Consumer spending
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Purchase durable, high-quality goods for items you use often to avoid the higher total cost of repeatedly replacing cheap versions.
Cheap items tend to break quickly, leading to higher spending over time; quality items last longer and lower overall costs.
33 people, independently
Choose guns with lower cost per round if you shoot frequently.
Some guns may be impressive but cost more per shot.
one person who lived it
Spend more on durable items you use daily that affect your health or comfort, like mattresses, office chairs, and shoes.
8 people, independently
Rent a truck from a home-improvement store for occasional heavy hauling instead of owning one.
Owning a large truck is a waste of gas if you do not haul much.
one person who lived it
Wait 30 days before buying something really expensive if you are hesitant; if you still want it after a month, proceed with the purchase.
After some time passes, you either forget about it or decide it's not worth it.
2 people, independently
items, buying, buy, often32
Determine value by dividing the price by how many times you expect to use an item, rather than just looking at the sticker price.
Before buying, locate a specific spot to store the item when idle; if space is lacking, remove or sell something else to free it up.
This prevents acquiring unneeded goods, reduces clutter, and stops items from going missing.
4 people, independently
Only buy big-ticket items you want (not need) with cash.
Seeing the large sum drain directly from your checking account triggers a stronger refusal response than using a credit card.
one person who lived it
If an item is the last one you will ever buy, get the best version.
This distinguishes being frugal from being cheap.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying bulk items or multi-packs if you will not use the extras.
You are spending extra money for no reason rather than saving.
one person who lived it
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Focus on spending on tires because they are the only connection between your vehicle and the ground.
Lives depend on tires.
one person who lived it
Buy multiples of frequently cleaned items, such as work shirts, socks, or underwear, to reduce laundry frequency and decision fatigue.
It saves water by allowing bulk washes instead of individual loads and removes the need to decide what to wear.
one person who lived it
Use wet-and-forget shower cleaners and crockpot liner bags to reduce scrubbing and cooking cleanup time.
They save time wiping and scrubbing.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying boats and horses due to their massive upkeep costs.
They are described as absolute money pits.
one person who lived it
Decide what you value and set aside money toward those items; buy cheap stuff for things you don't value and replace them as needed.
one person who lived it
When getting quotes for work, obtain three estimates and choose the middle-priced option.
The lowest cost usually indicates cutting corners, while the highest often tries to take advantage of those who don't know better.
one person who lived it
For one-off projects, rent or borrow tools, or purchase high-quality items instead of cheap ones that tend to produce poor results.
Rental equipment is often average quality since companies need it to remain rentable; borrowing from friends or libraries reduces waste.
4 people, independently
- Buy cheap tools for one-off projects if you are unsure of future usage needs.1
Learn basic repair skills for small engines to acquire yard tools for free from people who want to discard them.
People throw away lawnmowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, and string trimmers, so knowledge of small engine repair can get you these items for life.
one person who lived it
Work out purchases by comparing immediate cost against long-term cost per year.
Two products with different upfront prices may have the same annual cost if their lifespans differ proportionally.
one person who lived it
Purchase used high-grade tools to reduce costs while maintaining durability.
You can find second-hand items from reputable brands at prices lower than new budget options, benefiting both the environment and your finances.
4 people, independently
Wear a cheap watch before wearing an expensive new one.
To get used to bumping it against objects.
one person who lived it
Aim for mid-grade quality for most items like auto parts, electronics, and computer components, avoiding both the cheapest and most expensive options.
The cheapest is often junk, while the most expensive may have unnecessary features; the mid-priced option is usually just right.
2 people, independently
If an item breaks, replace it with a better, more durable version.
More expensive items are often more durable, so upgrading ensures it lasts longer.
one person who lived it
When buying previous-generation tech, choose the most generic variant (e.g., black).
It is likely the most sold variant, meaning it was recently manufactured with fixed initial batch issues and has easier resale value.
one person who lived it
Buy nice wooden hangers.
They last forever and encourage you to treat your clothes nicer.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying the cheapest starter instruments, as poor quality can cause frustration that leads to quitting the hobby.
Cheap instruments are often garbage and make users quit quickly.
one person who lived it
Buy the cheapest option for household items you will not use often.
There is no need to spend more money than necessary for infrequent use.
one person who lived it
Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
It reduces waste and helps the planet.
2 people, independently
Determine value by dividing the price by how many times you expect to use an item, rather than just looking at the sticker price.
6 people, independently
If you are a student, use discount programs offered by tool companies.
It provides great savings for new technicians.
one person who lived it
Buy slightly outdated gadgets instead of the latest models to get better deals, cheaper accessories, and resolved bugs.
Older models often have fewer bugs and kinks, and accessories become much cheaper.
one person who lived it
Factor in the ongoing time and energy required to maintain possessions before buying them.
Buying items adds constraints and clutter to your life through necessary maintenance tasks.
one person who lived it
When buying used goods, inspect small, inexpensive components that are easy to replace or maintain.
Owners often spend money on small fixes but sell instead of addressing major problems; ignoring small terms can call bigger terms into question.
one person who lived it
Consider the cost of maintaining and replacing items, not just buying them.
Buying something cheaper sometimes incurs higher maintenance or operation costs.
one person who lived it
If you are unsure how much you will use an item or its importance, buy a cheap version to test it; if you break it out of frustration, upgrade to quality.
4 people, independently
Consider the end-of-life recyclability of a product before buying it.
one person who lived it
If you are poor, focus on buying items that keep you alive in the immediate now rather than preparing for hypothetical apocalypse scenarios.
one person who lived it
Check pet insurance coverage carefully, as policies vary on what they include.
Some plans do not cover routine checkups, dental care, or flea drops, while others may cover flea and heartworm prevention.
- One person noted their plan covers flea and heartworm, contradicting the general exclusion of flea drops.
one person who lived it
Be prepared for unexpected size and cost increases when adopting pets that are expected to grow.
Puppies can grow much larger than initially estimated, leading to higher food costs.
one person who lived it