Do you look for new ways to be frugal?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (57384)
April 6, 2026 8:01am CST
We are all watching our daily expenses continue to constantly increase now. More and more, people are finding themselves in dire straits--loss of jobs, homes, vehicles...it's heartbreaking to hear of these things happening. It's made me think more than ever about ways to make things last and to make the most of what I have.
I realized the other day I am always looking for more ways to be frugal. I was raised with a lot of older people who had survived the Great Depression, World Wars, food and job shortages, and all sorts of things that many that are young in the present day have never even thought of having to go through.
Do you have a trick or two up your sleeve, on a way you have discovered to save? I think most of us here use our leftovers, watch for sales, and things like that. Do you ever look for ways to reuse or repurpose anything? Or do you look up new recipes to use what you have on hand? Several friends have ''No Meat Monday'' in their homes now. Many people do not eat out in restaurants much anymore, if at all.
I even combine my errands and tie them into appointments, etc., if at all possible, to save gas and miles driven. Sometimes, that's a bit tricky, but for the most part I make it work.
Anyone with any new and inventive ideas on ways to be frugal? Maybe we can learn from each other. 
Picture of the Tighwad Gazette, ways of saving money from soup to nuts, basically. A great book!!
Picture of the Tighwad Gazette, ways of saving money from soup to nuts, basically. A great book!!17 people like this
15 responses
@AmbiePam (117870)
• United States
6 Apr
If you are a person who has cable still, usually you can call them, and negotiate your bill down. I have Cox, and periodically I call and ask to be put through to their cancellation department. Then they work with you to knock off money from your bill. I have the most basic you can have, and once or twice a year I do that. I still keep basic because that’s the cheapest I can watch all my sports.
And, I do realize some people completely cut their cable and just do a couple of streaming sites. But as long as I earn enough on my survey sites, I’m keeping mine. Sports give me too much joy.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
I haven't had cable in forever here. I have one streaming service, and it has more than enough to watch, so we're good on that. I know you love sports, I understand that. I don't know hardly anyone anymore there that has cable of any type--basic or loaded up. Back when I decided to change, I dreaded it as I thought I would hate it, but I really like it a lot more than I ever did cable. However, I am not a big sports person, so there's the difference.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (498927)
• Italy
6 Apr
It is a long time we do not gout out to eat in restaurants. We never order food, I cook everything at home from scratch. I almost totally gave up red meat, it's too expensive and not even good. We are giving up even short daily travels, we expect gas rationing, so better not to waste.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (498927)
• Italy
7 Apr
@MarieCoyle - I can prepare good meals even skipping red meat, chicken and turkey are less expensive but you can make stews and casseroles using those meats.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
Red meat is crazy expensive, I agree. You and I are scratch cooks, and we know it saves. Plus, it's way healthier and better for us.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
@LadyDuck
Yes, we have our share of stews and casseroles. They are good, and a person can make them ahead and heat them up. It's nice to have meals ready.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
@rebelann
I'm just so sorry. I know that our county animal shelter often has pet food to donate to people in need. They would rather do that, than have people relinquish their pets, as the shelters are stuffed to the ceiling. You might make a few calls and ask, couldn't hurt!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
I know how you feel. Bless you for taking such good care of your pets!
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (90150)
• United States
6 Apr
I've always been frugal and learned long ago how to stretch my dollar since I was a single mom raising 4 kids.
I've taken to eating meatless meals instead of once a week, now we do it twice a week. I love pasta and really don't miss the meat all that much on our meatless nights..
I do my best to stay within a budget I set for myself. Sometimes I'm more successful than others but with the rising cost of everything I think twice or maybe three times before buying something,
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (90150)
• United States
7 Apr
@MarieCoyle I live on a fixed income so balancing my budget can be tricky at times. But so far so good.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
We have two meatless meals a week. But we don't really miss the meat, as you know there are many ways to eat enough protein without having meat every day.
I know how it is, when you have a budget, it's not going to work if you don't try to stick to it. Oh, I remember having 4 kids at home, and there was no end to the food they could put down!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
@Marilynda1225 I completely understand that. You are doing everything you can do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
I am just trying to think of ways to save that I may not be familiar with yet. I do like tofu. Unfortunately, my son really doesn’t care for it for some reason. But I do eat it myself sometimes!
2 people like this
@sallypup (68786)
• Centralia, Washington
7 Apr
@JudyEv I didn't use to like tofu. Now that I no longer eat meat I find tofu's solid feel of protein that has no grease quite pleasing. A person generally doesn't eat hamburger without seasoning or some kind of sauce. Same with tofu.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (378121)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr
@MarieCoyle We have an Asian friend who can make tofu taste like just about anything. It might just be worth researching/YouTubing to learn how to make better use of it if you wanted to go down that path. Mind you, I'm not at the point where I need to do that myself! Viince isn't keen on tofu at all. lol
2 people like this
@valherma00 (2617)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
6 Apr
i can always eat a noodle soup if things get hard and having some flour, rice and pasta in my pantry
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
Rice and dry beans and lentils can be delicious and nutritious. I always keep some in my pantry!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
9 Apr
@valherma00
Lentils don’t tale long to cook,either. I recently cooked some lentils, a little longer than I normally would. I smashed them up and seasoned them with my homemade taco seasoning and we used them to make bean burritos. They were really good!
