15 Things You Should Refuse to Do to Save Money

Being frugal isn’t about taking shortcuts at every opportunity, it’s about getting the best value for your money.

There’s a fine line between saving smartly and being cheap, and some things just aren’t worth the savings.

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1. Don’t Chase Coupons That Aren’t Easily Accessible

I used to spend countless hours sifting through ads, snipping out coupons, and devising an elaborate strategy for the grocery store. It felt like a full-time job, and honestly, the returns weren’t worth the effort.

Calculating the time spent against the savings, it just didn’t add up, especially considering my regular income and the value I place on my free time. These days, I prefer a slow Saturday morning over hunching over the dining table sorting through piles of flyers.

I haven’t given up on coupons entirely, though. If there’s one staring me in the face, sure, I’ll use it. And when it comes to food, we still manage to save a good chunk of money by cooking from scratch and buying items on sale.

2. Cut Your Own Hair

It’s tempting to try to skip the salon cost, but getting the hairstyle right on your own isn’t easy, especially if you have a more complicated style. If the haircut doesn’t turn out well, you might end up paying more at the salon to fix it.

Check this out: How Much Does It Cost to Dye Your Hair?

3. Compromise on Safety

Cutting corners on safety? Not worth it. I learned the hard way that going cheap on things like car seats or smoke detectors just isn’t the move. It’s like gambling with safety, and honestly, the stakes are too high.

Sure, it might save a few dollars now, but what if something goes wrong? You can’t put a price on peace of mind.

So now, I don’t skimp on the important stuff – bike helmets, home security, the works. It’s one of those areas where paying a bit extra feels not just right, but necessary.

4. Turning Down Your Thermostat

My parents were, and still are, pretty frugal. I still remember those cold winter days, where turning down the thermostat was their go-to method to save on heating costs.

The house was always a bit too chilly, and I’d find myself buried under layers of sweaters and blankets. Now, as an adult, I’ve realized that the savings from lowering the thermostat were fairly small compared to the discomfort.

DON’T MISS: ​​67 Great Frugal Tips to Make You Wealthier Today

5. Skimp on Health Insurance

Do I have to explain this one?

YOU WILL LOVE: 80 Timeless Frugal Living Tips That Still Work Today

6. Buy Low-Quality Items

Often, low-quality items aren’t cheap either. Usually, what you’re really paying for isn’t the raw materials but the marketing of a brand.

This can result in spending more on something that won’t last, and you’ll find yourself replacing it sooner than expected. Do yourself a favor and invest a bit more in quality products that stand the test of time.

7. Eat Junk Food

Going for the cheaper, less healthy options might seem like a way to stretch your budget. I used to grab fast food as an easy, low-cost meal.

But I realized it’s a false economy. The money saved on these quick meals pales in comparison to the value of well-balanced, nutritious food.

8. Making Your Own Soap

As a chemical engineer, I’ve tried my hand at making soap from scratch dozens of times.

In the end, I’ve decided it’s not worth the hassle. Store-bought soap is affordable, and making it at home just doesn’t stack up in terms of the risk and effort involved.

Btw, the homemade soap often had an off smell.

9. Eating Expired Food

Some items might be okay a day or two after their ‘best by’ dates, but it’s a risk I’m not taking.

10. Neglect Car Maintenance

Avoiding regular car maintenance to save money can result in more costly repairs down the line.

11. Forgoing Home Maintenance

It might seem cost-effective to delay or skip regular upkeep around the house, but this approach often leads to larger, more expensive problems down the line.

Small issues, if not addressed promptly, can escalate into significant repairs that can hit your wallet hard.

12. Shoes and Mattress

You’re either walking or sleeping most of the time. It’s better to spend more on these and avoid making your life miserable.

13. Cheap Paper Towels and Toilet Paper

With low-quality paper towels, you often end up using much more, as they don’t absorb well.

Similarly, cheap toilet paper can be so thin that you go through rolls quickly.

The minor savings aren’t worth it when you consider the inefficiency and frustration of constantly running out.

14. Cheap Kitchen Tools from Restaurant Supply Stores

Kitchen tools from restaurant supply stores are a better bet.

