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
Settle for 'enough' rather than striving for the best car, house, or items.
You don't need the best; settling prevents paying way more than items are worth in interest.
one person who lived it
Live below your means by choosing not to buy things you can afford, such as keeping older cars and electronics.
Choosing not to buy things you can afford provides real freedom.
one person who lived it
Consider any item you do not need as not a good deal, regardless of the price.
A low price does not make an unneeded item a good deal.
one person who lived it
Do not buy sale items if you do not need them; buying nothing saves more money than buying discounted goods.
Sale items still cost money, whereas not buying at all costs no money.
one person who lived it
If you have extra money and are tempted to spend it, apply the rule: if you cannot afford to buy an item twice, you cannot afford it.
It helps curb impulse buying.
one person who lived it
- Choose not to buy things you want if you realize you cannot afford them, even if you have the cash.1
money, buy, buying, items40
Set aside a small amount of windfall money to buy something you have always wanted or enjoy.
Use a spending fast to break entrenched spending patterns and create new frugal habits, even if the fast itself is not sustainable long-term.
Breaking patterns allows for the creation of new habits.
- It is not sustainable.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying ingredients for complex meals if you work late hours, as the food may go to waste.
One person wasted money on great food because they worked until 8 every night.
one person who lived it
Set aside a small amount of windfall money to buy something you have always wanted or enjoy.
You deserve to treat yourself
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Reduce time spent doom-scrolling to decrease impulsive buying.
Less doom scrolling leads to less impulsive buying.
one person who lived it
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If you find it hard to stick to a budget around friends due to social pressure and splitting bills, go out alone instead.
It is easier to be responsible with money when on your own than when trying not to appear stingy among friends.
one person who lived it
Look beyond marketing hype to determine the actual value of a product before buying.
When you figure out the true value, commercials often fall flat.
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Buy items you truly love rather than depriving yourself of passions for the sake of saving money.
To avoid making yourself miserable.
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Go to warehouse stores alone with a strict list of specific savings items and do not deviate from it.
Bringing others can lead to spending hundreds of dollars on unnecessary items.
one person who lived it
Review what you spend and try to reduce it.
It is not difficult.
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Ensure savings efforts are balanced by enjoyable splurges to provide a reward for being frugal.
There must be a reward for your efforts.
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Understand that 'free refills' often have limits, such as only one refill allowed.
Refill buckets may be marked so staff know not to refill them again after the single free refill.
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Avoid spending windfalls on depreciating assets like expensive cars or short-term luxury rentals, as taxes and expenses can quickly erase the gain.
One person spent a $150k windfall on an Escalade and beach rental, only to end up with less money after taxes hit within a year.
one person who lived it
Delete saved payment information from online shopping accounts so you must physically retrieve and type in card details for every purchase.
The friction of retrieving the card often deters impulse buys.
3 people, independently
Recognize that feeling tired can trigger impulsive buying as a false attempt to gain energy.
The brain forgets common sense when tired and tries to buy things for energy, which never works.
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Save until you have enough cash to buy big-ticket items outright to avoid financing.
Buying things you cannot afford leads to being roped into financing.
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Be willing to sacrifice current comforts and luxuries to get long-term financial goals.
People are often unwilling to give up things like iPhones and booze, which hinders progress.
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Create a visible 'Yes/No' list for no-spend challenges and keep it in a high-traffic area like the fridge.
it was really helpful
one person who lived it
Buy cheap tools first to identify which ones you actually need to upgrade to professional grade.
Buying inexpensive tools allows you to see which pieces break or lack quality, so you can replace only those with high-end versions, costing less than buying good tools blindly.
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Find creative ways to make necessary items like beauty products at home to reduce spending.
Giving up products can be hard, but making them can be fun.
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Avoid late-night online purchases to prevent regretting impulse buys the next day.
Purchases made late at night often feel fine in the moment but lead to questioning why you did it the next day.
one person who lived it
Separate 'needs' from 'wants' when making major purchases.
You may desperately need transportation, but that does not mean you need an expensive version of it.
one person who lived it
When a loan is paid off, continue paying the remaining allotted amount toward other debts, but use part of the freed-up money to treat yourself modestly.
You deserve it.
one person who lived it
Calculate total costs including cashback rewards when choosing where to buy gas, as higher station prices may be offset by card benefits.
Some credit cards offer cashback at certain stations that outweighs the price difference at cheaper stations.
one person who lived it
Live modestly and direct extra income into retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA to avoid lifestyle inflation.
People often feel insecure and overspend once they achieve success.
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If you have a minimalistic partner, let their habits prompt you to rethink how you use money.
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Use clothes you already own for costumes instead of buying new ones.
It is cheaper and better quality.
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Plan inexpensive first dates, such as picnics in parks or on beaches.
They can be cheaper than discounted meals and showcase surroundings and culinary skills.
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Distinguish between having the money to buy something and actually being able to afford it by thinking long-term.
Buying unnecessary items can lead to justifying other purchases.
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Identify the middle-tier option businesses want to sell by recognizing price anchoring, and decide if it is truly needed.
Businesses often present an ultra-cheap and an ultra-expensive option to make the middle tier seem reasonable.
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Keep a frugal mindset developed during economic downturns or impoverished childhoods.
These habits persist and protect against future financial trouble.
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Cut back on non-essential recurring expenses like cable fees, expensive phone contracts, unused gym memberships, and convenience services.
These are not prudent transactions.
one person who lived it
Stop buying dryer sheets if your clothes remain in good condition without them.
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Save money specifically to build a buffer against emergencies.
It prevents having to sacrifice other things when unexpected costs arise.
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Base purchase decisions on what an item is worth to you personally, ignoring relative prices or how others value it.
Considering personal value avoids being influenced by external pricing strategies or social valuation.
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Buy used vehicles instead of brand new ones to afford transportation without dropping excessive money on depreciation.
Used vehicles are more affordable.
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Learn to eat frugally and cut down on expenses related to dining out.
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Practice moderation in spending and saving, avoiding guilt-driven behaviors imposed by societal pressure.
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- Focus on needs over wants, especially regarding money; avoid debt and impulse large purchases.1
Invest in higher-quality electronics if they improve daily usability and speed.
Cheap alternatives can be frustrating compared to fast devices.
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Make homemade laundry detergent using epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, sea salt, and optional essential oils.
one person who lived it
Make your own syrup for drinks at home.
It pays for itself if you use it often.
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Eat dried mango, banana, or pineapple as a sweet, chewy substitute for taffy.
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