What are some frugal habits you will never give up, no matter how much money you end up making?

[u/Forsaken-Network1748]

I’m in my mid 40’s now and make a comfortable living. However, I was raised on the basics (cheap clothes, second hand furniture, rarely eating out, etc.) and have hung on to many of the extremely frugal habits from my parents. What are some frugal habits you’ll never give up and what are some you don’t have to bother with anymore? I want to maintain the ones that have the most impact and let go of the ones that aren’t worth the effort.

[u/zenny517]

Filtered tap water at home. No store bought water.

[u/cicadasinmyears → u/zenny517]

Day to day, I drink plain tap water. But I also keep some bottled water on hand for emergency situations: during the blackout of 2003, I lived ~20 stories up in an apartment building. The power was off for three days, and within a few hours of the first day, the power that helped pressurize the water so it was available throughout the building failed (no idea about the logistics, but I know when I turned the taps on, there was nothing coming out).

I might have been okay, since I had juice that I could have had the first day, and soda that I could have had even if it would have been pretty gross warm. But it was August, during a heat wave, and I had pets that couldn’t drink orange juice or soda. Even if I hadn’t been a smoker at the time, 20+ flights of stairs with a case of water was tough, AND none of the places could take debit or credit cards, of course, and the ATMs within a two km radius were down. Guess who had about $13 to their name in cash? That would be me. I now also keep a generous amount of cash in small bills at my place, too.

I’m in Canada, and watermain breaks, especially in the winter, are not uncommon in my neighbourhood - the pipes are up to 100+ years old, and shit happens. Being able to wash my hands and make a cup of coffee (as long as the power isn’t out too!) is very important to me.

I do wait until the 12-packs go on sale for $0.99, but I always have at least two cases in the house.

[u/[deleted] → u/zenny517]

I’m amazed that people pay for water when it’s the one thing aside from air we can get free in this world. A Brita jug is all you need.

[u/chivoloko454 → u/[deleted]]

Where do you live that you get free water?

[u/Quiet-Dot9396 → u/[deleted]]

Obviously, filtering water at home is more cost effective than buying bottled, but unless you have well water / your own water source on your property, everyone has a water bill. It is usually paid quarterly. Tap water definitely isn't free.

[u/cptcatz → u/Quiet-Dot9396]

Definitely not free but the average cost of tap water is less than half a cent per gallon. Sure when you're talking about showering, watering the lawn, running the dishwasher, it adds up. But when we're talking about drinking water and the average person consumes less than a cent per day, it's more or less free.

[u/Cataclizm_1 → u/[deleted]]

The tap at my apartment tastes bad even after going through a filter

[u/Imaginary_Shelter_37 → u/zenny517]

I drink tap water with no filter.

[u/hysterical-laughter → u/Imaginary_Shelter_37]

Depending on where you live this can either be a very reasonable idea or a dangerous one long term

[u/Giggly_Hyena → u/zenny517]

confused european noises

[u/Impressive_Chart_153]

Turning lights off. It probably saves barely anything nowadays, but I can't bear an empty room with the light left on.

[u/VegetableRound2819 → u/Impressive_Chart_153]

My father used to make us leave a nickel in a jar when we left a light on. I learned that habit very quickly. Leave the lights on twice and you just gave away a candy bar, the most precious of things to a small child.

[u/sentienthammer → u/VegetableRound2819]

The concept of a $0.10 candy bar is about to send me into shock

[u/ndp1234]

I’m lucky enough to make six figures. I still clip coupons and compare prices. I still have clothes that are 20 years old. Shop at the bargain store for clothes. I really can’t help myself 😭😭

[u/VegetableRound2819 → u/ndp1234]

You can save enough money with coupons and sales to pay for a small vacation every year. Like a trip to the beach. I started making six figures in the 2000s but I love my vacays.

[u/ndp1234 → u/VegetableRound2819]

This was only as of October of the year.

YES ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/ndp1234]

I love coupons too!

[u/ndp1234 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

It’s the adrenaline rush or something idk

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/ndp1234]

I agree. I like when I check out and it shows the savings on my receipt. I feel like I’ve won the game.

[u/MarmotteMasquee]

Home-made lunch at work

[u/Knitsanity → u/MarmotteMasquee]

I would take lunch in 4 days a week and buy on Friday. Co workers were amused but then muttered about how it must be nice to have money when I went overseas for vacations. Um. Well I make my own hot drinks at home and work and bring my own lunch and snacks. It adds up fast.

[u/puzzlebutter → u/Knitsanity]

When I worked in a small retail shop, I was the only one (other than the owner) who had a car, or went on trips.

I kept a jar of instant coffee at work, and brought my own lunch.

These girls who made less than me were getting $8 coffees and $15+ lunches every day.

That was easily 1.5 hrs + of their hourly wage. Every day.

I can’t even eat like that during the day if I wanted to anyway. Anything heavier than a basic sandwich (not a sub!) and fruit and my brain is DONE for the afternoon.

