20 Frugal Habits That Will Make You a Millionaire

For most millionaires, getting there means hard work and being careful with their money. You too can become a millionaire without necessarily having to win the lottery. It takes time, though, and adopting habits that will help you save money. They may not seem like they could make a difference but remember that every bit adds up. These frugal habits can, over time, help make you a millionaire.

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Live below your means

Some of the world’s richest people live well below their means, in modest homes rather than huge mansions, and driving modest cars instead of something flashy. Just because you can afford a luxurious lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to and living below your means will help you retire with millions.

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Use coupons

Surprisingly, high-income households use more coupons than low-income ones. Even Hollywood stars like Kristen Bell have confessed to loving coupons. After all, millionaires know that it’s silly to pay full price for something if you can get a discount. If you're not as rich as you'd like just yet, extreme couponing is just one of 10 ways to make the most of a tight budget.

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Avoid get-rich-quick schemes

The most successful millionaires invest their money wisely and know that building wealth doesn’t happen overnight. Get-rich-quick schemes should really be called lose-your-money-fast schemes because they really are too good to be true. Follow these 13 simple tips for getting rich instead.

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Shop at cheaper stores

Those exclusive, high-end stores don’t always sell better quality. You can often get the same thing at a fraction of the price at a cheaper retailer. Unfortunately, in Canada, these 20 things cost you way more than they should.

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Buy second hand

Billionaire Warren Buffett buys all his cars second hand and drives them for years (making him one of the thriftiest millionaires and billionaires out there). Buying second hand makes good financial sense as long as you buy wisely. You can find great deals on hardly-used or even brand new, quality items on eBay or Craigslist.

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Buy quality

Even if you’re buying at a cheaper store or second hand, make sure that you invest in quality. It’s better to fork out a little more for something that will last for years than to pay cut-throat prices for something that you’ll have to replace in a few months.

Don't forget, buying the cheapest option often ends up costing more in the long run. See the items that save you hundreds of dollars over time.

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Downgrade your wardrobe

Do you really need a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear? Instead of spending your entire paycheque on fashionable new clothes every season, focus on buying classic, quality basics (like this list of the pieces you need to build the ultimate winter wardrobe) that you can mix and match. You can always use accessories to keep your wardrobe trendy.

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Downgrade your cell phone package

When it comes to cell phones, many of us pay for much more than we actually use. If you don’t use all those extras that come with your phone package, downgrade to a more basic, cheaper package and cut the unnecessary expenses. Also look at getting rid of your land line.

Living below your means is just one of 20 reasons why you'll become a millionaire.

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Cut your bank charges

How much of your hard-earned money goes toward bank charges such as ATM withdrawal fees? Read up on the top 17 ways you're shamelessly bleeding money and shop around for a bank account that will charge you less for transactions but will still pay a decent interest rate.

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Rent out your stuff

An easy way to make extra money is to rent out your possessions. It’s not only that extra room in your house that you can rent out either; you can rent out almost anything, from gardening tools to sports equipment or camping gear. Just remember to vet the people you’re renting to and always ask for a deposit.

Believe it or not, the secret to being and staying wealthy is really simple. Learn more about why the rich are so rich now.

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Sell what you don’t need

If you haven’t used something in the last few months, you probably don’t need it that much. Selling those possessions that you hardly ever use will not only earn you extra cash but will also help you get rid of clutter. If you suddenly have a need for that chainsaw again, you can always rent one.

You may also want to brush up on the worst financial mistakes you can make.

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Carry only the cash you need

Walking around with too much cash in your pocket will only tempt you into buying things you don’t need. Before you go shopping, draw up a list and take only as much cash as you’ll need. This way you can’t spend more money than you had planned to. Leave the debit card at home, too.

Make more cash with one of the top 20 jobs in Canada that pay over $200K.

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Leave your credit card at home

Like carrying too much cash, carrying your credit card can also tempt you into spending more. Racking up credit card debt also means that you’ll have to pay more money in interest. Leave the card at home when you go shopping or, even better, cut that card in two.

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Don’t spend what you don’t have

Getting into debt will set you back on your road to riches, as we learned in this list of millionaire secrets of your rich neighbours. If you can’t afford to pay for something in full, in cash, don’t buy it. If you really want it, save up for it until you can afford to buy it.

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Become more energy efficient at home

Queen Elizabeth II famously goes around Buckingham Palace at night, turning off the lights in order to reduce the electricity bill. You can save hundreds on your utility bills simply by adopting more energy-efficient habits at home. It’s better for the planet too.

Wondering how rich Queen Elizabeth II really is? You may be surprised to find out that the world’s richest royals aren’t who you might think.

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Recycle

Recycling isn’t only a green habit but can save or even earn you money. You can cash in your glass, cans and cardboard for a bit of extra dough. In addition, recycling old clothes in creative ways can give you something new to wear without having to make a trip to the clothing store.

Want more money advice? Read 20 ways you can retire with less money.

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Get a side gig

There are many ways to supplement your salary with side gigs. For instance, if you have the skills, you can do some freelance writing, translation or bookkeeping work, which has the added advantage of building new contacts who can offer you a better-paying job. You can also turn your hobby into a small side business. For more ideas, check out 20 surprising jobs you can do from anywhere.

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Invest

Investing is a good way of making your money work for you and earning extra cash without having to lift a finger. The trick is to invest wisely rather than putting all your money into some wild venture that may end up costing you all your savings.

For more, don't miss 20 personal finance myths you shouldn't buy into.

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Get expert advice

Very few millionaires got rich completely by themselves. Most have a team of trusted financial advisors who help them decide how to spend their money and where to invest. Admit that you’re not an expert at everything and don’t hesitate to get expert advice on financial or legal matters when you need to.

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Educate yourself on financial matters

A habit that is common among millionaires is that they read a lot in order to keep on learning. Being educated in financial matters will not only help you make better financial decisions but it will help you to more easily spot when an expert is not that much of an expert after all.

Learn more about millionaires in 10 of the biggest myths about rich people.