7 Frugal Money Habits for Living Below Your Means, According to Kate Kaden
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Avoid temptation when it comes to your everyday habits
Prepare in advance so you don't have to overspend because you're not prepared
Change your mindset
Focus on your biggest money problems and money helpers
Forget the image of ramen noodles and cold showers. Frugal living, done right, isn't about deprivation — it's about being intentional. YouTube creator and single parent Kate Kaden has cracked the code on how to live well below your means without sacrificing the things that actually matter.
In a recent video, Kaden shared seven surprisingly practical habits that don't require extreme measures or lifestyle overhauls. Instead, they're about working smarter with your money and breaking the patterns that drain your wallet without you realizing it.
Be Savvy: 10 Frugal Money Habits That Can Help You Save More Starting Today
Find Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
1. Skip the Screen Time
Cable and streaming are bleeding you dry. According to JD Power, the average household drops nearly $188 a month on cable alone, and streaming services keep piling on the costs. Kaden ditched TV for reading, and the financial benefits go deeper than just cutting a subscription.
"Not all the streaming services have ads that are skipped," she said. "So, there's a lot of ads showing up."
The same goes for traditional TV. Worse? When she's watching, she's on her phone too, which means double the ad exposure.
"The more ads you see, the more likely you're going to shop," she said.
She doesn't have to worry about ads if she's reading a book. As a bonus, her books come free from the library or a friend's shelf. Free entertainment beats paid temptation every time.
2. Use Up Everything You Have
Before you add anything new to your cart, take inventory of what's already sitting in your cabinets.
"Look at your toiletries," Kaden suggested. "Do you have an excessive amount of lotion that you don't need?"
Use what you have first. That way you're maximizing the money you've already spent and freeing up space instead of stockpiling duplicates that serve no real purpose.
3. Get Up a Little Earlier
The morning rush is expensive. You skip breakfast, grab coffee on the way and suddenly your day costs more than you planned. Kaden's fix? Push your bedtime up and wake up earlier — same sleep, better morning.
With the extra time before work, you can make coffee and breakfast at home. Small habit, real savings.
4. Pack Everything You'll Need
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people spend an average of $3,945 annually on dining out. A big reason for this is because you either don’t have time to prepare your meals before you leave for work/school or you forget to bring what you need.
Kaden shared that, in her line of work, her only real option is to get delivery, which is pricey. So instead, she packs everything she'll need for the day and takes it on the go with her, including snacks.
By bringing a home-prepped lunch (or breakfast) with you, you’re saving on dining out and cafes. It's not about going without. It's about controlling where your money actually goes.
5. Celebrate What You Already Have
Dissatisfaction is expensive. It convinces you that buying something you don't need will fix how you feel.
Kaden's antidote is straightforward: "Focus on what you have and stop focusing on what you don't have. Celebrate all the things, because there's a lot of things."
This mindset shift alone can kill impulse spending.
6. Get Serious About Debt
"Debt sucks," Kaden said. "Get that credit card paid off. Get it as low as you can."
Whether you owe $500 or $5,000, make it a goal to pay it off as soon as you can. At the very least, getting it to a more manageable amount can ease some financial stress.
Every dollar you put toward debt is a dollar freed up once it's gone. Pay off a $500 car loan, and suddenly you've got an extra $500 a month to work with. The math is simple; the relief is real.
7. Invest In a Roth IRA
While earlier is better, you can start investing at any point in your life. Kaden suggested starting with a Roth IRA. Your contributions won’t be tax deductible, but you won't be taxed on future withdrawals either (assuming you take qualified distributions). The IRS reported that for most people, the maximum annual contribution limit for Roth IRAs is $7,500.
The Bottom Line
The point isn't self-denial. It's self-awareness. These seven habits work because they cut out the noise — the ads, the impulse buys, the spending you don't remember. Kaden's proof that you can live well below your means without living miserably. Pick one habit. Get good at it. Then add another. That's how you build a financial life that actually sticks.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: