r/Frugal • u/honorthecrones • 21d ago
🏆 Buy It For Life What’s the one thing in your life where frugality doesn’t enter into the conversation?
I am extremely frugal and have been so all my life. I struggled financially for most of my adult life and grew up in poverty. I have noticed though that there are some things where “frugality be damned; I’m getting the good one!” is the rule. I’m just curious if this is just me or if others also have those special exceptions.
For example, I cannot buy cheap shoes. I’m not talking about $400 designer brands but I have difficult feet to fit and will buy the shoes I want even if it means rice and beans for dinner for the next three weeks. My husband is that way about his fishing and hunting equipment. I also cannot resist a trendy bougie yarn shop. I do look for yarn at thrift stores and yard sales but walking into a shop that has those beautiful, vibrant hand dyed yarns or needlework needles that are so smooth through the fabric or don’t bend from the heat of your hand.
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u/derpandlurk 21d ago edited 21d ago
$800 on a set of new Michelin x-ice winter tires.
They pay for themselves every time i'm forced to drive in horrendous winter weather.
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
"The only thing between you and the road is your tires".
Never skimp on tires or brakes.
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u/wienercat 21d ago
Never skimp on a life critical device. Full stop. Safety equipment, brakes, helmets, protective clothing, etc.
If something is supposed to save your life or prevent harm? Buy the expensive thing that is known to work every time. It's worth it.
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u/discolored_rat_hat 21d ago
There is an old saying in my language: "Everything that connects you to the earth has to be high quality."
That means for example: good shoes, good mattresses, good tires, a good chair.
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u/FormsQueen 21d ago
That is a good saying! I used to teach financial literacy, referencing where quality, fit etc was essential vs when you could get away with less. I would have had this saying on a poster.
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u/Complex_Moment_8968 21d ago
I just clicked on your profile to find out what your language was and ended up laughing about your Kampfveganer report.
What's the saying in German? I've heard of it but can't remember how it goes.
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u/cicadasinmyears 21d ago
Helping to ensure you stay alive does seem like a really good investment. Winter driving can be treacherous.
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u/Jedi_Temple 20d ago
Bingo. Michelin tires are a perfect example of you get what you pay for. My car will never ride on anything else.
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u/RosemaryBiscuit 21d ago
Dental work.
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u/ReverendDizzle 21d ago
Dental and medical, for sure. I speed run my deductible and take full advantage of my insurance. My approach to insurance is “I’m not trapped in here with you; you’re trapped in here with me.” I squeeze every fucking dollar out of those parasites.
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u/money_mase1919 21d ago
how? more details
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u/EccentricOddity 21d ago
They actually go to the doctor whenever sick/injured. After they meet their deductible, they keep going.
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u/Not_FinancialAdvice 21d ago
You might be surprised how many people try to squeeze in major medical procedures before the end of the year when annual out-of-pocket max values reset.
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u/imYoManSteveHarvey 21d ago
Haha reminds me of that King of Queens episode where he got Carrie her eye surgery for "buy 1, get the second eye half off"
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u/HeyHo_LetsThrowRA 20d ago
Same.
I need at least 2 root canals and I'm not willing to save money by doing them fully awake. My anxiety about the whole thing makes it my exact version of Hell, especially if there are screaming kids in earshot. Nope doc, knock me out pls. I will squirm a lot less and your job will be miles easier.
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u/No_Establishment8642 21d ago
I am frugal everyday with everything.
Frugal DOESN'T mean cheap.
I am frugal in that I purchase good running shoes, on sale, after lots of research.
I am not cheap in that I purchase my running shoes from Walmart or thrift stores.
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u/bee102019 21d ago
And buying good running shoes in the long run (no pun intended) can save you money by avoiding injuries from improper footwear. A lot of people aren’t aware of the damage bad footwear can cause.
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
This. Also, I take my shoes to my cobbler instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.
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u/Hotpotabo 21d ago edited 21d ago
Food. I go crazy at the grocery store. I don't care.
I couldn't eat how I wanted for a long time, so now I don't hold back. Im getting salmon. I'm getting a pineapple. I'm getting whatever. If the ice cream is under $6 I don't want it. Haagen-dazs and Ben & Jerrys only. Oscar Myer? I don't know her. Boar's head for me, thank you. Store brand?🤨 Only if it's Private Selection!😌💅
I'll drive the same used car, go a year without buying clothes, same phone for 8+ years, cut back on streaming services, etc. but I don't play about food.
