Hello, lovely readers!
We’ve all been there. Looking through our bank statements from the past year and…SHOCK. How did my finances get so out of hand? Did I really buy one hundred frappuccinos from Starbucks? We try to save, but how can we keep it up without a plan? This is a common issue and is nothing to be ashamed of. Even the most money-conscious of us can get caught up in the moment.
As a helpful aid, I’ve listed ten frugal New Year’s resolutions for 2023. What better way to ring in the new year than to find new ways to get the lifestyle you crave without breaking the bank? Here are some suggestions for getting started on your resolutions.
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10 Frugal New Year’s Resolutions for 2023:
1. Have the mantra, “Do I want it or do I need it?” before making any purchase.
Imagine yourself in middle school, shopping with your mom at Abercrombie & Fitch, begging for the latest $60 hoodie. She looks at you, smiles, and asks the most valuable question in the budgeting language, “Do you want it, or do you need it?” You go home, hoodie-less, and through gritted teeth, hide all the parenting books.
2. Sleep on it.
99% of the time, I don’t want the item anymore the next day. This is especially helpful for Amazon because their Prime deals are so tempting. Don’t worry. The product will still be there the following day.
3. Skip the soda and order water.
I learned this tip from my wonderfully frugal mother when I was about ten years old and have used it since. This could save you $3 per glass at some restaurants! Bring a can in the car to the restaurant to get your fix if you’re really craving some pop. That way, you can have your soda and drink it, too!
4. Never walk into a restaurant if you’re not a part of their rewards program.
An excellent way to find discounts and offers is by signing up for rewards programs. Nine times out of ten, your favorite spot will have a program with tasty rewards. Last week, I used a BOGO reward from Red Robin. That allowed my fiancé and I to have an extra date night that week!
5. Use your student/military/senior discounts whenever you can.
Speaking of coupons, how can we forget student, military, and senior discounts? Whether ordering at a restaurant, shopping at ASOS, or going to the movies, these discounts will be an asset. Doing a simple Google search will bring up hundreds of discounts.
6. Take advantage of free admission and matinees.
Some of the most common ways to gain free admission are by joining rewards programs, going to museums on their free day, searching out free concerts from lesser-known bands, and gaining press credentials if you work in the media. There are endless options, even in small towns. For example, Fredricksburg, TX, hosts over four hundred yearly festivals! Now, that’s a lot of entertainment.
If you have the option, always go to the movies on an off-time. Doing this could potentially reduce the ticket price by 80%! Remember that the concessions will still be expensive, so keep an eye on your snacks.
Pro Tip: Eat something before you go so you’re not tempted.
7. Keep account of monthly expenses and adjust your budget accordingly.
Although this may seem complicated, budgeting apps can take the stress out of putting together a budget. I manage my expenses with a free app called Mint, but there are many other free options, such as Personal Capital and Honeydue. These apps make budgeting a breeze, leaving you with more free time.
8. Use cash whenever possible.
Using cash to make purchases is a great way to save money because once your wallet is empty, you are forced to stop spending. I also use a debit card for my fast purchases for the same reason.
9. Never purchase anything after 2 AM.
In the wise words of Ted Mosby’s mother, Virginia, “Nothing good happens after 2 AM.” I know this quote is from How I Met Your Mother, but hear me out.
I use this rule for everything, budgeting included. It’s one of my favorite ways to save money, and as a night owl, I use it more than I would like to admit. Chances are, the following day, I realized that I would have regretted the purchase.
10. Buy new or gently used clothing and accessories on resale apps like Poshmark.
Who doesn’t want a closet filled with beautiful, designer clothes? For most of the population, this is not attainable through shopping at stores like Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. That’s why we frugal fashionistas shop smart at resale sites like Poshmark. For example, my mom bought a L’AGENCE double-breasted blazer for $70 at Poshmark (retailing for nearly $700!). Now that’s a score I can get behind!
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Until my next post! I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful and will use them in your daily life. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Want more frugal tips and tricks? Subscribe to my newsletter for more ways to live a fabulous, thrifty life! For more helpful budgeting tips, read my post, The 20-Something’s Guide to Making a Budget.
As always, I love my lovely readers!
xx,
Lauren Hochman
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Lauren Hochman is the owner and founder of Lifestyle on a Budget (formerly THE TEEN RUNWAY).