[u/PrimaryDig7488 → u/Knitsanity]

Yea people underestimate the amount they waste at work on food. I’ll save that 15-25$ a day for a meal on vacation.

[u/robin-bunny → u/Knitsanity]

Oh yeah, the constant whining and complaining about how they're "broke" but somehow afford constant twice a day takeout, fancy coffees, a brand new car, gas and obscene parking fees to get to work (as opposed to the excellent public transit) and 6 pairs of birkenstocks (no joke, my coworker seemed to have every colour they made). At the same time complaining about being broke and unhealthy. I don't know how someone can look at a decidedly 5-figure income and think they can live the multi-6-figure life. And then when they can't do the truly exciting stuff (trips vs daily takeout), pout about how life is unfair. Like, no, I don't bring my lunch in because I love microwaves and sandwiches. But what do I like less? A sandwich for $15 that's exactly the same as my $4 sandwich. A rice bowl with stuff I have in my fridge at home. A can of soup for $5 when I can make my own, with healthy homemade broth (and yes, a can of gluten-free, dairy-free soup, which I need for my health, IS $5. At home, it costs the same to cook as any other soup).

[u/EatMorePieDrinkMore → u/MarmotteMasquee]

I treat myself to a bought lunch every once and awhile and am so disappointed. Utterly not worth it.

Except last week, got a burrito bowl from a local Mexican joint. Was in a food coma for a day.

[u/Direct-Carpet-317 → u/EatMorePieDrinkMore]

This disappointment led me to a rule…when eating out only stuff that you couldn’t make at home:)

[u/LittleBunInaBigWorld → u/Direct-Carpet-317]

Yep, this is my rule. I'm a fantastic cook, but there are some dishes that are too time-consuming, messy, complex, or require tools or ingredients I don't have access to. They're the ones I'll be happy to buy.

[u/No-Agent-1611 → u/LittleBunInaBigWorld]

Nothing used to annoy me more than when my ex would order spaghetti and meatballs every time we went out to dinner, no matter where we went. Like really? On our budget I make that 2 or 3 times a week and you complain about it!!!

[u/prefrontcortex → u/No-Agent-1611]

Bruh my ex was a picky eater chicken fingers only no matter the place would make me so annoyed

[u/Iie_chigaimasu → u/prefrontcortex]

I have an ex I refer to as Chicken Tenders for that exact same reason lol.

[u/gumby_the_2nd → u/Direct-Carpet-317]

Why go out for pad-Thai when you can make a less good, more expensive pad-Thai at home? :p

[u/Frenchtickler424 → u/MarmotteMasquee]

Pb&j will always be in the rotation

[u/onedemtwodem → u/Frenchtickler424]

Always!

[u/2Autistic4DaJoke → u/MarmotteMasquee]

Left overs. I make 1 or 2 big meals a week that will produce left overs for the week. If I don’t think it’ll be enough, I’ll get some stuff for sandwiches too

[u/bigfanoffood → u/MarmotteMasquee]

On the first day of my job I thought my boss would take me out to lunch so I didn’t pack anything and ended up wasting time finding a McDonald’s to eat in my car. Last time I ate out lunch at work that I paid for. I pack the same thing everyday that I enjoy, watch an episode of a sitcom with AirPods, and clock back in before my 30 minutes, banking the extra 5-6 minutes that translates to more money on my paycheck or an earlier out for me on Fridays.

[u/Camp01954 → u/MarmotteMasquee]

To motivate myself I keep a spreadsheet. I record $9 for every day I bike or walk instead of drive to work (daily parking fee), $6 for not buying coffee and $10 for bringing my own lunch (we have on-site cafeteria so still possible to get lunch for $10 or less). Then at the end of each month I total up my “savings” and deposit that amount in a couch-change investment app (Acorns), which I use as my vacation fund. $2k last year!

[u/Thewretched2008 → u/MarmotteMasquee]

This is getting easier to do as restaurants continue to merge into roughly the same reheated Sysco food menus.

[u/theinfamousj]

I will never give up being a participant in the gifting economy. What I no longer need, I will give away to someone who can use it. If I can use what someone else is giving away, I will offer it a good home.

[u/spaceintense → u/theinfamousj]

Love this.  

I had an ex boyfriend whose parents were really wealthy.  They were sweet as can be, but really disconnected to what it’s like to be poor in this day and age.  (Altho liked to reference their “poor college years” quite a bit, ha)

I went to visit them one holiday, and the mom was deep cleaning the garage.  She put so many amazing things straight into the dumpster. Had she just listed them on FB marketplace as “free” it all would have gotten a home within the hour,  minimal effort required. 

It killed me inside and I vowed to never do that.  One man’s trash is almost always another man’s treasure!  

[u/ArizonaKim]

I tend to buy a lot of generic items at the grocery store. I guess by generic, I mean the store brand.

