Highly Intelligent & Frugal People Know 12 Specific Things Are No Longer Worth Paying For
Vitaly Gariev | PexelsOver half of Americans are currently struggling to afford even the most basic necessities like groceries or housing. Because of this, it's become almost impossible to pay for larger expenses like unexpected healthcare costs or a new car. But for intelligent, frugal people, it's the small things that matter most in trying to save every penny they can.
A lifestyle change, along with gaining knowledge around financial literacy, can make a big difference. It provides people with the tools to save and spend with less anxiety. Because to these folks, they understand that there are some items that aren't worth paying for anymore.
Things intelligent, frugal people know aren't worth paying for anymore
1. Bottled water
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According to a Penn State University study, the average American can save an average of $1,236 per year by using a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing plastic bottles. Consuming water is a necessity, but going out of your way to purchase one-use plastics is a waste of money.
Outside of the financial benefits, reusable water bottles are more sustainable and healthy for the planet. Still, it’s important to build a routine around drinking water from reusable bottles, as they can often become a breeding ground for bacteria if they’re left unwashed for extended periods of time.
2. Haircuts
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While appearance-driven spending is the norm, frugal people understand that there are ways to cut back, and it can make a dramatic difference in the amount of money they can save. For example, the average person spends nearly $300 on haircuts alone annually, and women tend to spend much more per appointment.
For intelligent, frugal people, they no longer rely on professionals to cut their hair. Instead, they likely learn to trim or cut their own hair, seeing it as a long-term investment. It’s an intentional act of self-care that can help people to carve out space in their routines just for themselves as well.
3. Real Christmas trees
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Depending on the size and variety of the tree, a real Christmas tree costs an average of $80 to $100. While an artificial tree may hover around the same price point, it can be a cost-saving measure to use the same tree every year.
Frugal people may opt for a fake tree because they're struggling with affording basic necessities, but also because they’re thinking from a long-term mindset about their investments. They rationalize that they can spend money once on something that's only out for a short amount of time each year.
4. Food delivery services
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According to a survey conducted by Upgraded Points, more than 75% of Americans have used a food delivery service occasionally, with the average consumer wracking up more than $1,500 in purchases on platforms like Uber Eats or DoorDash annually. While spending on convenience every once in a while is an expense you can’t avoid, relying on these platforms regularly can add up.
Platforms are now leveraging people’s desire for convenience and inadvertently taking advantage of their lack of financial literacy. For example, DoorDash’s collaboration with Klarna lets people order food and pay afterward, potentially landing themselves in financial hot water.
So, it’s important to understand and be self-aware about where you’re spending your money. Frugal people don't waste money on things like this, focusing instead on alternatives that set them up for success.
5. Holiday decorations
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While celebrating holidays and getting festive with decorations is a tradition many people are willing to invest in, opting for things that can be reused and recycled is one of the best ways to spend money. According to chief editor of Top Trends Guide, Ana Roberts, buying any kind of single-use decorations is a waste of money. That includes things like festive tableware or brand new ornaments.
Fast decorations and store-bought items are things frugal people know aren't worth paying for, they’re not completely missing out on the fun. By opting for DIY decorations, they not only save money, but create new traditions and quality time with their families.
6. Streaming services
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Rather than juggling choice overload and an alarming bill month-to-month, highly intelligent folks won't spend a penny on more than one entertainment service. They stick to a specific streaming service, eliminating costs and feeling less overwhelmed by it.
Cutting out the guilt of not using all of their services regularly, these brilliantly frugal people have more time to spend enjoying entertainment. They aren't stressing out about finding something to watch and paying for things they don't even use.
7. Physical books
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While physical books are often better for reading comprehension and reader experience than digital options, they tend to be much more expensive compared to monthly subscriptions on reading devices like a Kindle. For avid readers, buying more than 10 books a year at an average price of around $20 means they're spending nearly $200 annually.
By opting for a monthly reading subscription with a catalog of books to pick from, you expand your options. There are also plenty of free apps that allow you to read books, and even purchasing from thrift shops means saving a ton.
8. Salad dressing
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According to physician Dr. Ann Kulze, opting to make your own salad dressing, instead of purchasing bottles from the store, is better for your wallet, as well as your health and the environment.
By experimenting with homemade recipes that use low-cost ingredients, frugal people stand by not purchasing store-bought dressings. They know how to spice up their meals and add excitement to their plain groceries by making sauces of all kinds.
9. Paper products
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While paper products like plates and cups can be a convenience, intelligent and frugal folks won't invest in them at all. Even if it might be easier than washing ceramic dishes, they're focused on saving money.
By swapping out disposable products for reusable ones, like handmade and washable tissues or reusable paper towels, frugal people can save more than $200 annually, according to a Statista survey. And while convenience is more important than saving money in some cases, households can save thousands when they;re directed toward long-term saving goals.
10. Makeup wipes
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While makeup wipes don't cost much per wipe, frugal folks can save a ton of money by using DIY options, or by investing in bulk makeup removing solution and reusable cloths. Many people fall into the habit of buying products marketed towards convenience, after all.
It can be tempting to choose makeup wipes, but making a deliberate choice to put in a few minutes of extra effort adds up to long-term saving. Deciding not to spend on products like this is a mindset shift. To reach your financial goals, you'll have to make changes, but you can do so without sacrificing things you enjoy.
11. Soda cans
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In a four-person household that regularly drinks soda from the grocery store, it’s easy to spend more than $1K on soda alone in a single year. When you’re at the grocery store, picking up a 12-pack of Diet Coke is something you might do as a force of habit. But frugal people won't make that mistake.
Even once-cheap options like a $1 large Diet Coke from McDonald’s isn’t saving people money anymore, with fast food prices skyrocketing and grocery costs lingering alongside them. But intelligent people focused on saving money are willing to look out for their wallet and health by cutting back on something like this.
12. New clothing
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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average consumer can spend nearly $2K on apparel and new clothing annually. While some of the purchases are necessary, like a winter coat or boots for growing children, there are other options to cut back on this massive expenditure.
Being mindful about spending on fast fashion can help your wallet and your mental health, but especially the environment. Frugal people may sew their ripped clothing or shop at secondhand stores to save, shifting their mindset in the process.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
