58 THINGS WE DON'T BUY TO SAVE MONEY | FRUGAL LIVING TIPS WITH FRUGAL FIT MOM 

When I paid off my car I made pretend car payment to my savings

I agree with almost everything on your list but one huge standout for me: I have to have home decor. I cannot live with blank walls, without lamps, without beauty in my home. But I buy preowned: garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores. Sometimes clearance sales.

My dad always said, "Buy the best you can afford." If you buy the cheapest, you'll be replacing it many times.

1. *Home Decor 2. *Tchotchkes 3. Magazines 4. Lamps 5. Plants 6. Throw Pillows 7. Themed Sheets 8. Extra Sheets 9. Extra Towels 10. Dryer Sheets 11. Dryer Balls 12. One purpose Kitchen Tool 13. *Rice Cooker 14. Delivery Food 15. Takeout Drinks 16. *Fast Food 17. Eating Out 18. Restaurant Drinks 19. Bottled water 20. Juice boxes 21. Alcohol 22. Prepackaged fruits and Vegetables 23. Things Full Price 24. Things unless actually use them 25. Dvd 26. Cable tv 27. Unused streaming subscriptions 28. Cheap bikes 29. Toys 30. CDS 31. Stuffed Animals 32. Halloween Costumes 33. *Video Games 34. iPads and tablets for kids 35. Kids books 36. Paperback Books 37. Bday gifts for extended family 38. *Holiday themed stuff 39. Paper cups 40. Paper plates 41. Paper Bowls 42. Plastic Utensils 43. Beauty Products 44. Lipstick 45. Girl Razors 46. Manicures 47. Pedicures 48. Pumice foot stone 49. Perfumes 50. Excess jewelry 51. Stilettos 52. Uncomfortable Shoes 53. Extra Purses 54. Extra Wallets 55. Fashion Trends 56. Anything with Interest except home 57. Cheaply made products 58. Anything you can’t afford

My husband and I tried Saturday afternoon dates instead of date night. So we go on a hike, a canoe, or something free that encourages getting along and communicating

Fashion is what you love not what everyone else loves. I've got clothes 10 years old that I still love. So who cares what someone else thinks is fashionable.

In our first house (1980), it came with an old washer & dryer (such luxury after apartment living!). I kept a coffee can on the dryer, and deposited money in with every use, to equal what a laundromat would have cost. When full, it went into a savings account. When we had to replace them, that little habit paid for the new pair. I kept up that practice for many years.

An Egg McMuffin at my local McDonald's costs $4.50. For that price I can buy a pack of 12 English muffins, 12 eggs, a pack of cheese, and a package of Canadian bacon. My local diner charges $9.00 for a freshly made waffle. I can make one at home in my waffle iron for about 25 cents.

I feel RICH if I have money in my pocket to offer to someone I meet and I can offer to buy them a soda or a cup of coffee. It's just something simple that makes me "feel" rich. How silly am I?

I think the message is “Everything in moderation.” I personally wouldn’t spend $20/day on lunch or more than Target prices for a bike, but I have pictures on my walls and scented candles on my table and that’s what makes ME happy. I love saving money on groceries and laundry pods, but I will still continue to use Tide and drink Starbucks when I feel the need. This list is pretty extensive, but no one should feel like they have to cut out every little pleasure in life to be successful.

I love house plants! I don’t buy decorations because my plants are my decorations. But I’m a green thumb and have a huge functioning garden we eat from year around. So my plants outside save me money on food.

Finally! Someone who has sensible advice without being pretentious.

Two sets of sheets per bed are optimal. They actually wear out slower if you alternate, so two sets will last more than twice as long.

As I have gotten older, the things that used to matter to me no longer do. GREAT video!

I don't buy anything from Amazon, not one single thing, I started boycotting them about 5 years ago for many, many very good reasons and haven't missed them. I don't buy merchandise, i.e. cups, sweatshirts etc that someone has had printed up on cheap products.