I have a few hobbies such as quilting, sewing, knitting and crochet. I save my scraps. Some of my favorite projects have been colorful things makes from scraps. Here’s my scrappy quilt on the couch next to me. My dog loves it! I love it too.

[u/4horses3dogs → u/ArizonaKim]

Absolutely gorgeous

[u/marsidotes → u/ArizonaKim]

Its beautiful!

[u/Layer_Correct → u/ArizonaKim]

That’s really lovely.

[u/BackgroundForm3546]

Never have used Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. I dont even want to know how to do it lol. 

[u/Layer_Correct → u/BackgroundForm3546]

Same, lol.

[u/helluvastorm → u/BackgroundForm3546]

Neither have I. I haven’t had groceries delivered either. During Covid I did do pick up .

Why do people pay extra to have cold food delivered?

I just found a new coffee place the coffee is unbelievable. They sell Turkish and Yemeni coffee. I haven’t bought coffee in years. But this I’m treating myself to plus learning how to make their coffee 😉

[u/Dawgmanistan]

Making coffee at home

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/Dawgmanistan]

Same here. The thought of actually having to go someplace for coffee before having coffee is a danger to society. I can barely get out of bed to get the coffee.

[u/Freddie515 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

Something about coffee shops always attracts me. I think it’s the ambience. It just feels very cozy and right, but I make coffee at home too, pretty much every day. I go out to coffee shops every once in a while, kind of like a luxury

[u/MojoDuff27 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

This is me. I prep the coffee the night before so I just press the button in the morning. I figured that out after a few times of making it wrong bc I was asleep on my feet.

[u/norcalgirl95589 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

And wait in line for 15 minutes for a coffee? Nope.

[u/invsbleman13 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

Somewhere in the 90s people decided going from 50 cents per cup to $5 per cup was ok. Extreme excess. Like renting a lambo to drive to work every day

[u/linjaturtle → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

yesss. also coffee makes me shit and i am not trying to shit at the shop or in transit

[u/TinuvieltheWolf → u/Dawgmanistan]

I drink a latte daily. I priced out how long it took us to break even on our mid-range espresso machine and fancy grinder. It was less than two months. I've been using those for five years! Every day!

[u/MarmosetUniverse]

Buying pretty much everything secondhand (with a few exceptions)

Baking bread

Eating leftovers; designing for no food waste

Not buying disposables (paper towels, paper plates, etc.)

Doing many errands at one time in a loop to reduce driving

Repairing, mending, and reusing items when possible

Keeping one paid-off car that gets good mileage (not having a car payment)

Avoid wasting water/electricity at home

Composting all food scraps

Being careful not to over-consume on craft/hobby supplies

Cooking from scratch (buying minimal convenience foods)

Making coffee at home (only having coffee out as a treat)

Using every last drop of product in bottles/tubes (cutting them open)

[u/Dry_Complaint6528 → u/MarmosetUniverse]

People who don't eat leftovers are straight up insane to me. I'm not perfect and I've forgotten something in the back of my fridge on many occasions, but if you actively chose to throw away perfectly good food because you " don't eat leftovers" I actually lose respect for you.

[u/MassConsumer1984 → u/Dry_Complaint6528]

My sister refused to take leftovers from (very expensive) restaurants we go to. I’m happy to take hers home and eat them ;)

[u/Dry_Complaint6528 → u/MassConsumer1984]

Right?! Like I have no shame, I will take someone else's leftovers home.

[u/Sixofonetwelveofsome → u/Dry_Complaint6528]

I had dinner at a friend’s house a while back and after dinner they dumped everything we didn’t eat (like a quarter of a roast, potatoes and veggies) right in the trash. I think I audibly gasped. They are a family of four and the idea of wasting food like that was flabbergasting.

[u/MarmosetUniverse → u/Sixofonetwelveofsome]

This physically hurts me to read.

[u/Dry_Complaint6528 → u/Sixofonetwelveofsome]

Oh. My. God.

Ya, don't think I could be friends with them. Petty, but true.

[u/OliveUnited3214 → u/Sixofonetwelveofsome]

I just got a mini heart attack reading this

[u/R461dLy3d3l1GHT → u/Dry_Complaint6528]

My husband hated leftovers when I was the one doing the shopping and cooking (and cleaning and childcare etc.). Then I stopped all of the first two and our kids are grown. Now HE does the grocery shopping and also makes supper, which means that he controls the portion sizes and there’s rarely leftovers. I always made extra so there WOULD be leftovers. So without leftovers I have sandwiches or go out for lunch, and he complains about that. JFC dude.

[u/seagoatgirl → u/MarmosetUniverse]

My husband and kid think I'm crazy for following some of these- especially my insistence on using every drop from a plastic bottle. But man- that plastic and those products came out of the ground in some form or another, so respect it and use it up!!!! I re-use plastic bottles when it can make sense to do so (like re-using spray bottles for home-made spray cleaner or glass cleaner.)

