Many, though not all, certainly, reach to a life of frugality through necessity. If one is to overhaul a household and get back into the black there are a few preliminary steps which must be observed. First, look at what your take home pay is–the actual amount of cash (not considering that raise or bonus you are hoping for–since one cannot reasonably live on “expectations”) that is your weekly or bi-monthly remuneration.

Then, look at your outgoing expenses, starting with those fixed necessities such as rent, utilities, car payment, life insurance, commuting costs. Deduct these. Look, then, at variable expenses–food, clothing, toiletries, recreation/entertainment. It is almost a certainty, for most of us, that we will be able, given some discipline and resolve, to carve these variable expenses. It is necessary, at this point, to be able to make the distinction between “need” and “want.” Example: I need shelter and sufficient caloric intake vs. I want a McMansion and gourmet meals delivered to my door.

Reducing household costs: Let’s start with the lights. Whenever possible, turn off those lights, which have been, hopefully, changed to long-life bulbs utilizing less power. Whenever possible, commence the curtains and blinds and LET THE LIGHT (and the new air) INTO YOUR LIVING SPACE!!! Do not leave lights burning in empty rooms because “I’m going back in there.” Turn off that television, radio, charger, computer when it is not in use. Every second these are left on when not in use the utility company might as well be siphoning the cash directly from your pockets into their coffers. If you’re not using it TURN IT OFF!!!

A word regarding air conditioners: unless it is absolutely unbearable leave them off. Drink plenty of water, wear less and lighter and looser clothing, fan yourself, think cool thoughts. If it must be on at all set it at 78 degrees. Close all the shades, in this case, to retain the sun out. Keep doors and windows tightly shut to keep the chilly air from escaping.

Groceries: Seek out generics (why turn your nose up at a product simply because it hasn’t a huge advertising budget? ) and the least processed, least packaged foods. If you can comfortably afford it–and have the room for storage–join Costco, Sam’s Club, or B.J.’s or a similar “warehouse” type store and take advantage of the savings which may be had when buying in bulk. If not, scrutinize your weekly supermarket circulars, marking the specials (but, beware, as some store brands/generics may still be a better value than their advertised “specials”) and figure out the unit price (or tag per ounce) for the items. The larger the size (generally) the smaller the unit price. Therefore, the 32 ounce jar of peanut butter is a much better value than the 8 ounce jar. It may seem, at first, that the 8 ounce jar is a better bargain because it is a few pennies less, but, ounce per ounce, the 32 ounce jar is better value for money than the smaller jar (which will need to be replaced sooner anyway).

This being said, do not purchase items simply because they are on special. Be sure that you will eat it if you are going to buy it. It is a poor economy indeed to have goods on your pantry shelves taking up valuable space until they are well past their sell by date. Be mindful of what meals you plan to prepare for the coming week(s) when making your shopping list. Don’t limit yourself to one grocery store–each may have better deals on specific items. Compare and contrast the circulars, side by side. Who has the better deal, this week, for ground beef, butter, bread, eggs? Coupons. Useful if they are for an item which you are buying anyway (which is hopefully also on special). Not useful if they are simply an incentive to try an expensive, over-processed, over-packaged, over-advertised product (especially those aimed at children). Find a grocery that offers: double coupon savings, “buy one fetch one free” promotions, and $1.00 items. AVOID those small tiny stores on the corner with their shrimp tiny sample sizes that they charge black market prices for (you’re paying through the nose for that convenience). When you see an exceptional price at your grocery, stock up and beget your pantry. Increasing the number of meatless meals will also help to gash your grocery expenses as well as helping you to stay healthy. Eat more vegetables and pasta, more legumes and brown rice! Reduce your waistline whilst increasing your bank balance! Keep those ankles slim and gout-free!

Cleaning products: Baking soda, vinegar and water, bleach (powder and liquid) are indispensible and much less expensive than most commercial preparations. Baking soda is mountainous for carpets (sprinkle, let sit, then vacuum), drains (pour into drain, let sit, then flush down with several kettles of boiling water). Nothing beats an outmoded toothbrush and a solution of bleach and warm water when cleaning the grout on bathroom tiles. As with edible items, avoid the overpackaged, the over-advertised, the novelty cleaners. A little elbow-grease and the aforementioned popular household items go a long map. Old shirts, cut up, make excellent rags for cleaning, and old socks are ideal for dusting–slip one over your hand and dust the item in question.

Toiletries: Again, try out generics, but, if you are loath to give up your favorite brands, clip coupons and wait for them to go on special. Discount stores, such as National Wholesale Liquidators often offer great prices on toiletries (shampoo, powder, razors, toothpaste, and so forth). As with grocery items, again, look for larger or “value” sizes. It is pointless to engage miniature sizes, because, ounce for ounce, they are grand more expensive than their larger counterparts.

Clothing: Opt for classic rather than overly trendy styles. Buy less but better. Before purchasing anything ask yourself whether it suits your way of life and whether the color and line work well with what is already in your closet. Will it need to be drycleaned each time you wear it or can it be hand or machine washed? Does it fit properly? Will you wear it? Are the seams well-sewn and properly finished? A bargain is no bargain if it hangs unworn at the back of your closet.

