Extreme Frugal Living Blogs: Real Stories, Real Savings

Not Your Average Saving

Let’s start with a confession: I used to think “frugal living” meant the same three things… you know, eating beans, bargain hunting, and never treating yourself. But then I stumbled on a blog—a scrappy little corner of the internet where someone bragged about living a week on $34 (I know… seriously?!). And suddenly, the whole world of extreme frugal living blogs cracked open for me.

So. Why do people go this far? Is it worth it? Honestly, it’s not for everyone. But I’ve picked up tricks from these blogs that changed my savings game—without turning life into a contest for “cheapest human alive.” You ready? Grab your mug (cheap coffee, hopefully) and let’s get weirdly inspired.

Why Go Extreme?

Ever woken up in the middle of the night, worrying about bills? Or maybe had to say “no” to something you wanted—a little trip, a dinner with friends—because your budget was gasping for air? Yeah… me too. That’s where the people behind extreme frugal living blogs come in. They’re not out here to punish themselves. They’re turning frugality into a badge of freedom.

One blogger—she’s the heart behind the Simple Frugal Life—writes how being “fanatical” about saving is what let her duck out of the rat race. Paid off the mortgage. Retired early. Treats herself to a little chocolate, takes mini-breaks, all while living on way less than her old salary. Honestly? She sounds happier living with less stuff and less pressure than most people I know. Makes you question… who’s really winning at life?^[5]

What Does “Extreme” Really Mean?

Let’s get real: “Extreme” is kind of a moving target. For some, it’s eating lunch specials out instead of dinner. For others, it’s living with one car for a family of five, or even, uh… flushing the toilet once a day (yikes—but hey, water is expensive!).

If you jump into the world of frugal experiments, you’ll meet people who unplug every appliance, batch-cook the cheapest possible meals, and walk instead of drive everywhere.

And then there’s the creative side—learning to grow food in a windowsill, upcycle clothes, trade skills with friends, reuse, mend, and make-do in ways our grandparents would cheer.^[1]

What’s the Point?

Is it about misery? No way. The folks running these blogs—Frugal living at 60 blog and many others—are out here proving that frugality is freedom. When you don’t owe anyone, nobody owns your time. You can choose work that matters to you, take more naps, help friends, say “yes” to fun with zero guilt.

Stories That Stick

A Week on $34—What Happened?

Let me tell you about the couple I read about who tried living on just $34 for a whole week. (No, they weren’t secretly millionaires, and yes, they did actually eat.) Their trick? They bought noodles, some veggies, and… not much else. They unplugged everything except the microwave. Walked instead of driving. Skipped takeout, skipped the movies, and filled water jugs at the gym instead of buying bottled water.

And you know what? They didn’t just survive—they found extra energy, ate simpler, cooked together, and did more stuff outdoors. Actually… they reported feeling happier. Fewer choices, fewer bills, more time to relax or even blog about it. That wasn’t a one-off—most people who go ultra-frugal say the same thing: less stuff, fewer worries.^[1]

Of course, not everyone will (or should) do things that extreme all the time. But even trying for a few days is eye-opening. Trust me, I once decided to only use what was in my pantry for six days straight—by the end, beans and rice felt like a luxury. And that leftover jar of salsa? Gold.

Retiring with Less and Loving It

Now, there’s a whole corner of the web—especially for folks facing retirement—who are using these strategies not just to survive, but to thrive. (Yup, I’m officially obsessed with the Best frugal living blogs for seniors.)

Take “J”, who runs a blog about frugal choices in her 60s. She jokes she’s “done with the rat race,” and shares real advice about downsizing her living space, batch cooking, and enjoying little traditions (like Friday night game nights with homemade snacks instead of expensive outings). It’s not about deprivation—it’s about finding what genuinely matters and leaning into that.

And, maybe… you’re closer to this stage than you think? (Don’t worry, wisdom doesn’t have an age minimum.)

Budgeting Gets Way More Fun… Eventually

Building a budget sounds painful, but these blogs give it a whole new flavor. Instead of the “track every penny or else!” approach, they share simple templates (think: “spend less than you earn, save the difference, splurge sometimes on joy”).