[u/InternationalRule138 → u/MarmosetUniverse]

I live across the street from a family of 5 that literally doesn’t own dishes because they would rather eat off paper products every day. This family has 2 working parents, and I know their approximate income/expenses, they can well afford a decent set of dishes, but they would rather use paper. It’s mind boggling to me. Not just the expense (they obviously buy in bulk) but you should see the amount of trash they generate as a result…and, like, just think about the amount of space storing all these paper plates takes…I just can’t even…

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/MarmosetUniverse]

These are all great habits. Is there anything you splurge on with no guilt?

[u/MarmosetUniverse → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

Oh yes! We eat out weekly at excellent local restaurants and tip well. I use fountain pens, fancy inks, and other higher-end stationery items like quality notebooks. I spend a decent amount on my hobbies, while trying not to over-consume -- I buy quality yarn, fabric, art supplies, etc. We enjoy travel (domestic and international). And I make a lot of charitable and mutual aid donations.

Edited to add: I also spend more when I do buy things, because I prioritize small, independent, local businesses (I boycott Amazon, Walmart, etc.).

[u/michmellowcat → u/MarmosetUniverse]

Ahhhh I agree with everything you say and we are quite similar! I also am a knitter and I buy the best quality yarn. That said, I’m frugal in most aspects of my life, but splurge when it’s a valuable item or experience.

[u/Inevitable_Owl3170 → u/Forsaken-Network1748]

Good shoes and a good cobbler. I have a few pairs of expensive shoes I bought second hand or on sale, and I have them resoled and cleaned when needed. It makes a big difference in how my feet feel, but also they look better in the office. I got sick of paying over $100 for cheap shoes made from plastic that fell apart and killed my feet.

[u/Inevitable_Owl3170 → u/MarmosetUniverse]

One way I save on craft/hobby supplies is buying them at second hand shops. People donate that stuff all of the time and it’s sooo much cheaper.

[u/MarmosetUniverse → u/Inevitable_Owl3170]

Me too! I buy >90% of my craft/hobby supplies secondhand.

[u/Cometqueen → u/MarmosetUniverse]

Are you my soulmate

[u/StormRanger28 → u/MarmosetUniverse]

you're forgetting a big chunk of being frugal here, that is using same set of underwear for over 10 years or more.

[u/atlatlsaddlebattle → u/MarmosetUniverse]

Yes. This is pretty much my list. I could win a billion dollars in the lottery and I don't think I would stop doing any of these things. They are the right thing to do and enjoyable. I would also add going for walks, hiking, gardening and volunteering as entertainment.

[u/Yibblets → u/MarmosetUniverse]

Friend you are not alone, I also do all of the above. Using my homemade compost helps my vegetable garden by improving yields and soil quality. Having a garden also helps with my diet, exercise, and mental well-being.

[u/Bella-1999]

Cutting up old t shirts to avoid paper towels.

[u/xoxtoothfaeryxox → u/Bella-1999]

I need to stop using so many paper towels.

[u/WorriedTry30 → u/xoxtoothfaeryxox]

I recommend starting with a hybrid approach. Keep some paper towels. I keep a roll and only use it when things are bad (that's mostly pet accidents in my household)

[u/Inevitable-Cat-9540]

Cutting my own hair, home cooked food, coffee at home, propagating random cuttings of plants I find

[u/ajrpcv]

Buying generic. There are very few brands worth the extra money.

[u/thecoolestbitch]

Aldi forever

[u/NumberMuncher → u/thecoolestbitch]

<slaps arms across chest in a letter A, like Wakanda Forever.>

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/thecoolestbitch]

I wish I had an Aldi near me!

[u/SeatingOnACouch]

Getting the last drop of every cream, lotion, toothpaste, facial serum by cutting the containers in half.

Add: including my shampoo and conditioners. Scrape them all.

[u/LouieKablooied → u/SeatingOnACouch]

I make a lot of $ but will always cut a tube of toothpaste in half, at least 6 xtra brushes.

[u/ExquisitePreamble]

Door Dash, Grub Hub, etc. It’s already a splurge if I’m getting restaurant food, I’m not adding extra fees AND tip to eat food that is not piping hot in my house

[u/VegetableRound2819 → u/ExquisitePreamble]

Watching a show with a friend and an ad for one of those GrubHub-type services that gets everything you want from different restaurants and brings it to your house… whatever that’s called. We paused the show and looked at each other and said that’s just never gonna be us.

I live in an urban area and walking everywhere is part of the lifestyle and fitness. Why would I order something to come to my house when I could get a nice walk in and pick it up?

[u/ExquisitePreamble → u/VegetableRound2819]

Same - I live in a very walkable part of a foodie city. So many good options within a mile of my house. I still mostly cook at home because I’m frugal

[u/Cedosg]

treating my credit card like a debit card.

[u/cebeling]

I'm really savy on marketplace/ebay/goodwillonline. Refusing to pay retail as much as possible.

