5 Things Frugal People Quietly Stopped Buying Years Ago — And Never Looked Back
Saving money isn’t always about cutting out things you enjoy. Instead, it can be worthwhile to look at whether what you’re buying can be replaced with something cheaper but just as good.
A good place to start is to identify items you use once and toss, overpay for due to timing or purchase out of convenience. Those are the kinds of purchases frugal people quietly stopped buying years ago and once they saw the savings, they never looked back.
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If you're looking to get frugal with everyday items at home, here are some ideas for easy starting points.
1. Bottled Water
Even though bottled water isn’t expensive compared to sodas or energy drinks, the repeat cost can add up. According to Environmental Working Group, a gallon of water at a convenience store costs $1 to $4 plus tax, while the Environmental Protection Agency says a gallon of tap water costs about 1/20th of a cent. Frugal people know that purchasing a water filter and reusable bottle can give you comparable drinking water without buying case after case. It also cuts down on plastic waste, which is a win for the environment.
2. Paper Towels
Paper towels are definitely handy for spills or drying hands, but when you consider you’re spending at least 1 cent to 2 cents per sheet on something you use once and throw away, it becomes clear they’re not the most economical solution. Frugal people know that dish towels can just as easily clean up messes without the repeat cost of expensive paper towels — and it's less wasteful on the environment, too.
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3. Precut Fruits and Vegetables
No one can argue the fact that precut fruits and vegetables save hassle and time, but the cost of convenience is too much for frugal people. At Walmart, a 10-ounce bag of shredded carrots costs $1.93, which comes out to about $3.09 per pound while a 2-pound bag of whole carrots costs $2.26 or $1.13 per pound. Based on those figures, shredded carrots cost about 173% more than whole carrots. If you own a box grater or a food processor, you can save money with a little time spent.
4. Name-Brand Cleaning Products
Shoppers who are loyal to certain name-brand cleaning products are often overpaying. Frugal people know that some store-brand cleaning products are just as good as their higher-priced counterparts. According to Consumer Reports, Walmart’s Great Value Lemon-Scent Multipurpose Cleaner performs well on most surfaces at a budget-friendly price — $2.97 for 32 ounces. To compare, Lysol Lemon Breeze All Purpose Cleaner costs $4.27 for 32 ounces. Choosing the Great Value cleaner saves $1.30 per bottle, or about 30%.
5. Full-Price Seasonal Decor
Frugal people wisely gave up buying seasonal decor once they saw how deep the discounts can go if they wait. According to data from The Krazy Coupon Lady, shoppers can save big by waiting until mid-December and even bigger by waiting until the last few days of December or the first week of January. For example, Home Depot marks seasonal decor 50% off on Dec. 18 and 50% to 75% off from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. Hobby Lobby offers 60% off on Dec. 15, 80% off on Dec. 30 and 90% off on Jan. 2.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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