5 Tips for Saving Money in San Francisco
Enjoy a frugal lifestyle without depriving yourself
4 Min Read
4 Min ReadLiving in San Francisco has many benefits. Not only is it a gorgeous city with entertaining events and activities around every corner but it also offers gorgeous and breathtaking scenery. That skyline will leave you speechless. While this California city has a lot to offer, it costs a lot as well. In fact, the cost of living in this city is 62.6% higher than the United States average. Despite this though, you can still live within your budget.
Here are five tips for frugal living in San Francisco:
1. Ditch the car
While having your own form of transportation can be convenient, when living in San Francisco, it is not necessary. One of the advantages of this Californian city is there are many public transportation options available such as city buses, trolleys, Ubers, and more. You can also walk from place to place while downtown. Plus, the narrow streets can make driving a little more challenging and parking can be limited and expensive in certain parts of town. 
2. Look over your finances multiple times a week
Following a strict budget is one of the best things you can do for your financial health. When you maintain a budget and refer to it regularly, you will know how much money you have and will be less likely to overspend. Additionally, you will be reminded several times a week about any upcoming bills that must be paid, helping to eliminate those pesky (and often expensive) late fees.
Also, make sure you have the power to say no and avoid impulsive expenses. For example, rather than go to the latest movie, how about you explore downtown and people watch or visit a park and enjoy a picnic with good friends. There are many free and fun activities you can do in the city.
3. Find a roommate
The cost of living in San Francisco is one of the highest in the country. For example, to own a home, the median house price in a metro area is approximately $841,600. This does not include all the necessities to make a house a home including utilities, home maintenance, furniture, etc.
If you need to keep your housing costs low, consider a roommate. This individual can help you cut the cost of living in half. When it comes to housing accommodations such as Blueground, there are options available for two bedrooms so you can each have your own space.
There are also high-quality housing options, like Blueground, which provides furnished housing in some of the best locations in the city. These gorgeous apartments come with all the necessities you need and are in prime locations. You can have a move-in ready place to call home in one of the best and most beautiful areas of the city. With Blueground, there are even options available for two bedrooms so you and your roommate each have your own separate space.
4. Avoid take out
While you certainly want to enjoy some of the delicious food options that San Francisco has to offer, if you are hoping to live a more frugal lifestyle, you should limit your take out and delivery consumption. Begin each week by creating a meal plan, shopping for fresh ingredients, and prepping the food. You may also want to prepare lunch the night before so you can quickly grab a healthy meal out of the fridge on your way to work, rather than go out to eat.
The average price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in San Francisco is $15, meaning you could save up to $75 each week just by packing your own lunch.
5. Take care of your own health
You may not realize it, but taking care of your health and living a healthy lifestyle is actually one of the best ways to save money. Not only will you boost your immune system and save on doctor’s visits and medications, but you will also have additional energy and will truly feel good about yourself.
You’ll quickly see that this will make it easy to accomplish more in a day, a week and even a year.
A few frugal living tips that will help your budget and your health include:
- Drink the recommended amount of water each day (around half a gallon)
- Walk or ride a bike to your destinations as much as possible
- Sleep seven to eight hours every night
- Eat fresh foods including many fruits and vegetables
- Avoid smoking, excess alcohol, and other tobacco products
When you are mindful of your financial situation, you will be less stressed and ultimately happier. You can easily live a more frugal lifestyle without making any major life changes by keeping the above ideas in mind.
