Tag Page FrugalLiving

#FrugalLiving
Joseph Wood

6 Money Tips I Wish I Knew as a New Homeowner

I’ve been a homeowner for 4 years, and looking back, there are a few things I really wish someone had told me from the start. These tips have saved me thousands—hopefully, they help someone here too: 1. Your home equity is powerful—use it wisely. Instead of turning to payday or high-interest personal loans, consider a HELOC (home equity line of credit) if you’re in a pinch. It usually comes with way lower interest rates and more flexibility. Not a fan of debt? Check out equity-sharing options like Hometap, where you sell a portion of your home's value without taking a loan. 2. Switch auto insurance regularly. I cut my premium by $1,300 just by switching carriers—same coverage. If it’s been over 6–12 months, get a quote. You might save a few hundred bucks a year with almost no effort. 3. Don’t trust Amazon (or any site) to give you the best deal. I use Capital One Shopping—it automatically checks for lower prices and coupon codes across the web. I'm normally anti-browser extensions, but this one actually saves me money. 4. Financial advisors aren’t just for the rich. If your net worth is $100k+, you likely qualify for an advisor. The average benefit? About 3% better yearly returns, mostly from smarter tax planning. 5. You can ask for help with debt. If you’ve got $10k+ in debt, debt relief companies can negotiate with creditors for you. According to NDR, average users save about 23%, even after fees. 6. Re-shop your home insurance. I saved more switching home insurance than I did with auto. A quick check can save you $1k+/year—definitely worth the few minutes. Hope this helps someone else avoid the mistakes I made early on. Happy to answer questions or hear other homeowners’ tips! #FrugalLiving #HomeownerTips #MoneyHacks #SaveMoney #DebtRelief #HELOC #InsuranceSavings #FinancialAdvice #CapitalOneShopping #FrugalHomeowners

6 Money Tips I Wish I Knew as a New Homeowner
John Collier

Replace Galaxy S9 or Wait It Out?

Still hanging onto my Galaxy S9—it technically works, but it’s slowing down. Apps like YouTube, Spotify, and my smart camera app lag when opening. Sometimes the time goes way off if I haven’t used it in 30 minutes, and it’s slow to wake up. The charging port is the biggest headache. I have to plug it in just right to get even a slow 3-hour charge after a full day’s use. Fast charging almost never works anymore, even after I tried cleaning the port. Would grabbing a wireless charger solve at least the charging issue? Or is this a sign it’s time to upgrade? For what it’s worth, this S9 has held up way better than my old S3, which was barely limping along by year 7. Would love to hear your thoughts—keep pushing it or finally move on? #GalaxyS9 #FrugalTech #PhoneUpgrade #KeepOrReplace #WirelessCharging #OldPhoneStruggles #BudgetDecisions #SmartphoneLifeHacks #FrugalLiving #AndroidUser

Replace Galaxy S9 or Wait It Out?
Vincent Johnson

Heating My Icebox House: Which Way's Cheaper?

Melbourne winter is humbling. I swear my house is so badly insulated it feels colder inside than it does out. You'd think I was living in a freezer with walls. Every night I do this little mental math: should I blast the AC to 28°C for 20 minutes and hope it thaws my bones… or just leave it humming at a mild 20°C all night and pray it doesn’t destroy my power bill? The internet has given me every answer and the opposite. Some say short bursts of high heat are more efficient, others claim running it low and slow keeps your house from turning into a fridge (and your wallet from crying). I’m seriously torn. Energy prices here are no joke, and I’m just trying to warm my toes without going bankrupt. Has anyone cracked this? Any Aussies with cold-box homes or just smart heating hacks—I'm all ears. #MelbourneWinter #HeatingHacks #FrugalLiving #ColdHouseChronicles #ACVsHeater #EnergyBillPanic #AustraliaProblems #BudgetWarmth #InsulationWoes #StayWarmCheap

Heating My Icebox House: Which Way's Cheaper?
Charles Harmon

Is Extreme Couponing Still Worth It?

I was rewatching an old reality show where someone casually mentioned extreme couponing—you know, the kind where people get $500 worth of stuff for $20? That era felt so wild… and now, kind of mythical. It made me wonder: Is extreme couponing still a thing in 2025? Or did digital coupons, inflation, and store policy changes quietly kill it? I’ve been living more frugally these past few years—tracking expenses, buying secondhand, meal planning—and I’m always open to leveling up. But I haven’t heard of anyone doing serious coupon hauls in ages. Is it still possible to walk out of a store with a full cart and a nearly empty receipt? If you used to do it (or still do), I’d genuinely love to hear your experience. Was it worth the time? Is it more of a hobby or a lifestyle? And how has it changed? Let’s bring this legendary money-saving art back into the chat. #ExtremeCouponing #FrugalLiving #IsItStillWorthIt #CouponCulture #SaveMoreSpendLess #BudgetHacks #MoneySmart #OldSchoolSavings #ThriftyLife #ModernCouponing

Is Extreme Couponing Still Worth It?
Charles Harmon

Sites That Always Have Coupons (Seriously)

