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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.
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).
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?
“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 enjoy your home.”
I can attest to the truth in your very first sentence! I have been accused of being too much of a homebody, that I don’t get out and socialize enough…. but I am just not a social butterfly. I do have a good group of friends, whom I’d rather have come over and enjoy simple time together, food, conversation, movie’s or games. My home is my retreat, and yes, that makes it so much easier to remain frugal. Nice to hear others enjoy the same benefits!
Now, do you have directions for that place mat on your site??? I’d like to make that!
I do love a simple gathering at home too! That set place mats was a gift years ago from a talented seamstress. It’s basically a place mat sized quilt, but you gave me a blog post idea ;)
I would also like your placemat pattern.
Those placemats were a gift from a friend years and years ago. It’s basically just a patchwork quilt made in placemat size. I don’t have a specific pattern to share.
I used to be like that : I felt like a bit of a loser, not going out, you know? But that was when we lived in an apartment. The moment we bought our home, it was so cozy, so “us”, I just love being here. It takes a lot for me to go stir crazy. :-)
There is a definite mindset to being ‘home’ isn’t there? I do think it tends to happen when the building becomes ‘us’
I love being home, and truthfully I try to avoid driving into town because of the traffic and the hassle of loading up the kids. Plus I end up feeling like I should try to do everything possible in one trip since I made the drive, resulting in stress for all of us sometimes. Much better to hang out at home, maybe have a friend over, and enjoy being in our space.
I agree with Kat, that placemat is super cute. Would love to see a post on how to make it! :)
I can get a little obsessive about trip planning too and getting it all done, ha. I’ll work on a place mat post!
I like being home, I have lots of projects to do and work on. You are so right it is amazing how much money you save just on little things. Thanks for the encouragement, and ideas on how to keep the faith.
I’m so glad you found this post encouraging, thank you for reading and saying hello!
Great post! I would love if you would share it on the HomeAce Hop today, we are always looking for great homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading posts! – Nancy
On The Home Front
You are so right about staying home not only about being frugal but also enjoying your home. I would only leave once a week if I could get away with it. Between the garden, cooking, canning, sewing and just cleaning those could keep me busy for months without leaving lol. But the thing I think is the biggest benefit to enjoying your home is the calm you get from it. Most home body’s i know are not stressed and crazy. Oh and those placemats are adorable I will be in the sewing room later making a set. I just found your page today and will be checking back daily great sight.
Deana
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello! Who knew those place mats would be so very popular? Enjoy your day and sewing.
Just found this site…..Love what I am reading….Being a self contented homebody hermit myself I can relate…..I live on a mountain here in Vermont….Have since I was 11 years old…..My son and Grand Daughters live in the homestead Hubby and I built when we were 18…..My Grand Daughters are the 4th generation here on the mountain and the 6th generation to attend the schools here…..Since we built a new home on the top of the property 5 years ago I spend 5 months annually without leaving……Everything I need is in my own back yard……I can and freeze all our fruits…veggies…sauces…..butters etc…..We live off the land as much as possible….We eat only wild game…Pigs and chickens we raise ourselves…..Eggs come from our laying hens…..The remaining months I only leave the mountain once a week……I run all errands and stock pile my inventory on this day each week in getting ready for my 5 months…..EVERYONE thinks I am crazy including Hubby most days…..BUT….I just love my life and the simple life…Simple days and simple times…..Constantly tweaking my world to create simplicity……Your site is now a blessing added to my world…..Thank You for sharing with us….. <3
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello. Thank you even for sharing so much of your lovely story and life – sounds amazing!
I love this site……Interests me to spend time with like minded individuals…..LOVE all you and everyone share……Great tips….Treasures and insight…… <3
Wow Annette !! That is Awesome!! You ought to blog or do newsletters (email style) or something ..if you have time ! Would love to hear how you do it all. I work part time so I am out 5 days a week and I enjoy my job.I do shop only when I need to, make a plan for errands and try to stick with it. We had a small garden this year (3 pepper plants and 6 tomato) hope to be larger next year and learn to can. We canned apples and pears from our 2 trees this year. I quilt and have enough fabric that I refuse to buy more for a stash until I use what I have. But also love to stay home as much as possible. Work church and occasional dinner out with my husband….
Kathie, just found your site so really looking forward to reading more!! Thanks!!
Thank you so much for coming by and saying hello! Oh goodness, those homecanned pears are some of my favorite things. 6 tomato plants provides quite a bit of fruit in my experience!
Annie…..My friends here in Vermont and Kentucky tease me and nick named me the Pioneer Woman…….Giggle…..Because I live on the mountain I was raised on as a child……They have often mentioned that I should start a blog……Self employed for the past 28 years…..I work from home…..My schedule is so tight and I usually only sleep 2-4 hours daily….Blogging is a full time job…..Should be consistent and be able to blog daily….Not sure I would be able to fit it in….BUT I sure enjoy the few sites I have found and all the people that share similar feelings….Insights….Thoughts and the homebody syndrome way of livin’…Livin’ off the land…Off grid type of mentality…..Getting back to the simple days…Simple times…..This is a GREAT site :)
you are living my dream – hope you realise how fortunate you are my angel…… please send me pics….. I am sooooo inspired….
