Learn All the Frugal Skills You Need With These 9 Great Video Tutorials

By Ashley Marcin on 9 December 2014 0 comments

Frugal life skills: We all need them to get through the daily grind with less stress and fewer dollars flying out of our pockets. But what skills are essential to your everyday life for health, happiness, and saving money? (See also: 7 Online Workout Videos for Free or Cheap)

These nine should get you started.

1. Calculate Tip

Have you ever totally blanked on the right tipping amount when you get your dinner check? Calculating the percentage is easy with some mental math you can learn in a snap. From there, it's just figuring out what percentage you want to give, and I've seen averages between 15% and 25%. This math comes in handy when you're trying to figure out how much something is discounted, too.

2. Cook Eggs

Eggs are tasty and super versatile for a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. So, learning how to cook them five ways is certainly to your benefit if you like quick, inexpensive protein. Scrambling is as easy as plopping a few eggs in a bowl with some milk and whisking before cooking. Poaching, which is my favorite, can be a bit more complicated and involves a swirling vinegar and water bath to set.

3. Change a Ceiling Light

When we moved into our new house, there wasn't much to do except change out the old ceiling light fixtures. The good news: You don't need a professional to complete this job. The most important step is turning the power off at the circuit breaker and confirming it's off by flipping the switch. Then slowly disassemble the fixture starting with the shade and bulbs. Follow the instructions on your new light and match neutral to neutral and hot to hot wires. Double-check your work and then turn the power back on.

4. Calm a Baby

First-time parents (and anyone who is brave enough to babysit a newborn) can surely take advantage of these tricks to calm a crying baby. Those tiny creatures can only use crying as communication, so it's wise to first see that their needs (food, sleep, diaper, smiles) are met. From there, use motion, swaddling, or shushing noises to emulate all the sensations the baby had while in the womb. All free ways to get some peace and quiet.

5. Parallel Park

Yes. I still shy away from parallel parking even if it costs me extra money at the parking garage. The thing is, it's not so difficult. The first step is making sure the space will accommodate your vehicle. Then pull up parallel with the car in front of the space. Reverse. Once your back tire lines up with the other vehicle's back tire, you'll want to sharply turn your car toward the curb. From there, straighten out once your rear passenger door is even with the front car's rear bumper. And go slowly!

6. Jump a Car

You must learn how to jump-start a car. Ideally, you'll want to have a set of jumper cables in your car at all times. Then pull the jumper car next to your car with the dead battery, turn off both cars and pop the hoods. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery and on the good battery. The connect the black cable to the neutral terminal on the live battery only and a piece of metal on the dead car. Start the live battery car for a few minutes before starting up the dead car and driving for at least 30 minutes.

7. Change a Tire

Keeping with the car theme, the other most basic thing you should know is how to change a flat tire in an emergency. You'll find your spare usually in the trunk. Then pop off your hubcap, loosen the lug nuts, and crank the jack up a few inches before putting it under the car. Then remove the old tire and replace it with the spare, making sure to tighten everything properly. Then don't drive farther than 50 miles and no faster than 50 miles per hour.

8. Fold a Fitted Sheet

I know, I know. This one doesn't really seem essential. But it's a heck of a lot nicer folding fitted sheets rather than stuffing them away in your linen closet. It might even save you some precious space. The key is getting all your corners folded up on themselves, and the rest is a breeze. (See also: 6 Ways to Make Your Small Apartment Feel Like a Castle)

9. Sew a Button

I remember learning how to sew a button onto a shirt when I was 10 years old. All these years later, I still use this skill, and it saves me money in the clothing department. Most shirts come with one or two extra buttons. And you can pick up a simple sewing kit at most stores (even grocery and drug stores). Then just thread your needle and go! (See also: 50 Ways to Update Your Wardrobe on the Cheap)

What frugal skills do you think everyone should know? Please share in comments — with a video, if you can!

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