7 Frugal Living Tips For Single Income Families (2024)

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When it comes to much needed frugal living tips, those with single income households will love the ideas in this post. The tips are designed for the family that is working to make ends meet on one income but still wants to live nicely. It can be tough, but living a frugal lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t have savings accounts, vacations or even nice presents at the holidays. It simply means you work to make that happen in new and different ways.

Meal plan consistently.

I cannot say this enough. Your grocery budget can make or break you. Not only does a meal plan act as one of the best ways to eat healthier, it keeps you from eating out as often and ensures you don’t waste the groceries you already bought. It’s really a win-win. If you know what you are cooking, then there is no need to spend the extra money on takeout or throwing away spoiled food because you didn’t have a plan for it.

If you really struggle with meal planning, then try out $5 Meal Plan. It happens to be my favorite meal planning service. It’s just $5 a month (the first two weeks are free!), and you get meal plans sent straight to your email along with the exact shopping list you need in order to create the meals. Each meal costs around $2 per person or less. This service allows you to save time because you won’t have to meal plan anymore, and it will save you money as well! If you are interested in joining for free, click here.

Coupon as much as possible.

Obviously, I’m already an advocate of couponing, but it has to be said. Using coupons along with sales in your local stores is a great way to save money in your household budget. Coupons are excellent for not just grocery items, but also household cleaning supplies, health and beauty products and even mainstream retail shopping discounts. If physical coupons aren’t your thing, then you might really enjoy cash-back apps like Checkout 51.

Pick the splurge you really want.

Someone once said that when you are on a diet and want a splurge, pick something you can’t have just any day. Make it a splurge you really want. There are many conveniences that cost money, but what is the one splurge or convenience that is truly important to you? Perhaps your spouse wants the extra television channels for sports, or you just really need that night away on your own to make you a better wife or mom. Don’t splurge on fast food or convenience items that aren’t truly special. Make your splurges count. Fewer splurges and better splurges will save not only money, but feel much more rewarding in the end.

Shop everything second hand.

This is one of the frugal living tips I often implement! Second hand shopping is amazing for kids clothing, books, movies, furniture and even some electronics. Whether it’s buying kids clothing gently used or grabbing a refurbished laptop for half the cost, second hand can give you the things you want – even name brands – at a fraction of the cost.

Make it yourself.

This is probably one of the most popular frugal living tips out there aside from couponing. You can make so many items yourself. Laundry products, meal kits, homemade breads and cakes. You may even be able to craft and sew clothing and create home décor for half the price. If you can make it yourself for less money, then do that instead.

Utilize online rewards programs.

There are a ton of amazing online rewards programs to choose from. Some offer cash back on purchases you make, and others are simply websites you use to earn points or money to redeem for gift cards. This can give you extra cash for splurges, or money in the bank to pay for bills. Some of my favourites are Honey, Rakuten, Swagbucks, Checkout 51 and mail in rebates for free products.

Downsize as much aspossible.

This is tough, but if you are a one income home, then you are likely only in need of one vehicle. Smaller homes to rent or buy are another option, but don’t forget simply purging things from your home. You can create a large amount of liquid cash just by going through closets, bookcases, and video collections. Sell these items in local Facebook buy & sell groups or on online classified and auction sites. A minimalist life is one that is much more affordable and often much more emotionally satisfying.

These practical frugal living tips are ideal for any family – not just those that are living on one income. No matter what your income and budget are, you can use these ideas to create more funds for paying off debt or simply saving for the future.

Related Frugal Living Articles:

• How to painlessly save money
• When you are tired of being frugal
• 7 ways to earn more money
• The amazing benefits of budgeting
• How to create a budget binder