12 'Necessities' Frugal People Don't Buy (And A Controversial One) 

In 2004, I was approved for $175,000 home loan as I made $53,000/year. CRAZY!! I bought a modest, 1620 sq ft home for $101,000 and still live in it today. Refinanced once at lower interest rate and took five years off loan. I have four years of payments left, but I pay extra every month. Been unemployed twice, but my mortgage payment is obscenely low. I always paid my mortgage.

Excellent advice. I worked in healthcare for decades. The last 25 I noticed the minimum wage or lower tier employees bought expensive lunches EVERY day. Started planning where they were going to take out from by 10 am. The MD’s and myself (mid level masters degree employee) brought leftovers or frozen Lean Cuisine or similar meals.

No way would i give up my two cats and my dog!

The library lets you borrow lots of entertainment for free, cancel all subscriptions. Don't bother with cars, walking and cycling are better for you and almost free.

Money was very tight for us when we were first married. Although difficult, we found ways to make ends meet (i.e. if it wasn't a TRUE necessity, we did without, which meant cheaper housing, little eating out and used cars). We couldn't afford fancy clothes or many toys for our kids (esp. our oldest), but libraries were free and books (at least then) could be purchased rather inexpensively, so that was much of our family entertainment, in addition to quality parental time, going to parks, etc. And what do you know? Our kids were all good students! Parental time and investments with books and education we could provide to supplement good schools all paid off!!! The lack of finances for us in the early years of marriage actually had a silver lining that it took us years to see ~

When we go to specialist i bring my empty bottle container and fill it up with spring water there

Much of this is common sense. Also, so many two-income families say they NEED both incomes; and certainly some do w/exhorbitant housing cost markets, etc. However, there are those who, after factoring in the need for a second car, expensive clothes and lunches, not to mention daycare, what's left at the end of the paycheck? The jobs will ALWAYS be there, but your children will NOT always be little.

Our vacations are off season and local stats

All good. Also for parents: as your children show maturity, start including them in on money decisions and financial planning. The best way for people to become good stewards of their money is when they learn by example. Help them to learn how to ask questions and find answers about money. It is especially important for them to learn how small amounts over a long period of time can accumulate into significant sums. Let them know of the money mistakes you have made, and especially let them know of all the money dangers and scams that can devastate their money.

I got a rabbit and do actually regret it. Even though I love him and would never replace/rehome him now, I'd be lying if I said he didn't have surprise expenses. Though I will rationalize it that I use his droppings as fertilizer for my allotment and a significant amount of his food comes from said allotment, so he's quite cheap to keep day-to-day.

Yay! I’m frugal! (Except for The Cat…🐈‍⬛🤷‍♀️)

I bought a used mobile home (1000 sq. ft.) for $12K cash and put it on 27 acres that I bought for less than the price of a lower-end new car....I'm basically living for free in a beautiful place in the country, where a few hundred dollars a month covers utilities and taxes. I've managed to build a little wealth, but honestly, I'm not interested in money. We only pass this way once. Cherish the time you have and don't waste it working your all your days away. Live cheap and make your time your own to enjoy the finer, free things in life. And pets are absolutely worth every cent- cheap entertainment/companionship..;.one of the BEST investments. I've taken in 4 feral and stray cats, and a 120 lb. dog....if you're gonna spend your money on one thing to give you some joy (and you should!) let it be these wonderful animals. Couldn't imagine life without them. They are better than anything money can buy. Number one frugal tip: Move to a place where housing, taxes and cost of living is cheap...enjoy a much better quality of life- even if you make much less money there. It's not just about saving money or building wealth, or some retirement that you may never enjoy..it's about how you LIVE!

House cleaning is good exercise and cures emptiness and depression. I can't eat out much because of my keto diet. Am guilty of drinking coffee in fancy coffee shops and spending on clothes. I regret those - could have saved & invested that money...

I get free water from a spring.

My first husband and I bought an "expensive home" and made sacrifices. We also took second jobs to pay extra payments. That then become our financing strength for the second house .... Eventually, we had a portfolio of 18 upper middle class houses .... All of which were paid off. Houses appreciate. Difficult to do these days. I knew we had made it when six years in, there was a box under the Christmas tree ..... A pair of Jimmy Choos!

As i am getting my badic six month hair cut i get free coffee made by my hairxressor

When i take my daughter to treatment i receive free coffee from their coffee machine

My cats are my most expensive luxury. But I love them so its worth it!

I'm poor, generationally poor, and this just made me laugh. You rich people are just funny. Every one of these are luxuries. Some of us live frugally to survive. Reevaluate your definition of success, and you and your family can live happy, fulfilling lives.

Ah wisdom and maturity with priorities equal a better life

Man look at those arms! Were you ever a wrestler or boxer or anything? You’ve got some very big and long arms

I have someone monthly cut grass hete because i am not able to manage a large block at age 56

I've never had a smart phone and I'm not sure why anyone needs one. I use a $10 used flip phone and it does all I want it to do. I can make and receive a call. Not sure why a phone needs to do more than that.

This is all possible but it sounds a little depressing.Stay home and drink coffee sounds a little isolating. I think there should be a balance. Save your whole life so you can live more lavishly later? And then drop dead at 60 never having enjoyed a few luxuries. Balance, its all about balance

Feel live look poor hehe be frugual and save

$2-$3 for bottled water? I pay $2-$3 for a 24 pack.

I'm probably way more frugal than this fella. Even my pet works for me quite cheap. So I make a profit off of him. Honestly, aside from being my bestest buddy, there are some things I wouldnt be able to do without him. If only I could teach him to make the coffee.

14. Shampoo

You won't have the nice things later on because you'll still be frugal

I think you should have stick to 3 things to avoid. You're trying to create view time but you're filling the hole with content that isn't quite right. Just take the grass for exemple. People who pay someone to cut the grass is precisely because they value their time. There's no reason for me to cut the grass instead of paying 20$ when in that time i made work worth 150$.

Rofl @ "you can make your coffee at home." I don't know if its a culture thing, but if you are having a coffee outside just for the caffeine, you're doing it wrong. Why leave your house and meet with friends anywhere else but in each other's houses anyway? It is much more "frugal" never to leave your basement at all lol. Having a coffee at some nice place either alone or with friends is basically the cheapest, the most democratic form of luxury available, especially for city dwellers. And allowing yourself some luxury occasionally does wonders for self-esteem and therefore productivity. I come from a kaffeeklatch culture and I find statements like this utterly ridiculous. You brits and yanks simply do not understand what coffee is really all about, do you?

I tattooed my whole body so that I don’t need to buy clothes anymore.

pets are a mental necessity if you live in toronto with people like you