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.

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.

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.

5. Skimp on Health Insurance

Do I have to explain this one?

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.

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