GREAT TIPS! My husband & I never paid interest on any purchase in our entire 52 yr marriage. The exception was our home which we also paid off 10years early. We lived on a strict monthly budget & each of us invested 15% of our income in a retirement fund. We were still able to travel, raise our family & live comfortably. Moved from north to south yrs ago & feel blessed everyday that we were able to set goals & meet them.

Donate stuffed animals to your.local animal shelter or rescue! You'd be amazed- our rescued, battered, scarred up pitbulls are very comforted by their stuffed toys.

$40 a day on lunch is insane ! I could eat for a week on that amount of money.

It's incredible how little you really NEED when you live a sensible life. When you prioritise a clean house and cooking proper food from scratch, you live a full and satisfying life. Prioritising trinkets and 'stuff' at the expense of family time is a poor way to live.

I love hearing people talk about stuff like this! Frugality is where it's at. Spread the word 🙏🙂

Her husband is so lucky, she is the perfect wife. She is beautiful, smart, active, a lovely wife, practical and is not materialistic. I think if she was a millionaire she would still be minimalist and never selfish. I am a fan of this channel.

I have a rice cooker. Don’t have an instant pot. Every house is indeed different. Finally purged the unused blender. Yay!

With the current state of the US dollar ($1.00 worth $0.50 by 2030) this is a priceless lesson on how to survive with a family on what you have. My husband and I went with the Dave Ramsey envelope system and paid off both cars, student loans, and two credit cards within the first 4 years of marriage. We are still debt free with up to 2 years food storage, water filtration systems, personal protection, home backup power, and stockpiles of emergency gear for all seasons. The freak winter of 2021 in Texas just ramped up our preparedness plans. And I get to be a stay-at-home mother to our 2 year old.

Rice cooker is amazing! Saves SO much time and it’s perfect rice every time. I got one at Walmart for like $10 about 8 years ago and it’s still going strong :D

Some of this is about excess, yes. However, my space is where I'm happy so I do have a pillows, a few ornaments and tasteful pictures. It is pleasant to walk into. I treat my classroom the same way so that my students have a cosy space.

I can agree on basically everything except the ending trick or treating at 12. Kids don't get to be kids for long let them enjoy the little things like dressing up and going around to collect candy once a year. If a 30 year old man in costume showed up at my house on Halloween you best believe he's getting candy.

I love lamps! Left to my own devices, I never use overhead lights. I don’t like the ambiance of them. I’ll have eight lamps in a room instead, thank you very much! 😅 (But I buy mine from thrift stores and then spray paint the bases to make them match, so I think that ought to count…)

Home Decor is a MUST!! For me at least because it makes me happy and it makes a home my own!! But home decor does not have to be expensive! Little holiday decor can be very very cheap if you build it up little by little every year and go clearance shopping after every holiday and store them for the next year

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much for being the 1 (one) American channel I watch who does NOT use disposable water bottles, paper plates etc, and disposable cutlery!! Thank you.i can't believe how many adults in your country drink and eat from paper and plastic on a daily basis! What's wrong with eating every meal from reusable crockery or glass and washing it up afterwards. Again thank you from me in NZ, where unless we are hosting a huge number of people we wouldn't dream of buying disposable products and certainly not for daily use.

"You can afford anything, but not everything" Paula Pant Great video. I try only buying items that add value to my life. I'm no longer "cheap".

$800 a month on lunch!! Thats most peoples rent haha, I guess to each there own but wow! I agree with everything, except the home décor, I personally NEED my space to reflect myself, I surround myself with things that make me smile but I also get almost all of it for free or under $10, I actually buy things and sell them for a living haha so I'm the deal queen! I Love your channel, thanks for sharing all your tips!! =]

I started out as a minimalist and now we are going to one income so now it’s to be frugal. So happy to find your channel❤️

I love pictures and mirrors. Have many paintings and beautiful Tiffany lamps. Makes my Hause cozy. To each it’s own

