Frugal hacks are the secret sauce to saving money without feeling deprived.You don’t need to spend big to save big. These clever frugal hacks use items you probably already have around the house. They cost virtually nothing, but can save you serious money.
We’ve personally used every single one of these budget-friendly frugal hacks in our own home. These aren’t just tips. They’re tried, tested, and trusted strategies that helped us live debt free and stretch our dollars on a low income, while staying on track with our financial goals.
We’ve dug through drawers, cupboards, and corners of our home to bring you these budget-friendly hacks that actually work. They’re simple, practical, and a little bit fun (which is, coincidentally, just the way frugal living should be!)
White Vinegar
This unsung household hero can do so much more than flavor your favorite DIY salad dressing recipe.
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner:
Fill a mason jar halfway with white vinegar, then toss in orange peels (after you eat the oranges, of course). Let it sit in a cool, dark place for about a month, giving it a swish now and then. Strain into a spray bottle and add a few drops of citrus essential oil. You’ve got a powerhouse cleaner that smells amazing and fights bacteria.
Sink Cleaner:
Got that gunky ring around your drain? Sprinkle baking soda around the sink edge, then drizzle with vinegar. Yes! It will fizz like a 5th-grade science fair volcano. After the fizz dies down, add a little more baking soda to make a paste. Let it sit for about an hour. Then scrub with an old toothbrush. Boom. That hard water stain is dissolved and your sink drain area is now sparkling clean.
Baking Soda
The MVP of our frugal hacks toolkit.
Odor Buster
Fill a sock with baking soda, knot it, and toss it in shoes, gym bags, or drawers. Smells be gone.
Porcelain Stain Remover
Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Slather it over your stained sink and walk away for an hour. Come back and scrub. Like magic.
Freezer Freshener
Poke holes in the front of a baking soda box and tuck it in the freezer. It quietly absorbs those weird smells so your ice cream doesn’t taste like onions. (Yep! I’m definitely speaking from personal experience, here.)
Laundry Whitener
Add a scoop to your laundry to perk up dingy whites. No harsh bleach smell!
Single Socks
Let’s have a moment of silence as we reflect on the fate of the sad single socks, whose mates are being held captive by the laundry gods. Even though they are no longer part of a pair, they still have purpose – and some pretty brilliant ones at that.
Dusting Mitts
Slip one over your hand and dust surfaces. Kids especially love this chore when they get to wear a “sock glove.”
Cold Pack Sleeve
Ever wrapped a cold pack in a towel, only to have it slip off five minutes later, leaving your skin freezing? This can be especially risky for young kids with sensitive skin. Instead, slide the cold pack into a clean sock and knot the top. It stays put, provides a protective layer, and delivers chill relief right where you need it. No slipping and no mess.
DIY Hot Pack
Pour in some rice, tie a knot in the top of the sock, microwave it for 30 seconds. Instant cozy heat for sore muscles.
Funky Smell Fixer
If you have teens, you know funky smells live in room. Fill a sock with about a cup of baking soda and seal it by tying a knot in the top of the sock. Then, pop it in shoes, gym bags, or even dresser drawers. The funk doesn’t stand a chance.
Old Toothbrushes
Before you toss that old toothbrush, give it one last mission.
Scrubber Extraordinaire
Perfect for scrubbing grime from tiny cracks—like the gunk around your sink drain. Pair it with baking soda and vinegar for superhero-level cleaning.
Car Vent Cleaner
Dry brush those dusty air vents in your car. Works like a charm and doesn’t cake the dust like a wet cloth.
Tea Bags
No, tea is not just for sipping. These little bags of botanical delight can pull double-duty.
Shoe Deodorizer
Black tea bags (dry!) absorb odors and help fight bacteria. Stuff them in those stinky sneakers for a refresh.
Toothache Relief
Wet a black or peppermint tea bag, pop it in your mouth where the pain is, and gently bite down for 15–20 minutes. It’s surprisingly soothing.
Microfiber Cloths
One of the most underrated tools in the world of frugal hacks.
Surface & Mirror Cleaner
Use them dry for dusting or pair with vinegar for streak-free mirrors. They’re reusable and machine-washable, which means money saved every time you skip the paper towels.
Electronics Wipe-Down
These cloths are perfect for gently cleaning phone screens, tablets, and laptop surfaces without scratching or leaving lint behind. Keep one near your workspace to cut down on smudges and dust.
Aluminum Foil
Stop letting that shiny roll of foil sit unused for months in the kitchen drawer next to the Saran wrap and parchment paper! It’s good for more than just covering casserole dishes and wrapping baked potatoes. It can actually help you cook smarter.
