When people hear the word frugal, they often picture a life of sad, flavorless meals. Coupon clipping until their fingers cramp. And saying “no” to everything fun.

But guess what?

Being frugal doesn’t mean living like a monk on a budget—it means being smart with your money so you can actually enjoy life more, not less.

Think of it This Way

Frugality isn’t about hoarding pennies like a dragon guarding gold. It’s about making intentional choices—spending where it matters, cutting where it doesn’t, and ultimately, freeing yourself from the stress of always feeling broke. Because let’s be honest, what’s really depriving you? Skipping an overpriced latte? Or constantly worrying about bills?

In this post, I’ll show you how to embrace frugality without feeling like you're stuck in a financial timeout. Because saving money should feel good, not like punishment.

Here's what we’ll cover:

What living below your means ‘means.’.
Focusing on what brings you joy
Make saving fun
Upgrading your mindset
Buying second hand instead
Free and low cost fun
Cooking at home (Without hating it)
Wait before you buy
Automate your savings
Getting creative with gifting
Redefine what luxury means to you

Live Below Your Means

I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Live below your means.

But what does that really look like?

It looks like choosing the used car that gets your family from A to B safely, instead of stretching your budget for the latest model with all the bells and whistles. Sure, if you can afford the upgrades without stress, go for it. But if you’re staring at your bank account wondering how you’ll make that extra $400 car payment work—chances are, you shouldn’t even be thinking about it.

Living below your means isn’t about missing out. It’s about making space—space for emergencies, space for dreams, space for a future where money isn’t a constant source of stress.

Because if you’re always living paycheck to paycheck, where does that leave your future self? Where does that leave your kids (if you have any)?

Now, I get it—sometimes the bills are sky-high, and the paychecks are painfully low. When that’s the case, there’s only so much you can do. But if there is room to cut back, even just $25 a week, that small shift can make a huge difference over time.

And trust me, I know how tempting it is to spend. Every time I get a paycheck, I feel that little rush of excitement. Yes! I have spending money!

Maybe I’ll take the kids out. Maybe I’ll finally grab that thing I added to my Amazon cart last week.

But those little purchases? They were killing me.

I was struggling to make my everyday bills, yet there was another package landing on my porch.

The ease of swiping a card—especially in a world where everything is online—makes it way too easy to spend without thinking.

That’s why learning to hold yourself accountable is so important. Start living like you have next to nothing. Not because you’re depriving yourself, but because it gives you power. Power to handle unexpected expenses. Power to retire without worry. Power to leave behind financial stability for your children—not so they can look forward to inheriting your money, but so they have a safety net when life throws them challenges.

Because true wealth isn’t about what you spend—it’s about what you keep.

Focus on What Brings Your Joy

What makes you happy right now?

Is it time spent outside with your family? A quiet night in a warm bubble bath? Or maybe it’s cooking and eating damn good food in your own kitchen?

What makes you happy?

Because that’s all that matters.

What keeps you feeling good?

What helps fill your cup when life is pulling you in every direction?

What keeps you sane when the kids are tiptoeing on your last f**kin’ nerve?

Figure that out, and cut the rest.

There’s a reason the minimalist movement is so popular—and so powerful. Today’s generation is realizing we need to hold on to what brings us joy and ditch everything else.

Frugality isn’t about cutting everything—it’s about cutting what doesn’t matter to you.

Love your morning coffee? Keep it.

But maybe you’re paying for five streaming services and only watching one. Trim the fluff, and keep what truly adds value to your life.

Make a Saving Game

Turning savings into a game makes it feel like win, not a loss

Try something like a No-Spend Challenge—even just for the weekend—and you’ll start to feel good about the money you’re saving. It’s like a little victory every time you resist that impulse buy.

I’ll be honest: I used to have a terrible relationship with money. Sometimes I still do, we’re all human here. I never saved a dime. Now at 29, I realized it was time to get serious about saving for my future, or I’d regret it later.

I opened an investing account years ago but did nothing with it. I had no clue how to even start. Then, one day, I decided enough was enough. Now, just a few months in, I’ve already saved $300. You might laugh, but for me, that’s huge.

I can’t tell you how excited I am when Monday rolls around, and I know $25 is automatically going into my investment account. Honestly, that small deposit brings more joy than seeing my paycheck hit my account.

When you realize that you’re more powerful than the pull of the latest shiny object, that’s when everything changes. It's not just about the money—it’s about rewiring your mindset around spending and saving.

Small wins lead to bigger victories, and once you get that taste of progress, you’ll be unstoppable. The power you gain over your finances will carry over into every area of your life. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about taking control of your money, your future, and your happiness.

