Easy Frugal Swaps can be total game-changers—especially in a world where prices seem to rise every week.
If it seems like your dollars aren’t stretching as far as they used to, you’re not alone. We’re seeing the same thing. But here are some frugal, easy swaps we’ve been trying—and they’re actually working. These swaps are simple, low-effort, and they continue to save us real money.
(Please note: This is a paid post written on behalf of TextNow. All opinions expressed are our own. Links in our posts are affiliate links. When you click on one of our links and make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. To read our complete affiliate policy, click here.)
Swap flannel sheets for cotton in spring.
As the weather warms up, we switch out our flannel sheets for cotton. Switching to cotton sheets is a simple move that helps you stay cool and comfortable—without touching the thermostat.
But here’s the frugal swap: Don’t buy flannel sheets in winter. Instead, wait for January’s white sales, when linens are often 75% off. That’s when we scored a “buy one, get two free” deal at JCPenney.
Swap the AC for open windows.
Spring is the perfect time to delay turning on the air conditioning. Crack open the windows, let the fresh air in, and enjoy the savings. Add a box fan in the window for extra airflow, and close blinds in the afternoon to keep heat out.
Not only does this lower your electric bill, but it also gives your home a fresh feel.
Swap paper towels for reusable cloths.
We all reach for paper towels out of habit, but they add up fast. Instead, when our sheets wear out, we don’t toss them—we turn them into rags. Same with old T-shirts. It’s a frugal swap that keeps us from buying paper towels.
Bonus Idea: Stop, before cutting up those twin fitted sheets. They make fantastic picnic table covers—especially for messy BBQs or outdoor craft projects.
Swap paper napkins for cloth ones.
One of our sons works at a fast food place and collects unused napkins. We use those! But if you don’t have a napkin connection, cloth napkins from secondhand stores or rummage sales are an elegant, reusable swap.
If you’ve never used cloth napkins, trust me—they’re not just for “fancy” dinners. They hold up well, wash easily, and add a little charm to everyday meals.
Swap expensive foaming soap for a DIY version.
Here’s a way to stretch a common household item. Keep your old foaming dispensers.
We refill empty foaming soap bottles with a 1:3 ratio of liquid soap to water and a few drops of essential oil (peppermint is our favorite). Give it a gentle shake—and you’ve made soap for pennies.
It’s cheap, customizable, and stretches one bottle into several months of use.
Swap bottled water for a reusable bottle.
When Larry bikes, he brings his refillable thermos with chilled water. Single-use bottles are pricey. A good insulated bottle saves money and keeps water cold and pays for itself – fast.
Swap paper coffee filters for a reusable one.
This one-time switch means no more restocking filters every few weeks. Our reusable filter has lasted over five years and works just as well today as it did on day one. Plus, it’s one less thing to throw away.
Swap coffee shop drinks for homemade versions.
Missing that $8 latte? You don’t have to. A milk frother, flavored syrups, or a little cinnamon can go a long way toward recreating your favorite drinks at home. We make a big batch, pour it in a thermos, and enjoy it all day long.
If we want it cold, we pour the flavored coffee into smaller bottles and stick them in the fridge. That makes it easy to grab a single-serve bottle when we want a quick, cold, caffeine, pick-me-up in the middle of the day.
Swap dining out for themed restaurant-style meals at home.
You can find at-home, knock-off recipes for every large-chain restaurant meal. So, why not turn your home into the “restaurant” experience?
Choose a theme—like Taco Tuesday or DIY Mediterranean Meal Night—set the table, light some candles, and put on a matching playlist. It feels festive and still saves you a chunk of change.
Swap full meals for appetizers or desserts when eating out.
Want to eat out with friends – without the full-price commitment? Eat ahead at home and then just grab an appetizer and split a dessert. You still get the atmosphere, but at a fraction of the cost.
Swap Expensive Phone Bills for FREE Service
Speaking of avoiding giant bills… how about no bill at all? Yep—zero.
When our sons were young teens, we wanted to stay in touch without adding a pricey cell phone contract to our budget. That’s when we found TextNow, our sponsor for this post.
TextNow is a completely free phone service that gives you unlimited calls and texts. All you have to do is download the app and they’ll assign you a phone number. As long as you use it regularly, the number is yours to keep.
You can use TextNow over WiFi, or buy a super-affordable SIM card to use it on the nation’s largest 5G network.
Want an ad-free experience? Just upgrade to one of their low-cost plans.
For us, knowing our kids could text or call when they were ready to be picked up—from school, the library, or the mall—was a huge relief. And it didn’t cost us a dime.
Learn more about TextNow here.
Swap brand-new clothes for secondhand finds.
From thrift shops to online resale apps, there’s no shortage of gently-used clothes for a fraction of retail price. We’ve found designer jeans, shoes, and even coats with tags still on. Brand new jeans for $4? Yes, please.
We compare clearance racks to thrift store prices and always aim for the better deal.
Thrift stores are like a treasure hunt—except you save money and get cute stuff.
Swap disposable diapers for cloth (if you’re in that stage).
We used cloth diapers with all four of our boys, and while it took some getting used to, the savings were massive. They’ve come a long way in terms of design and ease. Plus, no last-minute store runs when you run out!
Bonus: old cloth diapers become the world’s best cleaning rags.
