chicken fried rice made about six tasty meals and saved time and money on future meals.
2. We stocked up on groceries strategically.
Grocery prices near national parks and tourist areas are often much higher than in regular towns. When we first started traveling, we’d stop and buy whatever we needed as we went, which added up quickly. On one occasion I paid two to three times the usual price for basic items—an expensive lesson.
Now, when we’re in a town with normal prices, we stock up on staples like granola, dried fruit, cereal, noodles, and canned goods. Buying in advance reduces the need to shop in overpriced locations and lowers our overall food spending.
3. We camped on public land for free.
RV life has taken us to places like Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Dinosaur National Monument, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and many national forests. Despite all the travel, our costs have dropped—partly because we camp for free about half the time on BLM land and in national forests.
Free camping is fantastic: the scenery is often unbeatable, campsites are more secluded, and surprisingly we’ve sometimes had excellent internet while boondocking. Choosing free or low-cost camping spots significantly reduces lodging expenses and stretches the travel budget.
4. We used coupons and free offers.
We’ve been receiving coupons in the mail for free or heavily discounted products. While some offers aren’t the healthiest choices, occasionally accepting a free item makes sense when you’re trying to save.
Recent coupons included free branded snacks, a free fast-food item, and discounts on pet food. These small savings don’t make anyone rich, but they add up and help keep grocery and convenience spending down.
5. We kept an eye out for spare change—carefully.
Trying to pick up change seems like an obvious way to save a little, but one recent moment reminded us to be cautious. While walking, Wes spotted a quarter on the ground and attempted to pick it up—only to discover it was glued down, likely placed there as a prank by a store. We all had a laugh, and it was a reminder that small gains sometimes come with surprises.
What frugal habits have you adopted recently? How are you saving money day to day? Share your tips and experiences below—small actions add up and inspire others.