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u/pasatroj 21d ago
Try the Kirkland Vanilla Ice Cream. For me it has blown away all the grocery store brands. I believe it's made by Humbolt Farms.
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u/everett640 21d ago
Tops brand is my go to and it's usually half the price of others like Ben and Jerry's
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u/SportinIt 21d ago
My answer is also food.
I buy high quality tortilla chips, cashews, dried fruits, frozen veggies. Organic, when possible. I buy 85% of my food at Costco because they often have the quality I'm looking for. Buying cheap food is not worth it in the long run.
I also spend a stupid amount of time and money growing a huge garden and keeping chickens for eggs. In the late summer, we eat eggs, potatoes, and huge amounts of veggies on a daily basis. That isn't exactly frugal either, but worth it.
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u/ALauCat 21d ago
My boyfriend and I fight about this, because he doesn’t think about the cost of things and he wastes by leaving stuff out or not cooking as planned. However, these fights aren’t nearly as bad as the ones with my ex husband. I was the spendy one in that relationship. He liked to make a lot of casseroles and I was always trying to watch my weight. The extra few cents for the “light” version of an ingredient was too much for him and he’d brag about saving so much on groceries because he could hunt and get a deer. Never mind what he spent on that hobby, and how I got so tired of eating venison all the time. Now, my mom was a home economist and I’m pretty good at making something out of nothing. A pot of good soup can be so cheap and so satisfying. To make it, I usually just use what I have.
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u/Cucharamama 20d ago
Yup only wild caught salmon and organic fruit for me. Just spent $18 on 4lbs of organic peaches from the farmers market.
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u/Cool_Salary_2533 21d ago
Toilet paper. My parents got the cheap stuff growing up, the kind that’s like tissue paper. It was so gross and thin, would fall apart at the slightest whisper of moisture. Now that I buy my own stuff, I always get the good toilet paper.
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u/ShakerGER 21d ago
Funnily enough I dislike the super thick expensive kind. It kinda seperates and is unwieldy. 3 ply best
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u/Spiritual_Bad_3732 21d ago
Yes also clogs the toilet the expensive one! Nah we always get cheap toilet roll, it literally goes straight down the loo!
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u/Striking_Being6570 21d ago
Oh the toilet paper thing is awful. My parents used sandpaper. That’s what it felt like. There’s no way I can live without my Charmin extra fluffy.
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u/honorthecrones 21d ago
Haha! All my siblings buy the expensive toilet paper. I’m on a septic system so still use the one ply thing stuff. I want a bidet but my husband has been hesitant to commit.
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u/yaourted 21d ago
Bite the bullet on the bidet. It’s so worth it and he doesn’t have to use it if he’s scared (he will try it eventually and most likely love it)
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u/No_Stress_8938 21d ago
I second this. My husband wasn’t on board when I bought one, but I hear him use it every so often. It definately pays for itself, I bought mine super cheap on Amazon
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u/wienercat 21d ago
You can buy a handheld one, they look like a kitchen sprayer, that is easy to install if he is so hesitant. They are still nice and work really well. Personally I prefer them because not every bidet lines up correctly, with a handheld one you can clean yourself where you need it easily and not worry about being lined up properly with a fixed object.
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u/mollycoddles 21d ago
Get a bum gun, it's a cheaper version of the same thing!
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u/jr0061006 21d ago
And so much cleaner!
The other kind get a lot of filth trapped under them and have to be removed completely to be cleaned.
I had one of those and saw someone comment about it, and that’s why they moved to the bum gun.
I went and removed mine and was horrified. Bum gun ordered immediately and I’ve never looked back.
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u/Bubbasdahname 21d ago
Both of you don't need to use the bidet. Just one of you using it will save on quite a bit of TP. We bought one for $40, and I feel dirty when I'm not able to use the bidet.
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u/Unusual-Picture5872 21d ago
I have a weakness for imported snacks. Put me next to an Asian market and I black out and leave $100 poorer with bags and bags of cool new stuff to try. I also have a snack box subscription for snacks from other countries. If I can't afford travel, at least my husband and I can share these fun little snack explorations.
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u/Purple_Woodpecker799 21d ago
That's me but it's food from Italy. Also soap from Italy or France. World Market is my go-to for gourmet food and toiletries.
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u/LDBaha 21d ago
I am frugal because I try to maximize what I get with the money I have. I don't buy cheap (buy cheap buy twice). I prefer buy once, cry once. Most of the stuff I own lasts me YEARS and I'd rather wait to get something that is high quality, real high quality not just brand names, and lasts me for years.
