If you’ve been at this frugal living thing for a while, you already know that you have to adjust with the times.
What works in one era is not always practical in another era. For instance, couponing used to be a much more viable strategy than it is now!
This made me start thinking about the differences between pre-Internet frugality and frugality now.
And then I started thinking about the differences between pre-smartphone and now.
Ways the internet/my phone help me save
This will not be an exhaustive list, but here are a few that come to mind:
- Long-distance phone call charges are no more (imagine how much this has saved me, since Lisey is in Hawaii!)
- Online billpay means I use almost no stamps/envelopes
- I never miss a payment, thanks to online prescheduling. No late fees for me.
- Comparison shopping is super easy, so I can quickly find the lowest price, even when it comes to gasoline
- It’s so easy to buy used with eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and more
- I’ve gotten tons of free stuff thru Freecycle and now Buy Nothing
Zoe still uses this freecycle nightstand!
- Online how-tos have helped me fix and repair many things
- Apps and online reward programs have rewarded me in countless ways, even though I never use them to spend more than I otherwise would
- Online access makes it way easier to book affordable travel on your own, with no agent needed
- Digital photos are way cheaper than film/ordering prints
- Online BSN classes mean I don’t ever have to go to my current college
Ways the internet has helped me earn money
The most obvious: my blog!
Without the internet, this blog wouldn’t exist. And without the income from this blog, navigating my divorce +nursing school would have been a million percent more challenging.
I’ve also sold things on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, although that has been a very teeny tiny side hustle.
Ways the internet/my phone cost me money
All of us have some bills that no one had 100 years ago.
There’s:
- internet service
- a computer
- a smartphone
- cell phone service (although through Mint, it IS very affordable)
- phone case/screen protector/earbuds
What else? I know that the ease of online ordering has caused a lot of people to overbuy, but honestly, this has not been a huge issue for me. I’m frugal to the core, so even when the “order now” button is so simple to press, I still weigh each purchase pretty carefully.
(I don’t deserve a lot of credit for this; it seems to be sort of baked into my genes. I’m just mentioning it because “online overspending” could seem like a startling omission from such a list.)
For me: the internet is a money win
My blog more than pays for my internet service and my devices; it pays my rent!
And then when you add in all the ways I use the internet to save money (as listed above), it is clear that I’m way better off financially because of the internet.
What about you? Is the internet/your phone helping or hurting your finances? And what would you add to my lists?
P.S. Obviously, we could have a whole ‘nother discussion about what the internet/smartphones have done to our attention spans, our time use, our privacy, our view of ourselves, our perception of “normal”, our relationships, and more. But for today, we’re just thinking about the financial impact!
P.P.S. Breaking the rule in my own P.S.: without the internet, all of us would not know each other. So obviously it has been worth it. 😉
Jem
Wednesday 22nd of October 2025
One savings for me is cable. I do pay for internet, but I have a nice cheap plan, and I no longer pay for cable, which was much more. On the other hand, I do have some subscriptions that I pay for that didn't used to exist, such as a couple of streaming channels and a couple of podcast patreons. I'd have to take a bit of time to figure out the numbers to see if I come out ahead or not, but one thing is for sure, the list of what I pay to watch is far more tailored to my interests than general cable ever was. Not to mention the convenience of watching whenever I want, not being stuck with the old TV schedule makes for an improved experience.
APM
Monday 13th of October 2025
IMO, The internet and smart phones make marketing more pervasive. The whole point of influencers is to market in a very pervasive way. I feel like it makes frugality more difficult for me because it’s harder to avoid the marketing (that is very effective.) also, without having to travel to shop, a huge barrier of the past is removed.
Kim from Philadelphia
Tuesday 23rd of September 2025
Though I have a smartphone and I certainly use it, I really dislike my feeling like I “need it” at times. It’s a safety device when travelling, in addition to convenience (closest gas station, directions). I don’t use Facebook socially, but I have used it to sell/ give away items. I can easily look up who sells my coffee brand at the cheapest price, etc, I can easily check my bank balances and transfer money between accounts, so I agree with the statement it has really helped me manage/ save money
Sophie in Denmark
Monday 22nd of September 2025
I think the internet has actually made entertainment more expensive. TV series and films are all split onto different streaming platforms and if you want to watch something in future, you essentially have to rent it as so few things are released on DVD - I think even digital downloads that you buy can sometimes be deleted.
Jan
Monday 22nd of September 2025
I work about 60 hours a week, and my one day off is not a day I want to spend shopping (husband is retired and does the grocery shopping). If I need something, I love being able to order it online and have it show up a few days later. In reality, this not only saves me time and gasoline/wear and tear on my car, but I buy the one thing I need, instead of browsing around and buying more stuff that maybe I don't really need.
For example, I have silicone handle covers for my lodge pans, but with our new stove configuration, they were getting damaged by the flames on our gas stove. One was nearly cracked through and it was going to cause someone to get burned. I bought them originally at Cost Plus World Market (one place I do enjoy browsing on occasion) but didn't see them last time I was there. They probably have them other places, but the time it would take to find them is more than I wanted to spend when I could easily order them online.
I cannot shop in clothing stores anymore. I'm sensitive to fragrances with severe asthma, and once someone with a strong perfume or deodorant has tried on a garment, it reeks of fragrance, and sometimes doesn't even wash out. So my clothes come new from online stores now (and I can't use companies that sell used items for the same reason). When my daughter needed a prom dress, I had to stay in my car--she went in and tried on dresses and took photos. I put on a mask to go inside to pay for the dress she chose.
I used to try to buy from local stores when local stores had what I wanted to buy, as a matter of principle, even when it cost a bit more. But that has become nearly impossible now. So many stores sell candles, room "fresheners" (really indoor pollution), and personal fragrances.
So, IMHO, thank goodness for the internet. It saves me money, time and lungs!