If you ever wondered why some people manage to save money without missing out on life, you’re in the right place to find out.
In this guide, I’ll reveal things frugal people never do. This is for anyone aiming to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle or just stretch their budget further.
I’ll show you specific spending traps and how to actually dodge them. Let’s get started!
1. Eating Out Frequently
Frugal people know the secret to saving both time and money in the kitchen: efficient meal prepping.
Instead of eating out, they freeze cooked portions. This method allows for easy thawing and reheating without waste.
Items typically thaw by lunchtime in a bag and are microwave-ready, which makes daily meal management a breeze.
Pro Tip: Invest in a chest freezer like this! It’s a game-changer for storing batch-cooked meals and taking advantage of bulk purchasing.
2. Skipping the Hunt for the Top Mobile Plan
Interestingly, frugal individuals never settle for a mobile phone plan without ensuring it’s the best deal available.
They know that mobile phone bills can quickly become a significant monthly expense if not carefully managed.
I remember feeling the pinch every month as I reviewed my phone bill. It seemed like my hard-earned money was disappearing into thin air.
That’s when I decided it was time to really scrutinize my mobile phone plan and see where I could cut costs without losing the service quality I needed
After some thorough research and comparing different options, I made the switch to a plan under Verizon’s network: Visible.
What hooked me was the combo of solid coverage, unlimited data, and hotspot access — all for just $25 a month.
3. Skipping Health Check-Ups
Rather than skipping regular medical appointments, frugal individuals make preventative care a priority.
This includes annual physicals, dental cleanings, and eye exams. Doing so ensures they catch potential health issues early.
After all, they know that neglecting health check-ups can lead to more serious problems that are expensive to treat later.
4. Keeping Unnecessary Subscriptions
Hanging on unnecessary subscriptions is a big no for frugal individuals.
Often, people sign up for various services that slowly chip away at their finances.
Frugal people handle this issue by regularly assessing which subscriptions they truly need.
One useful strategy is the “subscription purge.” This involves canceling all your subscriptions and then living without them for 30 days.
The idea is to identify which services you genuinely miss and which you can do without.
5. Ignoring Cashback and Coupons
Frugal individuals care all about grabbing free money, and they’re experts at using tools that help save effortlessly on everyday purchases.
One of my go-to recommendations is Honey!
It’s a browser extension and app that automatically finds and applies the best coupons to your online shopping cart.
It’s like having a savvy shopper right there with you, scouring the internet for the best deals on what you’re buying.
From personal experience, using Honey has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve saved over $5,000 on my purchases and earned $175 back in cash.
6. Engaging in Retail Therapy
While popular, frugal individuals know that retail therapy is a quick fix that doesn’t address deeper needs or emotions.
The idea that shopping can cure people’s woes is a myth perpetuated by corporations to drive sales.
Pro Tip: Instead of falling for this, you can find joy and satisfaction in creating something meaningful yourself.
7. Taking Advantage of Buy Now, Pay Later Services
Yes, frugal people steer clear of “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) options.
While tempting, these plans encourage purchasing items before having the funds, which can lead to debt accumulation.
Consider this scenario: You want a new laptop but don’t have the cash to cover it.
A BNPL plan lets you take it home immediately with the promise to pay later in installments. Though convenient, it’s easy to overextend financially this way.
Frugal people are wary of these pitfalls. They understand that if something is outside their current budget, it’s better to save up first.
8. Skipping Maintenance
Frugal individuals don’t rush to replace items at the first sign of wear.
Instead of discarding things that are no longer brand new, they assess whether a repair can extend the item’s life at a lower cost than a replacement.
They might consult manuals, seek advice from experts, or watch online tutorials to fix the issue themselves.
Pro Tip: Get creative by repurposing and repairing stuff! You could even earn some cash selling what you make!
9. Shopping Without a List
Frugal people know the power of shopping with a list. It’s their tool to avoid impulse purchases and ensure they stick to their budget.
By planning purchases ahead of time, they eliminate the risk of buying things they don’t need.
The most common trap that frugal people avoid is the checkout stand.
This area is designed to encourage last-minute buys of snacks, magazines, and gadgets, which are items rarely on anyone’s list.
10. Splurge Their Entire Salary
As cliche as it may sound, frugal people make a habit of living below their means. Yes, you read it right: they don’t spend their entire salary.
They prioritize saving by setting aside a portion of their income immediately upon receiving it.
This disciplined approach helps avoid the temptation to spend everything they earn. Instead, savings grow steadily over time.
However, living below their means doesn’t imply living without enjoyment.
Frugal individuals often find creative, low-cost ways to enjoy life without splurging.
11. Carrying High-Interest Debt
Frugal people avoid carrying high-interest debt because it means paying more over time for the same purchases.
Keeping such debt also suggests spending beyond one’s means and incurring unnecessary interest costs.
Pro Tip: To manage and reduce debt, prioritize paying off balances that accrue high interest first.
12. Delay Bill Payments
Make it a priority to pay your bills on time to avoid extra fees.
Remember that delayed payments can also lead to increased interest rates and can even impact credit scores.
To ensure they never miss a payment, many frugal individuals automate their bills!
This setup means their bills are paid directly from their bank accounts on due dates without them having to lift a finger.
Further, automating payments simplifies personal finance management.
It guarantees that bills are paid on time every month without the need for constant reminders.
13. Automate Insurance Renewal
Frugal people don’t just set and forget their insurance policies. They shop around to make sure they always have the best deal.
They know that automatically renewing insurance without checking for better rates can lead to overpaying for the same coverage.
When I started digging into insurance options, I found Policygenius extremely helpful.
It allowed me to compare quotes from various providers in one place.
Moreover, the platform is not tied to any insurance company, so the comparisons are unbiased and genuinely tailored to my requirements.
Most insurance options available through Policygenius do require a medical exam, though.
While this may seem inconvenient, it’s a standard procedure that ensures you get the most accurate rates possible.
14. Purchasing Lottery Tickets
For frugal people, every dollar counts. That’s why they avoid purchasing lottery tickets.
Think of it this way: if you spend $2 on a lottery ticket each week, that adds up to $104 a year.
Over a decade, that’s $1,040 spent on lottery tickets — money that could have been saved or invested in a more reliable financial plan.
I hope this guide has helped you understand what frugal people avoid doing and inspired you to reevaluate your spending habits.
If you have any tips, thoughts, or questions, please drop them in the comments below!
