45 Frugal Habits People Swear By And The Ones They Say Aren't Worth It

Some frugal tips are lifesavers; others? Just plain exhausting. Which side are you on?

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• December 2, 2024

She thought frugality would be simple, like “spend less, save more,” but her house taught her otherwise. It started with coffee, then snowballed into shopping trips, freezer math, and a few expensive mistakes that came with bonus mosquitoes.

One minute, she was grinding her own beans and hating every second, especially the cleaning part, so she switched back to ground for cold brew and immediately felt better about the whole routine. Another day, she was driving ten hours each way instead of flying, only to save about $100 and feel totally fried. Then came the rainwater barrels she bought and never set up, which turned into an accidental bug hotel.

Here’s the full story of how she ended up with a chest freezer, a nicer sealer, and a rule about paying off credit cards every month, even after everything went sideways.

1. "Meal planning"

2. I absolutely hated grinding my own coffee beans.

I hated cleaning the grinder. So, I went back to ground beans for my cold brew and noticed only positive improvements.

3. Driving ten hours each way instead of flying.

It would make sense if there were more than one person, but I only saved about $100, and it was stressful.

Frugality is not just about saving money; it’s a mindset that encourages us to think critically about our spending. This method not only enhances financial awareness but also promotes mindful consumption.

By consciously evaluating purchases, you can redirect funds towards experiences that enrich your life rather than frivolous items.

4. Man, oh man

did I spend money on rainwater barrels that I never set up, which became a home for mosquitoes.

5. A Chevy Volt

6. Getting a nicer vacuum sealer and a chest freezer were very helpful choices.

We received the sealer as a Christmas gift, and the freezer was left by my brother-in-law when he moved. Both have helped us through a couple of months of little to no income when they were fully stocked with couponed or discounted foods.

Also, I check weekly grocery deals and sales. I split shopping between Safeway and Fred Meyer; they’re across the street from each other, so I don’t mind wasting gas. Freddie’s has fuel points that help a ton, along with free points for taking weekly surveys. Safeway consistently has coupon savings and member savings, so I usually add $100 worth of items to the cart and check out for $40-50.

Life coach and author

13. Buying thick curtains. One-time purchase for long-term savings energy bill-wise.

AC/Heat is very expensive these days.

14. Coupon clipping

I spend less money when I don't shop the coupons. Lol

The thing was, even if I had the coupon, there was always a cheaper option, so I didn't use them anyway. I stopped bothering with coupons a long time ago.

15. Making homemade butter from heavy cream in my mixer.

I found I still needed to use store-bought butter in my baking and some main dish recipes. It tasted great, but it didn't save any money on the grocery bill.

Consider hosting a garage sale or using online platforms to sell unwanted items, transforming clutter into cash.

16. "Working out"

17. "Heated my house"

18. Always buy the cheap store-brand grocery products if they exist for the product.

I can often save between 20-60% on these items.

Right after the ten-hour drive fiasco, she realized “saving money” wasn’t automatically worth the stress, especially when she only netted about $100.

Establishing a joint budget can not only facilitate financial health but also deepen emotional connections, creating a partnership rooted in collaboration rather than contention.

It reminds me of the preschool teacher deciding whether to confront parents after daily weed smell.

19. Buying meat in bulk and breaking it down into smaller packages at home

The cost difference is staggering.

Most small packages of meat are only a small amount less than the cost of the larger uncut meat. For example, I can buy 12 lbs for the same cost as $5 lbs in small packages.

20. Packing my lunch every day.

My colleagues spend $10-15 per day purchasing lunch. I bring leftovers in a microwave dish with some snacks like Greek yogurt, hummus & crackers, and fruit. It's insanely cheaper.

21. Not having children.

To cultivate this mindset, reflect on past financial decisions and extract valuable lessons that can inform future actions.

22. Small one, making bread.

We have a bread machine, and our bread tastes better, is astronomically less expensive, doesn't have questionable ingredients, and is easy with the machine. Absolute win.

23. "Buying a house..."

24. "Moved close to my job."

25. "DIY projects..."

26. I’ve gotten quite good at sewing and crafts and have learned to do so quite cheaply.

Everyone gets handmade gifts from me, and they love them.

27. "Minimalism"

The rainwater barrel purchase made it painfully clear that frugality without follow-through just becomes a mosquito fundraiser.

