Many people struggle to make ends meet. Though they work hard and try their best to live within their means, factors outside of their control can be detrimental to their financial health. Inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult or impossible for many individuals who live paycheck to paycheck to save money.
The effects of inflation diminish the value of a dollar. And shrinkflation, which occurs when companies reduce the size of a good yet don’t lower its price, can make it even more challenging to maximize the value of a dollar.
Fortunately, those looking to start saving money or save more money still have a few levers to pull. This list of the 10 best frugal living experts highlights resources for those interested in novel ways to stretch their dollars.
Jamie Jeffers
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Parents
Parents face unique challenges when managing their finances. Not only do they have to budget to provide for themselves, but they also have to consider expenditures they’ll make for their children.
Jamie Jeffers provides actionable advice that can position parents and their families for long-term financial stability.
Why We Recommend Jamie
Jamie’s practical advice includes a blog post series in which she shares five money-saving tips each week. The series covers a wide range of topics, such as suggestions for inexpensive home decor and ways to throw parties without breaking the bank.
Jamie has compiled her weekly series into a book that’s available for purchase on her website.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 6.9K
- Facebook followers: 1.4K
- Website: mediumsizedfamily.com
Andrea Joy
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Faith-Based Financial Management
People turn to God for deeply spiritual reasons, but believers can also ask God to help them with their money-management practices. Andrea Joy provides faith-based financial guidance to help her readers stop worrying about their economic status and trust God to provide for them.
Andrea started her blog in 2018 to educate readers about how to save joyfully.
Why We Recommend Andrea
Though Andrea advises readers to exercise faith when it comes to their finances, that doesn’t mean she preaches a hands-off approach to money management.
Andrea’s 52-week money challenge outlines how small steps in the right direction can lead to substantial savings over the course of one year.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 12.6K
- Facebook followers: 1.3K
- Website: savingjoyfully.com
Jim Wang
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Unconventional Strategies
Jim Wang studied Computer Science and Economics as an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) before earning a Masters in Information Technology from the school. He learned problem-solving skills during his time at CMU that he applies to the world of personal finance.
Jim has been writing about personal finance for almost two decades, and his website, WalletHacks.com, helps readers learn to manage their money efficiently.
Why We Recommend Jim
Jim’s website provides comprehensive coverage of various financial topics, including establishing passive income streams and building a financial plan. Visitors to Jim’s site can also access guides to learn how to negotiate lower bills and save on insurance.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 7.5K
- Facebook followers: 16K
- Website: wallethacks.com
Cass Bailey
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Planning Meals
Humans need food to survive, but that doesn’t mean they have to dine on Kobe beef with a side of avocado toast at every meal. Cass Bailey offers advice to her readers so they can enjoy delicious meals on a budget.
Cass provides recipes for meals, snacks, and desserts. Whether planning dinner for one or a large gathering, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs in her extensive compendium of recipes.
Why We Recommend Cass
Cass understands that meals often require preparation. Cass educates her readers on the art of planning meals and also provides reviews of cookware and kitchen appliances.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 11.9K
- Facebook followers: 10K
- Website: frugalfamily.co.uk
Kara Stevens
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Women
Kara Stevens is committed to empowering women to manage and enjoy their money. Her website, The Frugal Feminista, contains courses that teach women how to budget, pay down debt, and heal their relationships with money.
Kara is an accomplished public speaker who has delivered presentations at corporate conferences and universities such as Harvard and MIT.
Why We Recommend Kara
Kara posts educational courses on her website to provide visitors with tools to learn about personal financial management and earning extra income. Kara and her team also offer individual consulting sessions for women seeking one-on-one advice.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 8.5K
- Facebook followers: 9.8K
- Website: thefrugalfeminista.com
Jamila Souffrant
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Financial Independence
Jamila Souffrant started her website, Journey to Launch, in 2016. She’s since launched a podcast, written a book, and achieved financial independence.
Jamila’s guidance helps her readers learn to eliminate debt and grow their assets. Achieving financial independence may sound like an unattainable goal, but Jamila breaks down the pathway to financial independence into manageable steps.
Why We Recommend Jamila
Jamila recognizes that not everyone is starting their journey to financial independence from the same place. She provides readers with a quiz to discover their financial course and tools to help them reach their goals.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 4.4K
- Facebook followers: 3.9K
- Website: journeytolaunch.com
Amanda Grossman
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Organizing Bills
Amanda Grossman has been blogging about personal finance since 2009. She teaches visitors to her website how organizing their bills can help them avoid financial messes.
Amanda believes that individuals who institute a system for organizing their bills are on the path to growing their savings, increasing their credit scores, and freeing up time to focus on earning more money.
Why We Recommend Amanda
Not everyone uses the same words to define the state of being organized. And not everyone pays their bills the same way. Some people prefer the convenience of paying their bills online, while others prefer to send their payments in the mail.
Amanda shares different methods for organizing bills so her readers can implement the system that best fits their needs.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 2.4K
- Facebook followers: 1k
- Website: frugalconfessions.com
Jessi Fearon
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Debt-Free Living
It can be easier to practice frugality when you aren’t in debt. Jessi Fearon amassed debt as a young adult. Determined to rid themselves of debt, she and her husband paid off more than $55,000 in less than a year and a half.
The couple became debt-free in 2019, and she shares the moves they made to reach that milestone on her website.
Why We Recommend Jessi
If sticking to a strict budget sounds like a chore, you may find Jessi’s approach enlightening. She issues challenges to her readers that can help them save money on a budget, gain control of their finances, and make frugal living fun.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 2.5K
- Facebook followers: 9.3K
- Website: jessifearon.com
Melissa Goodwin
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Home Management
Owning a home can be expensive. In addition to mortgage payments, homeowners often invest money to beautify, repair, and furnish their residences. Melissa Goodwin is a homeowner who’s developed habits that help her practice frugality and live abundantly.
Melissa’s website, Frugal and Thriving, helps readers discover home-management techniques to improve their financial health.
Why We Recommend Melissa
Melissa shares with readers how they can create household cleaning solutions that are effective and cheaper than cleaning products sold in stores. Melissa also devotes a section of her site to gardening tips for those seeking to develop a green thumb.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 128
- Facebook followers: 10K
- Website: frugalandthriving.com.au
Merissa Alink
#1 Frugal Living Expert for Living Simply
Merissa Alink lives with her family in the open expanses of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Her website, Little House Living, contains a wealth of information for individuals looking to lead a life free of unnecessary expenses and clutter.
Merissa has also authored numerous ebooks that she’s made available for download on her website.
Why We Recommend Merissa
Merissa’s approach to living simply may seem radical, but her detailed blog entries reveal how she’s flourished while living a minimalist lifestyle. Merissa shares with readers how getting rid of 75% of her possessions made her feel less burdened and more liberated.
Key Stats
- Twitter/X followers: 20.7K
- Facebook followers: 267K
- Website: littlehouseliving.com
Sometimes, the most challenging part of trying something new is getting started. If you’re looking to adopt a more frugal lifestyle, take courage in knowing that you can learn from the successes and failures of others who have already lived through it. And consider that being frugal can be enjoyable.
We hope this list of the 10 best frugal living experts gives you some ideas on where to begin your journey to frugality.