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    Home » Best Of

    26 Genius Frugal Living Hacks Your Grandparents Wish You Knew

    Modified: Apr 23, 2025 by Sarita Harbour · Published: Jan 23, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links and Amazon links

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    If you're ready to save some money and make life a bit easier, these genius frugal living hacks are just what you need. Inspired by the resourceful ways of past generations, these tips help you cut costs without sacrificing convenience. They’re simple, practical changes that add up over time, making life less expensive and more efficient. From home maintenance to everyday tasks, you’ll find ways to stretch your budget further. If you're looking for straightforward, effective ways to live smarter, these hacks are definitely worth trying.

    Permaculture Design Principles: Best Sites for Beginners

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    Permaculture Design Principles: Best Sites for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Learning about permaculture design is a smart way to create a self-sustaining garden that saves time and money. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that helps you work with nature instead of against it. These beginner-friendly sites break down the basics so you can start planning right away.
    Read the Article: Permaculture Design Principles: Best Sites for Beginners

    Winter Gardening Ideas and Tips

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    Winter Gardening Ideas and Tips. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing food in colder months doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. These winter gardening ideas are great examples of genius frugal living hacks, making it possible to harvest fresh produce even when temperatures drop. With the right approach, you can keep your garden going year-round.
    Read the Article: Winter Gardening Ideas and Tips

    Canning, Preserving, and Dehydrating Food

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    Canning, Preserving, and Dehydrating Food. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Stocking up on home-preserved food is a budget-friendly way to cut grocery costs and reduce waste. Canning, preserving, and dehydrating are all genius frugal living hacks that let you make the most of seasonal produce. A little effort now means plenty of food later.
    Read the Article: Canning, Preserving, and Dehydrating Food

    Pickled Vegetables for Beginners

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    Pickled Vegetables for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Pickling vegetables is an easy way to extend their shelf life while adding extra flavor. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that keeps you from wasting fresh produce and saves money in the long run. Plus, homemade pickles are a great addition to any meal.
    Read the Article: Pickled Vegetables for Beginners

    7 Essential Hand Crank Kitchen Tools

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    7 Essential Hand Crank Kitchen Tools. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Hand crank kitchen tools are budget-friendly, last for years, and don’t need electricity to work. They’re perfect for anyone looking for genius frugal living hacks to make cooking easier without relying on pricey gadgets. These seven tools will keep your kitchen running, even off-grid.
    Read the Article: 7 Essential Hand Crank Kitchen Tools

    How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving

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    How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Saving seeds means you won’t have to buy new ones every year, making it one of the simplest genius frugal living hacks for gardeners. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get started. A little effort now leads to a self-sufficient garden season after season.
    Read the Article: How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving

    How to Plan a Garden for 2025

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    How to Plan a Garden for 2025. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A well-planned garden can save money, reduce food waste, and keep fresh produce on your table year-round. That’s why smart planning is one of the best genius frugal living hacks for anyone wanting to grow their own food. This guide helps you map out the perfect setup for next year.
    Read the Article: How to Plan a Garden for 2025

    Homemade DIY Toilet Cleaning Bombs

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    Homemade DIY Toilet Cleaning Bombs. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Making your own toilet cleaning bombs is a cheap and effective way to keep things fresh without spending money on store-bought cleaners. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that cuts costs while using simple, natural ingredients. Plus, they’re easy to make in batches.
    Read the Article: Homemade DIY Toilet Cleaning Bombs

    21 Toilet Paper Alternatives for When the TP is Gone

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    21 Toilet Paper Alternatives for When the TP is Gone. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Running out of toilet paper doesn’t have to be a disaster. This list of creative alternatives is packed with genius frugal living hacks that help you stretch your budget and stay prepared. Some of these ideas might surprise you, but they all get the job done.
    Read the Article: 21 Toilet Paper Alternatives for When the TP is Gone

    How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter

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    How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A good compost starter helps break down scraps faster, giving you rich soil without spending extra cash. Making your own is one of those genius frugal living hacks that turns food waste into something useful. It’s an easy way to keep your garden thriving.
    Read the Article: How to Make Homemade DIY Compost Starter

    What is a Kitchen Garden?

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    What is a Kitchen Garden?. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A kitchen garden puts fresh herbs and vegetables right outside your door, saving grocery trips and money. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that makes home cooking easier and more affordable. Even small spaces can produce plenty of food.
    Read the Article: What is a Kitchen Garden?

