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There’s a thin line between being cheap and being cost-efficient! Even the most thrifty people avoid dozens of popular household items, even inexpensive ones.
Buying an inferior product based on price alone can lead to all kinds of headaches. Poor cleaning products mean extra effort. Poorly made tools mean delays between project completions and more money spent on getting replacements for the products that didn’t stand up to the test.
Luckily, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of online forums and product reviews with valuable information on which cost-effective products really live up to their marketing and which ones aren’t worth spending your hard-earned dollars on. Can you think of any others we’ve missed?
Dryer Sheets
Any savvy person already knows dryer sheets are pointless. So, the day I stopped buying dryer sheets and started using reusable dryer balls, my life improved, and my wallet thanked me.
Bottled Water
Countless people confess that bottled water wastes money when tap water is excellent in most cities! “Tap water where I live is perfectly fine,” says one woman. “I have a couple of reusable bottles I fill up at home, plus, there are water refill stations everywhere. Yet, so many people I know still buy bottled water, and I don’t know why!”
Paper Napkins
Disposable paper napkins are free – if you know where to look for them! Grabbing extra to-go napkins at restaurants is an easy way to keep your home well-stocked. Please don’t feel guilty about doing this; we all do it!
Fabric Softener
If you’re still using fabric softener for each load of laundry, you’re doing it all wrong. Did you know that a half-cup of vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser does the trick? It also avoids all those dangerously unnecessary chemicals.
Multiple Household Cleaning Products
Some enterprising people have learned that one product can do the job of dozens of cleaning items. “I just have one bottle of Lysol I use for everything,” admits one man. “I don’t use fabric spray stuff, either.
I just vacuum my furniture. I use Meijer bags for bathroom trash cans. I also don’t own a mop — I literally use a dish rag and spot mop. My floors usually need a good sweep every few days.” Wow, talk about efficiency!
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is unnecessary these days, at least according to frugal people. “I don’t have hairy legs, so I don’t have to shave them,” confesses one woman. “I use just soap to shave my armpits. Also, razors marketed to men are cheaper than razors for women.” This woman has a point – why are women’s razors so much more expensive?
Air Fresheners
Whether it’s plug-in fresheners or artificial-smelling sprays, most frugal people do not purchase air fresheners for their homes. Their secret is obvious: They clean their homes and apartments regularly, which eliminates the need for these products.
But if you really want to give your home a nice scent, you can always use a few drops of the same essential oils you use for massage or a bath. You can also boil some citrus rinds in water on the stove. These are both great ways to find additional uses for items you already have around the house.
Disposable Sponges
You’re living in the past if you still use tried-and-true sponges to clean countertops and dishes! “I have a silicon one that I can wash in the dishwasher and also a reusable scrubby that I can wash in the laundry,” reports one savvy woman.
Small Paper Bathroom Cups
As a child, I was fond of using tiny disposable cups in the bathroom, but I must admit they have no place in a frugal home. A regular plastic, washable cup can be used instead of paper cups in every bathroom.
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Why buy containers for things that already come in a container? “I never owned these,” reveals one man. “I use a ton of spices and seasonings -and pouring from the container works.” Buying different salt and pepper shakers seems like a terrible waste of money.
Garbage Cans
Surprisingly, many people forego traditional garbage cans instead of repurposing cardboard boxes from deliveries! It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard. “I somehow cannot justify paying for things that I just use for throwing waste into,” says one frugal mother. “We use cardboard boxes from deliveries lined with bin liners.”
12 Surprising Facts About Your Favorite Fast Food Brands
Brightly colored, ever available, satisfyingly greasy. The comfort of a familiar, friendly fast food joint is uncontested. Most Americans know the famed yellow arches of a McDonald’s or the vivid green color of a Starbucks kiosk. And while a palm-sized cup of fresh french fries might not alter your perceptions of well-known fast food brands, these surprising facts just might.
18 Garage Sale Cons Hidden in Plain Sight
Let’s be honest, folks. Most of us approach garage sales hoping to snag that one dusty trinket or vintage item that might be the key to our future riches. While chances of finding a diamond in the rough are slim, sometimes fortune favors the bold! Here are 18 items that often go unnoticed but could turn a pretty profit if you know what you’re looking for.
- Read More: 18 Garage Sale Cons Hidden in Plain Sight
