While frugality is often associated with financial management, it’s motivated by a range of factors.
A user asked the forum, “Frugal tips where the main focus isn’t money.”, lets have a look at the top answers.
GROUPING THE ACTIVITIES
![Smiling stylish woman showing sign excellently, isolated on red](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5.-funny-woman.jpeg)
“Time is a commodity. I try to group things together that make sense to group together. Like, if I’m going to cook and make a mess in the kitchen, I might as well cook extra or cook a bunch of different things and then clean up the kitchen once.
Or, if I’m going someplace a few hours away, I’ll plan other things on the way back instead of going back and forth.”
WEARING UNIFORM DRESSES
![Young woman at outdoors keeping the arms crossed in frontal position](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1.-Happy-smile-woman.jpeg)
“For work, I had a basic “uniform.” Solid dark-colored pants (black, gray, navy). The solid colored nice t-shirt, and a solid blouse/overshirt/sweater to wear with it.
Any day of the week, all I had to do was pick one from those categories. Everything looked generic enough that I could cycle the same items into different combos almost endlessly and without using up a lot of mental energy getting ready.”
DOING SIMPLE JOB
![woman with finance](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/woman-with-finance.jpeg)
“My time and mental bandwidth. I am no longer a striver. I am happy with a simple job that I never have to take home and lots of time just for me.”
DOING ALL THE WORK ON A WEEKDAY
![Surprised frustrated mixed race office worker, sitting at a desk in the office, looking disappointed at the laptop screen, reading bad news, bad work result, experiencing negative emotions](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5.-work-bully-troll.jpeg)
“Reflecting on another comment about time as a resource, I try not to do chores at the weekend. Laundry, grocery shopping, eye test, haircut, etc., are all done in the week (I work from home and use my lunch hour), meaning weekends are free of appointments as far as possible.
Working from home also allows me to make something for lunch that is better than a store-bought sandwich. And in winter, I can walk the dog at lunchtime to get some vitamin D too. Healthier rather than money-frugal.”
NOT ENGAGING WITH TROLLS
![train man happy newspaper reading](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/train-man-happy-newspaper-reading.jpeg)
“Had to relearn a big one today. I don’t give my emotional energy to trolls. I like to have conversations, but once someone keeps telling you there is only one way to do things and that every experience you talk about must be backed up by peer-reviewed evidence, I’m out. Be done. Do not engage the trolls.”
COOKING ON INSTANT POT
![Woman cooking rice on stove in kitchen, closeup](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/6.-Rice-cooking.jpeg)
“I know a lot of people talk nonsense about online shopping, but on Saturday, the O-ring on my Instant Pot failed. I have no idea where to find one locally, so I popped online and ordered a 3-pack for $10, and they were delivered the next day.
I use my instant pot a few times a week because of how much time it saves, and I was unwilling to have it out of commission while I wasted gas driving to stores looking for a new part.”
PLANNING AHEAD
![Money has no smell!](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/insane-money.jpeg)
“Planning ahead, doing the prep work, and understanding how things work is a far better approach than simply being reactionary. This saves you a ton of time.
Harmless example: cleaning as you cook. The entire process takes less time than if you did it separately.”
NOT BUYING CLOTHES THAT CAN’T BE WASHED IN MACHINE
![Close up photo beautiful she her lady pretty hairdo toothy ideal appearance big eyes unexpected lucky achievement success wear casual pink tank-top outfit clothes isolated teal turquoise background.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1.-wow.jpeg)
“If clothes can’t stand the laundry gauntlet- I pass on them. I don’t want to waste time hand-washing anything.”
REGULAR EXERCISE
![gym trainer](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gym-trainer.jpg)
“Get exercise in your daily routine. Take the stairs or park in the back of the parking lot. Just make walking extra a part of what you are doing already.”
FREEZING ZIP LOCK
![Frozen food, frozen salad. Storing food in a bag in the freezer. Ready meal](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/saving-plastic-bags-to-save-money.jpg)
“We wash, rinse and then freeze our zip lock bags. It’s about saving the planet; saving money is just a bonus.”
SAYING NO
![celebrity, woman saying no, movie star](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/celebritynowoman.jpg)
“Saying NO to useless friends, colleagues, and relatives.”
LIVING OUTSIDE A TOWN
![Colorful Buildings in Willemstad downtown, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, a small Caribbean island - travel destination for cruise ships or vacation](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7.-Curacao.jpeg)
“I live ways outside town, so I limit my shopping to once a week period. I make all my errands at once so I’m not wasting time (and gas and wear on the car) going to town multiple times. It stops me from impulse buying too.”
BAKING BREAD AT HOME
![Woman Slicing A Loaf Of White Bread](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/white-bread.jpg)
“Bake organic whole wheat bread, muffins, etc.- grind organic wheat berries, mix, and bake. Super tasty and healthy! Whole wheat pitas, too- not as tasty as white flour 🙁 But if I’m baking for myself, it’s freshly milled whole wheat.”
ENJOYING THE PRESENT MOMENT
![Friends enjoying a relaxing picnic sitting together laughing and chatting at a table in a lush green park](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/3.-dinner-friends-family.jpeg)
“Allowing yourself to fully enjoy a moment. Savor food. Really consider all the flavors of your drink. Being absorbed completely in what you’re doing. That’s truly getting full value.”
12 Fast Food Chains Where You Can Still Eat Cheap
![Beautiful girl eating hamburger food](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/8.-woman-eating-food.jpeg)
Fast food can be a quick and affordable meal option, but knowing where to go to get the most bang for your buck is essential. Read here.
16 Things That Are Legal in the U.S. but Are Actually Pretty Messed Up
![1. proud american](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.-proud-american.jpeg)
In the United States, there are a number of things that are legal but should not be. These things can range from harmful practices to others. Read here.
13 Inventions That Were Supposed to Change the World… But Didn’t
![african american girl in the street with surprised expression](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/omg-lady-in-shock.jpeg)
Though there are both good and bad inventions, it’s fascinating to learn about those that once promised to revolutionize the world, but are now forgotten. Read more.
15 Costco Products That Are a Total Rip-Off
![Young beautiful African American afro woman with curly hair wearing yellow casual sweater Crazy and scared with hands on head, afraid and surprised of shock with open mouth](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/scared-wtf.jpeg)
Costco is known for its great deals on bulk items, but only some things at the warehouse club are a good value. Read more.
Did You Know? These 18 Everyday Sayings Are Actually False
![Annoyed African-American young man in red casual shirt showing thumb down, expresses disagreement with grimace on the face, latin guy left bad review, dislike gesture](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/man-with-thumbs-down-whatever.jpeg)
Language is a powerful tool, but it can also be misleading. Overused sayings and clichés are often taken for granted as truths. Read more.
This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.