One of the things I love about frugality is that it’s pretty simple.
Want to save money? Spend less.
Of course, there are all kinds of folks who market all kinds of products, books, iPhone apps, software, and subscription services all designed to save you money.
Guess what? The best frugal tools are the most basic. If you want a be frugal, here are a few of the tools you can use to get started:
Pen & Paper. You can plan a budget, write down your goals, sketch a plan, make an organized shopping list, draft a dinner menu, etc., etc.
Calculators are another budgeting must-have and a great way to help you try out different financial scenarios to see which works best for you. Use that calculator to figure out cost per unit at the grocery store and you’ll save money.
Library card. If you want to call yourself frugal, this card is secondary only to your driver’s license. The library is your ticket to a world of information that can help you save money – from frugal living books to cookbooks to gardening. Of course, there is so much more to the library than just books, too!
Newspaper. One of my favorite sources for coupons is also a great place to look for job opportunities, garage sales, free community events, and of course, news, sports, and entertainment.
Elbow grease and brain power. These two resources combined will cost you nothing, but have the potential to save (and earn) you lots of money. When a problem comes along, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Get creative and you may surprise yourself with a great, low-cost solution.
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Back to basics, i agree, i would be lost without my pen and paper even though i love gadgets.