And if you’re a woman embracing the next chapter (and you know who you are), there are some amazing nuggets in the Frugal living at 60 female community—like how to minimize “retail therapy” and replace it with real joy, or ways to turn hobbies into sustainable habits.

No-Coupon Club: Frugal Blogs for the Rest of Us

Okay, cards on the table: I can’t stand websites that are just pages of coupons and “buy more to save more” advice (blech). Turns out, I’m not alone! The best extreme frugal living blogs steer away from super sales and focus instead on practical, repeatable habits.

• Mr. Money Mustache – a cult favorite for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) fans, where biking to the grocery store and hacking utility bills are the name of the game.
• The Simple Dollar – not just for beginners, but brilliant for anyone tired of pushy sales tactics. The blog’s full of budgeting joys and “here’s how I did it” experiments.
• Frugalwoods – a bit more modern, where homesteading, secondhand everything, and cozy piggy banks abound.

(A little secret: If you want more, the Frugal living blogs for seniors free directory is absolute gold for everyday money hacks with zero paywalls.)

A Few (Lovingly Weird) Extreme Saving Ideas

Ready for a taste of the truly out-there? Here are some real gems I’ve picked up from these blogs (read at your own risk):

• Only flush your toilet once a day. (No, your guests won’t like it. But you’ll probably giggle every time you check your tiny water bill.)
• Eat expired food—carefully. Pick off bread mold or scrape a bit of cheese. If it smells and looks okay…maybe it’s fine. (I’m not sure I’m ready to try this one, but respect.)
• Shower less. Sponge baths, dry shampoo, going “natural” now and then. You really don’t need to scrub like a hospital every day.^[3]
• Grow your own lettuce on a sunny windowsill—cheap, tasty, and shockingly satisfying (yes, this came straight from the Frugal living at 60 blog and others).
• Upcycle old clothes into cleaning rags or quirky new outfits. (My personal tip: If your shirt has underarm stains, crop it and pretend it’s trendy.)

How-to: Start Your Own Challenge

Your “No Spend” Week—The Fun, the Failures

Here’s an idea: set yourself a “no spend” week. Don’t panic! You don’t have to do $34, but try limiting yourself to groceries, bills, and essential gas or transport.

During my first try, I found myself eyeing every online sale, murmuring “you don’t need another candle, you don’t need another candle…” For dinner, I made leftovers into a soup (shockingly tasty). On day four, when I almost caved for takeout, I read an old post on the Simple Frugal Life site about celebrating with what’s already in your fridge. Instead, I threw a “clean out the fridge” picnic for myself. It was… actually kind of fun?

Table: Simple Swaps from Frugal Blogs

Got Seniors or Women Over 60 in Your Life?

Honestly, some of the best advice out there comes from folks who’ve lived a few decades longer than me. (Is it the wisdom? The sass? Not sure… but I’m here for it.) The Frugal living at 60 blog shares stories about downsizing, staying joyful, and finding ways to “have it all” even on a smaller income. And for no-cost tips made specially for grandparents, I’d peek at Frugal living blogs for seniors free regularly.

Plus, it’s so much easier to stick to a budget when you see dozens of “it worked for me!” stories from people who once thought it was impossible.

So, Will You Go Extreme?

If you’re still here, maybe a little bit curious, I want to tell you: you don’t have to renounce every comfort, or feel guilty for the occasional treat. Extreme frugal living blogs are about freedom—about options—not about living under a pile of coupons or never having fun again.

What will stick with you? For me, it was how these folks squeeze real joy from small pleasures—homemade bread, a sunny walk, a homegrown tomato. It made me realize… all those little splurges I “needed” weren’t really what made life rich. Community, creativity, and a sense of control? That’s the real currency.

Here’s what I hope for you (and for me!): Pick one tip. Test it. Tell a friend or leave a comment somewhere sharing your win (or best flop—those are just as fun). Explore blogs like Best frugal living blogs for seniors, jump into a “no spend” week, or just cozy up to the idea that you don’t have to do things the way everyone else does.

Frugal isn’t a dirty word. In the right hands—and with the right blog friends by your side—maybe it’s just another word for freedom.