experience . Parts are cheap , labour is not . If you only need a tool for one project , don ’ t buy it if you can rent it , and don ’ t rent it if you can borrow it . There are many specialty devices that you ’ ll use once or twice , but they take up a lot of space and are costly to purchase . Sometimes I ’ ll buy a used gadget that I need for a project , then promptly sell it . If I get it for a good price , I can sometimes sell it for more than I paid , particularly if it needed refurbishing beforehand .
Change your eating habits . Eat at home more often and consider adding more vegetarian meals to your diet . Consuming a more plant-based diet is better for your overall health as well as for the planet ; being a frugal option is a bonus . Look for meals that include beans and rice , lentils , and other legumes . Pulses are high in fibre and both filling and healthy .
When grocery shopping , plan your trip in advance , using a flyer app on your phone to compare prices , and make a list . Many common items go on sale cyclically , so wait for the price drop before stocking up . My favourite protein powder goes on sale every fourth week like clockwork , and that ’ s when I buy it . If your favourite brand is on sale at another store , have your regular store match the price . Most stores allow the cashier to price match right at the register , but have your flyers at the ready .
Keep in mind you ’ re not saving money if you overbuy or purchase things that will go to waste . It may be a great price , but most produce only lasts a few days and meats in the freezer are subject to degradation . About fifty-eight per cent of food in Canada is lost or wasted every year , amounting to $ 1,766 for the average household .
Add fresh in-season fruits and vegetables to your shopping cart and if you have the space , consider growing some of your own produce during the spring and summer . Buying seeds can be expensive , so look for a seed exchange in your area or put out the word in local gardening groups . Gardening is as good for the soul as it is for the environment .
Soaring prices may shrink your disposable income in the coming months , but careful spending can help offset your reduced buying power . Being frugal by choice is the best way to hedge for inflation .
Jane Thrall is retired and thriving on a modest budget . Frugal living is a lifestyle choice she wholeheartedly endorses . Except when it comes to shoes , of course .
ARTAficial Flavours
We kept saying spring cleaning was right around the corner , but I never thought we ’ d actually make the turn .
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