    How to Grow Microgreens in a Jar at Home

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    How to Grow Microgreens in a Jar at Home. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Microgreens grow fast, don’t take up much space, and are packed with nutrients. Growing them in a jar is one of the easiest genius frugal living hacks, since it lets you have fresh greens year-round without spending much. All you need is a little light and water.
    Read the Article: How to Grow Microgreens in a Jar at Home

    Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

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    Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Store-bought laundry detergent adds up fast, but making your own costs pennies per load. This is one of those genius frugal living hacks that keeps clothes fresh while cutting unnecessary expenses. A few simple ingredients are all it takes.
    Read the Article: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

    DIY Homemade Wood Butter Recipe

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    DIY Homemade Wood Butter Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Keeping wooden cutting boards and utensils in good shape doesn’t have to be expensive. This DIY wood butter recipe is one of those genius frugal living hacks that protects your kitchen tools using natural, affordable ingredients. It extends their life and keeps them looking great.
    Read the Article: DIY Homemade Wood Butter Recipe

    Easy Winter Composting Tips for Year-Round Success

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    Easy Winter Composting Tips for Year-Round Success. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Composting in winter can be tricky, but with the right methods, it’s completely doable. These tips are great examples of genius frugal living hacks that help turn kitchen scraps into rich soil, no matter the season. With a little know-how, you can keep composting all year.
    Read the Article: Easy Winter Composting Tips for Year-Round Success

    How to Grow Black Beans Indoors

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    How to Grow Black Beans Indoors. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Black beans are easy to grow indoors and make a great addition to any pantry. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that lets you produce your own protein source without needing a big garden. A few pots and some sunlight are all you need.
    Read the Article: How to Grow Black Beans Indoors

    24 Easy to Make Pantry Staples to Fill Your Shelves This Month

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    24 Easy to Make Pantry Staples to Fill Your Shelves This Month. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Stocking your pantry with homemade staples cuts grocery costs and reduces waste. These easy-to-make essentials are perfect for anyone looking for genius frugal living hacks that make everyday meals cheaper. A well-stocked kitchen means fewer trips to the store.
    Read the Article: 24 Easy to Make Pantry Staples to Fill Your Shelves This Month

    How to Grow Food from Scraps

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    How to Grow Food from Scraps. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing food from scraps is one of the simplest genius frugal living hacks, turning kitchen leftovers into fresh produce. It’s a great way to cut grocery costs while making the most of what you already have. Many vegetables and herbs will regrow with just water and a little patience.
    Read the Article: How to Grow Food from Scraps

    Winter Foraging: 65+ Wild Foods to Find in the Cold

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    Winter Foraging: 65+ Wild Foods to Find in the Cold. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Foraging in winter might seem challenging, but there’s plenty of wild food still available. Learning what to look for is one of those genius frugal living hacks that can help stretch your food supply without spending a dime. With the right knowledge, you can find edible plants even in the cold.
    Read the Article: Winter Foraging: 65+ Wild Foods to Find in the Cold

    Financial Self-Sufficiency: 7 Tips to Boost Yours

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    Financial Self-Sufficiency: 7 Tips to Boost Yours. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Becoming financially self-sufficient starts with small, smart decisions. These seven tips offer genius frugal living hacks that help cut costs, build savings, and make the most of what you have. A few changes now can make a big difference long-term.
    Read the Article: Financial Self-Sufficiency: 7 Tips to Boost Yours

    How to Hot Compost

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    How to Hot Compost. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Hot composting speeds up the breakdown process, giving you nutrient-rich soil in a fraction of the time. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that turns kitchen scraps into valuable fertilizer without waiting months. A little effort up front makes composting much more efficient.
    Read the Article: How to Hot Compost

    How to Preserve Eggs

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    How to Preserve Eggs. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Eggs can last far longer than you might think with the right preservation methods. Learning how to store them properly is one of those genius frugal living hacks that helps you keep a steady supply without relying on frequent grocery trips. There are several easy ways to make eggs last for months.
    Read the Article: How to Preserve Eggs

    How to Make Beeswax Wraps

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    How to Make Beeswax Wraps. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Beeswax wraps replace plastic wrap, saving money and reducing waste at the same time. Making your own is a smart example of genius frugal living hacks that keep food fresh without disposable packaging. A few basic materials are all it takes to get started.
    Read the Article: How to Make Beeswax Wraps

    Edible Garden Weeds & How to Cook Them

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    Edible Garden Weeds & How to Cook Them. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Some of the best greens are growing right in your backyard—for free. Learning how to use edible garden weeds is one of those genius frugal living hacks that turns overlooked plants into fresh ingredients. Once you know what to look for, you’ll never think of weeds the same way again.
    Read the Article: Edible Garden Weeds & How to Cook Them

    How to Make Sourdough Starter Without Yeast

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    How to Make Sourdough Starter Without Yeast. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Sourdough starter is easy to make from just flour and water, meaning you’ll never need store-bought yeast again. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that keeps homemade bread within reach, even when supplies are limited. A little patience is all it takes to get it going.
    Read the Article: How to Make Sourdough Starter Without Yeast

    Potager Gardening for Beginners

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    Potager Gardening for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    A potager garden blends beauty and function, providing fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers in one space. It’s one of those genius frugal living hacks that makes gardening both practical and enjoyable. With a little planning, even small spaces can produce plenty of food.
    Read the Article: Potager Gardening for Beginners

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    Sarita Harbour.

    I'm Sarita. My family and I lived off the grid for 11 years in Canada's far north. If I did it, you can too.

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