When being frugal – plan ahead!

Other than keeping little money in my wallet when I go out shopping (and yes, keep those credit cards out of there too), the greatest tool to being frugal is planning ahead.

When planning ahead, you save money by not spending money needlessly.  Example, if you are going out, you can make your own coffee and/or lunch so that you don’t have to buy while out.  The same goes with refillable water bottles.  Bring your own, and don’t need to buy.

Planning ahead could meaning cooking your meals for the week ahead of time.  Save not only money but time.  I used to do that when we used to commute and it was late when we got home at night.  With meals ready to reheat meant we didn’t need to go out to eat or order a pizza.

Planning ahead for the future is great for being frugal.  Whether it is clothing, trips, appliances, etc.  We plan ahead for all big items and for trips.  My wife is good at finding deal, coupons and such others.

Little did my wife know that I was planning ahead and saved money to make the move from New Jersey the month we started living there.  It was never to be our forever home (only to be closer to my daughter).  So when the time came some fourteen years later when she had enough of the snow and I couldn’t or wouldn’t shovel it anymore, I showed her the bank account.  This made the decision and the move to Florida very easy.

When we have goals and save for them, you find that it is not hard to be frugal.  You see the big picture.

So plan ahead, establish goals and see where you can save every day, every month, and every year.