Crockpot Seal
Place foil under the lid to keep heat in and shave up to 30 minutes off cook time.
Steamer Hack
Want to use your crockpot like a steamer? Ball up several pieces of aluminum foil and place them in the bottom of your slow cooker. Then set a baking dish or heat-safe bowl on top of the foil balls. This elevates your container so it’s not sitting directly on the hot base. Add a little water to the bottom (just enough to surround the foil balls). Place the cover on the crockpot and cook. The trapped steam gently cooks your food.
This method works great for things like quick bread or other delicate recipes that need moist heat instead of direct contact with the crock.
Ice Cube Trays
These little sections of frozen potential go way beyond ice.
Freeze Leftover Juices or Tomato Paste
If I find lemons or limes in bulk at a great price, I grab them! That’s when I juice them and freeze the extra juice in ice cube trays. When it comes to tomato paste, how often do you open a can and only need a spoonful? Freeze the extra. Each cube is roughly 2 tablespoons, so they’re perfect to grab and toss into recipes later.
Homemade Baby Food Cubes
Baby food is just one of the items I highly suggest you never buy at the grocery store. Baby food is surprisingly expensive – and with four boys, I wasn’t about to shell out for those tiny jars. In fact, I can count on both hands how many jars of baby food I bought across all four kids.
Instead, I made my own, froze it in ice cube trays, and then popped out perfectly portioned meals when I needed them.
Garlic & Oil Cubes
Mince garlic, add a little olive oil, freeze it. Toss a cube in the pan when cooking. Boom! Instant flavor.
Toddler Sorting Fun
Hand your little one a tray and a pile of Legos. Have them sort by color. Quiet playtime for them and peaceful productivity for you.
Yogurt Containers
Once you start saving these, you’ll wonder why you ever threw them out.
Herb Freezer Pods
Got a garden full of fresh herbs or scored a big bunch on sale?
Don’t let them wilt in the fridge. Chop them up, fill each cube of an ice tray about halfway with herbs, and top off with a splash of water. Freeze, then pop out the cubes and store in a zip-top bag.
Toss into soups, sauces, or stews for instant fresh flavor – especially in the middle of winter. Check out my full post with step-by-step instructions on how to make herb freezer cubes, if you want to see just how easy this little frugal hack really is.
Seed Starters
Poke a few holes in the bottom, fill with soil, and start your garden indoors. Be sure to line your yogurt cup seed starters up on a larger, firm surface (We used a large rectangular takeout box). It will contain any water that runs out the bottom of the yogurt cups and minimize the mess.
Dryer Hacks
Believe it or not, the dryer is one of the biggest energy hogs in your house. Here’s how to tame it.
Towel Trick
Toss a dry towel in with your wet load. It helps absorb moisture and cuts down drying time.
Dryer Ball Alternatives
Wool dryer balls are great. I got mine for free from a friend. But, if you want a frugal swap that also works, try tossing in a tennis ball with the damp clothing. It may be a little noisy, but it also separates the clothing, reduces static and helps dry clothes faster.
Paper Clips and Safety Pins
These little lifesavers should be with you at all times. Keep them stashed in your purse or glove box.
Emergency Clothing Fixes
A button pops off. A hem come loose. A blouse is gaping. A seam rips. Believe me, it happens. Safety pins have rescued more outfits in our home than we can count.
Broken Zipper Pull
When a coat or jacket zipper pull breaks, a paper clip can be threaded through the small opening at the end of the zipper and then bent into a hook to allow you to easily continue using the zipper.
More Household Frugal Hacks
Sticky Drawer Fix
When a drawer is driving you crazy because it is sticking, here’s an old-fashioned solution my father-in-law taught us (and it really works). Remove the drawer. Then, rub the end of a taper candle firmly along the entire length of the the wooden drawer runners on each side.
Replace the drawer and the coating of wax will to help it to glide properly. You will no longer be. playing play tug-of-war every time you need a spoon.
Toothache Clove Hack
Grind whole cloves and place on a cotton ball. Then, place it up against the swollen area of your gum and gently bite down. After about fifteen minutes it will ease the pain naturally.
Your Turn!
What’s your favorite frugal hack that uses something you already have at home? Share it in the comments below.
I use baking soda and a little salt to make a tooth stain remover. Use it once a week.
Thanks. Great tip.
Save plastic bottles with caps that held spice and herbs wash and dry well.fill with your spices and herbs from a bulk food store to save money and recycle plastic
I love creative reuse. Great tip.
Wow, there are some great ideas here guys! Thank you! Some I have not heard about before. Thank you so much for all your hard work 🙂
We are so glad it was helpful!