Upgrade Your Mindset

Your mind is your operating system.

If you let outside forces control your system—urging you to buy the next big thing—you’ll always operate on their terms.

But when you take control of your mindset, you can rewire the way you see money, and that’s when true change happens.

When those negative thoughts pop up, it’s okay to acknowledge them. But the key is to respond differently.

Let’s say you think, “I can’t afford this.” It’s normal to have that thought, but instead of letting it take control, shift your response. Say to yourself, “I choose to spend my money elsewhere.”

This small shift puts you in control. Not the companies, ads, influencers or outside forces that want to drain your wallet.

When you take back control of your mindset, you control your relationship with money. It no longer has the power to control you. And that’s when you start to feel fulfilled—no matter what your budget looks like.

When you take action with this step your life will feel fulfilling without the need for anything new. You know where your money is going. You know what to think the next time those thoughts enter your mind instead.

Check out this list for negative thoughts around money and how to counter them instead!

Swap, Borrow, Buy Second Hand

I love thrifting.

I read recently (and who knows if it’s true, but I’m running with it) that thrifting satisfies our hunter-gatherer instinct—something we don’t get to fulfill in modern life. And honestly? That makes me love it even more.

You don’t always need new. You just need new to you. And the thrill of the hunt makes it that much more fun.

Who knows when you’ll stumble upon a vintage piece that fits seamlessly into your home decor? Or snag that perfect jacket you’ve been eyeing for years—the one that’s long gone from retail shelves. I can’t count how many times I’ve found items that look brand new for a fraction of the price.

Next time you’re itching for something, hit the thrift stores first. You’ll be surprised by what you find.

And it’s not just about clothes or home decor. Buy furniture secondhand. Borrow power tools from a neighbor instead of buying new. Use your local library for the latest books instead of dropping cash on them.

Thrifting, borrowing, and exchanging don’t mean going without. They mean getting exactly what you need—just for a whole lot cheaper.

Find Free and Cheap Fun

Fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost a thing—if you know where to look.

So many towns host free local events. From movies in the park to live concerts featuring local bands and artists. Take advantage of what your community has to offer! You might even meet some new friends in the process!

Or, step outside and explore. Go hiking, take a scenic walk, or just wander through a new part of town. You might stumble upon hidden gems you never knew existed.

Find a hobby that doesn’t require constant spending. Teach your kids a new skill, start a creative project, or scroll through Pinterest for an endless supply of budget-friendly activities.

Once you start looking, you’ll be surprised at how much is out there waiting to be discovered—for free.

But let’s be real, sometimes a little splurge is worth it. When you do spend money on fun, make it stretch! Apps like Groupon can help you score discounts, and checking for local deals can make even the pricier outings more affordable.

Cook at Home (Without Hating it)

If cooking isn’t your thing, I totally get it.

It’s so much easier to order in or pop an oven-ready meal in the oven while you check off your never-ending to-do list. But convenience costs—big time. And with today’s rising prices, takeout and prepackaged meals can drain your budget faster than you realize.

The good news? Cooking at home doesn’t have to mean boring meals or spending hours in the kitchen. Once you master a few simple staples, you’ll be unstoppable.

And guess what?

It’s okay if dinner doesn’t always turn out as planned. Making bad food that no one in the family likes? That’s part of the learning process! Every great home cook started somewhere—just keep trying and finding new easy recipes you love. Lord knows I have my bad days, or even bad weeks where I’m just not feeling it and it shows. But those bad days offer lessons and the next day isn’t so bad. Just push through while keeping it fun if you can.

One of the hardest parts of cooking at home isn’t even the cooking—it’s knowing what to buy in the first place. That’s why Modern Homestead’s Food Budget Master Class was a game-changer for me. Before, I’d overspend on groceries and still feel like I had nothing to make. Walking out of the grocery store with $200 less and not a thing in mind for dinner that night.

Now, I know exactly what to buy to feed my family quality meals without wasting food or money. This course paid for itself in just one grocery trip!

If you’re unsure where to start, start here. Then, hit Pinterest for some amazing 30-minute family-friendly meals. You might just find yourself loving the freedom of cooking at home—and loving the savings even more.

Get the Food Budget Master Class Here!

Wait Before You Buy

Remember the 5-second rule when food falls on the floor?

Yeah, this is nothing like that.

But there is a science to waiting before making a purchase.

Let’s say you’ve had a hard day, and retail therapy sounds like the perfect pick-me-up. Or maybe you suddenly remember something the house needs—or something for the kids, or yourself. Then there’s the classic “But it’s on sale!” moment, where you feel like you have to buy it now or you’ll miss out.