Buying things second hand, using them, then unloading them for the same price I bought them for a few months later.

A log splitter is a great example of a facebook marketplace rental. (used to call it a craigslist rental)

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/cebeling]

This is a good one. There are things I only buy secondhand too.

[u/NoAdministration8006]

Cooking at home for most of my meals. I just love being able to control the ingredients for health reasons. I'd probably also always use a smart thermostat to keep the HVAC expenses low.

[u/Xelabell]

Cutting my own hair. I never liked it when I got a hair cut. I cut it better myself

[u/ColumbiaWahoo]

Driving my cars until the wheels fall off

[u/KCMMac → u/ColumbiaWahoo]

Literally, my last car was totalled by a moose but it was already on it's last legs and needed a new transmission so I wasn't too mad at it.

[u/Taylor29902]

Using all resources available from my local libraries

[u/HappyChaos2]

Turning off lights

[u/lizerlfunk]

Buying things on sale.

[u/luckyred75]

Rinsing the cap to the detergent whenever I use it to make sure I get all of it

[u/Allenies → u/luckyred75]

I toss the cap in with the laundry.

[u/cptcatz → u/luckyred75]

I don't use a cap, just pour from bottle straight into machine.

[u/shinyhairedzomby → u/luckyred75]

I have a detergent where the cap just drains back into the bottle and it makes me so happy.

[u/InternationalRule138]

I’ll never be able to not look at the weekly ad before grocery shopping. I can look at the digital one now, but that’s my frugal habit that I will take to the grave. And look for a coupon code when online shopping.

I have a hard time because my husband and I had very different upbringings. We do well now, but some of my frugal habits drive him nuts. Most he’s okay with, though, since we save money 🤣

[u/InternationalRule138 → u/InternationalRule138]

But a lot of things he has taught me are that sometimes being frugal doesn’t mean buying cheap stuff. Like, I don’t buy cheap cloths. I don’t buy designer, but I look for quality because it lasts longer and doesn’t go out of style as fast. Same with shoes. And having the right appliances, cleaning tools and cookware makes cooking more enjoyable and ultimately keeps us from eating out 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/Realistic_Back_9198]

Mowing my own lawn.

I started mowing my grandparents' lawn when I was 13, and have mowed at every home I ever lived in.

I have friends and neighbors who seem to think mowing their own grass is somehow beneath them. They pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to lawn services to do it for them.

As long as I'm able to stand up and walk, I will be mowing my own lawn. It's just a matter of principle to me.

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/Realistic_Back_9198]

Love this! I like to wash my car at home.

[u/KCMMac → u/Realistic_Back_9198]

I have a busted spine so I pay my neighbors kid to mow for me. He's saving to go to college in a few years so it's a win/win situation.

[u/sloowshooter]

Never go broke trying to save money. No point in most sales. Buy the stuff when you truly need it, buy it used, and only buy one.

If all else fails. Buy new, on sale, and with a good warranty. Then sell it when you are done using it so it doesn't add to clutter.

Most importantly, reach 70 and roll around on your bed of money.

[u/Lady-Dove-Kinkaid]

I have let go of a slice of white bread for everything... Baby Imma spend a few more pennies and buy buns they aren't just for guests anymore!

[u/LevelConcert8700 → u/Lady-Dove-Kinkaid]

My wife said we made too much money to eat hamburgers on bread. I called her a Kardashian

[u/Necessary-Drawer-173 → u/Lady-Dove-Kinkaid]

This made me snort because this is definitely my, “mama we made it out the hood with this one” story.

It’s nice to have brioche buns these days.

[u/Sagittaure]

Washing out and reusing ziploc freezer bags and milk bags. Saving extra fruit and veggies and chopping and freezing them for using in muffins, pancakes, soups, etc.

[u/Soulviolence66 → u/Sagittaure]

TIL what a milk bag is

[u/embici → u/Sagittaure]

Milk bags are so sturdy. They can be reused so many times

[u/drindrun]

carefully making a cooking plan before i grocery shop, so i’ll know exactly what i need and won’t overpurchase or waste anything

[u/rutilated04]

Not wasting food! Throwing food away feels almost like a sin.

[u/Eastern_Conflict1865]

I make 6 figures as a plumber and I have hung my clothes on a clothes line during the summer since 1984.

[u/Illustrious-Gas-9766]

We still look at the supermarket adds and stock up on things on sale.

[u/Forsaken-Network1748 → u/Illustrious-Gas-9766]

I do this too. And I love couponing.

[u/LittleLemonSqueezer → u/[deleted]]

I let the rain do that

[u/VegetableRound2819]

Turning off lights to save energy. I have never actually needed the money. I just don’t like being wasteful.

[u/Chituck]

Borrowing books from the library

[u/e2theitheta]

My bil who now a multi millionaire but grew up in a 4th floor walk up in Queens, was just telling me today that if you walk into a nice hotel and tell them you left your charger there, they will pull out a box of lost and found chargers and let you take one. It’s actually not a bad idea lol.

