Living below your means doesn’t have to mean living without joy. It’s not just about cutting coupons or never going out to eat—honestly, that’s the kind of thinking that makes you feel defeated before you’ve even started!
Instead, it’s about small changes, changing your mindset, and getting creative with what you already have.
Here’s a list of not-so-obvious ways to live below your means (that actually work!):
1. Turn “Wants” Into “Waits”
Impulse spending is sneaky. Try this: every time you want to buy something, write it down and wait 30 days. 9 times outta 10, you’ll forget about it—and your wallet will thank you.
2. Use the “Swap, Don’t Shop” Rule
Before buying anything new, ask: Can I swap for this instead?
- Borrow a tool from a neighbor
- Trade clothes with a friend
- Host a toy swap with other moms
It’s wild how much stuff we already have access to if we just ask.
3. Use Cash-Only Weeks
This one tip has been so helpful for my family: pick 1 week a month to live only on cash. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. It’s super eye-opening and helps you see what you really value spending on.
4. Plan “Leftovers Nights”
Instead of cooking every night, plan one night a week to eat whatever’s left in the fridge. We call it, “Yoyo Night” – it’s short for, “you’re-on-your-own”. It let’s the kids pick their dinner and it helps cut down on food waste.
5. Cancel Everything (Just For a Bit)
This is fun (and a little scary): cancel or pause all subscriptions for a pre-determined amount of time (like 3 months or 6 months)—yes, even Netflix. It helps you figure out what you’ll actually miss… and what you don’t really need or use.
6. Make a “No-Buy” List
Instead of just saying “I’ll spend less,” be specific. Write down things you will not buy this month (ex: new makeup, fast food, Amazon impulse buys). Stick it on the fridge as a reminder.
7. Pick One Room to “Shop” From
Instead of buying new decor or storage bins, go “shopping” in your own house. I swapped out a blanket from the guest room to my living room and boom—whole new vibe, zero dollars spent.
8. Start a Pantry Challenge
Try going a full week (or more) eating only what’s already in your pantry. You’d be shocked at the meals you can make with the cans that have been hanging out in your pantry and random pasta noodles hiding in the back.
9. Barter With Your Talents
Can you babysit, bake, or sew? Offer to trade your skills for something you need instead of paying for it. I once traded one night of babysitting for 2 weeks of dog walking. Win-win.
10. Celebrate Cheap Wins
Create a little joy around being frugal! Start a “cheap win” jar—every time you save money in a clever way, write it down and toss it in. Read them when you’re tempted to overspend. It seriously helps!
Living below your means doesn’t mean living with less joy—it means living with more purpose. And when your money works for you (instead of against you), everything feels a little better.