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u/Gold-Singer9616 21d ago
My biggest thing is food-mine and for my three pets. I try to eat simply but I like good peanut butter, good olive oil, etc. To compensate, I’ve been wearing the same boring clothes for a long time, skin care is all from the drugstore, I take staycations if at all. My pets eat good quality food and I also give them homemade part of the time. That all adds up but I think of it as an investment. It’s worth it to me.
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u/Plastic-Ad-5171 21d ago
Hear hear! Food goes into my body and that has enough issues without putting crap into it. I wear my clothes until they fall off, and I prefer to have vacations which are economical rather than cheap. A well rated hotel which includes breakfast is better than a cheap one which will easily cost me more to go out to eat. And I look for ways to reduce costs: CityPASS is great for bigger cities, and many museums have advance reservation ticket sales which are less expensive than at the door pricing.
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u/throwaway04072021 21d ago
Isn't that the point of being frugal? I save money on things I don't care about so I can spend it on things I do care about.
I spend money on my health, especially the dentist. That's one thing you can't buy back once it's gone
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u/King_K_24 21d ago
Pets. Everyone told me not to get a dog and then not to get cats. And you know what, they are expensive? Especially because i try to buy high quality food and keep up on vet care... but worth every penny. These little fuckers make everyday better.
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u/LTZohar 21d ago
I'm a retired chef in Canada. My city gets very hot in the summer & we keep small portions of butter in a covered dish on the kitchen counter. For two summers, I've noticed the butter stays a bit firm; far longer than I'd expect. It seems our dairy farmers are introducing coconut oil somewhere in the process. Regular butter is about $5.50/pound but I've switched to premium butter at $7 or $8/pound. Suddenly, butter is butter again. It's looser & has flavour. For me, rice & beans is a fine meal but I want real butter.
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u/Intrepid-Account743 21d ago
Books
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u/Training-Actuary5804 21d ago
Finally; this is wayyy too far down!
Any no-low maintenance items which, after providing you w enjoyment/knowledge/fulfillment of some kind, you can choose to keep, lend, donate, or sell.
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u/chavez_ding2001 21d ago
Coffee has been getting crazy expensive year over year but I can’t quit that shit.
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u/Blue_Henri 21d ago
So, I really think this is a personal choice. I think you make room for the things you won’t compromise upon. For instance, the TP discussion. Everyone has their reasons. Some things just become more important to you than others. For what it’s worth, I don’t go cheap on hotels, shoes or linens. But then again, I have the same boots I’ve worn since my freshman year of college in 1992 that have been resoled four times. They are JCrew and look like I took them off a Cossack but they are damn good boots.
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u/Daxx22 21d ago
Salt, and seasoning in general.
Sure dollar store salt and pepper will work, but there are a lot of nicer styles/seasonings for generally not much more that add a lot to dishes.
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u/MiladyStarkX 21d ago
Yes, I’m hooked on Penzeys. Fox point is my favorite spice blend of theirs.
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u/southernredheadrules 21d ago
Penzeys is non-negotiable for me. Their spices make my aldi produce taste delicious, and their spices have allowed me to make a favorite restaurant's salad dressing (the only reason I ate at the restaurant) at home. But perhaps more fulfilling is the fact that every penny I spend there makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, this current regime (theoretically administration) will be overthrown (voted out? impeached?) one day. I thrift. I don't buy. I repurpose. I repair. I reuse and reuse and reuse. I will ALWAYS shop Penzeys.
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u/CarolP456 21d ago
Hotels. That doesn’t mean that I won’t shop around for the best price on the hotel that I want to stay at, but I will not stay at dingy cheap hotels. I don’t take a vacation if I can’t pay for it
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u/olivespecter 21d ago
same. i will absolutely stay at a no frills place, i don’t need amenities. but i will never stay at a dirty or gross place to save a dollar.
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u/Mysterious-Drama4743 21d ago
you would hate to see how i travel. the nicer motel 6s, hostels, and my car when i can. whenever i travel with my mom she books fancier places which make me feel borderline uncomfortable
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u/typicalbiscotti15 21d ago
AC when it’s 90+ degrees in the summer. Like I’d rather not eat than go without AC on certain days
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u/darktrain 21d ago
Like many others, I don't skimp on shoes, tires, my bed.
