11 unusual tips for frugal living in the UK - Travel Budget Bug (2024)

So, are you looking for some alternative ways of saving money for travel? Frugal living in the UK may seem like an absolute pipe dream to you because it’s just getting MORE EXPENSIVE to live!

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You’re probably finding people all over the internet telling you to find a side hustle or earn extra money alongside your day job to save up.

Well…I’m not here to talk about earning extra money.

I’m here to talk about frugal living in the UK and saving money through frugal living tips!

For me, these tips are quick, easy, simple to do and things that you can implement straight away.

These frugal living tips are things that I do to cut costs in order to save more money.

Although these tips relate to frugal living in the UK, I’m sure they can be implemented around the world!

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What is frugal living?

Frugal living is where you live below your means. So, you spend less money than you earn, in other words, your outgoings are less than your income.

If you live frugally, you’re able to budget and save money for other things… like travel!

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Frugal living in the UK- Is it possible?

It’s so possible to live frugally in the UK, as someone who has been forced to do so for years due to being a student and earning a low income, I had to find cheaper ways of living, otherwise I’d be totally broke!

And that’s the truth.

After living frugally for so, so long, including travelling frugally and being on a tight budget, I’m now in that habit of living below my means.

And you know what… I find frugal living quite fun!

It’s fun to find ways of cutting costs, thinking outside of the box, finding free stuff and usual ways of saving money.

It becomes boring spending money on something expensive, I quite like the hunt of finding something cheaper than anyone else can get it!

If I can save a buck… I will.

In the UK, finding cheap or free stuff is fairly easy and just a matter of knowing where to look.

Anyway, shall we get into it?

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Frugal living tips | Life hacks

These frugal living tips are the exact ways I save money on frugal living in the UK!

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1. Upcycle unwanted items

If I can upcycle furniture, I will. I find free furniture or things that I don’t need anymore and try and turn them into something usable and beautiful!

This may even include changing the functionality.

Now, I don’t have a head full of ideas of ways to turn unused furniture into crazy pieces of masterful art, but I do check out Pinterest for a little inspiration on upcycling.

There are some brilliant ideas on there, that I have definitely used!

I don’t like throwing things away unless I really have to…and that’s not me being a hoarder, that’s me saving money on buying things and not wanting to waste.

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2. Grow your own food

If you have some spare window space or a garden where you can grow some herbs, fruit or veg, go for it!

It’ll save you money on groceries AND your food will be fresher and probably tastier.

If you’re thinking, I don’t want to buy pots and containers etc, you don’t have to!

Use cut-up plastic milk cartons or butter containers, or whatever containers you can use around the house that plants would fit in and where you can cut little holes for water to escape.

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3. Make your own necessities

I really enjoy making things, especially things that are useful for me and that will save me money.

Over the past year, I have learned how to make face masks!

I literally went onto Youtube and found a good design and helpful instructions which I used to make a tonne of face masks.

Now, in the UK, reusable face masks are a minimum of £5 and you’ll probably need at least 5 of them to use throughout the week. That’s saving £25.

It’s probably not going to break the bank, but if you can make it, then why not save the money?

For me, I learned a new skill and I made face masks for friends and family and I know that if I need to make more, I have that skill, I can just go ahead and make one in no time!

You can use that money elsewhere!

If you don’t want to buy material for the masks, find old cushion covers you don’t want or tea towels. You can recycle almost any material for the masks!

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4. Makeshift

Rather than going out and buying something that you haven’t got, why not try and use something else for it?

Like, I received some flowers once and I never received flowers, so I didn’t have a vase.

So, I got a coffee jar and turned it into a vase!

More recently, I’ve started growing courgettes and needed protection for them so insects and animals don’t nibble on them!

I’m using an old plastic bottle from a water machine…genius!

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5. DIY- make your own decor

Again, if you need something for your home, house stuff is expensive nowadays!

I never buy cushions or blankets (unless dirt cheap) because they’re so over priced.

I’m probably just a cheap skate!

So I make lovely cushion covers and crochet blankets and throws to go on the bed, sofa or chairs.

Get creative and get making!

Yes it takes time, but it’s fun and will save you time and money looking for things that fit your exact colour scheme!

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6. Get cash-back

Whenever I buy something online, I double check if I can get cashback on it through Quidco.

I know that some credit cards also do cash back too.

It’s a great way to save money and earn some money back on things that you would ordinarily buy.

I wouldn’t buy something for the sake of getting cash-back though.

Psst… if you use THIS LINK you can get £5 from Quidco when you use the site for cashback!

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7. Shop in charity shops

In the UK, we have charity shops, which are basically second hand stores, but the proceeds go to charity.

They are a great way of buying second hand stuff for a good cause.

Over the years, people donate more and more awesome stuff to charity shops to the extent that you can find almost ANYTHING in them.

And some really good quality stuff too, sometimes brand new items.

You can save a tonne of money by looking in charity shops for things.

I’ve bought tennis rackets, a cake tin, kitchenware, books, clothes, shoes, travel bags and all sorts from charity shops over the years.

I save so much money buying second hand.

The prices are significantly lower than the usual stores and you can find some really good brands!

8. Use Facebook marketplace

Facebook marketplace is where you can find second hand (and new) items for free or for very cheap in your area.

It’s a platform I’ve used to get rid of some of my stuff, but somewhere I’ve started using more and more to buy cheap items.

I’ve found garden furniture, a desk and literally all sorts of things there!

It’s my go-to place when I need something.

9. Look on Groupon

Groupon is a discount website for loads of different brands and shops in your local area.

I have used Groupon for a hairdresser discount. It’s a great place to start if you need a service, you’ll find it significantly discounted there.

