Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Who doesn’t love saving a few bucks? But where’s the line between using money saving methods as a mindful spender and feeling so pressured by scarcity that thriftiness feels like a competition to win?
Recently, there have been discussions among thrifty folks that some of their best money-saving secrets might be in danger of being overused. Luckily for us, these savvy shoppers were generous with cost-cutting insights and shared some of their best-kept tips in spite of their fear. However, after reading some of their suggestions, logical though they may be, I’m not sure everyone will be eager to hop on board.
Eating Sardines
One man swears by the value proposition offered by canned sardines, and well, who am I to argue with this kind of unhinged enthusiasm? “Sardines are a powerhouse meal loaded with omega 3-6 DHA, protein, bone marrow, fish oil, and low mercury levels,” reveals one man. “They’re good for the heart and only $1.20 a can, so get them and eat them while you can!” Sure, that’s all well and good, but how do they taste?
Eating Spam
This Hawaiian delicacy has been slowly increasing in price over the years. From its humble beginnings as a delicious and inexpensive meal for frugal people to becoming popular thanks to social media influencers, many admit they’re close to being unable to afford cans of Spam anymore! That’s quite sad.
Restoring Old Furniture
Not only is restoring old, worn furniture and giving them new leases on life one of the savviest frugal methods, but people are also concerned that money-hungry individuals will ruin it for everyone.
Take one look at your local Facebook Marketplace; you’ll find tons of restored furniture listed at high markups from people who aren’t frugal but would instead make a lot of money by pretending to be frugal.
Thrift Store Shopping
Many frugal people admit they’re worried thrift stores are slowly catching on to the value proposition they bring to the industry. As more people turn to thrift stores to find once-in-a-lifetime finds at shockingly low prices, these finds will be less frequent! It’s simple supply and demand.
Shopping at Aldi Grocery Stores
Some stores sneak under the average person’s radar, leaving frugal people to reap the benefits. ALDI is a perfect example of this phenomenon.
I just recently started shopping for my groceries there and spend nearly half than what I would at my regular grocery store,” one woman confesses. “I know many people shop there, but now I’m hoping it doesn’t become flooded with so many people they jack up their prices.”
Taking Advantage of Estate Sales
Rummaging through an estate sale for fabulous finds has been one of the best-kept secrets of the frugal community for years. But, unfortunately, more people are catching on, making estate sales as ubiquitous as garage sales these days! But, regardless of their exploding popularity, estate sales are still a safe bet for timeless finds – for now.
Military Surplus Thrifting
Times are changing, and finding a great deal at your local military surplus store doesn’t happen as often anymore – you have to dig a little deeper nowadays! “You used to be able to collect all sorts of gear from firearms, tents, clothes, helmets, backpacks, cases, tools, and knives for super cheap,” confesses one man.
“That’s almost all gone partly because of collectors and partly because of fewer things being surplused out. Although occasionally, there are still deals to be found.”
Utilizing Libraries
For decades, public libraries have been an invaluable resource for frugal people. Unfortunately, despite offering free best-selling novels and current movies on DVD and Blu-Ray, there is a stigma about libraries from the general public’s standpoint. That’s quite alright with frugal people; they’re glad they have libraries all to themselves!
Eating at Costco
If anything ever happens to the fantastic food deals found at Costco, I will scream. I fully expect cheap hot dogs, chicken bakes, and pizza to be a part of my frugal life until the end of time. I hope nobody ruins this deal for everyone.
Buying Rotisserie Chicken
These chickens have been the best deals at warehouse clubs and supermarkets for years, but many fear the secret is out! “Right now, there are lineups in my warehouse club for them,” says one woman.
“We are talking about a Black Friday-sized lineup near the chicken case. If this continues, they will either raise the price or stop carrying them – or there will be a feeding frenzy, and they will have to keep the chickens locked up.”
Scouring the Clearance Aisle
The secret’s out: Taking advantage of clearance items at big box stores and supermarkets has been steadily increasing in popularity. “In the past, not too many people would even bother to look at a clearance sale in grocery stores or Walmart because of quality concerns, but lately, I’ve seen a heavy increase of many people taking advantage of clearance sales.”
Credit Card Rewards
Logic says that credit card companies can only afford to reward customers for spending a lot of money if only a tiny segment of the population utilizes these programs.
So naturally, frugal people admit to fearing when too many people enroll in credit card rewards programs. Consequently, credit card companies would theoretically realize that it’s no longer an intelligent proposition business-wise.
15 Bizarre Items That People Bought and Sold on eBay
We all have an eBay account, but who still uses the platform? Traditionally, eBay was the go-to website to sell and buy used items. Now, there are many marketplaces for second-hand items, but eBay is the place where weirdness abounds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on eBay? I can bet it wasn’t as weird as some of these items.
15 Activities Now Out of Reach Amid Economic Price Surge
In this era of profound social division and discord, one thing everyone can agree on is worsening conditions for healthy personal finance. Whether it’s the dream of homeownership, the goal of building a robust investment portfolio, or simply affording necessities like food, individuals across the spectrum struggle to overcome the decline in their financial well-being due to economic changes.
15 Smart Tips for Living Well on a Strict Budget
In today’s economy, strict budgeting has become a reality for many, sometimes involuntarily. With fast fashion and rapidly changing trends, temptations are on the rise. Mastering a budgeting mindset can empower a person to manage their finances responsibly. It’s a step towards achieving self-fulfillment while leaving room for some fun.
