Top ways of being frugal

Are the bills eating up your wallet? Does your reserve get thinner with every swipe of the card? Grabbing a bite at a nearby coffee shop taking a lot more of money than you can afford? Well, hello to you average Chennai person. You belong to the migration population of the Madras city.

Chennai is a metro city where we race like rats to pass a single day. Every time you look to shop or dine the sellers and the service industry try to pounce on you like you are a poor grass-eating herbivore with lots of meat all over you. But in fact, you hardly have enough to spend for basics. However, your tired wife wants a day off from the kitchen and your children need their day out after a week of mundane school activities. So there you are loitering, looking longingly at the displays of the plush malls and cravingly watching the fancy restaurants on the way. Don't worry, I offer you some tips to be frugal even at the beginning of the month when your phone beeps and you look at the magical words in your inbox, "Salary credited".

There is no feeling greater than the content you experience when you grab a good coupon deal or dine at a happy hour in that expensive restaurant. You think you actually save some bucks, but in fact, you don't save anything, it is one less hole in your pocket. Let us look at the ways of being frugal.

Shopping list:

Whenever you go for a monthly grocery shopping, make sure you list out the necessary items and look only for those. Be careful with your eyes meandering over various other products which you may not want this month, though placed under attractive deals. Choose supermarkets such as DMart, SPAR, where they surprise you with humongous discounts. But don't forget to check the expiry date of those products on sale. Also, carry enough cash(not excess) with you and leave credit cards at home unless emergency.

Eat before you go out:

Don't ever leave home with a growling stomach. If you do so, your eyes can play tricks on you, even the unhealthiest food may seem inviting and you end up paying over the odds. Eat a light snack or have a juice drink before you step out. This may stop you from ogling at beautiful burgers, sandwiches and biryani pots. Always dine wisely within the "Happy Hours" of your favourite restaurants.

Much ado about parking:

Sometimes you spend more for car park than your film ticket. It is horrible to pay hundreds of rupees for that sitting duck of a car at a mall. A good idea would be to take a taxi to the film which would surely not cost much than the amount you pay for 4 hours at the mall. Also look for the shopping areas where they refund the parking ticket if you buy at their supermarket.

Deals and sales:

Every woman would love to hear the words, "On-Sale". Always wait for the deal and sale in the shops you visit regularly. People often get tricked by the deals in the online shopping websites, either get an old stock product or charge more on the delivery front to match up the profit.

Save water and electricity:

Whenever you are out of your room, switch off the fans and lights even if it is for a minute. Cut down AC consumption, limit it to bedtime hours alone. Teach your children how to save power and of course water. Water is the elixir of life if you can't save it atleast don't waste it. Top places where water gets wasted are car wash, dishwashers, laundry, showers etc. Take a pledge as a family not to waste water no matter what.

Support small businesses:

It is always wise to choose quality over quantity so that it lasts longer. Yet give a helping hand to small businesses by shopping their products instead of paying the luxury tax. Every time you do that, somewhere someone's dream is coming true while you actually pay less than you always have.


Do your own chores:

Outsourcing the household work can cost you much these days. Save up on your gym expenditure and spend time in chores bending and breaking out a sweat. This measure might put you in shape and your wallet too.

Being frugal can help your self-control better which begets self-content. My final words are that every once in a while you should "TREAT YOURSELF". Give yourself the retail therapy and enjoy, not always you have to think economically. Free the reins and bask for a while.