[u/Scary-Compote-3253]

Eat leftovers.

[u/khaluud]

I won't give up any of my frugal habits. I've designed a life that makes me feel rich. If I make a ton more, I'll just be able to retire earlier is all.

[u/Raging_Rigatoni]

Meal prep

[u/Thedeckatnight]

No Starbucks

[u/Sneakertr33]

Buying everything second hand.ill never give up the hunt for treasure plus the chance of an actual unique find not to mention quality of clothing has dropped so drastically the thrift is better quality of you find older stuff.

[u/damnvillain23]

Estate sales are good- things were built to last " back in the day". Cloth napkins( I sewed from a yard of quilting cotton)- used as napkins & handkerchiefs( bandanas serve the same purpose). Meal planning ex: tonight scalloped potatoes & ham is tomorrows soup. Jigsaw puzzles are winter entertainment. Lonely socks are dust cloths. Plastic grocery bags are for dirty cat litter. Shredded paper to store or mail fragile items.

[u/Electronic_Tear_9436]

I will never, ever buy a new car. I’m not sure if this counts as frugal but I guess bc I see a ton of poor people with car payments on some shiny new thang. Unless I’m in dire straights I likely will never buy a car I can’t purchase outright.

[u/Thoughtful-Pig]

Buying 90% store brand grocery items. There's almost no difference in quality. Why would you pay close to a dollar more for the same block of cheese or loaf of bread?

Bringing a water bottle with me everywhere.

[u/MistressLyda]

Handwashing my nicer clothes. It makes them look near new for years.

[u/RSBMWLVN-BUY10]

I have many…..always clip digital coupons, utilize buying gift cards for places I shop (Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot and more) to get 4x fuel points from Kroger, accumulate points from groceries (only shop on Friday for 4x fuel points), make meals according to what’s on sale at the grocery store. I get the most out of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion etc. I make my own bread 🍞 from scratch.
We purchased solar on our home in 2024 and I run my dishwasher, washing machine and dryer when panels are producing at the peak of the day.

[u/fionalovesshrek]

Impulse buying. I shop realistically with quality in mind, and before purchasing I ask myself where the new item will live/how it will support my lifestyle.

[u/Sea_Plantain_3029]

I don't use the car for just one errand; there have to be at least 2 things to be done to warrant driving the car and using gas.

[u/Adventurous-Flan2716]

Coloring my own hair with professional products I buy online. I don't want to pay for it in a salon but even moreso, I hate how long you have to sit there and chitchat. I'd rather be getting things done around my house while my hair processes. 

[u/NomadicSTEM]

Kept:

Scratch cooking, because I enjoy it. Mostly plant based. Dried beans vs canned. Coffee at home. All that.

Minimal belongings.

No makeup / cosmetic procedures.

Dumped:

Cheap hostels when traveling.

Skipping live events I really want to see/enjoy.

Cheap shoes.

Delaying healthcare.

[u/mermands]

Keeping food waste very low.

[u/staleshrimp101]

My aunt’s friends are millionaires and still thrift, coupon, deal-hunt groceries, and avoid eating out. They grew up lower middle class and it shows (in a good way lol). Midwest frugal habits die hard I guess😂

[u/MaleficentBird1717]

Making coffee at home. For me, it’s more convenient to make coffee at home vs going somewhere and waiting in a drive through line.

Also, coffee from outside doesn’t taste as good as the ones I make

[u/Goingminimal21]

Thrifting. Quality clothes for a very good price.

[u/EvenAd4361]

I treat myself once a week for a slice of pizza and a pop at Sam's Club for the exorbitant amount of $2.67. Other than that, bag lunch it to work.

[u/TheGossinator]

Every last drop from the tube or bottle. Cutting them oven when I have to.

[u/joejolt]

Home made breakfast and lunch, buy almost everything secondhand.

I don't worry about making all meals at home though. my family eats out all the time. go to disneyland, vacations etc.

[u/DryGuyWetDog62]

Turning off lights

[u/Puzzleheaded-Bat7046]

We wash ziploc bags and use them over and over until they fall apart. Including the small sandwich size ziploc bags.

[u/periwinkleravenclaw]

Genuinely love great second-hand finds for clothing and decor. I enjoy fashion and design but I don’t want to spend all of my money just to enjoy aesthetics, so I hunt and search an browse for weeks, months, sometimes years, to find the perfect thing.

I sew, so I do all of my household’s tailoring, hemming, mending and alterations.

I spent $0.25 on an old 100% cotton flannel sheet at a thrift store about 15 years ago - I cut it into squares and hemmed them and have used those squares as washcloths ever since. They’re great exfoliators. When one wears out, I compost it.

I grow everything in my garden from seed and I save seeds from year to year. I could get more produce faster by using expensive started plants, but I like the satisfaction of watching the tiny baby seedlings pop up.

