10 Ways to Live Frugally Without Feeling Deprived

Living frugally doesn't mean what it used to. You don't have to give up your favorite clothes, dishes, or car. You can still buy organic food and go out to eat without the guilt of feeling like a hypocrite.

In today's marketplace, the biggest expense is now food. That's not to say that clothes, cars, or other big ticket items aren't important. However, if you want to get by on less money in your budget, you need to spend less on food. Living frugally means knowing which foods are more expensive and eating those instead of the cheaper options.

Here are 10 ways to live frugally without feeling deprived

1. Never Shop on an Empty Stomach

If you go to the store hungry, you'll buy things that are easy to prepare, cheap, but not necessarily healthy. To make smart choices while grocery shopping, eat a small meal first and then go to the store. You'll be less apt to choose foods that are convenient or that taste good over something healthier but more expensive.

2. Eat More Plant Based Foods

The price of meat and seafood has skyrocketed in recent years. If you want to save money on food, eat more of your meals that don't contain animal products. You'll save a lot of money if you switch over to a primarily plant based diet.

3. Avoid Junk Food

Yes, junk food is cheap. However, it's not a good deal in the long run. It's full of preservatives and processed ingredients that can wreak havoc on your health. If you want to save money on food, eat the junk that is less expensive.

4. Use Coupons

One great way to save money is by using coupons. Like I said above, junk food is cheaper because it's full of preservatives and processed ingredients. However, if you shop regularly, it's easy to scoop up a lot of coupons and get a discount on your groceries without spending much extra money at all.

5. Buy in Bulk

If you have the room to store things, buying in bulk is a good way to save money. Many places that sell bulk goods have a lower price per pound than they do for single serving items. If you buy coconut oil in bulk, it will cost less per ounce than if you buy it in smaller amounts.

6. Build an Emergency Food Supply

One of the most important ways to live frugally is to be prepared for financial emergencies. Instead of living from paycheck to paycheck, you should have a month worth of expenses stored in an emergency fund. You can store your extra money in cash or in an emergency food supply, which will allow you to eat even if something happens that prevents you from doing so for awhile.

7. Know How to Meal Plan

You might not realize it, but meal planning is one of the most important ways to save money on food. You can save a lot of money by planning ahead and cooking one big meal that lasts for several days. The reason this works is that it prevents you from eating out, which is the most expensive way to eat.

8. Use Your Leftovers

Making a big meal on Sunday and saving your leftovers for other meals during the week is another great way to save money on food. You can also freeze things if you have too much food, which gives you more freedom with what you eat in the future.

9. Get Creative with Leftovers

One of the best ways to save money on food is by getting creative with leftovers . When you have too much food, think about how you can turn it into something new. You might find a recipe online to make over things like chicken, potatoes, or other ingredients .

10. Shop at Discount Stores

If you shop at discount stores , your food will be less expensive than regular stores. You'll also get things that are special orders and may not be delivered in time for the next day's meals.

In conclusion

The big key to saving money on food is to stick to the basics. You don't have to give up eating junk food, but you do need to be mindful of what you put into your body. Your health will improve overall if you eat more plants and less processed ingredients.

In addition, living frugally means knowing which foods are more expensive and eating those instead of the cheaper options . It also means that if you want to get by on less money in your budget, you need to spend less on food .