Top Frugal Living Tips For Christians
Published May 15th, 2019
In today’s economy, maintaining a frugal lifestyle is not just an option but a necessity. This is often easier said than done though. The many trappings of our society often make it hard to live prudently. Most of the time, it feels like we’re working for the sole purpose of paying our credit cards and other bills.
But if you really want to start on that wealth-building journey and start saving more money, there’s no better time than now. Here are some frugal living tips Christians can practice.
Separate Your Wants From Your Needs
Most of the time, when we go shopping, we buy stuff that we want rather than those we need. Separating wants from needs is a crucial problem for most people. They often end up spending most of their hard-earned money or max-out their credit cards on things they like but don’t need.
Take the iPhone for example. Do you really need it? Or do you want it because everyone else has it? What other items in your house did you buy on impulse and are now accumulating dust in the storage room?
So the next time you go to the supermarket and something caught your eye, ask yourself if you need it or if you can live without it. If not, then save your money and yourself from the eventual regret and don’t buy it.
Don’t let your wants blind you on what is really important in this life. As Christians, we are taught to put less value on material things and instead focus on our relationship with God. In the gospel of the apostle Matthew, Jesus said:
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25)
Choose Quality Over Price
Sometimes cheap doesn’t mean it’s economical. Like when you’re buying a washing machine and you go for the cheapest one you can find. You think you’re making a good deal but after a few months it breaks down and you buy one again. Rather than saving money, you end up spending more.
In these instances, quality reigns over price. You get what you pay for. If you buy a more expensive but sturdier product, you won’t have to buy a new one every few years. Don’t be deceived by price tags. Invest in quality and you will save more money in the long run.
Shop Around For The Best Deals
Saving money takes a lot of work and that includes walking up and down the block to look for the best deals. Compare prices and hunt for bargains. Don’t be fooled by luxury brands. Sometimes you’re just paying a premium for the name but the product quality is just the same.
Make a list of the things you regularly buy and beside it list the shop which sells it at the lowest price. This way, you’ll know where to go the next time you need it.
Stick to Your Budget
The most effective tip to save up money is summarized in this formula:
Income – savings = expenses
Most people, however, do it the other way. They spend all their income and save up whatever is left. If you really want to achieve a frugal lifestyle, set aside an amount for savings first. Then make a budget of your expenses based on what’s left of your income after savings. Don’t let yourself rely on credit cards. Spend only what you’ve earned.
Keep a list of all your expenses in a month. Prioritize the fix expenses like rent and mortgage. Those are non-negotiable so it must be on the top of your list. Then allocate an amount for all the other expenses that you can control. Once you’ve outlined your budget, make sure you stick to it or the whole thing would be pointless.
Create a meal plan and list all the items you need to buy before going to the grocery store. This helps you avoid buying things on impulse and easily stick to your budget.
Get Creative
When you’re on the quest to save money, creativity makes a difference. Turn all that leftover boiled egg from Easter into a sumptuous dish. Those last season clothes that are now too tight can still be altered or re-purposed. A quick search on the internet would give you thousands of DIY projects and countless other ways to use your creativity to save money.
Be Humble
The social media age has put quite a pressure on most of us to make our lives look better than it actually is. We buy things we don’t need to impress the people we don’t like. As Christians, we are called upon to exercise humility. Don’t go into debt trying to impress others. A simple, happy life is much better than a glamorous yet a pretend one. Always remember this proverb:
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)
Keep Your House Organized
You may not believe it but keeping your house organized can help you save money too. That’s because finding stuff is a lot easier when everything is in their proper place. It’s also easier to keep an inventory of things that you already have so you won’t have to buy a new one every time you have need of it.
Grow Your Own Foods
You’ll save up a lot more on your monthly grocery expenditures when you grow your own food. Not to mention you get to eat them fresh, straight out of the earth. You don’t really need to have acres of land to grow food in. Even that small space in your windowsill will do.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources.
