How Being a Homebody Saves Me Money

I’ve always been an introvert, but the pandemic turned me into a total homebody. I thought that once the threat of COVID-19 passed and the world returned to normal, I’d enjoy going out more frequently. 

But truth be told, these days I don’t leave the house much more than I did during the pandemic. Once or twice a week, I run errands. Sometimes I grab a bite to eat or go for a hike with my spouse. But besides these short outings, I’m home pretty much 24/7 since I’m self-employed as a freelance writer. 

One major benefit of my homebody lifestyle is that it helps me save money. Because I don’t leave the house much, my spending levels are similar to what they were during the pandemic. Here are just some of the ways being a homebody saves me money.

Don’t Feel the Need to Travel Much

I think my introverted, homebody nature is why I don’t like to travel. I don’t enjoy being away from home and having to stray from my normal routine. The simple life I’ve cultivated at home is more than enough for me!

Every day I wake up and drink a cup of tea in my sunroom (or on my porch if it’s warm enough) and enjoy a little social media time. Then I spend the rest of the day reading, writing, baking, walking in my neighborhood, and engaging in my hobbies like woodworking. 

Because I don’t spend much money on vacations (I mostly take occasional day trips), I’ve been able to invest in woodworking tools and create a full workshop space in my basement. I also have a craft room upstairs and an arcade area. Since I turned my home into my own little retreat, I rarely want to leave, which saves me a lot of money. I don’t spend much on gas and I don’t eat out often because I’d rather enjoy home-cooked meals from my own kitchen. 

My entertainment costs are also pretty low. Although I buy hobby supplies here and there, I don’t make big-ticket entertainment purchases like buying concert or festival tickets. And as mentioned above, I’m not a big traveler, which probably saves me a couple thousand dollars a year. 

I Love Homemaking 

Another way being a homebody saves me money is that I spend my free time puttering around at home working on DIY projects. When you commute to work and go out on the weekends, you don’t have as much energy or free time, which makes it harder to do your own home maintenance. In order to keep your household running, you might find it necessary to order Doordash, hire a handyman, and use other time-saving services. 

Since I’m home all the time, it’s easier to get tasks like laundry and meal prepping done. I also find joy in making my home a cozy space because it’s my sanctuary. So I don’t mind routine, boring tasks like doing the dishes and vacuuming, and I’ve never felt the need to hire a housekeeper. 

Rural Life Suits Me 

Because I don’t really go out much, I don’t feel the need to live in an area with lots of amenities and things to do. This enabled me to move to the rural area in the Upper Midwest where I currently live. Homes are cheaper here, so I was able to not only cut my housing costs, but also get a much bigger place than I had back in Boston. Plus, the overall cost of living is so much lower that I can save more money even while working fewer hours, giving me more time freedom. 

Society can make us feel bad for being homebodies and give us major FOMO. However, over the years I’ve realized my preferred lifestyle has its benefits, such as allowing me to save more money and live at a slower pace.

Are you a self-proclaimed homebody too or do you enjoy going out? How does your preferred lifestyle affect your finances? Share your thoughts in the comments! 

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Vicky Monroe

Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.