Frugality often comes with a set of “rules” that, while generally sound, don’t always work for everyone.
Sometimes, spending more or disregarding conventional money-saving advice is the most practical and economical option in the long run.
Here are a few unconventional frugal habits that defy traditional wisdom but make perfect sense in real life.
Major Caveat: Please don’t take these examples as an excuse to spend more money or buy things you don’t need. They worked for people (real people, if you must know), but that doesn’t mean they will work for you. The point of this article is to stress that every person’s life and situation are different, and therefore, their frugal living strategy will be different.
Meal Delivery
One surprisingly effective way to stay within a grocery budget—without the stress of meal planning or cooking—is to use a meal delivery service. For those who dislike cooking, having prepared meals delivered can make it easier to stick to a fixed monthly grocery limit. Even with the convenience factor, it’s possible to keep total food costs well within budget while also saving time and avoiding takeout.
Auto Maintenance
Knowing how to do your own car maintenance doesn’t mean you always should. For many, skipping scheduled oil changes or repairs simply because they’re too time-consuming or overwhelming can lead to costly consequences. Outsourcing this task to a professional can be more cost-effective than risking major vehicle issues from neglect.
Earning More by Working Less
Sometimes, working fewer hours or choosing less conventional shifts, like weekends, can actually boost your income. For families with young children, the cost of weekday childcare and commuting can outweigh the benefit of a full-time Monday-to-Friday job. Signing up for off-peak shifts can reduce expenses and create a better work-life balance.
Drinking Only at Bars
This may sound counterintuitive, but choosing to drink only in social settings like bars can help curb other spending habits. It prevents mindless online shopping or late-night spending sprees that often accompany home drinking. The tab might be higher per drink, but the overall savings from avoiding impulse purchases can make up for it.
You will also hopefully drink less and save money by not buying alcohol for your house.
Spending to Support What You Value
Sometimes, it’s worth spending more to support local businesses, farms, or institutions you care about. Whether it’s apple picking with the family or buying produce directly from a farm stand, the premium paid supports community businesses and creates memorable experiences that are worth the extra cost.
Post-Holiday Gifting
Rather than buying gifts during the peak of the holiday shopping season, giving IOUs and shopping after Christmas can lead to huge savings. End-of-year sales often bring significant discounts, making it possible to give better gifts at a fraction of the cost.
High-End Appliances
A top-of-the-line washing machine might seem like a splurge, but it can save thousands in dry cleaning costs. Models that handle delicate fabrics like wool, cashmere, and dress clothes allow you to care for high-maintenance garments at home, saving both time and money over the years.
Grocery Delivery Services
Grocery delivery might seem like an unnecessary luxury, but it can actually be a frugal choice for people with packed schedules. For a small monthly fee—and a generous tip—it eliminates the need for time-consuming trips, helping avoid impulse buys and ultimately sticking to a planned grocery list.
Ticket Fees
When you love live music or events but have limited free time, buying tickets online (even with service fees) is often worth it. It saves hours spent commuting to a box office, and the extra few dollars spent pale in comparison to the value of your time and energy.
Shopping Strategically at Nicer Stores
Whole Foods and other “nicer” stores might not be the cheapest grocery store, but it can serve as a budgeting tool. The higher prices encourage disciplined planning and discourage impulse purchases. When paired with bulk or budget pantry items from cheaper places, it can balance out the grocery bill and reduce waste from overbuying.
Premium Gym Memberships
Paying for a more expensive gym membership may seem unwise at first glance, but amenities like saunas or high-quality equipment can actually increase the likelihood of consistent use. Better mental health, improved fitness, and the motivation to stick to a routine can make this a worthwhile investment.
Outsourcing Deep Cleaning
Hiring a professional for monthly deep cleans can make a huge difference, especially for those with ADHD or demanding schedules. A cleaner home can improve mental clarity, save time, and create a more functional space for cooking, working, or relaxing, resulting in indirect savings.
Investing in Quality Electronics
When it comes to electronics, buying cheap often means buying twice. Nicer devices may have a higher upfront cost but tend to last longer and perform better. Over the long term, fewer repairs, replacements, and frustrations make high-end gear the more frugal choice.
Expensive Food Storage
A good electric pressure canner or other expensive kitchen items like a dehydrator, vacuum sealer, etc., can completely change how you shop and preserve food. Buying these things allows you to can and dehydrate bulk fruit and vegetables when they’re on sale, eliminating the time barrier associated with preserving and storing these foods.
It’s an upfront investment that quickly pays for itself in food savings.
These strategies might go against the typical advice you find in frugal living guides, but they prove that financial wisdom isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, spending a little more in the right places is the smartest and most sustainable way to save.
