https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 15:18:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits/page/2#post-2523574 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:52:58 +0000 808love 2523574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-micro budgets for everything<br /> -timing weekly grocery purchases with sales<br /> -no cable<br /> -Non-expensive hobbies<br /> -primarily hand me downs for LOs wardrobe for the first four years </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits/page/2#post-2522811 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:11:39 +0000 jedeve 2522811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: I do have a yogurt maker. It's not necessary, basically you just need a way to keep the yogurt warm for 8 or so hours. But the little cups are handy. I don't use yogurt for baking (my oldest is allergic to dairy) so it's more just for me and my husband to eat. Other methods make bigger amounts which would be nice, but the little cups are good enough. I have a total chef yogurt maker that I bought used. It's nothing fancy but it works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits/page/2#post-2516310 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:30:36 +0000 caterw 2516310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jedeve- I have been wanting to make my own yogurt! We eat a ton of it in this house and I would like to have some flavor options without all the sugar. Do you use a yogurt maker or do it some other way? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits/page/2#post-2516304 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:26:59 +0000 caterw 2516304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Coupon/ rebate apps- I download coupons on the Kroger App, Target Cartwheel, and Ibotta </p> <p>2. Discount grocery stores- I try to get as much as I can from Aldi when I visit my parents since we don't have one here. If you are near one, go shopping there. It's crazy- they had awesome blackberries on sale for 89 cents this week.</p> <p>3. Online shopping as much as possible- I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out- I always end up getting random extra stuff that is not on my list when I enter the physical store (especially at Target), so I just buy anything I can from either target.com or Amazon. That way I can stick to my list and not buy things I don't need and I can also price compare between the two websites.</p> <p>4. Meal planning- even breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I might not always make everything in the specific order I wrote on my meal plan, but I know not to buy more than what I wrote down.</p> <p>5. DIY/ homemade goods- Clothes and food! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits/page/2#post-2513740 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 18:14:31 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2513740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Discount stores like Big Lots, Kmart, Marshalls, Burlington for staples, dry goods, household items &amp; clothing.<br /> -Consignment, thrift stores for my clothes &amp; same + Offer Up/Buy Nothing for LO's clothes<br /> -Cloth diapers, &amp; the few disposables we do use, I've found partial leftover packs from people on Offer Up, Buy Nothing sites or local moms.<br /> -Cooking large batches of soups, stews, lasagne &amp; freezing for later. DH takes leftovers for his lunches &amp; I usually eat random leftovers for my lunches.<br /> -Coupons &amp; loyalty programs and paying for almost everything on our cc for the miles. (We pay off monthly to avoid any interest &amp; usually get reimbursed for 1-2 airline tickets each year). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513641 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:48:52 +0000 Eko 2513641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say us is:</p> <p>- couponing<br /> - driving one car<br /> - buying only sale items<br /> - Buying in bulk<br /> - meal planning </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513640 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:48:02 +0000 simplyfelicity 2513640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Getting rid of cable<br /> 2. Meal planning with cook smarts<br /> 3. Making Starbucks a treat instead of everyday<br /> 4. Brown bagging lunch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513632 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:29:16 +0000 lady baltimore 2513632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Though the motivation for it isn't strictly economic, I'd guess that my most frugal habit is avoiding single use items as much as possible (diapers, wipes, menstrual pads, napkins, paper towels, baggies, etc.).</p> <p>Using the library almost exclusively for reading material and to fill my iPod.</p> <p>Packing lunch and, more significantly, getting DH to pack his.</p> <p>Buying second hand and/or sale clothing almost exclusively. </p> <p>Limiting mileage and driving a fuel efficient car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513598 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 12:10:10 +0000 Tanjowen 2513598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Buy meat in bulk and freeze. I can get 3 months worth of chicken breasts for our family of three for $75.</p> <p>Hold onto our cars until they run into the ground. They are both paid off, we have had them for 9 years and will keep on until they require major repair. </p> <p>Always make coffee at home. </p> <p>Never pay full price for clothes. TJ Maxx is my goal to for clothes, and I use a kohl's card for discounts to get LO clothes. </p> <p>No cable, just Internet and Netflix. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513583 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 11:44:20 +0000 sera_87 2513583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Price matching our groceries - extreme level.<br /> Drive only 1 car<br /> Books out of library only<br /> No cable and decent internet package for cheap.<br /> Only heat 2 rooms (living room and boys room) during the winter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513417 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 23:57:25 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2513417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reuse Ziploc bags.