Before you hit “checkout,” give yourself a set waiting period—say 24 hours.

Sleep on it. Give it 24 hours, a week even. If you still truly need (or deeply want) the item, go ahead and buy it.

But if the urge fades, that’s a sign it wasn’t as important as it seemed in the moment. Instead, add it to a wishlist or check a thrift store for a cheaper alternative.

Don’t let emotions drive your spending. When you gain control over impulse buys, you gain control over your finances as a whole.

By mastering the habit of pausing before purchasing, you give yourself the power to spend with intention instead of reacting on impulse. Over time, you'll notice a shift—not just in your bank account, but in your mindset. You'll feel more in control, more confident, and more aligned with your real needs and values.

So next time you feel the urge to buy something on a whim, take a breath, take a beat, and ask yourself—do I really need this, or am I just chasing a fleeting feeling?

Automate Your Savings

Set up an automated transfer to a savings account so you don’t even notice your money was ever there in the first place.

Whenever I see money in my bank account there’s always that fleeting thought, “oh I have money to spend!” But it shouldn’t be like that at all.

And while I work on that mindset I have my savings automated. It helps keep me accountable, and helps keep the temptation away.

I heard a quote recently that really changed the way I’ve been saving money.

“Do not save what you have left after spending. Spend what you have left after saving.”

When the money isn’t available. Neither is the temptation. Make every dollar you earn have a job. This is called zero budgeting. As soon as your paycheck hits, you know where every dollar is going to go. You could follow a 50-30-20 rule, or create your own budget that works for you. Either way, it needs to be automated.

If you’re interested about Zero Budgeting you can check out this post.

Get Creative With Gifting

When the holidays roll around (and they seem to do so pretty regularly!), it’s the perfect time to get creative with gifting!

Homemade gifts often carry more meaning than anything you can buy in a store. They tend to be more personal and cherished long after the holidays are over—unlike most store-bought items that can easily be forgotten.

Consider learning a new skill this holiday season. Try hand-knitting a scarf, making your own BBQ sauce, or even crafting a batch of homemade salsa to give to friends and family. These gifts show love and effort, making them much more valuable than anything money can buy.

Also, think about gifting experiences instead of items. This goes for anyone in the family, but I believe children especially benefit from experiences over material things. Kids already have more than enough toys. What they truly need is the opportunity to live in the moment with you—exploring their world and creating memories. The best gift you can give them isn’t more stuff, but your time, love, and the space to wonder at the world around them.

By focusing on meaningful gifts and experiences, you're not only saving money, but also creating lasting memories that will outshine any material possession. The holidays don't need to be about over-spending or keeping up with the latest trends.

They’re about love, connection, and creating special moments that your family will cherish for years to come.

So this year, challenge yourself to think outside the box, explore new traditions, and embrace the power of giving from the heart. After all, the best gifts are often the ones that don’t come with a price tag.

Redefine Luxury

The most important part of saving money, living below your means, or being frugal isn’t just about what you can physically do. It all starts with your mindset.

Redefine what luxury means to you. Luxury doesn't have to be a big house in an upscale neighborhood, brand-new cars, or the latest handbags and phones.

Wealth is so much more than money.

Wealth is the ability to stay home with your children each day, exploring the world with them, rather than sending them off to daycare.

Wealth is living a life free from financial stress. It’s having a well-stocked pantry thanks to resources like Modern Homesteads Master Class, a small cozy home that’s truly yours, and time spent with friends, sharing fresh fruit from the local farmers' market.

Wealth can also be education—the knowledge you gain by learning new skills, finding simple pleasures, and building a life filled with meaningful experiences.

True wealth is not about accumulating more stuff. It’s about living a life that brings peace, contentment, and joy, knowing that you’ve created something that really matters.

And that kind of wealth? That’s priceless.

Ending Thoughts

At the end of the day, saving money isn’t about depriving yourself or your family—it’s about making conscious choices that align with your values and your long-term goals.

Embracing a simpler, more intentional lifestyle can bring more joy, freedom, and peace of mind than constantly striving to keep up with the latest trends.

When you focus on what truly matters, you’ll find that saving money isn’t a sacrifice, but a path to a more fulfilling and stress-free life.

Do you have a story to share? Where are you at in your journey to living below your means or saving? Reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you!

Talk soon,

Nicole

Still interested in the an easy way to know exactly what to buy at the grocery store? Modern Homesteads Food Budget Master Class has saved me hours of guess work and hundreds of dollars. It’s definitely worth every penny. Make buying groceries the easy part!

Buy the master class here!

How to Live Below Your Means - And Love It!