If you’re like me and refuse to pay full price for basics, here’s a solid list of brands and sites that always have coupons—like, always. Whether you're restocking toothpaste or buying cat litter, these save me money every single month: 🛒 Kraft – Regularly has $1–$3 coupons for tons of essentials like Air Wick, Arm & Hammer, Excedrin, Huggies, Purina, and even McCafe coffee. 🧼 Procter & Gamble – Think Bounce, Tide, Bounty, Swiffer, Charmin, and Gillette—usually $1–$2 off. Just check their P&G Good Everyday site. 💊 Bayer – Great if you need meds. They often post $1–$4 off Aleve, MiraLAX, Alka-Seltzer. 🥩 Jennie-O – Up to $5 off coupons for lean meats and turkey products. 🧻 Cottonelle – $1.50 off TP, which adds up fast. 🧽 Also look out for $0.50–$1 coupons on Bounce dryer sheets, Campbell’s soup, Lysol, Crest, and more. It’s not extreme couponing, it’s just easy wins. #CouponHack #EverydaySavings #FrugalTips #SaveMoneyDaily #CouponingMadeEasy #BudgetSmart #GrocerySavings #FrugalLiving #DontPayFullPrice #LifeOnASale

Sites That Always Have Coupons (Seriously)
Joseph Bennett

Is $1.80 a Day for Lunch Too Much?

Just started my first full-time job—$13/hr in a state where minimum wage is $7.25. It’s a physically demanding role, and I was offered the option to opt into a lunch allowance. Here’s the breakdown: For every 80 hours worked (about two weeks), they deduct ~$15. That’s 8–10 workdays, so I’d essentially be paying $1.50–$1.87 per day for a lunch. Not bad on paper, right? I’ve been torn. Packing my own lunch—leftovers, sandwiches, snacks—might save a couple of bucks, sure. But will I actually do it every day? This job wipes me out, and skipping meals isn’t really an option if I want to function. The lunch provided would be warm, ready, and consistent. Less stress. It’s not about the money alone—it’s about time, energy, and sanity. Would you take the deal for $1.80/day? Or stick to meal-prepping? Need to decide by tomorrow. Appreciate the real talk. #WorkLunchDilemma #MealPrepVsConvenience #BudgetLunch #FirstJobLife #FrugalLiving #WorkPerks #LunchAllowanceMath #BlueCollarBudget #EatToWorkSmart

Is $1.80 a Day for Lunch Too Much?
Joseph Wood

Cutting to One Car with Kids?! Here’s Our Plan

We’re a family of 4 seriously considering going from 2 cars to 1—and yeah, it sounds borderline crazy in the U.S. Here’s the setup: One spouse commutes 25 mins to work (but could bus + bike if needed). The other is a stay-at-home parent handling school runs (35 mins away) and kids’ activities (one is a 40-min e-bike ride, doable once a week). We own two cars: one old gas-guzzler we both hate, and a newer, more reliable family car with a loan. The idea? Sell the older car, pay off the newer one, and juggle smarter. We’ve mapped it out: some biking, some public transit, some creative drop-offs. We already do grocery delivery and most essentials are within biking range—just not always bike friendly. The U.S. isn’t exactly known for its bike lanes, after all. It’s not about minimalism. It’s about cutting expenses that no longer make sense—without losing our sanity. Is this doable… or delusional? Curious if anyone’s made a similar leap. #OneCarFamily #FamilyBudgeting #FrugalLiving #BikeLifeUSA #SustainableChoices #SimplifyToSave #FamilyFinanceJourney #MinimalistParenting #CuttingCarCosts

Cutting to One Car with Kids?! Here’s Our Plan
victoria51

Teen Wants Pricey Sneakers—Help!

I need your wisdom here. So my teenage son is absolutely set on getting these brand-name sneakers that cost more than our grocery bill for a week! How do I even begin to explain to him that, as much as I love him, our budget just can't stretch that far? I swear, it's like talking to a brick wall sometimes. I've tried to discuss money and budgeting with him, but it feels like he's just not getting it. And man, do I feel guilty, like I'm not giving him what he wants or maybe needs to fit in with his friends. Am I being unreasonable here, or is this just part of the 'parenting a teenager' gig? I'd love to hear from anyone who's been in the same boat. How do you manage those big expectations without breaking the bank—or their hearts for that matter? Open to advice and tips—please! #ParentingOnABudget #TeenTalks #FrugalLiving

Teen Wants Pricey Sneakers—Help!
Mary Vincent

Cut Grocery Bills with These Tips!

Feeling the pinch at the checkout line? You're not alone! Many parents struggle to keep grocery costs in check. Here’s how you can handle it without sacrificing nutrition or taste. First, plan your meals for the week and list only what you need. Impulse buys can add up, but a list keeps you focused. Buy in bulk for items you use often, but compare unit prices to get the real deal. Don’t shy away from frozen veggies—they're nutritious and often cheaper than fresh. Check out local farmer’s markets for seasonal produce bargains. Lastly, embrace store brands; they're usually just as good as name brands but way more affordable. These small changes can lead to big savings, so give them a try and take back control of your grocery budget! #ParentingOnABudget #FrugalLiving #GroceryHacks

Cut Grocery Bills with These Tips!