<br /> Save dish water for the yard.<br /> We dress simply and only buy sale.<br /> Meal plan<br /> What's </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513297 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 19:39:14 +0000 petitenoisette 2513297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meal planning<br /> Only eat meat ~2 times a week (not including bacon :silly: )<br /> Cooking from scratch<br /> Bring lunches to work<br /> Cloth: diapers, napkins, 'unpaper' towels </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513263 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 19:01:35 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2513263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Buy the kids' clothes secondhand, and trade in clothes at the local secondhand shop<br /> 2. Price match our groceries, shop at the 'discount' grocery store, and use the Checkout 51 app<br /> 3. Have 'at home' date nights instead of going out<br /> 4. Bring lunches to work<br /> 5. We cancelled our cable and don't have home phone- we stream our shows or watch Netflix, and just use our cell phones </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513254 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:53:27 +0000 Ms. RV 2513254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Minimum cable (no antenna reception where we live, so we pay $10/month for broadcast channels)<br /> 2. Grocery shopping done almost exclusively at Aldi and the farm next to LO's daycare<br /> 3. Vacations = weekends in the camper<br /> 4. Buying vehicles (including the camper) used<br /> 5. LO uses Target formula and diapers, which I get the 5% discount with and free shipping so I don't have to drive to the store </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513245 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:46:32 +0000 gingerbebe 2513245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. We cancelled our cable and just use Apple TV with Netflix, Hulu, and NHL TV. We also have Amazon Prime Video.</p> <p>2. We meal plan around sales and pack lunches.</p> <p>3. I coupon selectively so as to not waste time, but hoard things in bulk when I do to last me a long time. I basically only coupon at Target, since I can stack paper coupons, gift card deals, and Cartwheel. For online stuff, I keep an eye on Slickdeals.net or Jungle Steals and Deals for deals, especially on Amazon. And this is kind of weird, but I got a Kohl's card just so I can have access to the 30-40% savings codes and free shipping codes, which I can then stack with other coupon codes (you can use up to 4 per transaction!) Its saved us TONS of money on holiday and birthday gifts, especially when you shop the clearance section. This is also how I get most of DH and DS' clothing - I can basically get things as cheap or more often cheaper than our consignment stores.</p> <p>4. We dress simply. Not quite capsule, but more like seasonal uniforms. I wear black pants or jeans with a black cardigan on top most of the time so regardless of what kind of top I have, everything is mix and match. DS wears soft, cotton basics most of the time. DH wears wrinkle-free, easy-care clothing that doesn't require ironing. </p> <p>5. We budget and live on a cash basis for the most part. We still have DH's student loans to pay off so its important to us not to incur any other debts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513240 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:34:24 +0000 brownepiano 2513240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1.Cloth diapers, napkins, and 'paper towels'<br /> 2. Shopping bi-weekly and only buying seasonal produce and reduced meat<br /> 3.cutting dh and ds hair at home. Basically never cutting my hair...<br /> 4. Rarely buying ds toys and when we do they are usually 2nd hand<br /> 5. Fixing our own cars as much as possible </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513204 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:00:20 +0000 winniebee 2513204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LED bulbs<br /> Make all lunches for work (even pack my husbands)<br /> Don't buy coffee out except for rare treat<br /> Meal planning </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513200 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:58:51 +0000 skipra 2513200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eat vegetarian mostly<br /> Cook most meals at home<br /> Take hand-me-downs or buy used clothes/toys<br /> Borrow books from the library<br /> Line drying the laundry </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513187 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:41:15 +0000 Modern Daisy 2513187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped getting expensive highlights every 6 weeks and now get a $25 "retouch"<br /> Cancelled cable (we never watched it anyway)<br /> Swap babysitting with other moms in my neighborhood instead of hiring sitters/nannies<br /> Set up a home gym so no pricey memberships<br /> Go to my parents shore house instead of vacationing on our own as a family </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513168 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:15:00 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2513168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-cook leftovers (I like to make a completely new meal out of them)<br /> -buy fruits and veggies that are in season<br /> -I buy ahead for LO's outdoor gear<br /> -I only buy what's on sale<br /> -I normally plan for/take time to consider big expenses </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513161 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:07:06 +0000 IRunForFun 2513161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are so frugal, my husband even more so. </p> <p>- No cable<br /> - Meal planning, buying food on sale, and using the Ibotta app<br /> - Just started trying to eat more vegetarian meals to cut down on meat costs<br /> - Almost never go out to eat<br /> - Always pack our own lunches<br /> - Never buy coffee out unless it's with a gift card<br /> - No gym memberships (we run and DH has access to a gym at work)<br /> - Shopping consignment for clothes and decor<br /> - DH washes and reuses ziploc baggies as long as they didn't hold meat 🙄 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513157 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:01:12 +0000 Alba4 2513157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- No cable<br /> - Bringing lunch to work<br /> - cooking at home as much as possible<br /> -making coffee at home<br /> - having rewards credit card &amp; only buying clothing on sale </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513155 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:58:29 +0000 jedeve 2513155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. We hardly ever go out to eat. As a family, never. DH buys his lunch occasionally and as a special treat he will bring home Wendy's (fancy, I know! But we know it's safe for LO's allergies and the kids love it).