Frugal living is great and everyone wants to save as much money as they can but sometimes there are frugal tips and ideas that are just not worth the time or energy!
Of course, some people have to practice extremely frugal living because they do not have a choice, but for those who have a choice, which frugal tips do they think are just not worth it?
Frugal living looks different for everyone. The key is finding the tips and habits that genuinely work for your lifestyle — and letting go of the ones that cost more in time, energy, or quality of life than they are worth.
I’m sure we are all familiar with the frugal tips listed on any “frugal tips” list… such as don’t buy Starbucks, wash your clothes on cold, air-dry your laundry, use bar soap instead of body wash, etc.
but… What tip is NOT worth the time or savings, in your opinion?
Any tips that you’re just unwilling to follow?
Here are a few that I wanted to share.
Avoiding Hobbies
Avoiding hobbies to save money is one tip that simply isn’t worth it.
Life is too short, and many hobbies are pretty affordable. Beyond cost, hobbies open doors to friends, relationships, and new skills, not to mention the joy and relaxation they provide.
Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
Making your own laundry detergent is only worth it in large quantities, and then you have to store it somewhere.
When you factor in the cost of supplies, especially if some need to be ordered online with shipping costs, it may not actually be more economical than simply buying brand detergent as needed.
Doing Everything Yourself
DIY is not the be-all and end-all of frugal living.
There is a lot to be said for paying someone to do work that you could do yourself, but that they could do better and faster. Examples include paying someone to paint the house or taking a car in for an oil change.
Ignoring the Value of Your Time
Knowing what your time is worth is an important part of frugal living.
For households where both partners work full time, and downtime is precious, hiring help for big housework tasks, even once a month, can be worth every penny. What a team of four people can accomplish in two hours might otherwise take an entire weekend.
Buying Off-Brand Across the Board
Some off-brand products are fine, but some are simply not worth it. Certain everyday essentials, like toilet paper and paper towels, are areas where quality matters.
A smarter approach is to wait for the good kind to go on sale and stock up. Buying cheap products is not always a good way to be frugal.
Squelching All Joy
Cutting out any available joy to save less than $20 is not a worthwhile trade-off.
Life is for living.
The key is to keep large expenses low, such as housing and transportation, so you can still enjoy day-to-day life. A balanced approach to spending money is the key to living frugally and happily.
Heavy Couponing
Heavy couponing, even before it reaches the “extreme” phase, takes a significant amount of time. Many stores already advertise sale deals without requiring a coupon. For smaller households, the time spent couponing for everyday grocery buys may simply not be worth the savings.
Shopping at Multiple Stores
Going to three or more grocery stores in a week can be a total time and energy waster.
For busy households, managing two stores is already plenty. Making an extra trip to a third or fourth store to save a small amount on a single item is rarely worth the effort.
Buying In Bulk Indiscriminately
Buying in bulk is definitely a case-by-case situation, especially for those without large families.
Purchasing items in bulk because they are “cheaper per unit” can backfire if you cannot finish them in time and end up throwing some out. The general rule of thumb: if you end up throwing any of it out, it wasn’t worth the savings.
Keeping the Thermostat Too Low
Setting the thermostat so low that you’re cold even with a blanket, or have to wear a coat and gloves indoors, is too extreme.
Keeping heating costs as low as you comfortably can is a reasonable goal, but being cold is miserable and saps all motivation and positivity.
Unplugging Everything
Unplugging items like the TV, microwave, and lamps when not in use is a tip that probably saves only a couple of pennies per year, takes a ton of time, and wears out the outlets.
It is widely considered not worth the effort.
Reusing Tea Bags
Reusing tea bags is one frugal tip many people find goes too far.
The difference in taste is noticeable immediately and not in a good way. Adding more hot water to an existing cup is reasonable, but drying out a tea bag and reusing it is a step too far for most.
Cutting Sponges in Half
Cutting a kitchen sponge in half to make it last longer sounds practical, but less surface area means it takes longer to clean, making the time cost outweigh the small savings.
Not everything works for everyone, and this is one tip worth testing before committing to it.
Scraping Together Soap Bits
Scraping together bits of soap to form a new bar is another tip many people find not worth the effort.
For those who prefer body wash, finding great deals on sale items, such as body wash for around $1.49 when buying five, is a more practical approach.
Capturing Shower Warm-Up Water
Capturing water as the shower or sink warms up for other uses is a well-intentioned tip for both financial and environmental reasons.
However, remembering to bring buckets in, storing them between uses, and making sure children or pets don’t knock them over can make it far too complicated for many households at certain stages of life.
Hoarding Items To Sell or Reuse Later
Holding onto unnecessary stuff for later or “just in case” is not always worth it.
Clutter in the home creates headaches and eyesores and can even lead to spending more money. Selling or discarding unneeded items is the more practical approach.
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Join the 30 Bags in 30 Days Declutter Challenge and take the first step toward a more organized home! This free printable makes it easy to stay on track with one simple goal each day—no stress, just steady progress. Download it now and start clearing space for what truly matters.
Baking Your Own Bread
Baking your own bread is not always cost-efficient, particularly when store-bought sandwich bread is available for as little as $1 per loaf. It also takes more time.
Homemade baking can be a great money-saver for other items, but basic sandwich bread is one area where buying from the store makes more sense.
Getting the Cheapest Haircut Possible
Choosing to get the cheapest haircut available is not always a good frugal strategy, particularly for certain hair types and styles. Getting a haircut twice a year at a mid-range salon rather than a discount chain can make a noticeable difference.
For those who only get a haircut infrequently, spending a little more for quality is often worthwhile.
Committing to One Big Monthly Shop
Doing one large shop once a month does not work for everyone. Shopping every few days can mean fresher food, access to marked-down items, quicker trips, and fewer impulse buys.
For those who struggle with meal planning when use-by dates get in the way, frequent smaller shops can actually be the more practical and frugal choice.
Reusing Ziplock Bags
Reusing Ziplock bags is a tip many people are simply unwilling to follow.
A practical alternative is to switch to cleanable plastic containers instead, which is a choice that is both frugal and reduces overall consumption.
Collecting Restaurant Condiments
Saving unused condiments from takeout is one thing, but supplying all of your home condiment needs through restaurant scavenging points is a bigger issue: eating out too frequently. The more effective frugal move is to reduce how much you eat out in the first place.
Sewing Your Own Clothes and Home Items
Sewing your own items is not always the money-saver it appears to be. Fabric can be surprisingly expensive; even a couple of yards of blended fabric can cost $90 or more. Since affordable curtains, throw pillows, and similar items are readily available, sewing them yourself does not always add up to real savings.
Bowing Out of Social Life
Any frugal tip that ostracizes you from your social groups goes too far.
Declining to participate in weddings, skipping holiday spending entirely, or compromising on hygiene and appearance are examples of frugality crossing a line. Being a good family member and friend, and participating in society, is worth factoring into any budget.
Read More:
- 10 Examples of When Being Frugal Crosses Over to Cheapskate
- 10 Things That Are 100% A Scam but Accepted in Society
- 10 Best Money-Saving Tips People Learned By Being Frugal
