Being frugal isn’t the same as being cheap. It’s about learning how to prioritize your spending and saving money in ways that improve your quality of life and help bring about future financial stability for you and your family. And with 11.1% of Americans reportedly living in poverty — roughly 37 million people — living frugally is more important than ever.

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Learning how to live more frugally or changing your money habits isn’t always easy, but it’s often necessary. And for many people, especially those who grew up poor, it might even be second nature.

GOBankingRates spoke with Peter Niebling and Hunter Garnett, both of whom said they grew up without much money but are financially more comfortable than when they were younger. Here are the biggest frugal secrets they learned from childhood that still benefit them today.

For Hunter Garnett, founder at Huntsville Personal Injury Lawyers, growing up in a lower-middle-class household with seven children didn’t leave much money to go around.

One frugal habit he learned and has continued to practice is to purchase older or used vehicles in cash, rather than relying on auto loans. This has saved both him and his wife money on financing costs and auto insurance.

“Until just a few years ago, my wife drove a 2004 Honda Accord. I still drive a 2000 Toyota Tacoma,” Garnett said. “Now, despite earning mid- to high-six-figures annually, we pay cash for used vehicles. This has helped us avoid paying interest on car loans. We’re also able to save substantially on automobile insurance.”

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For many people who grow up in poverty or live beyond their means, credit cards are a way to pay for the things their income can’t cover. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the average household credit card debt was a whopping $6,380.

But credit cards can be helpful when used responsibly.

Another frugal secret Garnett learned is to use credit cards for everything, but to pay them off each month before the interest charges kick in. That way, you can take advantage of any rewards programs without the high interest charges.

“[My wife and I] earn 5% on fuel, 3% on entertainment and 1.5% on pretty much everything else,” he said. “These rewards can really add up. After grad school, we lived an hour from our jobs to save money. As you can imagine, our fuel costs were substantial. During the first year, we earned about $800 in cash back, mostly in fuel rewards.”