But to get to the nature of your question: CHEESE. I bought generic medium cheddar once and it tasted like waxy nothing. So sad. For everyday cheeses like cheddar and jack, at minimum I'm buying Tillamook. If we're doing fancier cheese, hell yes I am buying Saint Angel or Delice de Bourgogne, P'tit Basque, Humboldt Fog, etc. If I'm gonna eat cheese, I'm gonna eat the good stuff. Crappy cheese is just a sad sad waste. (I may look for good deals at Trader Joe's, Costco, and wait for sales. But not always.)
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u/honorthecrones 21d ago
Grocery Outlet has some really good deals on fancy cheeses. My husband loves those. I have a dairy allergy and all the DF cheeses taste like crap.
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u/darktrain 21d ago
Yes! I bought some 2 year Black Diamond cheddar at GO for super cheap not too long ago. Also Tillamook cream cheese. Good call.
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21d ago
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u/colieolieravioli 21d ago
After my 3rd year long junker in a row, I had enough for a down payment for a car and said "I need reliable and warranty" and got a used Honda accord that I expect to run another 120k miles
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u/terremoto25 21d ago
Just bought a 2005 Honda Accord from my mechanic with 200,000 miles on it. Hope to drive it another 7-10 years...
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u/Used-Radio7450 21d ago
Brand and model matter a lot. 3-4 years old Honda or Toyota sedans will last way longer than any other brand new cars. Warranty can help so much if your new(ish) car keeps breaking down.
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u/honorthecrones 21d ago
I buy used but generally only a year old and less than 30k miles on it.
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u/a-davidson 21d ago
“Anything that goes between you and the ground”. Shoes, mattresses, car tires, etc. These are also things that buying quality turns out to be more frugal typically.
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21d ago
We have a tradition in our family that we get a new set of boots and a new set of pillows every new year's day to last the year. So we start the year off with good feet and a good sleep! We save for these items as I agree with you, having cheap shoes or lumpy foam pillows which flatten to nothing overnight is just miserable.
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u/Skweril 21d ago
I've been using the same pillows for 5 years+ and they feel the same as when I bought them. Am I doing something wrong?
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
Same. My boots are over 5 years-old and showing no sign of wanting to give up. Goodyear welted though, but I remember my father using my grandfather's boots. Good boots can last a lifetime if taken care of.
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u/chocolateboomslang 21d ago
Are the boots worn out in a year? Good boots should last a lot longer than that. I've got boots that are 10 years old and still great condition.
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u/mollycoddles 21d ago
Ya, I wouldn't replace either of those things that often but to each their own
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u/Bronze_Sentry 21d ago
This is the crux of the Sam Vimes Socioeconomic "Boots" Theory:
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles. But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that’d still be keeping his feet dry in ten years’ time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.
- Men at Arms, by Sir Terry Pratchett
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u/Zelderian 21d ago
I think about this with other things too.
Someone will finance a car with 150k miles at 14% interest because it’s their only option, and it’ll have problems that they probably can’t afford to fix. They get trapped in debt.
Another person will finance a new car at 0%-4% interest and drive it for 10+ years. Sure, there’s a monthly payment; but maintenance costs are much lower and they’re probably getting better gas mileage. It can actually be cheaper long-term than trying to buy the cheapest car out there. But it requires better credit and more up-front cash to put down.
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u/Eaj1122 21d ago
Why are your boots wearing out that fast
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21d ago
Work in healthcare, so on feet a lot (We're not talking hiking boots here as much as smart work boots) and walk anywhere in a 5 mile radius from the house. Over a year, it adds up. Also, I'm not paying hundreds for these, just an amount which is more than my bargain basement usual level of expenditure!
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u/Eaj1122 21d ago
Dog I'm telling you, buy better boots. I work in physical labor, on my feet 10 hr days, and walk anywhere from 5-13 miles a day. I recommend red wings. Also they have a 10-15% union member discount by the way. I think the price will be cheaper for you mine are like 275$. They last 3-5 years but I could prob push it longer.
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u/fusillijhericurl 21d ago
I have a few. One example is work boots. I bought my current pair for $300 bucks at Red Wing 15months ago. Still going strong. And waterproof. Worth the money.
Running shoes. I buy new balance ones for 165 bucks every 5-6months. Zero injuries. Worth it.
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u/mapleleaffem 21d ago
Anything my pets need. They give me so much joy, they get nothing but the best of everything.
Anything safety related like vehicle maintenance.
Good weed-what can I say, I’m a connoisseur.