Implementing a meal plan emerges as a powerful strategy for cutting food expenses amid rising costs. By taking the time to plan meals for the week, individuals can effectively sidestep the allure of last-minute takeout and significantly reduce food waste. This organized approach not only streamlines grocery shopping but also facilitates the bulk buying of ingredients, resulting in substantial savings over time.

Encouraging family participation in the meal planning process further enhances this frugal habit. It fosters a collective commitment to being mindful of spending, making frugality a shared goal rather than an individual burden.

28. Learning to fix my own car.

29. Creating an Amazon wish list.

Before Amazon discontinued their browser plugin to bookmark from any site, I saved so much money adding things to a list that I thought I needed or wanted to buy.

I would eventually go through the list, and a huge amount of things weren’t even available anymore because I had forgotten about them for so long. I’ve since created a Google Doc with the same purpose. It's been so helpful in saving money and realizing I truly don’t need a lot. Impulse spending has been drastically cut.

30. Cheap toilet paper.

I can use the good Charmin I love that does the job with much less, or I can use 2-3 times as much cheap toilet paper.

31. "1 liter bottles"

32. My wife and I drove two states over to pick up a brand new stove and microwave (that we found on Facebook Marketplace) for what seemed like a good deal.

Of course, neither one of us had a truck big enough, so we had to rent a U-Haul, pay for the gas, and lose a day.

When we arrived, it wasn't quite the model we were expecting from the listing, but we had come too far at this point—literally. So we took it.

Later, I found that exact model on eBay. It would have cost about the same to have it delivered.

33. "Cord cutting"

By decluttering your space, you may find that you also declutter your mind, leading to more thoughtful financial decisions in the long run.

34. Buying Christmas/Birthday gifts year-round.

I shop clearance everywhere I go and have a covered bin in the attic for all things gift-related.

Edit: This has also helped for last-minute invites to birthday parties or special occasions.

35. Driving to a gas station

that is far away just to save 15 cents a gallon.

36. "Canning"

37. "Buying whole fruit"

38. "Eating less"

39. Reusable menstruation products

It’s kind of a pain and time-consuming to hand wash my pads, BUT I’m saving at least $10 every period. My reusable products have paid for themselves many times over.

Once the sealer and chest freezer were fully stocked during months of little to no income, her weekly Safeway versus Fred Meyer routine started feeling like survival, not just budgeting.

Consider including images of your goals-like a vacation or a new home-to make your financial objectives feel more tangible.

40. Trying to save money on moving.

Hiring professional movers is always the right choice for me. The stress of family, tempers, and fatigue is too much.

41. Taking public transportation

to and from work.

42. Making homemade laundry detergent.

I saved a dollar; I spent 15 minutes hand-grating a Fels-Naptha bar into tiny pieces. My laundry felt slimy and smelled funny.

The rise of frugal habits in today's economy goes beyond mere financial strategy; it also plays a crucial role in enhancing mental well-being. As financial stress increasingly contributes to anxiety and depression, adopting frugality can help alleviate these burdens. By embracing cost-saving measures, individuals can foster a sense of stability in their lives.

Creating and sticking to a budget emerges as a practical approach to managing finances while simultaneously reducing stress.

43. Meal planning

Making a shopping list full of cheap ingredients that are flexible and last for a while, like potatoes and celery.

44. "Groomed my dog myself"

45. Switching out cat litter.

I went from a good brand that also came with a higher price tag to the one at Costco. Deep cleaning the litter boxes became a weekly chore because of how much that cheap litter got stuck everywhere. I went back to the original litter and will never switch again.

Building a safety net can prevent individuals from resorting to credit cards during unexpected expenses, which can lead to debt spirals.

Frugality is more than just saving money; it’s about finding value and making choices that align with your goals. While some tips may feel like a waste, others can be transformative. The real key? Balance. Embrace what works for you, and remember, smart spending doesn’t have to mean sacrificing joy.

Comment with your thoughts, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

Ultimately, embracing frugal habits can lead not only to financial savings but also to greater emotional well-being. Experts from various fields emphasize that frugality should be viewed through a holistic lens, incorporating mindset shifts alongside practical strategies. By focusing on what truly matters, individuals can create a sustainable lifestyle that enriches their lives.

Whether it's through meal planning, decluttering, or setting shared financial goals, the journey toward frugality can be empowering. As you explore these strategies, remember that the goal is not just to save money but to build a life that reflects your values and priorities.

The real lesson was simple, her frugal wins only count when she follows through, not when she just buys the idea.

Family pressure got brutal when OP refused to invest in a brother’s failing business, read the fallout.

Sophia