I spent ten dollars on fall decor from the discount section at Walmart. I love decor but I try to be very intentional with what I bring and I need it to be cohesive throughout the whole home. I’m a minimalist at heart - as much as I can with a husband and three boys from 2 to 7 😂

No offense to you, but I NEED decor, pictures and lamps.. I need faux plants. You need at least an extra set of sheets, less wear and tear and what if you have an accident like from the stomach flu, not trying to be graphic.. I treat myself to a Starbucks Frappachino once a month.. I have to somewhat agree with you in Fast food, but my hubby and I have a “date night” twice a month meaning dinner and a movie, it works for us ❤️ Discounts, I agree, I try too as well as much as possible. Birthday and Christmas gifts, yeah that one, I’m scaling back too now because I can’t afford it much anymore. I have 7 children and 24 grandchildren, I buy for my kids and my youngest grand babies and it works. I do send out cards though because I enjoy that and you can get inexpensive ones at the Dollar store.. I’ve gotten rid of many purses/wallets and shoes as well.

You made a lot of sense, a lot of the stuff you do I do. The older I get I look for comfort, and minimal living. Thanks for sharing!!

she is so animated and real i love this lady 😭💕

When they were on sale, I spend $20 on a BJ/Costco size dryer sheet box and I've had it for over a year. I do not regret this purchase lol

I am old enough to be your Grama and I have to say your advice is excellent. I live like you talk and not because I need to save money. Your logic is WONDERFUL to hear

I enjoyed your video. It would bother me not having anything on my walls, and I don’t like white walls as it is so sterile and cold. It looks like you just moved into your house without any pictures on your walls. You can decorate for very little, if you are creative (or find a creative friend). I also don’t feel the need to redo and will only buy something if it is right, basically I will wait till I find the right item even if it takes years to fill that spot and once I find it, I don’t redo. You will find the same curtains in my house for 25+ years as well as most other items. The info about the bikes was helpful. Thanks!

I have clothes that are 30 years old, & some older, & still look good. Part of it is how to care for them & hanging up a good part of them instead of using the dryer or laying them flat to dry - those that require it. I just pulled a dress out the other day that will pass for current & I made over 30 years ago.... Women's clothes are not as well constructed as men's clothes because they figure most women are going to follow the current fashion trend & only needs to last a year or two. If you can buy your pants & shirts from the men's dept. you will find that they will last longer (even the "cheap" tee shirts that are 3 for $12.00 or whatever they are currently) that a simular model from the women's dept. Plus you usually pay more in the women's dept than in the men's dept. Just what I've noticed in my 60 plus nearly 70 years. Have a good day.

YES for kids doing their own laundry!!! We started that when my kids were 9 and 11 years old and I will tell you why. In less than 2 weeks, we had a red crayon go through a white load of clothes and a purple crayon go through a red load. I. Was. Livid. I spent so much time and money getting crayon stains out of clothing and out of the inside of the dryer that I was just OVER IT. So you should have seen the boys' faces when I told them they were on their own with their laundry. They started to protest that they didn't know how to do it. Way ahead of ya, guys. This was a long time ago and I had my very first digital camera which was ONE megapixel LOL. So I took photos of the dials on the washer and the dryer, the detergent cup properly filled and then I got pictures of different kinds of clothing off the internet. I made a huge chart of this and that kind of clothes can be washed together and for this load, you use hot water and hot dry and for that kind of laundry, you use cold wash and low heat dryer, the whole thing. They looked over the chart and figured it all out. Now my boys are grown and married and their wives have thanked me for making them self-sufficient with household chores because they just share the laundry chores with no complaining and no helpless husband act.

I have an Instant Pot but also got a rice maker too, and I'm sooo happy with the rice cooker. I use it several times a week. I make rice or yellow corn grits in the morning and we eat it for lunch with eggs or leftover meats and veggies from the garden. I make cracked oatmeal and it turns out perfectly and eat it 2-3 mornings in a row. The rice cooker cleans up with just a quick wipe and rinse, vs. the Instant Pot, which needs to be soaked and scrubbed to clean off those starches.

