15 Frugal Living Essentials You Need in 2024

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There are some "tools" you need in your "frugal toolbox" in 2024. Frugality can be broken down into a series of essential skills and we think there are 15 important frugal “tools” that you need to become familiar with and add to your life in the new year.

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We're Hope and Larry and we love practical frugality. We raised our four sons, debt-free, including paying cash for our home when our income was well under the national average. For tips on saving money, budgeting, paying off debt, and setting goals (while living with a spirit of joy and abundance), subscribe to us here on YouTube and visit us at our website and on social media.

Information on Under the Median represents our opinions only. We are not medical doctors, medical professionals, nutritionists, or investment professionals. All content found on Under the Median is intended for informational purposes only. Please be sure to exercise due diligence and always contact a professional with any questions you may have regarding any information you have seen or heard on our YouTube channel. Use caution when following instructions in this video. The creator and publisher of this video will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of any method on this channel.

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[carolb]

Your mentioning the need for an emergency fund is so important. Just before Thanksgiving my refrigerator died and I had to purchase a new one, right before I was leaving to visit family in Missouri for thanksgiving. What a load of worry off my mind knowing I had the money in savings for this kind of an emergency. It's so important to be prepared!

[jq]

Stop shopping. Don’t eat out. Don’t buy $5 coffee drinks. A car is transportation, not an extension of your personality. Have one year salary in savings as a baseline. Don’t tell anyone your finances.

[jillgott]

Tools
1. I cook healthy yet inexpensive meals.
2. I have Public Broadcasting Services plus very few other channels - no Netflix, Hulu, streaming, cable.
3. I use the library.
4. I do not pay an accountant but use the free AARP Tax Preparers.
5. I drive a 13 yeR old car that was gifted to me.
6. I have a good relationship with my mechanic.
7.I have second hand, from the curb, thrifted furniture and am satisfied with it.
8. My clothes are older. I keep them for a long time. Many are from Walmart or thriftstores.
9. I try to wear traditional but flattering styles of clothes so they are always " in style".
10. I network.
11. I am grateful for what I have.
.

[paardencees]

I did not buy anything the last 6 months except for food and sometimes some gas for the car. (Most things here in the Netherlands you can do by bike and it made me more happy than buying stuff. (Mindful and gratefull for what I have). 🙏

[kathyharmon]

I drive old cars (13 years old and 21 years old) and I purchased second hand furniture, however I bought the best bed I could possibly afford and the same for my shoes, I am a nurse in long term care and I witness first hand what sleeping on a worn out mattress and wearing cheap shoes does to our body and that is where my money goes

[jenniferschmitt]

Our library not only has books and dvds, but they also have those fancy cake pans, they have garden seeds, they have tools. They have all kinds of things that you would not think about getting at a library

[CityMouseInTheCountry]

Another skill I’d recommend is learning how to search YouTube for instructional videos on DIY repairs as you need them. I don’t have appliance repair skills, but I was able to do a search on how to repair a certain problem on my refrigerator and just followed their step by step instructions to save a bunch! So learning how to find Just-In-Time resources - and building the confidence to give it a try - can be a highly valuable skill.

[donnad]

I cook daily and then we have 'leftover buffet' night to eat up all food. Saves money and food costs.

[christinecassidy]

I'm a library assistant; thanks for promoting public libraries! In our branch, we offer computer access, copying services for a small fee (20 cents per page), faxing (again, for a small fee) and numerous programs such as reading groups, crafts, and guest speakers all for free! Plus, in addition to books, we loan out magazines, CDs, DVDs and museum passes.

[somethingaboutsamantha]

Mint mobile has saved me $1500/yr! ❤ 🎉

[jessr.]

My frugal goal for 2024 is having date day/night with my husband for very cheap or free! I bought a calendar specifically designated for dates so if I see an event on the news or look up local cheap or free events around my area, that will be our date! Our local blood drives also give away free tickets to sports events too, great idea for a cheap date and doing a great deed! ❤

[lililamontagne]

Hi Hope and Larry. I follow you from Québec since few months. I speak french so sorry for my english. I appreciate your vidéo. I think that both if you are very Nice people and your vidéo are informatives and helpful for any one Who want to control their expense. Thank you !

[rusticgardenretreat]

If you live in a house with multiple bedrooms (and no children), you might consider putting a thermometer in each bedroom (or rotate one thermometer-a different room each 24 hours) to measure the temp of that room throughout a day and night. It might be time to switch bedrooms as you have an empty nest. I have come to find that one bedroom in my house stays both warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. This is now becoming my bedroom instead of the master bedroom. Because this room is in the middle of the house and only has one window, it seems to be better insulated from the extremes of a corner bedroom. Weird, huh? It even has a northern facing window, but stays warmer in winter than the master bedroom on the southern side of the house.

[lisav.]

I'm 67 and "retired". I finally found a 'side hustle' by working p/t in a hotel. It doesn't pay well as a f/t job but is very helpful in conjunction with my social security. Once you have some experience, you can get a job in any state at any time. They always need help and pretty much let you decide the number of hours per week that you are willing to work. If you are friendly and, especially if you have customer service experience, you can get hired. You can even get hired if you don't have past experience. You just have to be friendly and professional to the guests.

[marywegrzynowicz]

I don’t think I have ever bought a book for reference or pleasure. Library! I’m getting senior discounts on utilities. Help me cut the cable. I don’t watch much. I won’t pay 2.99 to watch a rerun. I won’t pay 20.00 for a new movie. Give me something old, I’ll hook up the DVR or DVD. 300.00 a month for phone, which I don’t use, internet and tv with nothing on. I want to embrace this new journey. I’m not broke or desperate, just cheap! I said the word, I’m cheap!

[violetrhyme]

My library has board games and puzzles for checkout. They also host a weekly board game night where locals bring games, teach each other new games and share the fun. All for free! I love libraries.

[leslieboe]

I was out of work for 3 months and found I didn't have enough saved 8n my ER fund. I will increase that and start over.

[shirleydenton]

My post somehow got removed so will try again adding to the toolbox 1) seed saving saves a fortune and YouTube has numerous videos on this special skill. Libraries and seed exchanges sometimes have free seeds saving a bundle on seeds that become increasingly more expensive each year. 2) sewing skills. I make all my napkins, dish towels, potholders, quilts, etc. I alter clothing which cuts down on cost of buying new clothes when my weight fluctuates. I learned to sew in HS Home Ec. 3) YouTube is Powerhouse in your toolbox. Learn to be frugal, repair, garden, cook, and any skill you might need.

[shirleydenton]

Oh, I am old enough to remember depression era people who really came up with ways to save. My grandfather assigned children sort of like schools assign children as monitors to overlook things. These assigned duties could include checking behind family members to make certain lights turned off, commodes not running, thermostat stays at set limit. Grandpa had apple trees, and one son assigned to make certain rule of not picking apples from tree followed. Plenty apples fell to ground. My young uncle would actually check stem to make certain it was darkened from time on ground. They had to use tough means to keep food on the table, and I learned a lot from them.

[Nicole-zvee]

I bought a portable/plug in heater, for $5, at Goodwill. So far, I have not turned on my electricity heat, at all this year. I live in a studio apartment, and whenever I feel cold, I just plug in my heater and it heats up my room, pretty quickly. My goal is to get through the entire winter, without turning on my electricity heat at just using my little portable heater.