By Evan Vitale

There’s nothing wrong with cutting back on expenses, saving money and becoming a little more frugal.

Frugality is all about changing your lifestyle. It has nothing to do with being a cheapskate or a miser. By following a few simple tips, we can still enjoy life, but we’ll also have a better handle on our spending decisions.

Here are some frugal tips you might want to consider:

Buy in bulk when you can. Then, divide the bulk buying into smaller packages making sure that you have proper storage. Buying meat in bulk, for example, is a great idea if you have a big, chest freezer.

Eat at home and make your own meals. You’ll save more money by making your own meals.

Visit farmers’ markets and farm shops. These are not only a great way to buy cheap and healthy fruits and vegetables for your family, but you’ll also be helping a local farmer. In some cases, you’ll be able to purchase local honey, jams and baked goods at great prices.

Cut back on eating out. This is a tough one for everyone as we all love to go out for breakfast, lunch, dinners, etc. Be more frugal by cutting back to once a week or once or twice a month. Give preference to eating establishments offering coupons. Some even offer “kids eat free on Wednesday” specials.

Use the library. Instead of buying new books, DVDs and music, the library is a great, free resource in which the entire family can save money on books, magazines and more by borrowing materials and returning them at a later time. A friend of mine says his local library has a huge catalog of music and movies than can be borrowed for up to two weeks at a time (for free).

Cutting back and saving money will help you live with a little less financial stress in your life.