How to be a Frugal Homemaker

Learn how you can trim the excess off your budget by practicing frugal homemaking in your daily routines.

Do you want to learn how you can be a more frugal homemaker?

I get it. You’ve been living pretty freely when it comes to spending around your home. Maybe your spouse has noticed. On the other hand, maybe you have something you’d both like to save for or some debt to pay off.

Maybe you’re just sick and tired of modern consumerism!

Whatever the case, you’re in the right place.

I’ve been working hard to be more frugal as a homemaker for over 7 years, and I’ve learned some tricks and tips along the way.

I will be completely honest with you, it can be difficult to change your homemaking ways to save your family money. If you’re not used to being frugal, its HARD at first.

BUT, the more you practice and get used to it, the easier it will get. If you’re up for the challenge, it can be so rewarding!

This is what frugal homemaking can do for you and your family:

Help you to save money and pay off debt
Encourage you to live a more simple and old-fashioned life
Help you to better appreciate the things in your home
Teach your kiddos about being frugal and intentional
Create a happier, healthier, more intentional home

One of the best things you can do to become a more frugal homemaker, is to take it one step at a time. Adapt one or two frugal habits and once you’ve got those down, then add a few more.

Don’t try to re-work your whole homemaking routine all at once.

Let’s dive in to some of my favorite ways to save money around your home and be a more frugal homemaker.

How to be a More Frugal Homemaker

Creating frugal habits in your homemaking doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are lots of opportunities to save a few dollars here and there and to be more intentional as a homemaker.

Think about all of the areas in your home that you take care of as a homemaker: cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, decorating, etc. These are ALL things you can re-assess to make sure you’re not wasting money.

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

If you are willing to work on a couple areas at a time, and to not give up, you’ll be well on your way!

Remember, if you want to reach your goal (saving X amount of dollars, trimming X amount off your budget, teaching your kiddos frugality, etc.) simply combine a few of the frugal ideas below.

Keep in mind that you’re NOT going for cheap… but rather frugal, more intentional, and less wasteful. Let’s get started!

Hey homemaker! I have something super exciting to share with you. I’ve been working hard for YEARS to come up with schedules and routines that can help (not hinder), our homes and our old-fashioned goals. I finally have a tried and true method and I’ve put it all together in an easy-to-follow guide for YOU! Get your copy today by clicking HERE 29+ pages of tips, ideas, and printables to make it your own.

Cook Food From Scratch

Cooking your meals (and snacks) from scratch can save you loads of money, trust me!

If you’re used to buying most of your food packaged from the store, take it one item at a time. If you’re family loves cereal, make a homemade granola this week. Eat bread pretty often? Learn to make your own.

Most food items (with a few exceptions) are cheaper to make on your own than they would be to buy prepackaged at the store.

One of my VERY favorite resources for cooking food from scratch, on a budget, is Tiffany at Don’t Waste the Crumbs. She shares TONS of grocery budget tips, her real life examples of what she spends money on, frugal recipes, and more.

Not only will cooking your food from scratch save you money, but its also healthier for you. WIN, WIN!

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

Homemakers back-in-the-day didn’t have the THOUSANDS of options in cleaning supplies as we do. These can add up in price, especially if you’re purchasing from natural brands.

Old-fashioned, frugal homemakers had tried and true basics. With those they made the majority of their cleaning solutions!

Invest in a some basics for cleaning, buy in bulk when you can, and experiment with different DIY cleaning recipes to find what you love.

Basic & Frugal Cleaning Supplies:

white vinegar
baking soda
essential oils
borax
castile soap

One last thing, don’t underestimate the power of a little hot water and some elbow grease. It can work wonders! And its totally free.

Make or Thrift Your Home Decor

We live in a really interesting time period! There’s a lot of pressure to have our homes look a certain way, and it seems its thrown at us everywhere in every way possible.

You usually can’t get on Instagram without seeing what the latest trend is for decor. You can’t walk through a Target without seeing the CUTEST throw pillows, rugs, and knick knacks. All of which are very much in style.

As homemakers, it can be more than tempting to “keep up with the Joneses” and spend the money to make your home look like a magazine.

Want to know one of the best ways to save money as a homemaker? Don’t give in to those temptations! Just don’t do it.

This doesn’t mean you don’t can’t decorate! Or absolutely LOVE your home and make it beautiful. You just have to go about it a different way.

For one, you can thrift your home decor. Used decor is WAY less expensive, and if you search around you can find some real treasures. Find things that play off of what’s in style, OR create your own unique style.

Take your time! Collect things over time and as you find what you love.

Another way to save money on decorating is to make your own decor! This only works good if you’re frugal about your supplies.

Buy discount fabric or thrifted fabric to sew curtains.
Use wood from an old fence to make a cute sign.
Gather some evergreen from your bushes outside to make a wreath for the front door.

Whatever you decide to do, get creative, take your time, and create a beautiful home the old-fashioned, frugal way.

Grow a Garden

A kitchen garden, what an old-fashioned and nostalgic idea!

Guess what? In years past I’ve spent around $30 on seeds… and harvested POUNDS & POUNDS of fresh vegetables for us to eat all summer (and all winter when we preserve them).

Keeping a garden (even a small one!) can save you a ton on money on groceries. Packets of seeds usually cost $1-$3 and can produce pounds and pounds of produce per plant.

Its seriously amazing. You may have extra expenses if its your first time (seed starting supplies, a hose or sprinkler for watering, shovels, etc.) but once you’re established you’ll save so much money.

Gardening is also a great activity to do with the kiddos. Teach them about the plants, help them to understand how it saves your family money, show them how to use up every bit of the harvest.

Keep a Budget

We can’t have a frugal homemaking post without a little talk on keeping a budget!

Maybe you have a budget already and it just needs to be tweaked. Or maybe you’ve never kept a budget in your life. Maybe you’re somewhere in between.

I’d encourage you to sit down with your spouse and look over all of the things that you spend money on, especially with regards to your homemaking.

Whenever I am going over our budget I start first by writing down all of our set and necessary expenses like rent, electricity, internet, etc. Then, I see how much is leftover and divide that up over the things that are more flexible like groceries, gas, and entertainment.

There are TONS of different methods for budgeting. Try different tactics out and see what works best for you and your family. Something you can stick to and that encourages your frugal homemaking habits.

So… This is how to be a more frugal homemaker!

Remember, if you want to save money and be better at frugal homemaking, you have to put in the work and make the adjustments.

It won’t happen over night!

Whether you’re saving up for something, paying off debt, teaching your kiddos about frugality, or just making a lifestyle change, chipping away at it will get you where you want to go.

Try different things in the categories above until you find a rhythm you’re happy with.

Remember, frugal and intentional rather than cheap.

When you’re feeling discouraged, think of the homemakers in the days-gon-by who made this a lifestyle:

They grew their own gardens and cooked hearty meals for their family’s. These homemakers used simple and frugal cleaning supplies. They sewed their own curtains and lovingly tied their own rag rugs. AND, they knew how much money they could spend on their homes and were content with that.

Start today, and you’ll be practicing a frugal and intentional homemaking routine in no time.