One good tip I know I've been doing for years to save $ is to put my clothes in the dryer for like 5 minutes to get all the wrinkles out. Then I hang them on coat hangers or on the clothes line. If you don't have a clothesline this works great for me. In the winter especially when it's cold I'll hang them up at night on the shower rod in the bathroom or on the back of my bar stools. They're definitely dry in no time. I've been saving a ton of money on gas bills for years doing this. And I do get dryer sheets when they're on sale you can always use coupons or buy them cheap at one of the dollar stores. Yes I do reuse my dryer sheets they're not just a one-time use.

Burt's Bees lip balm for me...I don't wear lipstick. I've noticed as I get older, 38 on Sunday, my makeup is very simple if I wear any.

I’m with you on the gifts for extended family. We started a few years ago a secret Santa type system. At thanksgiving we all pick one name and only buy for that person and we decide on a budget that everyone is comfortable with and stick to it.

We did boyscout from the time my son was young until he graduated. Highly recommend this to keep the kids off the video games. Starting young gets them in the Grove to stick with it. Great leadership program plus he was outside all the time and understands how to be safe out in nature while treating it with respect. He's an adult now and a great young man. He says he learned more from boyscouts about life then he did from school.

I never dislike posts, but I find that a home without any decor is cold. It’s really easy to run by the thrift store and find a few things to make our homes feel homey or pleasant. I have been to homes that are blank walls with no personal elements and I can’t wait to leave.

I have to admit i love my egg cooker (5$ at Walmart) and my rice cooker ($18 at Walmart). Still use my blender and food processer all the time. No regrets

Loving the “don’t ever take my potato masher away from me”! As someone who still uses the potato masher for multiple purposes, I am so the same way! Please don’t ever take it away from me lol

I love her honesty like yea we go out sometimes but we see how it needs to be in moderation and adjusted our life because of it

Standing ovation from me. You are brilliant and I love everything you brought out. I do love my perfume, though. At 63 I own my property, car, have no debt, 3 pensions from which to draw from, great health and God in my life. I learned the art of thrifting and buy quality ckassic items that stand the test of time. As I retired a year ago and have no need to dress for work, I still have clothes that I use and several good purses,etc. Hate clutter and all my furniture was purchased starting in 1994 Ethan Allen solid wood and still looks brand new. I decorate with thing that I still enjoy. Simple is great. I can go on,and on. Thanks for your video. Wish more people understood the impact caused to the earth of all the unnecessary junk we acquire and get rid of. Eating less is equivalent to better health. ❤❤❤. Own no memberships. Do pay for cellphone service. We can always ask ourselves, do I really need this? How long will I keep it, how will it be disposed of. I need to now shut up.

Did you know you can buy Chic-Fil-A sauce is a squirt bottle at the grocery store now? 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

Because I've always been frugal, I own multiple single family homes free and clear. I could buy precut fruit BUT it would kill me to pay the price.

Finally! I do 90% + of the things you said! So exciting seeing younger people to have similar conclusions of what we don’t need! Thank you and awesome delivery! And the fitness part too. On 66, my high school weight and do bicycling and more! What a great way to not keep crowding the medical system!

My car is a 2004 Honda Element that I refuse to part with. I’m 64 years old so it may be the last car I ever own. Learning how to delay gratification is the most important thing an adult can learn to do.

I went to Burger King a few weeks ago (haven't had it in a year) and ordered 1 meal (medium size). It was almost $12. I double-checked because I thought I was charged for 2 meals. Definitely not tasty for $12. I am with you on the Chick-fil-a sauce. My whole family loves it!! I buy the big bottles at Walmart.

