How To Save Money on Everything, The Five Rules of Frugality - AARP Everywher...

The 5 Rules of Frugality

Pinching pennies doesn t have to ruin your quality of life

The Road to Big Savings

The Five Rules of Frugality Trent Hamm, author of The Simple Dollar and writer of the popular website , says you can save and stay happy by following his simple rules: 1. Don’t give up the things you love. Thriftiness should never outweigh happiness. It can lead to happiness, however, by helping you save for the bigger goals in life that you’ve dreamed about. 2. Find inexpensive ways to enjoy what’s most important to you. You don’t have to own the books you read or the movies you see. There’s plenty of free music on your radio and computer. Public golf courses require no membership. 3. Cut back on anything not crucial to your happiness. If you’re not defined by the clothes you wear, give thrift shops a shot. Gourmet food may be central to your existence, but you can cook it in low-cost pots and pans. 4. Never go shopping without knowing exactly what you’re getting. Don’t even enter a store without a plan, or you risk purchasing something you don’t need. And it’s the things you don’t need that sacrifice your dreams. 5. Use the “30-Day Rule” for purchases. Jot down the item you’re considering on a piece of paper, then give yourself a month to think about it. Use the time to find it at the lowest price—and to ask yourself if you truly want it. If so, go for it. Adapted with permission of FT Press, an imprint of Pearson. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.