Frugality goes beyond simple cheapness; it’s a way of Life and a delicate balance of becoming aware of what is coming in and out through your wallet or bank statements, and being frugal means thinking about how you are spending your money and deciding to follow or change your cashflow while still achieving your financial goals all along. Frugal people prefer avoiding unnecessary expenses and overindulgences by remembering that saving money, reducing their debt, and focusing on their necessities (rather than their needs) is the best way to achieve their financial goals in the long run. Here are 17 things that frugal people would never buy.
1. Branded clothing and accessories
Cheapskates are more inclined to buy generic clothing and accessories rather than name brands at high premiums because the quality is usually no different, and all a premium buyer pays for a logo. Second-hand thrift stores and consignment shops are favorite clothing destinations for cheapskates who like to keep a well-dressed appearance at a meager cost.
2. Cable TV packages
With the rise of streaming services, many frugal consumers are choosing to cut the cord and cancel their expensive cable TV packages. Instead, they opt for more affordable streaming options or even free TV channels available on various platforms. This trend is especially relevant as households look for ways to save money during a recession.
3. New cars
Frugal people know a new car is not a good investment, as it loses much of its value within the first couple of years of ownership. Used or certified pre-owned cars are a good choice: getting a cheap but reliable car instead of an expensive new car is the best way. When you think about it over the long run, the costs are bigger than just the purchase price, and you better factor in fuel efficiency, insurance, and maintenance costs, too.
4. Disposable products
Single-use throwaway products such as disposable plastic water bottles, paper towels, and plastic shopping bags burden the environment with not only plastic litter and ozone layer-depleting chemicals, harmful plastics, and other pollutants but are also a waste of money. Frugal people refuse to buy such throwaways and instead invest in refillable water bottles, reusable napkins made from cloth, shopping bags made of canvas that they reuse at the market, and other such items. They also buy quality, longer-lasting, durable products that last long before they need to be replaced.
5. Impulse purchases
Frugal people eliminate the chance of buying things on a whim by planning shopping trips and sticking to a list. They also read up on products, look at reviews, and wait for sales or promotions to make a purchase. By denying themselves the chance to make quick purchases influenced by marketing techniques, they can spend much more wisely.
6. High-end electronics
A prudent individual respects new technology as an opportunity but usually balks at dropping top dollar on a hot new speaker or laptop. That person waits for a sale or discount or opts for a refurbished or prior-generation device to do the job. When making such a purchase, a thrifty type also examines the ongoing costs of ownership, whether it concerns subscription fees or ongoing maintenance or repairs.
7. Designer home decor
To furnish their living space, rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dirhams on branded props, thrifty people will DIY or purchase home items from non-expensive home stores. They will upcycle old furniture, draw or paint their picture, or find substitutes for the fancy decorations that can cost a lot of money. All of this is possible thanks to their creativity and resourcefulness.
8. Gym memberships
Thrifty consumers discover ways of getting the benefits of personal fitness without the mostly expensive gym membership fees. Some frugal consumers will do exercises outside the home, running or walking in neighborhoods, parks, and other outdoor venues. They also now use a variety of inexpensive workout videos found online, and many invest in some limited, basic home exercise equipment. Some will use community recreation centers that offer fitness classes at no cost or low cost, and sometimes public parks provide equipment or classes free or at low cost.
9. Pre-packaged meals and snacks
One of the hallmark strategies of the frugality mindset is doing your cooking from scratch. Sure, it’s not always convenient to spend time cooking every day (especially when the kids behave like picky brats because of something you made them), but from a pure cost-saving angle, making your food and snacks is a good move – plus because it’s your food, you get to control its ingredients. Shrewd frugalists do a bit of meal planning and bulk cooking to get the most out of their groceries and keep food waste to a minimum.
10. Single-use kitchen gadgets
Frugal people view kitchens as a places that should not be filled with gadgets – tools designed to do just one thing. They avoid them and seek out multifunctional gear they can use for multiple jobs. If they need a tool to prepare a specific ingredient for the odd recipe, they might borrow it from their friends or family.