Sorry if you have already done this, but a fun weekly meal plan idea could be some dupes/recreations for popular fast food places! I would love some good suggestions in that field to just make at home. I have a hard time finding good quality burger patties! ( i mean i've tried twice but you get it lol)

Great video! As a student from an east coast city, I was surprised by how much financial philosophy I share with a small town mom of a big family! Goes to say that common sense financial advice is applies to people in a lot of situations. I also love how you talk about what you do and why it makes sense for you and your family without judging other people's choices. Thank you for these videos.

We're on the same page! I now buy and plant seeds and replant saved seeds; paying once for veggies. Life is grand!

I love these kind of lists. We reduced our eating out a few years ago and have saved so much! We shake our heads when we think about how much we spent 6 years ago eating out each month.

LOL! Rice cooker is a necessity for our family; masher is a luxury for us. I am still amazed at how different it is for everyone to prioritize things.

When we paid our house off I just automatically had that amount round up to the nearest hundredth and have it directly deposited into our savings account 😊 That way we have money for yearly property taxes, yearly property insurance, yearly car insurance, unexpected car breakdowns (cars are paid off also), vacations or any major purchases it doesn't come out of our monthly income. We rarely go out to eat just to expensive and have only lately been spending extra money as I've just started prepping but my husband thinks we have enough and don't need anymore. How much is enough for 2 people? I just learned to can and did 11 quarts of pears as they were free 😊 that will be enough for a year figuring 1 a month. I REALLY love your channel you have so many great ideas especially the menu ones. I do have a hard time though on prepping as I have cancer so carbohydrates are a real no no for me like rice, beans, sugar and flour, you know the stuff you are suppose to be prepping up on. It makes it hard to figure out what I need to purchase and not break the bank. Any suggestions?

I love your energy. That no-nonsense attitude, intelligence and sense of humor

I hear you on eating out and portion size! My hubby and I recently went out to dinner for his birthday. The cost was through the roof! Neither of us ate much, after the dinner salad, there just wasn’t room for anything else. We took home what we didn’t eat, and had lunch and dinner the next day from those leftovers. Hate spending money like that

My kids do their own laundry too! We help my youngest move things into the dryer because he is short, but still, my children are self-sufficient for the most part in that aspect. That alleviates so much stress for everyone. Also, I have the same shirt from Stitch Fix! It is so stinking versitile!

I've been bingeing on your videos all evening. Does this make me weird? If so, I don't care because you always have wisdom to impart. I love that we get to see the kids and I always wind up giggling my way through your videos! I ALWAYS look forward to your presentations! I hope 2022 will be kind and generous to you and yours! God bless you!🌟

I have never purchased garbage bags. I have always recycled my grocery bags as garbage bags. I will always reuse grocery bags.

Great info! Thank you, Christine. AND huge congrats on 300,000!

really great list made me think about just how much i tend to spend on cheap random crap that i dont actually want. instead of appreciating what i already have…

I loved the video when you and your daughter went to the second hand store!!! She’s so sweet and was so excited about the clothes she got!!! So Great!!

Heartfelt thanks for your budget advice. So incredibly helpful during this period of COVID-19.

The only one-trick appliance I have is an electric quesadilla maker. Got it on sale at Kohl's for less than $10.00 and I LOVE it. Simple to clean-up and the quesadillas come out way crisper than I ever got on the stovetop. My husband and I go out for lunch every Saturday and Sunday, but we use big-value coupons everywhere we go. We NEVER do delivery food. We ask for restaurant gift cards from my mother-in-law for birthdays and Christmas, because we do love high-end restaurants about once a month. But for the most part I love to shop and cook at home for dinner, and then use the leftovers for weekday lunches.

Love your list! I was going through it with you-we have extra sheets and towels and we do sometimes break down and buy toys-and the kiddos have a tablet to share. But the other 54 I’m right there with ya!!! 👍🏻

I thought I was a minimalist, I must rethink this, lol. This is your first video I have watched and I loved it. Seems like we have a lot in common. I can't wait to watch more.

I just wanted to give you a high five so many times throughout this video! Absolutely great advice! Thanks for sharing and being so relatable.