I’m so grateful to have found this site. Feel myself getting more calm just reading the posts. I do crave a simpler time.
Oh thank so much for stopping by and saying hello!
Annette, you sound so wonderful to have as a friend! I hope that I see your posts more on these blogs. I’d also love your insight into simpler living. Love and hugs to you!
This is so lovely, Kathie, and so true!
A year ago I went to work full time. I so miss being home…..cleaning with my homemade products, organizing, meal prepping, yard work, being home when my kids get home from school…..the list could go on for days. I miss being able to make ends meet on one income. All the things I did to save and be more frugal…..line drying our clothes, canning, cooking every meal.
Starting January 1st I dropped Fridays and it’s glorious!!! What a beautiful reminder in your post today of where God is leading me…..back home in this my first Friday off. Thank you!!!
Congrats to you on making tough choices and finding joy in what works for your life. I hope you enjoy your day at home!
Love this post! I have always been a homebody. I strongly believe in making home a sanctuary and a place you really really want to be. I do sometimes spend a little more on quality items for my home and for my kitchen/food, but overall it saves me a ton of money still.
I allow myself dinner dates, cocktails with friends or coffee with my sister once a week, but I never splurge on those kind of things for just myself. Picking up coffee or breakfast on the way to work just isn’t something I do. I enjoy those things from home unless it is also a chance to be social/connect with loved ones.
I love to grab a cup of coffee with friends now and then and I agree there is most definitely a place for that in all our lives. Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello!
Hi! We love our place and being at home, and we are frugal by both choice and necessity,,,but we are also social folks! So, we make efforts to combine these things!
Our place is where neighborhood kids come to drink lemonade, play with animals, and be outside just being kids. It seems other people only invite children over for “special” events, but a bit of fresh (and cheap) lemonade and some random project to “help” with really brings kids around…all you have to do is ask.
We also have regular potlucks here a couple times a month, not only for special occasions, not only on a weekend, just to share a simple meal. Potlucks not only save on prep, cleanup, and cost of a great dinner, but we are also sharing space and energy with others and inviting people “in”, something that makes the fabric of our community stronger and increases our love of our home even more.
We are hosts through couchsurfing.com and warmshowers.com, two resources for travellers which bring many many people from all over the world to our place. Although we do not travel internationally much ourselves, we meet many wonderful people through hosting…and they come to our place and are so grateful to stay with locals in a welcoming home. We also do many free activities like hiking, boating, and bicycling with our guests. If you are not familiar with these resources for hosting or travelling yourself, we highly recommend them!
It is not always easy to open up your home to others (for many reasons), but it is very gratifying to put down too high standards and pick up a commitment to openness and building good will through interaction. I not only want a nice and comfortable home, I want a home that is full of energy and opportunity to share the bounty we are blessed with. Come on over for lemonade!
Hi Kathy,
I’m margaret, in the UK.
That was an interesting read, something I’ve known but not yet applied to myself. I live in a flat, it’s never felt like home. The noise from the busy road, does not inspire to be creative.
I retired last year, so have more time for ME.
Focussing at the moment on diet and keeping fit. My fiancé lives over 20 miles away, but is soon retiring too, we will then look for a home together,
I very much want to put into practice, loving my home.
I am naturally frugal. And love to revamp.. So I hope we can find a home with a garden. To put into practice what makes perfect sense.
Thank you, it’s reawakened a resolve.
I wish you luck in finding a beautiful home for your new life and upcoming marriage. Even more than that I wish you a home that inspires you more every day.
Great post! It has taken a few years but we have slowly transitioned from consumers to makers. We spend a lot of time at home working on homestead projects and rather than spend we do. My partner and I grew up suburban kids living very different lifestyles but with self-education and learning to do new things at home I feel like we have greatly increased our happiness and contentment with our daily lives. Of course, it is nice to go out sometimes and our community has great events which we love to attend but shifting from a shopping consumer mentality where you exhibit no control over where the food and things in your life come from to making and doing things for yourself has been so much fun for us. We are inspired more and more everyday to do things at home rather than go out and purchase stuff. It started with our food, growing a garden and raising our own animals, now I make all of our cleaning products, beauty products, and now I want to learn to knit. This is my first post I read on your blog and I look forward to reading more. Thanks for the great read and inspiration!
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story! Gardening is a gateway drug to all kinds of D.I.Y. living, ha.
