Some people are frugal because they take it as a hobby, and they like the challenge. Others are frugal out of necessity. One Reddit user wanted to know what kind of ‘vices’ people splurged on without considering their frugal lifestyle.
The OP said his vice was gacha games and acknowledged that it is a toxic, expensive, and addictive hobby. Other Reddit users who chipped into this conversation had the following to say;
Games
“I’m both careless and mindful about my money at the same time. I’ll buy a $10 game I just saw with no second thoughts. But I just switched from Spotify to Apple Music because Spotify increased the monthly cost by $1,” illustrated one user
Pottery
“My hobby is pottery. It’s not really possible to do it without spending a fair amount,” added another
Food
Food is a love language for this user, “It’s my love language. I enjoy cooking at home for friends and family, I think home-cooked meals bring people together. Also, with everyone’s busy schedules, it’s also nice to get together to eat at a restaurant occasionally. I budget for this, but I realize I probably spend more on food than the average person.”
Travel
Experiences are worth everything for another user, “I love to travel. Do I do it frugally? Absolutely! But even doing what I can to cut down on expenses, travel still costs money. For me, it’s worth the expense to see the world.”
Quality Clothing
Looking good comes at a price, “Quality but expensive clothes and shoes. Use my frugal habits (look for the best price, etc.), but I know what brands I prefer and how to take care of them. Most of my clothes tend toward outdoor or athleisure brands, so I might spend a lot initially, but then I wear it until it can no longer be repaired. Limit me in quantity.”
Local Concerts and Events
“I love to support the artists where I live, but I do also just take out cash before an event, and when it’s gone, it’s gone,” said another user
Gambling
One user thinks that they will win the lottery one day, “Lotto tickets when the jackpot is over $1B. It’s a waste of money, but $4 seems like an okay vice. Sometimes I feel like I have to be a little wasteful.”
“Poker. Gotta reign it in and keep the bankroll separate. It’s hobby money that goes in, and sometimes it goes up, and sometimes it goes down, but if it ever hits zero, then I wait till the next check to get my next sliver of hobby money,” adds another
All in for Ice
“A fridge with an ice dispenser—the height of luxury to me. All the ice I want, on demand,” explains another member.
Wine
Other people love to indulge in good wine, “We are members of the NPR Wine Club. We have 12 bottles delivered 4 times a year. We love trying new wines and have tried some amazing bottles. It’s also our way of supporting NPR since my spouse listens to our local station all the time.”
Gym Subscriptions
One user says he cannot quit the gym even after they increase costs, “My gym continues to raise prices. It’s now $400/year, which isn’t as much as many more high-end/boutique gyms and studios. But it’s not Planet Fitness, either. But I have no plans to switch to a lower-cost gym. I really like my gym for so many reasons. The cost would need to increase substantially for me to even think about investigating other gyms.”
Physical Media
Another loves the old-school way of entertainment, “I like to collect physical media. VHS tapes and DVDs. Never paid more than $13 for one (Planet Earth full series on DVD), but it can add up; it’s a lot cheaper than the vices I had when I was younger, though.”
Perfume
Smelling good is pricey, “Nice perfume. Even a single spray of a good perfume does so much to boost my day.”
Good Medication
“I’m prescribed a medication that doesn’t have a generic yet and isn’t covered by my insurance. I pay a couple hundred per month for it even though I can get a similar but different medication for $10/mo. It changed the quality of my day-to-day life,” illustrates another
Haircuts
Haircuts can be expensive but also fulfilling, “I don’t get them too often, but when I do, I prefer a professional one. It’s just nice to be pampered, and it makes me feel confident.”
Pre-cut Fruit and Veggies
One user detests washing knives so much she stuck to pre-cut fruits, “I will die and be buried on this hill, idc!! I can pick a good mango or pineapple, but when it comes to stuff like melons and squash, pre-cut is usually better than the whole ones that I pick out of the display myself. Plus, every knife or cutting board that I don’t have to wash is one more strike in support of my sanity.”
Scuba Diving
This is an expensive water sport, “Scuba diving and underwater photography. Makes me feel more alive than I could imagine.”
Card Collection
“Nothing fancy or pricey, but for $5-$10, you can get a small piece of art, and that feels nice. Plus, the community is very active and engaging,” explains another user.
12 Frugal Hacks That Make All The Difference
A Reddit user who started the frugal journey with his wife a couple of years ago wanted to know the frugal hacks people had that made all the difference.
According to the OP, shopping grocery sales every week and planning their meals helped cut their bill from $250 to $100 per week. Other users shared their stories about frugal hacks they had that made some difference in their lives. Here are some of the best ones.
12 Frugal Hacks That Make All The Difference
12 Items Frugal People Proudly Exclude From Their Shopping List
Frugal people are known to spend their money wisely. They live within their means and don’t spend a lot of money. According to a thread on Quora, here are some common things frugal people never buy.
12 Items Frugal People Proudly Exclude from Their Shopping List
23 Side Hustles You Never Considered That Make More Than Your 9 to 5
Have you ever wanted to make a lot of money from a side hustle and quit your 9 to 5? You may know about the typical side hustles, but I bet you never even heard of these lucrative side hustles!
23 Side Hustles You Never Considered That Make More Than Your 9 to 5
9 So-Called “Frugal” Habits That Are Actually a Waste of Time and Money
Not everything is frugal! I am sure you have read articles and tips that promote frugal living and give some ideas that are just not frugal! These frugal myths float around and sometimes even cost people a lot of money!
9 So-Called “Frugal” Habits That Are Actually a Waste of Time and Money
10 Stupid Scams People Won’t Stop Falling For
It seems like every day there is a new scam popping up, promising to make you rich or solve all of your problems. Yet, despite the prevalence of scams and the numerous warnings about them, people still fall for them.
10 Stupid Scams People Won’t Stop Falling For
This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