Girl, I am loving how practical you are…lol I am totally rethinking my stuff 🤷‍♀️

The garlic press is the best one trick pony out there! That said I bought mine used. 😂

You have such a great and likable personality! Honestly, it’s like sitting here and listening to a friend give me solid advice, with some laughs along the way.

1:33 my mom calls these "dust collectors" 🤣. I will also say that I am a big foodie so I could never remove dining out from my budget, but I always make an effort to go to places that I know I can't make better at home!

Oh goodness, birthday and Christmas!! We have a large extended family which I am also downsizing and finding other ways to make gifts and gift baskets. I could cut it out but I really enjoy the process, for the little ones at least. The adults are glad to be remembered too!

I love your videos! They inspire me! In recent years I've really gotten into house plants. I find they are a calming and positive influence on my mental health. I actually got a large Monstera plant for free because it arrived with a couple broken stems. Score!

You are my spirit animal on the home decor!! My MIL, mother, and SIL think I'm crazy. I have all the things on my wall/floor that I need, and it will never move or be changed.. like ever.

I love your shirt!!! Also, I 100% agree with everything you said! I don't buy things we don't need. I'm terrible at decorating too...

Love this video!!! Helps me not feel guilty about not spending money! 😊

A sponge with fabric softener works amazing for the dryer

How refreshing! Thank you...such a relief from what we normally hear everyday of our lives through the media! X

The mani pedi triggered meeee omg I’ve been dealing with a severe toe infection from a pedi! But I love this makes me think about what I buy. You remind me of my aunt which makes me so happy 💕

Girl you are hillarious! And I swear I have the same views as you, I mean the EXACT views. It takes a lot of work to think thru what to buy and what not to buy. I don't buy anything that I cannot pay for with cash. I love it! Thanks for making me not seem so crazy to the rest of the family. See I'm not the only crazy person. Love your channel.

Very good information. Since covid I have been cooking at home now and we HARDLY eat out anymore. Not only that you can fix certain meals that you can't find in restaurants. Also the Knock off recipes for some of my favorite restaurants is great. My husband and I have been Dept free for 28 out of 33 years of marriage, and that is counting cars and we own our house. Basically live below your means and you should come out ok at the end. I am ahead of you in years (my kids are grown) and I don't do the savings quite as good as you at the grocer store! LOL

Great list! 😃 I do like to decorate and have procured most of our furniture and decorations second hand. 🌸 We rarely pay full price for anything. I love the challenge of getting the best financial deal and hubby thrives on the art of negotiation. 😎

Love the the time stamps! You legit made me rethink my entire life!! Thank you

Thank you for the video! Perspective is key! Love this!!! For sure makes me more conscious about what I’m spending my money on. Cash envelopes help a lot. If I see the cash I have I tend to budget how I spend it vs swiping the card all the time.

Your so funny! I agree I’m very much a minimalist too.I think my house stays looking cleaner longer that way.Great video as always

Stopped going out years before covid.... Saved a fortune and improved my health and lost weight.

I only do one streaming subscription at a time. I watch what I want on that platform and when I feel I have watched everything I want on that one? I switch to another. I also think it's a waste of money to have more than one. Another tip (from a former banker) is that I have a credit card that earns points. We pay for everything we purchase during the week with that card. We add it up on Sunday and write a check to the account that is linked to that card. That is ALL we use that checking account for. Once a week, we add up how much we have spent and cut a check into that bank account. When it clears, we pay off the credit card. We save the points and use them for vacation spending every year.

Pink tax is sooooo real! Thanks for talking about it

I sew! Quilts, sheets, drapes, blinds, clothes, lingere...everything. Bought fabric at a thrift store so an expertly made, custom tailored shirt or skirt costs around $3.00!

Hi! Thank you for the rebaid. Knowledge,I’m checking it out. I’m also going to search your posts about a better bike that can be used for extended amounts of time.

The simple life is a happier life so I pretty much do this list too and I'm much happier! Thanks for sharing :)