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The Frugal Homebody

In thinking about ways to save money and be frugal, the best way I think to do so is to learn to stay home and your enjoy your home.  I understand sometimes we don’t live where we thought we would, our homes don’t exactly match that dream home we thought of when we were teenagers, or the ones we collect images of on Pinterest, but making the most of our homes and the time we spend there can make a huge difference in our spending habits and saving patterns. Becoming the frugal homebody might just be the best way to keep our budgets in line and our lives free of debt.

Become the frugal homebody as way to save money and gain contentment at home.

Why Stay Home?

Staying home obviously saves on gas if we’re driving on our little escapes, it also rescues us from a multitude of temptations.  The minute we leave our homes, most of us are hit with marketing.  I have one mile from my house to the first store and reader board.  From there signs and stores are everywhere and even the slightest deviation from the intended errand can add up fast.  How many times have we stopped for a quick cup of coffee only to pick up a scone and those oh so sweet greeting cards that were by the counter?  Being in at home means learning to use whats there and use it for enjoyment and comfort, instead of retail therapy.

Make Home a Retreat

Make home a place you enjoy being, a retreat and sanctuary from the world.  I don’t mean redecorating or renovating, no buying new furniture.  Find ways to make it a place where it is a snap to spend time.  Rearrange furniture, use that stash of vintage linens, fabric, yarns and more to make your home yours and comfortable.  Keep books, games, music and more easily accessible to fight boredom.  Find frugal hobbies or rekindle ones you already have, just be sure your hobby isn’t shopping on ebay or etsy, or watching those home shopping channels (obviously these things have their places in our lives but it shouldn’t be one that causes us to spend needlessly). 

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Planned Outings

Be sure to combine trips when you do go out.  Hit the library, farmers market, thrift store, and post office on one trip and stay focused.  Make a plan and don’t be tempted from your path.  If there is a hankering for a cup of coffee, plan to include that in the errands, that way the coffee urge is satisfied without allowing the other temptations to hit the wallet.

Balance Not Deprivation

This is not an exercise in total deprivation, we do need to do fun things even when on a budget, but everything needs to be in balance.  Like most things, create a habit of staying home every other weekend and eventually (and not too terribly long either) it will feel strange to go out on an unplanned weekend.  Find ways to get outside without going to retail locations.  Go for a walk around your neighborhood, to a park, etc. 

How do you make your home enjoyable?  Do you find it easy to stay home?  What tips would you offer someone looking to become a frugal homebody?

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Nancy

Friday 29th of May 2020

At last, someone that speaks my language. I'm having no problem with this pandemic. Enjoy what you have while you have it!

Mandy

Friday 8th of June 2018

I'm pretty much a homebody but my husband is even more so. When I occasionally talk about travel, he agrees to accompany me anywhere in the world as long as he gets to sleep in his own bed every night.

Liz Dyer

Monday 26th of March 2018

We are very much stay at home people. We love our quiet home in the mountains in the woods 12 miles from town. We go to town once a week to do errands. Our entertainment is watching the birds in the backyard, reading, and our hobbies. I quilt and do wool applique and my husband is into wood working and carving. A day out for us is going to the flea market, farmers market, or thrift stores and once a month a museum with lunch out. I cook all our meals, we have a vegetable garden and I can or freeze the produce. My husband usually will kill one deer for the freezer every year. This year I hope to add chickens for eggs and meat.

AllenKaren

Wednesday 11th of May 2016

Your blog and FB page are constant inspiration for me! Helps me stay focused!! God Bless!!

Homespun Seasonal Living

Wednesday 11th of May 2016

What a wonderful thing to say, thank you so much!

colleen

Monday 2nd of May 2016

Have heard over and over you need to get out more! I am like a bird that goes out to gather my needs and wants and return to my little nest. Have so many things I enjoy...reading, needlework, puzzle books etc. I Love to cook and clean my nest. Enjoy being in our tiny bakyd and cook out! Home is where my heart stays.Very happy to have found this site!!

Homespun Seasonal Living

Monday 2nd of May 2016

Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello! I do realize that some folks are more extroverted and that's okay but home is a good place to be and we can always invite folks over to share in our homes.