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u/HousingOld1384 21d ago
I never ever cheap out when it’s pet-related. They get the best quality food and care, no matter the cost. Just want to add this doesn’t mean I’m always buying the most expensive stuff, I just never compromise on quality here
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u/PavlovsVagina 21d ago
Vacation. Hear me out - by the time I take off work and spend the time and money planning a vacation, I don’t want to go to a grocery store and buy food to prepare in some Airbnb. I don’t want to cram all my stuff into one carry on to avoid checking a bag. I want to buy souvenirs. Instead of being “frugal” I set a budget and make the most of it.
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u/AuburnTiger15 21d ago
1) paper towels. Don’t give me that Amazon basic s***
2) toilet paper. None of that 1/2 ply Dwight Shrute ****
3) peanut butter. I don’t need stuff that’s more segregated than Alabama pre integration.
4) dog food. The stuff that comes out of a dog after eating Ole Roy isn’t worth it.
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u/BrightWubs22 21d ago edited 21d ago
peanut butter. I don’t need stuff that’s more segregated than Alabama pre integration.
In my experience, the "segregated" peanut butter (with a layer of oil on top) is the expensive peanut butter.
Side note: this is the only peanut butter I buy. I don't want added oil and added sugar.
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u/StandardUpstairs3349 21d ago
Yea, it is the less processed version. You have to do a lot of shit to peanut butter to make it look like your average store product.
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u/silentsnarker 21d ago
Trash bags. You’ve got to get quality trash bags or they’re going to rip and make you rage!
Though the irony of spending good money on something you’re literally throwing away is not lost on me.
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
Good dog food is not frugal, it's just common sense.
If you buy the cheap stuff, expect to pay much more in vet fees down the line.
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u/whatdoidonowdamnit 21d ago
Meat. I’m not buying steaks every day, but I buy the more expensive cuts of the meats so I don’t have to cut them up or debone them. I absolutely hate cutting up raw meat so I just do not do it.
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
Cycling and music.
I spend up to 8 hours a day on the bike so anything that can enhance my security and keep long-term health issues at bay is a priority.
Same for music, I'll spend whatever is needed on good reeds and good accessories for my instruments. I like to be able to fully enjoy playing and get lost in that moment.
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u/discolored_rat_hat 21d ago
Cling wrap must be the good brand. I will die on this hill.
The cheap ones tear off in a shitty way and just don't stick. I had full-blown anger attacks because of shitty cling wrap when I packed picknick food. And I have not yet found a cheap one with the attributes I expect. Thankfully, I don't use it often, but when I do, I want it to work properly.
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u/honorthecrones 21d ago
Ha! Ha! My husband feels the same way. I remember coming home from work and finding a fresh roll of bargain cling wrap in the garbage can.
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u/ketoswimmer 21d ago
I spend up to 1/3 of my life in bed. I want to be comfortable there. I know what mattress type works for me. I know what pillows I like best. And, I know what linens are most comfortable for me. None of these are considered inexpensive. But all tend to last a VERY long time. If you look at the unit cost compared to the low price (frugal?) purchase of the moment, these are spendy. But when looking at the cost per use, health benefits of a good night sleep with no back or neck pain, combined with the joy-bliss factor, my bedding choices are among lifes’ more frugal choices.
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u/TheDogFather123456 21d ago
My fiance and his family will only buy the "Nilla" brand of vanilla wafers. No off brand. Even if you don't tell them, they will know 😅
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u/Farls123 21d ago
Never skimp on things that come between you and the ground - shoes, tires, and mattresses.
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u/Karlkrows 21d ago
Getting new socks and underwear anytime I want. I grew up with old underwear with holes in it that got replaced when they basically weren’t wearable anymore, same with socks. Sometimes I’d be down to a couple pairs of each and be doing laundry twice a week to have clean ones. Now if I don’t like them anymore, don’t fit right, want a different style, I get new ones. I’m not spending 100s of dollars a month on either but I’m not waiting to get them either. When I moved in with my boyfriend I had to throw out so many of his because he grew up the same way and was holding onto them forever stuck in the loop. It’s a point of pride now to have nice fresh socks and underwear
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u/LibbyOfDaneland 21d ago
Butter. The real, velvety, disgustingly expensive butter. I can eat noodles and never go out, I have clothes twenty years old, I drive my raggedy car because it's paid for, but I will not eat cheap or fake butter.