I enjoyed your article. I enjoy my home, too. We ‘went frugal’ 3.5 years ago and looking back I see that making our home comfortable and focusing on what we can do ‘here’ instead of ‘out’ somewhere has saved a lot of money and brought us even closer as a family. A $35 fire pit has been the center of many nights of fun. Our family enjoys a family project as entertainment, too. We have canned salsa together….made pizza buffets…dug a root cellar where we buried an old fridge with vents…gardened, etc. Now we use outings mainly for special occasions such as birthdays. We appreciate them more and look forward to them vs. ‘expecting’ them. I love life at home. Two of our children are in college and we decided to homeschool the third. I LOVE it! We set our own schedule and we have plenty of time to expound on any subject and/or project we want! I’m naturally introverted which probably helps me be satisfied at home…..but whatever the cause, I love it!
Hi Kathy and Thank You for your lovely site and blog. Have been a homebody many years and nothing beats it. We have a small homestead and grow fruits, vegetables and herbs. Although not all of the wonderful herbs are available in South Africa we try to grow whatever is obtainable. Some trying to grow from berries and root cuttings begged from friends and family. Our policy is diy and homemade! Make jams,chutneys,mustard,sauces and can everything. Only recently began making soaps and creams and tinctures. So fulfilling and satisfying living a quiet frugal life at home and dislike going shopping and navigating through the traffic is a nightmare. Please keep up the good work with these wonderful informative posts. Awesome Wow!
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing so much of story!
I love this site and realising there are many likeminded people. In our immediate neighbourhood am only homestead. All my friends and students are strictly mall and shopping crazy. We have cattle that are housed on my sister in laws farm. Would love to move to a farm but hubby is not that influenced yet! Had to learn to improvise as many raw products not available. Bees wax, lanolin, washing soda and pure cocoa butter are non existant at moment. Most essential oils unheard of and so we have to make our own. Yesterday was whooping and doing a jig as our garden centre obtained an elderberry, hawthorn and youngberry for me. No blackberry or cherry bushes! Please everyone appreciate all the wonderful berries, herbs and trees that grow wild in your countries. Very few books on canning, herbs, prepping and making soaps and toiletries are on sale in South Africa. This makes every homesteading site priceless treasures for us. Although amazon has many books and products our fones, internet providers and bank accounts or cards are incompatible to amazon.
I am a recent convert to this beautiful and peaceful way of life, I also have started taking Fridays off and find the extra day allows for more time to make home a haven and to let down from the pace of the work life. I do home health occupational therapy and have for decades, have always been drawn to homes, even if not mine! Hope to go down to working 3 days a week next year.
How I wish I had felt this deep satisfaction at home when my children were younger,
reading the different comments made me realize how much we missed….
How wonderful to have a site like this to inspire and support others in this way of life! Thank you all for lovely sharing.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story! Enjoy those long weekends at home.
A post written after my own heart! I am a CNA and running from one client’s home to another can leave a person frazzled and very tired of being in a car! I recently gave up all clients except the 2 that are within 5 miles of my home. I have SAVED SO MUCH MONEY due to less fuel, not running through a drive-thru when I forgot or didn’t have time to make a lunch,and no stopping at stores when I had an hour to waste between clients! I work less, have more money, and I am using up all my craft supplies making our home a ‘haven’. I am an avid quilter, love to quilt, and generally just putter around home. Beautiful post!
Patricia, Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing so much of your story with me. I too love puttering around home.
I fell upon this post via pinterest, and let me tell you it is wonderful. Living in a suburban area in a military family makes it difficult sometimes, but my family and I try to be as frugal as possible. Were the only ones out of many of our friends that keep to it and are aware of it. I cant wait to read more of your posts and connect with others who enjoy this lifestyle!
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello. Good luck in all those frugal goals.
Thank you, Kathie, for this post! I just found it, and I’m so glad that I did. I was just praying for some “peace” and your words & all of the discussion made me feel better. I appreciate that!
In two months, I’m planning on quitting my full time job and staying home with our daughter (she’s already four, so this has been on my heart for quite a while). I’ve been working full time, basically, since I was 14. I’m now 39 and ready for a change. Life is just way too short!!!
Anyway, I’m used to being in town, eating out, hustle & bustle, etc! Besides the finances, my biggest fear is that I won’t be able to “stay home” all of the time!! But, my heart is really ready for everything that you talked about, so I’m really hoping that we can make this work!!!!
Thanks for your words!!
Thank you for sharing your story and I’m so glad to know that this post and all the many comments encouraged you. Desire gets us a long way and it seems like you’re willing to work for what you want – also get out when you need too, find free activities, go to the park, etc. It’s okay to want to be out around people, some of us need that more than others be true to yourself and those finances. Best wishes!
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!!
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.
Your blog and FB page are constant inspiration for me! Helps me stay focused!! God Bless!!
What a wonderful thing to say, thank you so much!
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.
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.
At last, someone that speaks my language. I’m having no problem with this pandemic. Enjoy what you have while you have it!
Since retiring in late 2023, I love being home. It keeps me happy. I do work one day a week and that day gives all the people contact I want. I do all my errands at one time but can knit or sew up a storm otherwise.
I love these ideas, you just inspired me to grab my crochet blankets and put them on my couch for a pop of colour. Thanks!