Frugal living is something I mastered many years ago when I was living less than paycheck to paycheck and oh, did I learn so much. These books on frugal living cover just about everything I learned along the way and offer you the keys to finally finding financial independence even when you don’t have a whole lot of money.
Here are 17 helpful books on frugal living that’ll get you through.
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Frugal living is all about simple living and making do with (mostly) what you already have. You’d be surprised about what you can actually do with things around your home that aren’t getting any use that’ll lead to big savings.
The key is breaking down your financial plan and figuring out how to make the frugal lifestyle work for you.
I personally think that a frugal lifestyle is going to look different for every situation but what is fun is that this list of books offers a grand list of creative ideas and small changes that fit a variety of needs and lifestyles.
You will come up with personal goals after reading any of these books and let me just tell you, the best first goal you can make when working toward financial freedom is building up your emergency savings. It is so important and will save you when the walls come crashing down.
Check out my free course that covers everything you need to know in order to build up your savings net in easy-to-follow and actually actionable steps down below.
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Financial anxiety is one of the worst kinds, right? It used to keep me up at night for years. I was desperate to find a fix but nothing was working until it did. Luckily for you, I kept a note of everything I did along the way and now I am here and ready to teach you how to build your emergency fund (amongst many other things). For everything from the basics of understanding your finances, to creating your monthly budget, I have covered it all. Click the button below to learn more!
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Best Tips for Living a Frugal Lifestyle
Before we dive in, I wanted to give you a list of my personal best tips for creating a financial plan that allows you to live a frugal lifestyle:
- Explore thrift stores for second-hand clothing, furniture, and household items; you’ll be surprised at the quality products you can find at a fraction of the cost.
- Instead of buying new books, consider borrowing from the library or participating in book swaps with friends and neighbors. Used bookstores are also great!
- Create your own cleaning supplies using common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon; it’s cost-effective and reduces exposure to harsh chemicals, and making your own laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners is actually pretty simple.
- Cut down on paper towel and toilet paper expenses by buying in bulk or opting for store brands; consider using cloth towels for cleaning to minimize disposable paper use.
- Review your cell phone plan and explore options for family plans or more budget-friendly providers.
- Contact your student loan provider to explore options for refinancing or adjusting your repayment plan to better suit your financial situation. You’d be surprised about what could happen!
- Organize clothing swaps with friends or neighbors; it’s a fun way to refresh your wardrobe without spending any money at all. Check out local Facebook groups. They have them often! Join your local Buy Nothing page, for example.
- Negotiate with service providers for better deals on internet, cable, or other subscriptions; loyalty often comes with perks, and they might have promotions available.
- Understand your health insurance coverage to make the most of preventive services and discounts on medications.
- Invest in reusable containers for lunches and snacks. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also saves money in the long run compared to disposable options.
- Embrace couponing but be strategic. You don’t need everything. Focus on essential items and items your family regularly uses.
- Consider making gifts for special occasions. Handmade gifts often carry more sentimental value and cost less than store-bought alternatives. If you crochet, this is a lovely way to make personalized gifts with love!
- Create a shopping list before heading out and stick to it.
- Explore free or low-cost entertainment options like community events, parks, and local attractions instead of expensive outings. Again, check Facebook for these activities.
- Save time and money by batch-cooking meals. Freeze portions for later use, reducing the need for takeout or dining out. Doubling recipes is an easy way to do this!
- Learn basic home repair skills to tackle minor fixes without the need for professional assistance.
- Regularly review and cancel subscriptions that you no longer use or need. This includes streaming services, magazines, or any other recurring expenses. TIP: check your bank account to easily see what is being pulled out and from whom.
- Keep up with regular maintenance for your car to prevent costly repairs down the road. Proper tire inflation and regular oil changes contribute to fuel efficiency.
17 Inspiring Books on Frugal Living
Financial freedom is on the horizon thanks to these awesome books on frugal living.
Here are my top recommendations for books on frugal living:
- The Ultimate Guide to Frugal Living by Daisy Luther – Packed with practical advice and fresh ideas, she provides an ultimate guide to frugal living, helping readers achieve big financial goals and attain lasting financial security.
- The Complete Cheapskate by Mary Hunt – Mary Hunt offers a comprehensive guide for those seeking a frugal lifestyle. Filled with practical tips and real-life examples, this book provides actionable advice on saving money, managing finances, and achieving financial security.
- Frugal Living for Dummies by Deborah Taylor-Hough – Deborah Taylor-Hough’s book is a user-friendly guide for individuals looking to adopt a frugal lifestyle. With practical tips and step-by-step guidance, it helps readers make informed decisions to save money and live more frugally.
- Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life by Ruth Soukup – Ruth Soukup’s book combines practical advice with inspirational insights. It offers a blueprint for achieving a more frugal and intentional life, emphasizing the importance of smart choices and meaningful living.
- The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey – Dave Ramsey’s classic provides a practical guide to transforming your financial life, offering practical tips and a step-by-step plan for achieving financial success. His methods aren’t for everyone, but if they work for you, go for it!
- The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeager – Yeager, known as “America’s Cheapest Family,” shares inspiring stories and daily habits of frugal living that can help anyone live better on a small budget.
- Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin – A transformative book offering practical advice on reshaping your relationship with money, focusing on achieving financial success while leading a simpler and happier life.
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko – While not explicitly about frugal living, this classic explores the habits of wealthy individuals, providing valuable insights into living well below your means.
- Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze – Rachel Cruze, daughter of Dave Ramsey, offers a practical guide to making smart money decisions and avoiding the comparison trap for a happy life on a small budget.
- Suddenly Frugal by Leah Ingram – Ingram’s book is a practical guide filled with fresh ideas on how to save more and live a more frugal life without sacrificing quality. Free on Kindle Unlimited!
- The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn – Another gem by Amy Dacyczyn, offering a practical guide filled with frugal tips and advice on saving money in various aspects of life.
- America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money by Steve and Annette Economides – This book by the Economides family offers practical advice on managing your family’s finances and living a more frugal life.
- Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze – Co-authored by father-daughter duo Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze, this book provides practical advice on teaching kids about money and helping families in hard times.
- Not Buying It by Judith Levine – Levine’s book explores her year-long experiment in living without unnecessary purchases, offering insights into frugal living and challenging consumer habits.
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Personal Finance in Your 40s and 50s by Sarah Young Fisher and Susan Shelly – This guide offers practical tips for those in their 40s and 50s on managing their bank accounts, achieving financial security, and living a more frugal life.
- Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy – Jonni McCoy shares practical advice and daily habits for families looking to improve their finances and live more frugally.
- Confessions of a Reformed Spender by Lauren Greutman – Lauren Greutman’s book is a personal account of overcoming a spending addiction and provides practical tips on living a more frugal life.
I hope any combination of these books helps you figure out how to save enough money to live more comfortably and leads to a very happy home!
If you want my best tips for living a more frugal life, open up that post!