These tools are built to last and have to be up to certain standards, like being real stainless steel or food-grade plastic.

You’re getting quality that’s made to handle heavy use.

15. Buying Second Hand Tires

Cheap tires might save money initially, but they don’t last and can be risky on the road.

Better to spend more on good tires; they’ll last longer and keep you safer, especially when the weather gets rough.

16. Items You Shouldn’t Buy Secondhand

Here are 10 items you should never buy used unless you understand the risks:

Baby Cribs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned drop side cribs in 2011. Meanwhile, many other crib bans and safety recalls have taken place due to hazards such as lead paint, strangulation, or other dangers. If you’re unsure of whether a used crib has been recalled, you can conduct some research on your own at CPSC.gov.

Car Seats

Although used car seats can be bought for pennies on the dollar, that doesn’t always make them a good value. Not only do car seats have an expiration date or “shelf life” you should pay attention to, but there is often no way to know if a car seat has been damaged or compromised.

The fact that safety technology improves every year is another reason to just buy new if you’re in doubt. If you do choose to buy used, you should at least buy from someone you know who can verify that seat has never been involved in an accident.

Mattresses

Good mattresses are very expensive, so buying one used might seem like a good deal, but it rarely is. Although you’ll save a bundle upfront, a used mattress will almost always have bodily fluids, dust mites, and pounds of dead skin embedded deep in the fabric.

Even worse, a mattress infested with bed bugs could easily cost you thousands of dollars in extermination fees. The Environmental Protection Agency lists some telltale signs you can list for when checking for bed bugs, but they certainly aren’t foolproof.

Makeup

While it’s generally okay to buy unopened makeup from an individual, you should never buy makeup that has been used in any capacity. Why? Because used makeup harbors all kinds of bacteria that you don’t want near your ears, eyes, and mouth. Yuck. 

Vacuum Cleaners

Have you ever heard of someone unloading a vacuum that still works great? Yeah, me neither. Most people sell their vacuums and get a new one when their old one stops doing its job.

Plus, you never know what that vacuum was used for, and how many dust mites and bacteria are lurking inside. If you’re looking to save money on a vacuum cleaner, try a factory refurbished or reconditioned model or check the scratch-and-dent section.

Shoes

Although it might be fine to purchase lightly worn used footwear, experts warn against buying used shoes that have been worn on a regular basis. Since shoes mold to their owner’s feet, a heavily used pair could cause you pain or even health problems over time.

Baby Bottles

While “newer” used bottles might be fine after you sanitize them, experts caution against stocking up on bottles that are more than a few years old. Why? Because many older bottles contain BPA – a chemical that was banned for use in baby bottles by the FDA in 2012. If you’re unsure whether a used bottle is BPA-free, you’re better off buying new.

Worn Cookware

While sturdy pots and pans may be an exception, you should never buy a piece of cookware with a flaky or worn non-stick coating. The chemicals contained in non-stick coatings such as Teflon can leech out into your food while you’re cooking. In other words, the savings you earn by buying used cookware might come with a side of unsavory chemicals and potential carcinogens.

Upholstered Furniture

Similar to used mattresses, used furniture is often home to dust mites, bacteria, and even bed bugs. And since you can’t throw a used sofa in the washer, you may never get it 100% clean. The bottom line: Only buy upholstered furniture from someone whose cleanliness you trust – not from strangers!

Hats

Although used hats can cost pennies on the dollar compared to new, that doesn’t make them a good bargain. The fact is, used hats may have never been washed – and may even be impossible to wash. Therefore, a used hat will usually contain someone’s hair, dead skin, and sweat — not to mention the potential for head lice. Ewww.

If you’re shopping secondhand to save, you’re definitely on the right track. Still, there are times when buying used presents a huge hazard or risk that makes the savings a moot point. The next time you’re shopping for a secondhand item, ask yourself these questions:

• Will this item fit in my washer?
• Can I clean and sanitize this item thoroughly?
• Can I verify its history?
• Do I know this item is safe?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you’re probably better off sucking it up and buying new. Because sometimes, the savings just aren’t worth it.

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