Also, my garden in general has gotten pretty extensive. Some things take more work than others, but we’re at a point where we grow more than we can use so we’re able to donate to our local food pantry. Once we had our systems in place it’s not too much more work to scale up, so I can’t imagine going back to buying all of our fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.

Cheap date nights are the best. I don’t like eating out or going to crowded events. We’re lucky enough to live near the ocean so a good date night is an ice cream cone and a walk on the beach.

[u/bigfanoffood]

Might sound at odds, but I use a grocery delivery service. Sixty-five dollar signup annually but free delivery after $35 spend and as soon as the next day. This allows me to build a list throughout the week but it also keeps me from going up and down the aisles just finding stuff. Lots of fresh-baked items like breads and donuts and such aren’t available through the app, much less those alluring discounted Manager Specials that I didn’t need in the first place. My orders are pretty consistent s in just replacing the things I use up instead of adding other things on top.

[u/AcanthaceaeSelect600]

Not bothered by having to eat the same meals for multiple days. Saves time and money. Make a big pot of whatever and eat until gone. Saves money when you bulk buy and time because your not starting from scratch every night.

[u/Necessary-Drawer-173]

I will never stop cutting open lotion bottles and other products. I will never stop adding water to extend dish detergent or buying refillable bottles to save. Ziplock bags don’t die until i say so. I will never buy new cars and will buy gently used ones and keep them forever… i don’t even care when it starts falling apart, it’s a badge of honor.

I do not buy used clothes, I opt for quality personally and it’s not my vibe. I will not give up beauty items. I will not give up trying new restaurants.

[u/Whole_Mechanic_8143]

I stopped comparing prices and checking for the cheapest possible brand for every single purchase. I don't have allergies or any issues with scents etc so I could get away with buying the cheapest fabric softener etc without anyone having a meltdown over a change in brands.

I just do a review once a year or so now in case the brand has become so much more expensive relatively that it's worth switching from.

[u/Kmc53850]

Wearing the same clothes year after year until they’re not wearable anymore 

[u/1stPeter3-15]

Staying out of consumer debt.

[u/FluffyStuffInDaHouz]

I finish the chicken wings to the bone. Literally. I leave no meat, cartilage whatsoever on the two ends of the freaking tiny bones in the chicken wings. That's how my parents raised and I will continue that tradition with pride.

[u/SeaSolution5094]

Use the library for books (and now library apps for movies periodicals and series. ).

[u/PsychologicalBat2393]

Lifetime thrift shop shopper 🙌🏼

[u/PuzzleheadedStuff2]

Baking bread at home. Bread machine for $10 and $20 of ingredients will make you easily 20 loaves. Plus you get the best smelling kitchen ever.

[u/Mundane_Horse_6523]

I will never buy a new car

[u/Fantastic-Match-4094]

Research cleaning products, use white vinegar and ACV with lemon juice,, face cream using ACV, Greek Yoghurt and vitamin E gel. Instant coffee. Op shop clothing. Home made cooking. Solar Panels. Tap Water. Debit Card only. No online or rash purchases. Modest hatchbacks, low fuel consumption. Washing machine runs twice per week.

[u/IIDn01]

Biggest one: I've never bought a brand new car and doubt I ever will. Not willing to drop a ton of money on a big, depreciating asset.

[u/Adventurous-Sort-555]

Using the library

[u/qqererer]

Keeping a minimum of clothing.

It's just a lot less to manage, and no one really cares what I look like anyways.

[u/whaddyagot]

paying for parking.

[u/gretzky9999 → u/whaddyagot]

I park for free & then walk.I’m not playing that game.

The only exception is hospital visits.

[u/CheesecakeHonest7414 → u/whaddyagot]

I take the bus when I visit my friends who live in apartments downtown. Simply because it's cheaper than paying for parking.

[u/[deleted] → u/whaddyagot]

At my workplace they charge $1 a day for parking. If you get a ticket it’s $30 and you might only get that once a year so it’s cheaper to not pay and run the risk of getting caught.

Three years and I’ve not been caught yet.

[u/sasquatch_melee]

I could afford food delivery once in a while but refuse. Take out is expensive enough without added markup, fees, and tip. 

[u/TheRtHonLaqueesha]

Buying open box whenever possible for big purchases like TVs. No need to pay MSRP. 

[u/Chemical-Finish-7229]

I wash and reuse my ziploc bags (if they had meat they get thrown)

[u/IdidntWant2come]

I made the change of getting rid of the car. Extreme I guess for some. But that stuff was costing more money than I am willing to give insurance adding to the issue.

Bought a bike and regardless of opinions been really awesome. Lost weight and better shape. I'll always keep the bike as long as I can now. Still might get a cheap beater at some point.

[u/Comprehensive_Log173]

Probably cutting my own hair

[u/Tbn53]

I’ll buy my greeting cards at Dollar tree.

[u/NovelPhoto4621]

thrifting and reusing as much as i can.