10. Search reduced sections of in groceries

Whenever I go to a supermarket or grocery store, I head to the reduced section because you can sometimes get a meal for pennies.

Some supermarkets have some great discounts and some don’t have as many, it’s just the luck of the draw.

But if you come across significantly reduced food, you can really cut your food bill.

I tend to freeze most of the stuff I find in the reduced sections.

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11. Find FREE stuff!

There is free stuff EVERYWHERE if you keep your eyes out.

Only yesterday someone left their unwanted books outside their house that I picked up and took home with me. They were travel books!

BINGO

Keep your eyes out for free things and you’ll find them all the time…I do!

But as a starting point, here’s a FREE TRAVEL JOURNAL I have created just for you!!

To conclude on frugal living in the UK…

Frugal living in the UK is so possible if you think of unusual and clever ways of cutting your costs and saving money.

I have lived frugally for a long time so that I can travel more and have more money for exploring the world, because that’s my passion.

I also live frugally when I’m travelling, because travelling can be expensive if you make it so.

These frugal living tips should inspire you to get creative with your own ways of saving money in your everyday life, so that you can travel more!

11 unusual tips for frugal living in the UK - Travel Budget Bug (2024)

FAQs

How can I live on very little money UK? ›

50 frugal money-saving tips
  1. Plan meals.
  2. Choose cheaper recipes.
  3. Make a shopping list.
  4. Don't shop when you're hungry.
  5. Visit cheaper supermarkets.
  6. Buy supermarket own-label products.
  7. Eat less meat.
  8. Buy in bulk – but only if you'll use it.

How to be frugal in the UK? ›

One of the best frugal money-saving tips in the UK is to cut back on food shopping. Consider buying fewer branded products and making the most of a supermarket's own range of goods to save money. You might also consider a membership to a wholesale store like Costco to save money on bulk items.

How can I travel to the UK on a budget? ›

The best way to travel around England for budget visitors is by coach, but journey times are often much longer than by train or car and the routes aren't always convenient. Bus travel is cheapest when booked direct: the two main operators are National Express and Megabus. Both offer competitive prices.

What is extremely frugal with money? ›

Living a frugal lifestyle means approaching your spending a little differently. And one of the most impactful shifts is to focus on the quality of your possessions rather than the quantity. Purchasing higher-quality clothing, furniture, appliances and so forth often means they will last longer.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

Is saving $1,000 a month good UK? ›

Saving for retirement is essential to ensure a comfortable and financially secure retirement. By saving £1,000 a month, you can significantly contribute to your retirement savings and potentially enjoy a more fulfilling retirement lifestyle.

Who is the most frugal woman in the UK? ›

Ilona Richards lives by a simple philosophy. “There is life after money,” she says, and her main mission in life is to prove it. Since retiring, she has become an expert in how to live comfortably on very little money.

How to be super frugal? ›

To save money, try implementing straightforward frugal habits. Consider cooking more meals at home, opting for used or free items, using a “waiting period” to curb impulse spending, “buying for life” and taking advantage of your local library.

How can I save money fast on a low income UK? ›

How to save money on a low income
  1. Tip 1: Reduce your accommodation costs. ...
  2. Tip 2: Switch your energy supplier. ...
  3. Tip 3: Buy your groceries online. ...
  4. Tip 4: Save money with coupons, vouchers, discount codes and cashback. ...
  5. Mark a day in your calendar for a big spring clean.

What month is the cheapest to visit England? ›

The cheapest time to travel to Britain is during the off-season: from November 1 to December 12 and from December 25 to March 14. In the last few years, the airlines have offered irresistible fares during these periods.

Is 500 pounds enough for a week in London? ›

It would be enough to pay for transport and a few meals out, but not a lot more than that, add in any attractions then it becomes a problem. Thankfully there is a lot to see in London without having to spend any money on admission.

What does a US citizen need to enter England? ›

Your identity document (for example your passport or identity card) will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you're allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK, depending on your nationality.

Who is the most frugal billionaire? ›

Warren Buffett

His net worth is valued at a staggering $121 billion. But the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway still lives in Omaha, Nebraska, in the home he bought in the 1950s for $31,000. Buffett's dietary preferences are cheap and easy to find: Coca-Cola and Potato Stix are a favorite breakfast.

What personality disorder is frugality? ›

The American Psychiatric Association defines frugality as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) when someone “adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others.” Extreme frugality is an amplified version of that, and it often involves viewing spending as a bad thing no matter how much ...

How can you tell if someone is frugal? ›

They budget carefully, allocate a predetermined portion of their income to savings and investments, and do not exceed it. They save up for big purchases, prefer to buy with cash (as opposed to credit), and keep an emergency fund for times of need.

What is the least amount of money you can live on UK? ›

In 2023, we have calculated that a single person needs to earn £29,500 to have an acceptable standard of living, up from £25,000 in 2022. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000, compared to £44,500 in 2022.

What is the minimum income to live in the UK? ›

A single person needs to earn £29,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2023. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000 between them. The increase in what is needed to reach MIS over the past year has been driven by the rapidly rising cost of many goods and services.

What is considered low income UK? ›

Housing costs include rent and mortgage interest payments. Households are in low income if they live on less than 60% of the median income. According to the Income Dynamics data, median income (before housing costs) was £30,316 per annum for a couple with no children in the period from January 2020 to December 2021.

How can I live on as little money as possible? ›

How to live below your means
  1. Understand your current financial habits. Not sure how to start spending less? ...
  2. Create an effective budget and stick to it. ...
  3. Look for ways to reduce spending. ...
  4. Set financial goals for future success. ...
  5. Save for emergencies or major purchases. ...
  6. Pay down debt. ...
  7. Stay aware of lifestyle creep.

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