The truly frugal will seek out the consignment shop, the thrift shop (many are attached to churches or hospitals and benefit those worthy institutions), and stores such as T.J. Maxx, where, if you hunt, you can find expedient quality merchandise for a fraction of the novel retail price. eBay has some clothing bargains, but these require both 1) a willingness to pay a shipping/handling fee and 2) going through the bidding process and perhaps not winning the item. Some eBay merchants have a “assume it now” option, which may be more appealing, depending on the price of the item. Also, if you are determined to shop online–try any of a number of websites, such as “smartbargains.com” which promise to sort through the items available on the web and show you which vendor has the lowest price. Also, check out the “clearance” pages on clothing catalogue websites.

Treat your clothes well. When buttons drop off sew them support onto the garment. Handwash items likely to be prematurely aged in the washer/dryer in order to lengthen the life of the garment. Press on a rude setting so as not to scorch. Always hang the garment up after taking it off. When something is too old to wear out wear it around the house. When too old to wear around the house cut it up for cleaning rags or use for crafts (remove and save all of the buttons first, of course).

Books/Magazines/Newspapers: Are you really reading that newspaper you buy every morning? If so, great. If not–maybe you should consider an alternate source for news–via television, the internet, or radio. Never pay retail for a book. Either wait until it comes out in paperback, is remaindered, or find a used copy on Half.com. Join your local public library. As well as withdrawing books you can also often borrow DVDs, CDs, and videotapes. The library may also be a link to events such as book sales (generally very good prices), lectures, films, concerts, and community service programs (free tax preparation for senior citizens, for instance, or blood pressure screenings, or children’s programs).

If you’re purchasing books (for gifts, let’s say) try Edward R. Hamilton or Daedalus Books. Both have online and print catalogues and outrageous prices on remaindered titles–new volumes at deeply discounted prices–as well as a smaller selection of discounted CDs, videotapes, DVDs, address books and notecards.

How many magazines do you subscribe to? Do you read/need all of them or do they pile up, unread, until they’re bundled into the recycling bin? Why not pass on your magazines to a friend or relation–or perhaps exchange issues if they subscribe to another publication. Or, leave them in a communal space, such as a laundry room, so that others can read them.

Impulse purchases: These are to be avoided at all costs. Do you really need that candy bar, pack of gum, or that $5.00 cup of coffee? I don’t mediate so. Learn how to say “no.” Learn how to say “I can’t afford it.” Advertisers and marketers have toiled long and hard to get us to hand over our cash, positioning great racks of magazines and candy and all manner of shining trinkets at the checkout counters, in an attempt to impoverish our pockets, thus lining theirs. Recognize their ploys and resist them.

Entertainment: Forgo the theatre, movies, concerts, and gym memberships for evenings at home with family, talking, playing board games, listening to the radio, reading, watching an outmoded movie on television or a tape/DVD borrowed from the library. Pack a picnic lunch and go to a local park. Eat food prepared at home. There is an enormous markup on almost everything you order in a restaurant (or from a lift away) and especially on any wine or spirits. Plus, there is always the gratuity of 15-20% which must be given. So. Eat at home. It’s cheaper and generally healthier.

Transportation: Walk whenever it is possible to do so. It is, by far, the healthiest option. Why get into a car if you are only going several blocks? If you cannot walk then use public transportation (a monthly pass will be cheaper than paying individual fares). See if your employer will reimburse allotment of your transportation expenses. Taxi cabs are a last option–the fare plus the obligatory tip make them far too expensive for the truly frugal. If you can, leave the car at home. Don’t be held hostage by the cost of gas. Look for other, less expensive options, including, if feasible, cycling.

Telephone/Cable/Internet/Cellular Service: Scrutinize these bills line by line. Could you be doing better with another provider or service plan? What can you cut out in the way of services? Do you really need Caller ID, Call-waiting, and all those other features–or can you live without them? Do you really need long-distance service (if you only use it once or twice a year perhaps you don’t) and three hundred television channels? Do you need cable service, period? Can you go serve to a dial-up connection for your internet service? Call the providers of these services and say to them– how can I reduce this bill? If they want your custom they may be willing to work with you to find a service that better fits your needs.

Again, look at the salary that is coming in and the total amount that is outgoing every month. Then mediate whether you are making an adequate provision for the future (housing, education of children, retirement) through regular plans of saving and investment. If you are not then you must cut, cut, nick or else augment your income with a second job.

Gifts and gift-giving: Impose a limit on what is spent on presents. Buy a box of blank cards rather than separate greeting cards. Use unimaginative wrapping paper rather than patterned or seasonal wrap. Shop around. Spend some time looking for the right notice. Halt. Think. Look at the price and the cash in your hand.

Some general thoughts: Employ cash whenever possible rather than credit cards. If you must use a credit card make definite there are sufficient funds to cover the purchase in your checking account at that same time. Don’t think–next month’s salary will veil it or that I will “catch up” later on in the year. Track your spending down to the last penny.

Make a written record of what you are spending and where you are spending it and figure out where you can crop. Anticipate semi-yearly or quarterly expenses and ensure that sufficient funds are available for these obligations. Pay bills as they arrive and keep meticulous records as regards check numbers and amounts lest some payment be disputed.

Remember: Willful ruin makes woeful want–use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!