Top 5 Ways to Make Frugal Cool Again

Frugal is back in, but it’s in by necessity. As more people get laid off or struggle to save funds for a rainy day, we’re finding that we’ve got to make frugal look cool again. Luckily, you don’t have to be frugal like your penny-pinching great uncle who always gave used socks for Christmas gifts. Instead, you can use these money-savvy ideas to save money and hang with the in crowd:

1. Make your own clothes. DIY is hot right now! As we launch into an age of individualism, there’s nothing cooler than making your own clothes, which are totally unique and totally your own. See if you can take a sewing class through your local fabric store, library or church. Even with basic sewing skills, you can make cute skirts, simple shirts, and all sorts of other projects. Accessories like purses are even easier to make!

   Not up for creating your own clothing from scratch? Skip the designer clothing, then, and upcycle some of your used clothing. Put together two shirts to make something different, or just add embellishments to a plain tee-shirt. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, and you get a totally unique wardrobe out of the deal!

2. Americans, on average, spend a little less than 10% of their disposable – post-tax – income on food, even though food is getting more and more expensive. Do you fit into this average? How much do you spend on eating out each month? If the figures are a little high, make frugal cool by making your own gourmet meals at home!

   Cooking at home happens to be one of the best ways to save money. By shopping at discount stores and even regular grocery stores for wholesome ingredients like fruits and veggies, you can save a fortune! Plus, you can try all sorts of new recipes and become the envy of all your friends in the kitchen.

3. Go vegetarian – some of the time. Of that 10% of their income that Americans spend on food, a large portion goes to buy large portions of meat. In many cultures, meat is a side dish, while cheaper, more sustainable grains and veggies are really the main course. Even if you don’t want to become a vegetarian, scaling back on the amount of meat you serve in a week can seriously affect your budget.

   Instead of making lasagna with meat, for instance, use chopped mushrooms, which give a meaty texture without the cost of lean ground beef. Try to serve one or two vegetarian meals a week. With the right ingredients and cooking techniques, you’ll never miss the meat, and your wallet will get fat on all the grocery money you’ll save!

4. Go green. Being green is the hottest thing since sliced bread right now. People are starting to realize what all our consumption does to the environment. Luckily, being green in small ways can save you money, too. For instance, buy reusable lunch containers. They’re more expensive at first, but they save you money – and trash – in the long run because you can use them again and again.

   Another great way to save by going green is to use natural cleaning products. You don’t need the ones that are marketed as natural. All you need is vinegar, baking soda, and a little lemon juice. Vinegar disinfects almost as well as bleach and is plenty strong enough for most household applications. Use it to clean windows, floors, countertops, tubs, and even toilets! Lemon juice and baking soda together make a great scrubbing solution for hard-to-get stains. All these cleaning supplies cost next to nothing, and they leave the air in your home a lot cheaper!

5. Keep track of your credit. Keeping your credit under control isn’t cool, as many people would consider it. However, being able to understand your credit allows you to do more cool things with your life. For instance, with a good credit score, you can buy a better home, take a better vacation, and get a better job, all while saving money. Being frugal on the front end helps you stay out of debt and keep your credit score up, and that helps you be cooler on the back end, too.

Follow @CreditDonkey or write to Abigail Hall at abigail@creditdonkey.com

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