I’m a frugal freak – I earned £16k in December but reuse bin bags, never turn the heating on and only own one plate

HE may have earned over £16,000 in just one month alone, but Bradley, 32, is a self-proclaimed ‘frugal freak’.

The content creator cashed in a staggering £16,067 in December and while he has enough money to live lavishly, instead, he opts for an incredibly frugal lifestyle. 

With thousands of pounds rolling into his bank account, during the festive season, Bradley spent just £1,026 - with his biggest expense being £600 on rent for his ‘cute’ and ‘cosy’ studio home in Connecticut, USA.

As reported by , the savvy saver spent £147 on groceries and cooked all of his meals at home as he thinks going out to eat is ‘expensive and stupid’.

Not only does he eat the same meal every day and only owns one plate, but he also unplugs all of his appliances when he leaves the house, and never, ever turns the heating on, despite the temperature.

For Bradley, who has chosen not to share his last name, keeping tight control over his finances is very important. 

Over a decade ago, at the age of just 21, he found himself in more than £100,000 worth of debt, and thought his ‘life was over.’

After studying at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York and receiving his £104,150 debt bill, “everything changed”.

Upon hearing about his £1,120-a-month debt, Bradley, who has 'never once bought trash bags' and asks friends for their old bin bags, said: “That was the birth of the frugal lifestyle.”

Consequently, Bradley was forced to cut back on ‘fun’, groceries, buying new clothes for himself and other everyday expenses that most people wouldn’t think twice about.

Now, Bradley earns at least £8,000 per month through multiple jobs - not only does he do TikTok content creation and works as a financial coach for a nonprofit, but he also earns cash through dog sitting, answering calls on a crisis hotline, cleaning houses, and mowing lawns.

Now he has £200,830 in savings, and could easily pay off his student loan - but despite his more-than-comfortable earnings, he still lives the simple life.

When it comes to the food shop, he keeps costs low, as he shared: “I rarely buy anything name brand as store brand is cheaper and gets the job done.

“I also use my parents’ membership at a wholesale store so I buy my eggs and chicken in bulk, which is typically a bit cheaper.”

Bradley pays £67 for car insurance, £47 on gas, and £41 on electricity - which he keeps low by ‘doing everything he can’ to save energy, which includes unplugging everything while he’s out.

Not only this, but he also rarely turns the lights on and spends his time at home ‘living in the dark’.

Other costs of Bradley’s include £36 for internet, £33 on gifts, £33 on ‘fun’, £23 for a haircut, £14 on miscellaneous items, and just £8 for a no-frills gym membership.

In addition to scrimping on his gym membership, when going out for dinner with friends, he’ll examine the menu beforehand for the ‘cheapest option’, often opting for a starter.

Also, on nights out, he regularly ‘skips drinks’ and will get water ‘or sometimes a Shirley Temple.’

Maybe we all shouldn’t be working a 70-hour week like I am. But I see the power of increasing your financial streams

Bradley

He claimed that ‘every now and then’ he will do ‘something fun in moderation’, as he added: “For me, going out with friends is not about the money I’m spending, it’s about connection and being with them.”

Last month alone, Bradley, who is single, managed to save a whopping £15,000, but it comes at a cost. 

With so many jobs, Bradley, who has his own podcast, The Frugal Freak Podcast, described himself as a ‘hustler’ and often works 60 to 70 hour weeks, juggling multiple streams of income.

The influencer, who documents his frugal lifestyle, monthly outgoings and savings on his TikTok, then admitted: “Maybe we all shouldn’t be working a 70-hour week like I am. But I see the power of increasing your financial streams.”

Bradley acknowledged that he has received a fair share of criticism for what he chooses not to buy.

But despite this, he is keen to continue his frugal lifestyle after his debt disappears, as he claimed: “I have everything that I need and learned to be grateful for it which doesn’t make me desire wanting more.”

The bargain hunter explained that if he is ever going to spend money, it ‘better be’ on something memorable, like an experience.

He claimed that he wouldn’t splash cash on a ‘stupid car’ or clothes that sit in a wardrobe and are 'barely touched'.

And when it comes to his future, Bradley isn’t certain what he wants to invest his money in, but has ‘no desire’ to buy a house.

He stressed that he could see himself in a tiny house, but doesn’t have ‘any big financial goal at the moment.’