50 Frugal Living Tips That Help You Save Money and the Planet
In today’s world, frugal living isn’t just about pinching pennies — it’s about making intentional, sustainable choices that support your well-being and the Earth. At SuperBee, we believe that living light doesn’t mean living less — it means living better.
Whether you’re just starting your low-waste journey or are a seasoned eco-saver, these 50 practical tips will help you cut costs and reduce your environmental footprint, and help us help others with our social programs at the same time.
Kitchen & Home Essentials
The average household spends over $300–$500 per year on disposable products like plastic wrap, paper towels, synthetic sponges, and toxic cleaning sprays. That’s money literally being thrown in the trash.
Swap these for long-lasting, reusable essentials like beeswax wraps, loofahs, and DIY cleaners — and you could save up to $400 annually, all while cutting back on waste and chemicals in your home.
1. Ditch plastic wrap – Switch to reusable SuperBee Beeswax Wraps to keep food fresh and cut down on single-use cling film and ziploc bags.
2. Stop buying laundry detergent – Try Hexawash, our reusable magnesium laundry pouch. It lasts for over 300 washes and contains no harmful chemicals.
3. Replace paper towels – SuperBee’s Eco Kitchen Roll is made from organic cotton and can be washed and reused hundreds of times.
4. Choose compostable sponges – Our Luffa Kitchen Scrubbers are plastic-free, long-lasting, and fully compostable.
5. DIY cleaning sprays – Mix vinegar with citrus peels in a reusable glass spray bottle. Use with our handmade, upcycled cotton & loofah sponge for extra eco-points.
🛒 Smart Shopping & DIY Hacks
Impulse buying, excess packaging, and single-use items can sneakily drain your wallet. The average person wastes $1,300 worth of food per year, often because of poor planning or overbuying.
Frugal habits like meal planning, bulk buying, and DIY swaps can slash waste and save hundreds — without sacrificing your lifestyle.
6. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
7. Use a meal plan to cut food waste.
8. Repurpose jars and containers instead of buying food storage items.
9. Mend clothes before replacing them.
10. Make your own all-purpose balm with beeswax and coconut oil.
Energy & Utility Savings
Energy bills are on the rise, with the average household spending over $2,000 a year on electricity. A big chunk of that comes from dryers, inefficient lighting, and phantom power use.
By making simple swaps — like line-drying clothes, unplugging electronics, and switching to LEDs — you can shave off $200–$500 a year in utilities and reduce your carbon footprint.
Bonus Tip: You can save 30% on your electricity bill by using wool dryer balls in your dryer! This also eliminates the need to buy single-use dryer sheets.
11. Air-dry clothes instead of using a dryer
12. Unplug appliances when not in use
13. Switch to LED lightbulbs
14. Use a pressure cooker to save cooking energy
15. Collect rainwater for your plants and mopping around the house
🧼 Sustainable Self-Care
Intro:
The average person spends $100–$200+ per year on personal care items like shampoo, makeup wipes, and plastic razors — not to mention the environmental toll of all that packaging.
By switching to zero-waste, refillable, reusable, or homemade options, you can save money while caring for yourself (and the planet) more gently.
16. Try shampoo bars instead of bottles
17. Use washable makeup remover pads
18. Make your own natural toothpaste or deodorant (or try our toothpaste tabs that skip the plastic tube!)
19. Skip single-use razors and switch to a safety razor
20. Use beeswax lip balm in compostable tubes
Budget-Friendly Mindset Shifts
Here’s the truth: most of us don’t have a spending problem — we have a habits problem. The shift to mindful spending could save you thousands over time.
When you slow down, plan ahead, and buy intentionally, you naturally save money and resources. It’s not about restriction — it’s about smarter choices with better returns.
21. Value quality over quantity
22. Ask: “Can I reuse, repurpose, or repair?” before buying
23. Track your spending to notice patterns
24. Practice gratitude for what you already have
25. Set eco-goals alongside financial goals
Family & Community
You don’t need to buy everything yourself. Swapping, borrowing, and sharing within your community can easily save your household $500–$1,000+ per year — especially on clothing, tools, and kids’ gear.
Plus, it builds real connection and resilience, which no amount of money can buy.
26. Host clothing swaps with friends
27. Share tools with neighbors
28. Cook together and share meals
29. Teach kids about saving and sustainability early
30. Join a local Buy Nothing group and find your local repair cafe!
Nature & Outdoors
Gardening, composting, and eco-friendly outdoor habits can be surprisingly cost-effective. For example, growing your own herbs and greens can save you $200+ per year in grocery bills.
Plus, the return on investment for your well-being and the environment? Priceless.
31. Grow your own herbs or veggies
32. Compost food scraps
33. Pick up litter on your walks
34. Bike or walk when you can
35. Choose reusable picnic supplies
Travel & Lifestyle
From bottled water to airport snacks and fast fashion, travel and lifestyle habits can quietly rack up hundreds in wasteful spending.
Switching to reusables and mindful travel choices could save you $300–$800+ a year, depending on how often you’re on the go. Resist the habit of buying Travel-Sized toiletries for trips, and switch to dry tubeless toothpaste tabs
36. Bring a refillable water bottle and coffee cup
37. Pack snacks in beeswax wraps instead of plastic bags
38. Opt for digital tickets instead of printed ones.
39. Travel light to save fuel and baggage fees
40. Choose eco-accommodations when traveling
Bonus Eco-Frugal Tips
Frugal living isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Even small changes, like canceling unused subscriptions or using cloth napkins, can compound over time.
These bonus tips might not seem like much, but together they could save you $50–$500 annually, depending on your habits.
41. Cancel unused subscriptions
42. Buy second-hand whenever possible
43. Borrow books from the library
44. Use online budgeting tools
45. Declutter and donate regularly
46. Make gifts instead of buying them
47. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones
48. Avoid fast fashion — choose timeless, well-made clothes
49. Freeze leftovers to avoid food spoilage
50. Find a brand you love and trust with high social and environmental impact, and invest in reusable, long-lasting products like SuperBee’s Wax wraps, loofahs, and Hexawash.
Final Thoughts
Frugal living isn’t about deprivation — it’s about intention. When you choose reusable, toxin-free, beautifully designed products from SuperBee, you’re not just saving money — you’re actively investing in your health, your values, and the planet.
Start your journey with purpose.
Explore our full collection of eco-friendly essentials at superbee.me.