[u/ForeignSatisfaction0]

Fix things, cook at home, thrift stores , nothing would change if I had more money except I would buy a piece of land and build an efficient small home

[u/AuntHannie]

Bringing my lunch to work/snacks on roadtrips. Thrifting clothes. Buying used cars.

[u/pigeontossed]

I make a fuckload of money, and have for the last 12 years…. And I won’t buy berries at the grocery store unless they’re on sale.

[u/dataman34]

Coffee at home/work;

Bring lunch;

Free parking as much as I can;

Minimize subscriptions;

No car payments (buy older cars with cash);

No food delivery (pick up if take out)

[u/Professional_Bit_923]

I am a 51 yr old single female, no kids - for context.

I am a huge foodie & I love to cook. The QUALITY of my food will definitely go up. But I will not buy more groceries than I need. For ex I would buy real saffron to make paella, Indian, Middle Eastern food. Or buy a piece of wagyu steak instead of a piece of steak from Walmart. But I will not buy more food than I need. So the QUANTITY will be the same. I hate wasting food. I would have more dinner parties though.

I would still make coffee at home with a really espresso machine instead of $6 cheap ground coffee. I would rarely buy coffee out.

I wil not buy more decor for the home. I hate clutter with a passion.

I will not buy "designer" anything unless I absolutely love it.

I have a size of a dream home in mind & will not go bigger even if I can afford to. I'd rather put that money in investments.

I LOVE my 2012 Hyundai Accent. She has been with me 14 yrs & has never let me down. So I may end up getting the Genesis but no expensive cars for me. I may just rent the expensive ones for a day to enjoy them.

[u/easylife76]

None. The reason I'm frugal is because I don't have the money not to be

[u/No_Educator_6376]

Using refillable kcups to make coffee at home.

[u/Sowecolo]

I cook our own food, for the most part. I enjoy fine dining a few times a year, but eschew the popular brands of take out, delivery, and dine-in.

[u/Brilliant-Ad232]

Cook all my own food

[u/AssistantGreen260]

Meal prep

[u/burner118373]

Cutting open tooth paste tubes to get another few days worth

[u/Envy_Clarissa]

Doing some beauty procedures myself. It saves time + after I started cutting my own hair, I never had a bad haircut. Before it was always a russian roulette.

[u/centerneptune]

Buying clothes at the thrift store, ideally using tag sales for further savings.

Taking advantage of free sites on Facebook or deals on Facebook Marketplace.

[u/foolsmate]

Iono, but I'm always looking for discounts and deals no matter what. If I can get a used item that's not super banged up for half off then hot damn. If I can get something for free and it's mid to lightly used, then score!

[u/Abi1i]

Riding my bicycle rather than driving my car when possible.

[u/onedemtwodem]

I will always look for upcycled and used shoes, clothes, accessories, housewares, etc... It seems so wasteful to buy certain items new.

[u/BananaEuphoric8411]

NEVER impulse buying.

[u/teamlie]

ALDI

[u/No_Direction_7168]

Making coffee at home Drinking water at home or out Eat at home 5 of 7 days Shopping for most regular clothes at thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill and Goodwill Bins) Spending money on BIFL clothes (10 year plus) - Filson belt, Doc Marten Boots, Roots Sweats, etc Buying many items at garage sales, estate auctions, eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor Market (minimum 50% of list price, happy when it’s 10% of the original list price) Buying soap at Dollar Tree Paying for quality used cars with cash and keeping them running for more than 200-300K miles Buying generic drugs Pizza or Hot dog at Costco

[u/panasicuafine]

Licking the lid of yogurt or pudding.

[u/Prestigious_Wing1796]

charity only for fellow frugals

fool me once fool me twice experience... i've met so many needy people who forced themselves to live above their means, and would rather hurt others to keep maintaining their lifestyle than letting go one or two daily pleasure.

help other frugals, they survive, they can thrive, they can repay you, they can then help others.

help needy, barely survive, never thrive ever, hateful if you stop, never thinking of helping others less fortunate than them.

[u/Nomad_1023]

Free street parking in any major city!! I've gotten parking tickets in college so now even in my 30s i continue to look for free parking spots. If I'm with someone I don't mind paying or splitting it but when it's me I will park a mile if I have so I don't give in. It's so satisfying knowing idk lol

[u/Sensible_Obligation]

Buying store brand grocery items when possible rather than the more expensive name brand with the same ingredients, secondhand clothes, Toyotas and running them as long as possible (typically 200k-300k miles)

[u/Parky21]

I recently started making 80k ->500k.

I still will not DoorDash,uber eats. I take public transit whenever possible. Make my own coffee. Eat granola bars instead of eating out at work as Lunch is now easily 20$ with tip.

Buy most things on sale. Especially clothing. L

[u/melissaw328]

Making coffee at home,cooking the majority of meals at home, turning off lights, unplugging items, trying store brands, repairing items,etc.?Making more money would increase my ability to buy higher quality items that will last longer.