<br /> 2. I bake most of our bread. We will still buy sandwich bread occasionally, but I bake bread to go with dinner, buns, muffins, etc. I also make yogurt.<br /> 3. Don't have cable. We share Netflix with my sister. We do have HBO go though.<br /> 4. Just try not to buy a lot of stuff unless we need it. We buy new clothes when they wear out, but only used/on sale. Don't have subscription boxes. Look for used items first. Don't upgrade our phones when a new one comes out.<br /> 5. Eat vegetarian or bean/legume based meals once or twice a week, and try not to eat a lot of meat when we do eat it. I try to keep meals cheap by using grains (farro, barley, quinoa) and cooking fried beans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513137 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:23:29 +0000 MediaNaranja 2513137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Commuting via public transit, which my employer pays for. This saves over $800 in parking costs alone, not to mention wear&amp;tear on my vehicle and gas savings.<br /> -Keep the thermostat low in winter (62) and only use A/C when absolutely necessary in summer (temps inside &gt;80).<br /> -Cooking at home and packing my lunch.<br /> -We only have one (paid off) car.<br /> -Buy clothes used or on sale only...I don't think I've ever paid full-price for anything, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513131 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:18:39 +0000 lamariniere 2513131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our biggest expense after rent is food (we don't have a car). As a family we eat maybe 1 meal out per week. The rest is home cooked (minus daycare meals and DH's lunch). </p> <p>I go to the grocery store at least every other day so I try to buy only what we need to keep waste down. I should try to become better at meal planning. </p> <p>The capsule wardrobe revolution has been a great money saver for my clothes. I invest more in well thought out quality pieces and don't make any impulse purchases anymore. If I continue to apply this idea over time, I think I'll save a ton on clothes. I try to apply it to my kids' wardrobes too, but it's not as easy since they will obviously outgrow things. </p> <p>Along those same lines, I also try to buy quality items for the household that will stand the test of time.</p> <p>I make coffee at home most days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513126 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:15:27 +0000 youboots 2513126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cloth diaper<br /> Cook from scratch and meal plan<br /> Walk to most of our errands (which gets steps in and reduces time in the car)<br /> I almost only drink black coffee at home- Starbucks is a 1-2x a month treat.<br /> Buying in bulk from Costco &amp; Amazon S&amp;S </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513124 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:13:26 +0000 catlady 2513124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- Buying secondhand clothes for myself and LO (and DH just hates shopping so he doesn't really ever buy clothes anyway)</p> <p>- Selling things (clothes, etc) that aren't being used</p> <p>- Bringing a lunch to work every day</p> <p>- Switched utility providers to get us a better electric rate</p> <p>- Bargain hunting and waiting until things go on sale before buying, stacking coupons, using ebates, etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513120 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:09:52 +0000 fussygal 2513120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- We use YNAB which has helped us monitor and save a lot in the past year.</p> <p>- Only buying gas with our Safeway points (can get upto $1 off per gallon).</p> <p>- Always waiting for big deals/sales on diapers.</p> <p>- Meal plan</p> <p>- We cut cable last year and use a Roku with our in-laws' Directv log-in info (so we basically get every channel we had before), plus our own Netflix and Hulu accounts.</p> <p>- I eat lunch at home 95% of the time. If only DH would do this regularly, too... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513118 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:08:02 +0000 LuLu Mom 2513118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. bring our lunches<br /> 2. meal plan/shop grocery sales to maximize our budget<br /> 3. do Redbox movies instead of On Demand (we were bad about this a few years back)<br /> 4. Shop sales for girls clothing (and do some second hand) - I wait for Target and Old navy big deals and stock up for the season. I get hand me downs from my sister for play clothes.<br /> 5. I'm a deal shopper, I hate buying things full price so I search for the best deal out there on prices of everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-5-of-your-most-frugal-habits#post-2513107 Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:59:51 +0000 MoonMoon 2513107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Living somewhere with dirt cheap C.O.L.!</p> <p>Being really minimalist in my beauty routine, cut down on salon visits, don't use much make up or product etc.</p> <p>Preventive health care- regular Dr visits for everyone in the family, tests, etc, to try to prevent something costly down the line</p> <p>Also, I don't do the little everyday things that can become habit, like buying coffee, magazines, snacks, etc. I keep myself away from that, and window shopping, because the little daily things are what kill me my budget </p>