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (2617)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
7 Apr
@MarieCoyle i hadn't had lentils in a long time. i liked receving them cooked but, i'll try to make them too, in the future. as you pointed out, they are great for our survival
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (206271)
• United States
7 Apr
Probably nothing you don't know about already. I do know a lot of people cut the tops off vegetables to use in soups and stews though. I love peanut butter so I eat that pretty often. It is a good economical source of protein. Eggs are quite a bit lower in price now too, so that's another one.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
Yes, we have always loved peanut butter. And we both like eggs fixed in many ways. Thank you, Snowy.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188121)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Apr
I was raised with those same things. I have tried to teach the kids how to be frugal but not sure how that will be when I am gone. I won't be around to remind them or to do the grocery list. Yes, it is all possible to do if you take the time and effort. Young people don't seem to anymore. I hope they do okay after I am gone.
I always tell this story when the subject of being frugal comes up. When I was little my mother had $15 a week to feed four people. That was her budget. She was smart, thrifty and fed us well. She went to three or four different stores, where ever the prices were the best. That was back in the 60s.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
Your mother sounds like she was a thrifty and smart woman!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (133152)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Apr
I am watching the lights more trying to keep them off. That's a reason I would like to get a couple of piggies to raise too.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (133152)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Apr
@MarieCoyle Hubby gets cold faster than I do and I hate being cold too.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
@wolfgirl569
I just don't do well with extreme temperatures in either direction.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
I have to agree, the electric bill is a constant concern here, too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
9 Apr
@rakski
It’s more than double than it used to be. And we are so careful.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (12920)
• United States
7 Apr
I make meals out of leftovers, not a new thing, but I try to come up with ways others will like. I've been in need of a bookshelf and finally picked up a small one that needs some TLC but it was $5. My plan is to sand and paint it white. I have some leftover window film in two different pretty colors and will cut some to fit the back of the shelf and use clear spray adhesive to make it stick. I try to repurpose things for needs. Sometimes, I write manufacturers and ask for coupons and occasionally receive free or good discounted ones.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (12920)
• United States
8 Apr
@MarieCoyle I love creating something unique from something ordinary.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
7 Apr
I love to repurpose. And when we do this, so often we end up with something really special!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
@noni1959
I think repurposed items are way underrated. It’s fun, not hard to do,and costs less. It keeps things out of landfills, too!
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (10099)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr
I like to buy in bulk and batch cook from scratch. Plan meals so that you use up all the ingredients you buy .
Even if you buy something as simple as a bag of carrots ....buy a big bag, as it's cheaper . Use raw in a salad, in sticks as a snack, grated with cheese to bulk it out for a sandwich, cooked ....in cottage pie, Bolognese sauce, lasagne, soup, stew, casserole, or as a veg on its own on a meal.
Freeze meals for the future .
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (10099)
• United Kingdom
8 Apr
@MarieCoyle I think we have similar cooking habits too. I check a price comparison site too. It makes it much easier than traipsing around all the shops looking for the best prices and deals.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
@TraceyJayne.
I think you and I cook a lot alike. I freeze meals and/or casseroles etc. to be able to always have meals ready. Helps so much when the days are busy. I buy the big bags of carrots, too. I shop by comparing unit prices,etc. which does help.
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
9 Apr
@Traceyjayne
I am a big fan of Aldi. I can get the most for my money there. I have grown a lot of carrots the last few years and we clean, slice and freeze them for later meals. We really like carrots.
@Deepizzaguy (120371)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
6 Apr
I purchase items that I need and do not purchase any item that will not feed me or quench my thirst.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
George, I think many people now just purchase needs, not wants. You are not alone.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (219187)
• United States
7 Apr
Unfortunately I always seem to have a big expense coming up. Now the house needs to be painted. I keep the heat and AC at a reasonable level to save on electricity and gas. I don't overspend on groceries. I got rid of the cars so there's no gas, maintenance or insurance costs.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
8 Apr
Yes, home ownership can certainly get expensive at times. I know a lady at the utility company here, she says that the way the rates are climbing, this summer the AC bills will be ridiculous. I’m not looking forward to that at all.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (219187)
• United States
9 Apr
@MarieCoyle I have ceiling fans which help keep it cool.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
10 Apr
@LindaOHio
Yes, they do help a lot. I have one in each bedroom and one in the living area.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (378121)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Apr
I don't think I could teach you anything. I don't buy books or games unless it's for a dollar or two from op shops/thrift stores. If I can buy an item second-hand, I'll do that rather than buying new. I put on a jumper or two to put off turning on the heat too early. Most times when I think I'd like a new blouse/whatever I remind myself I have plenty in my wardrobe that aren't worn out yet.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57384)
•
6 Apr
We do thrift stores, etc. as well, Judy. Often, I even find items that have never been used and have the tags on them still. I have never been a big clothes horse person, as long as I am dressed neatly and decently, I'm fine.
1 person likes this
