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15 Things You Should Refuse to Do to Save Money
Nov
Being frugal isn’t about taking shortcuts at every opportunity, it’s about getting the perfect value on your money. There’s a nice line between saving smartly and being low cost, and a few things just aren’t well 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 food market. It felt like a full-time job, and truthfully, the returns weren’t well worth the effort.
Calculating the time spent against the savings, it just didn’t add up, especially considering my regular income and the worth I place on my free time. Nowadays, 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 within the face, sure, I’ll use it. And with regards to food, we still manage to avoid wasting an excellent chunk of cash by cooking from scratch and buying items on sale.
2. Cut Your Own Hair
It’s tempting to attempt to skip the salon cost, but getting the hairstyle right on your personal isn’t easy, especially if you could have a more complicated style. If the haircut doesn’t prove well, you would possibly find yourself paying more on the salon to repair it.
3. Compromise on Safety
Cutting corners on safety? Not price it. I learned the hard way that going low cost on things like automobile seats or smoke detectors just isn’t the move. It’s like gambling with safety, and truthfully, the stakes are too high.
Sure, it would save a couple of dollars now, but what if something goes incorrect? You possibly can’t put a price on peace of mind. So now, I don’t skimp on the vital stuff – bike helmets, home security, the works. It’s one in all those areas where paying a bit extra feels not good, but mandatory.
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 avoid wasting on heating costs.
The home was all the time 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 in comparison with the discomfort.
5. Skimp on Health Insurance
Do I actually have to clarify this one?
6. Buy Low-Quality Items
Often, low-quality items aren’t low cost either. Normally, what you’re really paying for isn’t the raw materials however the marketing of a brand.
This can lead to spending more on something that won’t last, and also you’ll end up replacing it earlier 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 look like a strategy to stretch your budget. I used to grab fast food as a simple, low-cost meal.
But I spotted it’s a false economy. The cash saved on these quick meals pales as compared to the worth 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 long run, I’ve decided it’s not well worth the hassle. Store-bought soap is reasonably priced, and making it at home just doesn’t stack up by way of the danger and energy involved.
Btw, the homemade soap often had an off smell.
9. Eating Expired Food
Some items could be okay a day or two after their ‘best by’ dates, however it’s a risk I’m not taking.
10. Neglect Automobile Maintenance
Avoiding regular automobile maintenance to get monetary savings can lead to more costly repairs down the road.
11. Forgoing Home Maintenance
It might sound cost-effective to delay or skip regular upkeep across the house, but this approach often results in larger, costlier problems down the road. Small issues, if not addressed promptly, can escalate into significant repairs that may hit your wallet hard.
12. Shoes and Mattress
You’re either walking or sleeping more often than not. It’s higher to spend more on these and avoid making your life miserable.
13. Low-cost Paper Towels and Toilet Paper
With low-quality paper towels, you frequently find yourself using far more, as they don’t absorb well. Similarly, low cost toilet paper may be so thin that you simply undergo rolls quickly. The minor savings aren’t price it if you consider the inefficiency and frustration of continuously running out.
14. Low-cost Kitchen Tools from Restaurant Supply Stores
Kitchen tools from restaurant supply stores are a greater bet. These tools are built to last and must be as much as certain standards, like being real chrome steel or food-grade plastic. You’re getting quality that’s made to handle heavy use.
15. Buying Second Hand Tires
Low-cost tires might get monetary savings initially, but they don’t last and may be dangerous on the road. Higher to spend more on good tires; they’ll last more and keep you safer, especially when the weather gets rough.
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