16 frugal tips from around the world that could help Americans save money — a global tour of thrift
Across continents, people share a single goal: to save more money. A frugal lifestyle—reducing everyday expenses—binds people across cultures, climates, and incomes. GoBankingRates identifies the top savers by country: Slovenia, Morocco, Sweden, Sri Lanka, and South Korea. Much of this wisdom comes from Reddit's r/Frugal, where frugal voices from diverse cultures share tips that Americans can borrow. Here are 16 practical tips distilled from those voices, presented as a visual journey you can try this month.
In This Article:
Global thrift habits: simple, doable changes that cut costs
Frugal living shows up in everyday choices more than in grand gestures. People around the world save through simple, replicable habits: washing clothes on sunny days instead of using a dryer, and sharing costs within multi-generational households. Some of the clearest, crowd-sourced tips come from Ajreil: "Most highly specialized cleaning sprays don't exist outside of the US. You don't need 7 different sprays for every surface in your kitchen/bathroom." Another common thread is buying and preparing food in cost-effective ways. Ajreil adds: "Buying a whole chicken and breaking it down is cheaper than buying pre-cut pieces. For millions of families breaking down a chicken is just part of shopping day." And: "Buy produce when it's in season and cheap, then pickle/dehydrate/ferment it to preserve it for the winter. Many cultures prepare 6+ months of produce during the summer." Line-drying on balconies or in sunny spots is another recurring saver, reducing energy use while keeping clothes fresh.
Energy, heating, and cooling across cultures
Energy-saving practices vary by climate but share a core logic: small changes compound into big savings. In Ireland, many homes heat their houses with a boiler that runs on a timer in the early morning for about two hours (for example, 4–6am). The idea is to have the house warm when people wake, then rely on sun-warmed rooms the rest of the day. Some households even report little or no oil use with this approach. There are personal stories behind the numbers: one writer noted, “We filled our tank in April and the supplier said most Irish homes wouldn’t have another delivery until after Christmas.” During hot summers, simple ventilation can dramatically cut cooling costs. A reader described opening the living room window to pull hot air out with a fan pointed outward, while another window draws in cooler air. The result is noticeably cooler interiors without expensive air conditioning. Finally, cooking at home and avoiding waste are consistent savings across cultures.
Smart shopping, DIY fixes, and waste reduction
Budget-minded households also turn to shelf-stable staples and do-it-yourself solutions. Canned and dried fish are common, affordable sources of protein across Mediterranean, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisines. "Eat more canned and dried fish" is a recurring suggestion in the discussions as a cheap, nutrient-dense option. In France, some people make laundry detergent at home from laundry shavings and hot water, and use vinegar as a softener. They also favor buying local produce and traveling by public transport whenever possible, which helps cut costs and support local economies. Other big savings come from cooking at home—regular family meals, careful meal planning, and minimizing food waste. Finally, many households avoid single-use disposables: wipes, paper towels, and plastic bags are replaced with rags and reusable containers; water and energy usage are pared back wherever possible.
What Americans can do now: a practical cross-cultural action plan
The world’s frugal practices aren’t exotic tricks; they’re about rethinking everyday choices. If you’re American, you can start with a few concrete steps this month: dry your clothes outside when possible; cook more meals at home; buy produce in season and preserve it; cut back on single-use disposables; use fans or timers to manage heating and cooling; prefer local and bulk purchases; and consider smaller, simpler household routines that reduce waste. A striking context: in 2022, U.S. household final consumption accounted for 34% of the world’s total—despite Americans making up only about 4% of the global population—highlighting the potential impact of smaller, smarter habits. Adopting these cross-cultural practices can slow waste and save money without sacrificing quality of life.