Swap full-price groceries for markdowns.
Here’s an easy way to slash your food bills. We consistently plan meals around what’s on clearance—especially produce, bakery, and meat.
At Kroger, we grab the 99-cent red mesh produce bags. If your store doesn’t have markdowns, follow sales cycles and buy enough to last until the next one. Don’t forget to shop loss leaders from the front page of the flyer.
Swap boxed mixes for homemade blends.
Why buy taco seasoning for $1.29 when you can make your own for pennies? We make mixes for pancakes, muffins, specialty seasoning.
We make our own pancake mix—just flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Tape a “how to use this” label to the container, so everyone knows how to use it!
You can mix up big batches of all of these at home. It tastes better and costs less. Store larger mixes in labeled mason jars and just scoop out what you need. Place spice mixes into empty glass, spice containers that have been washed and air dried.
Swap hot water for cold when doing laundry.
It’s quite possible to cut the cost of doing laundry in half. Modern detergents are designed to clean clothes at all water temperatures – including cold water wash and cold water rinse. Most loads (even towels!) get clean just fine in cold water. It’s easier on your clothes and saves a ton on your power bill over time. Unless you’re dealing with someone in the house that is ill or especially greasy stains, cold is the way to go.
Swap the dryer for a clothesline or drying rack.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about sun-dried sheets. When the weather’s nice, dry your clothes outside. It cuts down on energy use, helps your clothes last longer, and leaves them smelling like sunshine.
In the event of inclement weather, place clothing on a foldable rack indoors to dry.
Swap old bulbs for LEDs—and use fewer.
Still have old bulbs? LEDs use 10 watts instead of 60—and they’re just as bright. Compared to other forms of lightbulbs, LEDs sip electricity and last years.
Here’s another, little trick that we use. In light fixtures with multiple sockets, just use one or two bulbs, instead of the standard four to six bulbs. You’ll still get plenty of light, but at a fraction of the cost.
Swap guessing energy usage for measuring it.
We use a Kill-a-Watt meter to track which appliances are quietly draining energy. Plug your devices into a Kill-a-Watt meter and it will measure how much electricity they’re using.
It’s a quick way to spot energy hogs—and know which ones to unplug when not in use.
We did an energy usage test of four common kitchen appliances: a toaster oven, Instant Pot, crockpot, and electric wall oven. We found out that our Instant Pot used a fraction of the electricity when compared to the other three. Because of this, we now create menu plans which use our Instant Pot far more often than other methods of cooking.
Swap random fill-ups for cheapest gas in town.
Not ony do we drive with gas mileage in mind, we also make sure we are filling up for the least expensive available price. Before you fill up, check an app like GasBuddy. It shows you the cheapest gas nearby in seconds. A few cents per gallon adds up fast if you’re driving regularly.
Swap short drives for walks or bike rides.
If you are driving, try grouping errands by location so you can knock out several in one trip. Better yet, walk or bike when you can—it’s free exercise and free transportation. We use a backpack or bike carrier to bring items home—and save gas money.
Swap mailing checks for online bill pay.
Save on stamps and avoid late fees. Most banks offer free online payments, and it’s way faster (and safer) than sending a check through the mail.
Swap paid streaming services for free alternatives.
Tubi, YouTube, and your local library’s streaming service can keep your evenings full without the subscription fees.
If you hesitate to drop cable or Netflix, do the math. How much are your subscriptions costing you over the course of a year? When you see that number, you may decide to cancel and put that money toward another goal.
Swap brand-new gadgets for refurbished ones.
Refurbished electronics from trusted sellers (we love Back Market) often look and perform like new, but cost far less. Many even come with warranties.
Swap restaurants for potlucks with friends.
Want to hang out with friends without spending a fortune? Host a potluck. Pick a theme, assign dishes, and enjoy good food, plus lots of laughter and way less stress.These nights have become some of our favorite memories.
Swap buying books for borrowing or swapping.
Your local library is a goldmine. And if you’re part of a book club or just love to read, try hosting a book swap night with friends. It’s social and budget-friendly. Bonus: it keeps your shelves from overflowing.
Swap gym memberships for free workouts.
There’s a YouTube workout for everyone—from HIIT to yoga to dance. Or just grab your sneakers and hit the sidewalk for a free daily walk.
Swap buying tools for borrowing them.
Need a tool for one project? Ask a neighbor, check your Buy Nothing group, or look into tool libraries. No need to buy something you’ll use once.
Swap replacing with repairing.
Don’t toss it—fix it. That busted zipper? Sew it. Wobbly table? Tighten the screws. Learning a few basic fixes has saved us more than we ever expected.
Easy Frugal Swaps are more than just money-saving hacks—they’re mindset shifts that help you get more from what you already have. You don’t have to do them all at once. Start with one or two easy frugal swaps that feel doable and go from there. The savings really do snowball.
Your Turn!
What easy frugal swaps have made the biggest impact for you? Drop them in the comments—we’re always looking for new ideas!
We have a tankless hot water heater. Getting hot water to our master bath shower takes a couple minutes.
We keep a 5 gallon bucket in the shower and collect the water while it heats up. Then we fill plastic jugs with this water to water the plants on our porches and in pots outside.
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
When I empty my dehumidifier, I keep the water to water my houseplants or garden.
Love this tip! We use ours to do laundry.