A recent post on Reddit sparked a lively discussion among those who have firsthand experience with saving money. Many shared common frugal tips that they had tried in the past but found to be ineffective in the long run. They candidly shared their own experiences — both successes and failures — in the hopes of helping others avoid the same mistakes.
The common money-saving advice is something we all know well: whether it's skipping Starbucks, washing clothes in cold water and air drying, or using bar soap instead of body wash.
But the OP wanted to know the frugal tips that the community found to be overrated. They shared that for them turning off the water while soaping up in the shower was one such tip. Let's dive into the frugal tips that Reddit users have found to be less effective than they thought.
Avoid Hobbies
Avoiding hobbies can indeed save money in the short term, as the costs associated with hobbies can add up. But not all hobbies are expensive, and avoiding them is definitely not worth it if you're looking to be frugal, as shared by a Reddit user:
“Avoiding hobbies. Life is too short and many hobbies are pretty affordable."
“And not even looking at costs, hobbies open up the doors to friends, relationships, learned skills, etc. not to mention the joy and relaxation (or rush if you're into that) they give you,” another agreed.
One shared a thought-provoking viewpoint on hobbies — that they can actually bring in more money: “Hobbies have probably the best ROI of any expense when you really think about it.”
Buy Generic Products
Off-brand products can be cost-effective, but according to the Reddit community, not all generic products are worth compromising on, like toilet paper, ketchup, or chocolate.
“Some off-brand products are fine, some are not worth it. I will not compromise on toilet paper or paper towels. I wait until the good kind is on sale and stock up, or I get it at BJ’s, but I am not dealing with sub-par toilet paper,” one wrote.
“Off-brand ketchup & chocolate are just a waste of money,” another added.
Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Making your own detergent may seem like a frugal and cost-effective solution for your laundry needs, but it may not always be the case. In fact, it can end up costing more money than buying a pre-made detergent.
“Making your own laundry detergent. It's only worth it to make it in large quantities but then you have to store it somewhere,” one shared.
“All these DIY recipes for soap/chapstick/bath bombs/deodorant. Nah y’all. Supplies have a high start up cost & then go bad faster than most people can practically use them. Just buy 1-2 bars from a farm market from a maker who cycles it enough & keeps it up enough,” a second advised.
“The homemade laundry detergent is harsh on your clothes too. I’d rather buy my detergent and have my clothes last longer. Plus people use too much detergent. You only need to use 2 tablespoons,” a third added.
Also read: 25 Popular Things Women Wear That Men Secretly Hate
Set the Thermostat to a Lower Temperature
While it's true that lowering the temperature on your thermostat can reduce energy consumption, it can also cause other problems that can end up costing more money in the long run, such as getting sick from the cold and incurring medical expenses
“I will not set my thermostat so low that I'm cold even with a blanket. Or having to wear a coat or gloves indoors. My heating bill is my biggest expense and it really stresses me out. I keep it as low as I comfortably can. But I'm not going to freeze my b...t off all winter. Being cold is miserable and saps all motivation and positivity away from me,” a Reddit user advised.
Frugal or Happy?
Being frugal is a great thing, and it's always smart to save money, but it's crucial to remember that being frugal shouldn't come at the expense of your happiness or mental well-being — there are plenty of ways to live frugally without sacrificing the quality of your life.
These comments from Reddit users serve as valuable reminders to avoid getting caught up in the trap of excessive penny-pinching, which can ultimately lead to more harm than good.
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