4 Things Frugal People Usually Don't Do

Frugality is a spectrum, and every thrifty person has their own way of doing things. While some frugal folks try to grow and hunt most of their food, others clip coupons and hunt for the best deals at the grocery store. Although thrifty people all have different money-saving habits, there are a few common things that most frugal people don’t do. Here are 4 money-draining habits you should avoid if you want to be cost-conscious and save more money.

Window Shopping

Before I adopted a frugal lifestyle, I used to shop as a hobby. When I was bored on the weekends, I would go to the mall or vintage stores to “window shop.” Even if I told myself I would just browse and not buy anything, I always came away with a few knick knacks.

Once I realized how much these impulse purchases added up and sidetracked my budget, I stopped shopping without a plan. Now I only visit my favorite stores if I genuinely want or need something. This helps me resist the temptation to buy whatever catches my eye and helps me spend more intentionally.

Usually, impulse buys are a waste of money because they aren’t carefully thought out. You don’t have time to consider whether or not you’ll actually use the item between picking it up and heading to the checkout counter. So more likely than not, it will end up collecting dust on a shelf.

Instead of wasting my money on the next shiny object, I carefully curate wishlists and think about purchases for at least a few weeks before heading to the store. That way my hard-earned money only goes toward purchases that will actually add value to my life.

Spending Money on Convenience Purchases

It happens to the best of us—sometimes you get in a bind and have to spend money on a convenience purchase. After all, frugal people are human and make mistakes like forgetting their homemade packed lunch on the counter. However, thrifty people always try to avoid paying more for convenience items and time-saving services when possible. If we can do something ourselves to save money, such as mowing our own lawn or cooking instead of ordering takeout, we’ll usually go that route.

For example, our dryer recently broke. Instead of calling a repairman to fix it, my partner watched YouTube videos on how to take the unit apart and test its components for issues. Although we’re still waiting for parts to come in the mail, we think we know what the issue is and how to repair it. However, if we can’t fix the dryer ourselves, we may just learn to live without one and use a drying rack or clothesline instead, which is more energy-efficient anyway.

Upgrading Stuff That Still Works

A lot of marketing is designed to make you feel inferior and insecure about the stuff you have. Car commercials show people cruising to an exotic destination in their sleek, shiny sports car, which makes you feel bad about the jalopy in your driveway. These ads may draw you in and tempt you, but all frugal people see when we watch them is debt!

Frugal people want to get the most value for their money, which means using the items we buy until they break down. I wear my shoes until there are multiple holes in them and plan to drive my used Ford Fiesta until the wheels fall off. I hate replacing things even when they break, so I’d never upgrade an item that still functions properly just for aesthetic reasons or new features.

Paying Full-Price Unless Necessary

Sometimes it’s not always possible to get a deal on the things you want or need. After all, gas never goes on sale, but you still have to get to work. However, frugal people only pay full-price for items they can’t find used or on clearance.

Waiting patiently for items on your wishlist to go on sale will save you so much money in the long run. Last year, I wanted to create an arcade in my basement because there isn’t a Dave and Buster’s in my area and it’s my favorite place. Full-price pool tables and skeeball machines can cost thousands of dollars. Instead of forking over all that money, I hunted for clearance deals and secondhand arcade equipment.

I was able to find a skeeball machine at Walmart on clearance for just $50, saving hundreds of dollars in the process. I also got an air hockey table for free because it had a hole in it, which I repaired using Bondo. There’s always a thrifty way to get the things you want, so don’t settle for paying full-price!

What are some things you avoid doing to save money as a frugal person? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Vicky Monroe

Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.