11. Extended warranties
Rather than buying extended warranties – often expensive and usually unnecessary – thrifty people use the manufacturer’s warranty. If they expect an item to be prone to breakage, they look after it carefully. An alternative course of action is to self-insure: they put aside money for potentially costly repairs in a relatively accessible savings account.
12. Bottled water
Bottled water is high-priced and harmful to the environment, so the economic individual uses a filter at home and takes a steel reusable water bottle when on the go.
13. Full-priced entertainment
Regarding entertainment, the frugal mind rarely pays the total price. The challenge for them is finding free or discounted entertainment. Although frugal people take in many free opportunities in their community, including concerts in the park, museum admissions, and art gallery openings, they occasionally rent DVDs for weekend viewing, go to a movie matinee when they have a movie ticket credit, or check out a book on tape from their local library. When they fork out money on entertainment, they often use discount codes, loyalty programs, or coupons or wait for the outfit to sell.
14. High-end beauty products
While a frugal person can fully appreciate the value of self-care, she might go to the drugstore instead of a salon and spend a little time – and pennies – on high-street beauty products. She might also experiment with DIY beauty variations inspired by natural kitchen ingredients, such as an avocado face mask or a sugar scrub. By being thrifty and inventive, she can look after her health and make the most of her genetic lottery without breaking the bank.
15. Subscriptions and memberships
Strives for frugal living: regularly scans subscription and membership payments to cancel what’s no longer needed or shared with friends or family to split costs collectively. Chooses whom to be involved with and committed to.
16. Disposable party supplies
Rather than purchasing disposable consumables for every celebration (party paper, candies, trinkets), thrifty individuals invest in reusable table settings and decoration. They may also rent or borrow items for one-off occasions – wedding arrangements, party tents – and reduce expenses for entertaining guests for a festive day while curbing waste.
17. Fast fashion
Thrifty customers are already casualties of fast fashion and are aware of the costs of its environmental impact and exploitative working conditions. They reject buying a dozen bargain dresses they’ll wear just once before they end up in a landfill. They focus on buying a few classic, well-made outfits that they will wear and wear until they fall apart. They also choose to buy cheaper, vintage clothes from op-shops, participate in swap-sies, or learn to go beyond the charity shop – mending and altering what they already own to give their ‘capsule’ wardrobe longevity.
Key Takeaways
- Frugality involves conscious spending and prioritizing financial stability.
- Opt for generic items, shop at thrift stores, and cut cable TV for savings.
- Buy used vehicles and reusable products instead of new or disposable ones.
- Plan purchases, wait for sales, and choose refurbished electronics.
- DIY home decor and shop at budget-friendly stores.
- Exercise outdoors, at home, or in community recreation centers.
- Cook from scratch, plan meals, and use multi-purpose kitchen tools.
- Rely on warranties and self-insure instead of extended warranties.
- Use a water filter and reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
- Enjoy free events, use discount codes and share subscriptions.
- Choose drugstore beauty alternatives and DIY treatments.
- Invest in reusable party supplies and borrow or rent items for occasions.
- Avoid fast fashion; invest in quality pieces or shop second-hand.
- Frugality is about intentional choices aligning with values and goals.
- Adopting a frugal mindset can lead to financial freedom and fulfillment.
Conclusion
Frugal people are not interested in short-term gratification but in ensuring they have enough cash to enjoy a long life without the stress and risks of living paycheck to paycheck. Cutting these 17 items from the shopping list ensures they don’t spend money on things they will never use or quickly regret. Saving money will reduce clutter, create a lighter environmental footprint on this planet, and create a sense of peace and comfort during retirement years. A frugal life is not synonymous with a deprived life. Instead, by deliberately opting out of planned obsolescence and ensuring that we are not common herd animals herded into shopping centers in pursuit of something we don’t need, frugal people realize they can have it all on their terms for Life.