Some of the best money-saving strategies only work because not everyone knows about them yet.
History has already shown how this can play out.
Remember how those coupon shows brought extreme couponing into the mainstream, and the flood of new participants made the deals far harder to find and closed all the loopholes?
Keep that pattern in mind, because the same thing could easily happen to the tips below.
Here are ten frugal favorites you’ll want to take advantage of before they become too popular to work anymore.
Thrifting
Thrifting is often the first example that comes to mind when a good deal gets harder to find.
Stores have become savvier about pricing, so stumbling onto a bargain takes more effort than it used to.
Many larger secondhand retailers now research an item’s resale value online before setting what they consider a competitive price and putting it on the shelf.
On top of that, you’re increasingly competing with resellers who comb through inventory for valuable pieces, then turn around and sell them at a markup on marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist or at flea markets.
- Related: Where To Sell Used Items for Cash
Restoring Furniture
Furniture restoration faces a similar squeeze.
Pieces with real resale potential are increasingly picked over by flippers and even by original sellers who have caught on to their value.
There’s also frustration around furniture that gets a questionable makeover.
Ever seen those solid wood pieces painted in loud, trendy colors and then marketed as “antique,” even though the paint job arguably diminishes their authenticity and worth? Yeah.
Estate Sales
Estate sales are widely considered to already be past their prime.
Increased public interest, combined with estate sale companies pricing items closer to their true value, has made it harder to walk away with a steal.
That said, sales run directly by families, rather than professional auction houses, along with early arrival, can still offer the best chances at a genuine find.
Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook
Local Buy Nothing groups remain a great way to give and receive items for free.
While there’s no guarantee you’ll land a specific item, you can genuinely score valuable things through these groups.
They also serve a dual purpose: helping you declutter while giving your unwanted items a second home.
The main downside is that some participants try to claim nearly everything posted, which can be frustrating for others, and reselling free items is generally against group rules, with violators risking removal.
Flea Markets
Flea markets remain a reliable source of deals, though there’s concern they could become like thrift stores as more people catch on.
If you want the best value, skip vendors who only accept cash and insist on haggling, since those stalls tend to offer less flexibility on price.
Ethnic Grocery Stores
International grocery stores (Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and others) are prized for offering pantry staples like rice, beans, and spices at prices well below conventional supermarkets.
But that advantage can fade with popularity: as these stores draw a wider customer base, some have reorganized their shelves, added English labeling, and raised prices on select items by as much as 50 percent.
Sportswear Lifetime Warranties
Outdoor and sportswear brands such as Columbia, North Face, JanSport, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean are well known for honoring generous lifetime warranties, often repairing or replacing items with broken zippers, rips, or tears at no cost.
The concern is that if too many people take advantage of these guarantees, the brands may tighten their policies or become stricter about what qualifies for a free fix or replacement.
Thrift Store Frames
If you’re crafty, thrift store frames offer a clever shortcut: buy framed artwork cheaply, discard the original artwork inside, and use the frame, or even the canvas stretcher bars, for your own projects.
It’s a low-cost way to source art supplies that would otherwise be expensive to buy new.
Libraries
Libraries offer far more than books for free, including movies, music, toys, and, in some cases, even tools you can check out.
While more people discovering and using libraries is a good thing, increased popularity comes with a tradeoff: busier locations and longer waits to check out popular items.
Rotisserie Chicken
The rotisserie chicken counter at warehouse club stores has become something of its own phenomenon.
Long lines regularly form around the chicken case, comparable to a Black Friday rush, with some customers grabbing several chickens at once while everyone else waits their turn.