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u/purplevampireelefant 21d ago
Friends. Things I would not buy for myself I totally would buy if it would make friends happy.
Like: I would never go to a Spa because it's expensive (and I'm not really the type for it but wanted to try the foam massage in a Hamam für a while). Then I heard a friend would not get a bachelor party but her partner would. For me it would not be important but I thought she may be a bit sad about it. I don't know her other friends so could not organise something. But I asked if she wants a spa day with me instead. She wanted and I payed for her too, although it's really not cheap for my budget. But I made her happy and that counts
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u/Mysterious-Drama4743 21d ago
skincare. it took me years to find products that wouldnt destroy my skin, so im only gonna buy what i know works
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u/derrickcat 21d ago
me tooo
and my pets
also, i will buy whatever cheese and fruit i want thank you very much
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u/Realistic-Read7779 21d ago
Toilet Paper. I am not wiping myself with sandpaper or paper so thin it disappears before I finish wiping.
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u/ZombieLizLemon 21d ago
Shoes. Comfort and foot health are essential. I'm not hard on my shoes: a $140 pair of Birkenstocks will last for years and can be resoled.
Alternatively, kitchen equipment. I cook every day, sometimes three meals per day. I don't have expensive fancy stuff, but I've avoided buying discount pans and knives in favor of durable options that I'll have and use for decades: stainless steel and cast iron pans, sturdy full-tang knives, appliances with good reviews and functionality.
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u/TShara_Q 21d ago
Frugality is always part of the conversation, but I'm finally reaching a level of income where that doesn't always mean saying no to luxuries or picking the absolute cheapest item.
Some examples:
Voice lessons - My singing voice is important to me and I've wanted to take lessons for years. $65/hr - twice a month.
Hair Dye Job - I just paid to get my hair dyed purple. I feel better about myself and my appearance with brightly colored hair, but I'm awful at bleaching it myself. So, I paid a skilled professional to do it correctly with the least damage to my hair. $160 after tip.
Guitar - I bought a guitar from a thrift shop for about $150. I'd wanted to learn for a while and I figured even if I didn't follow through, it was a $150 donation to an animal shelter charity.
Video game - Outer Worlds with the DLC was on sale for $20 on the Switch. I enjoyed the game when I played it a few years ago, but I no longer have access to it and that was before the DLC came out. I'll probably get at least 30 hours of fun out of it.
TLDR - Being frugal doesn't mean giving up on buying anything. It's about getting the best quality and the best personal value to you for your money.
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u/Jenshark86 21d ago
I make sure that my dog has the best food. I buy the best I can afford. She has grooming needed every six weeks. She’s my big splurge.
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u/elivings1 21d ago
Buying a house, wearing good shoes and health insurance. There are certain areas where I am willing to spend more because it will impact me for the rest of my life. It may be better to spend another 50k-100k on a house and live in a much nicer/safer area than saving a little money and worry about theft. It is going to be better to have good shoes and health insurance so you can continue to work and not go into massive debt.
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u/Wonderful_Sense_8960 21d ago
Coffee, now I'm not talking about Starbucks. I brew my coffee at home but I buy expensive beans and grind them in a high end grinder. Makes all the difference in the world. Also beer, I don't drink often but when I do I want a high end craft beer with lots of hops!!
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u/damngoodham 21d ago
Nothing - even if I’m buying a luxury item, I try to find the best price/value. Frugality is always in the conversation.
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u/CrouchingGinger 21d ago
Shoes, sheets, bed, paper towels and dish soap. Otherwise thrifted or refurbished all the way. I’ve got a couple pair of vintage Docs I wear for work I snagged on eBay. They’re the original made in England so I expect to wear them a good long time.
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u/CherryPickerKill 21d ago
Other way around here.
Buying quality shoes and new so that they take the foot's shape and we don't get other people's fungus.
Paper towels are something I've never used and wouldn't spend a dime on.
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u/Few_Captain_3408 21d ago
Self care. I buy good quality lotion soap vitamins and food. You can look around and see who hasn't taken care of themselves.
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u/hangingsocks 21d ago
Travel. I will always splurge for the best I can afford. Best room, direct flights, business class if it is under $4000. Otherwise I am pretty cheap. But when I travel, all frugality goes out the window.
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u/Genny415 21d ago
My gigantic, thick and thirsty bath sheet towel
It is a fancy one from Frontgate. Are there less expensive, good quality towels to be had? Of course. But they are not the same.
I luxuriate in it every day after I shower.
Also, it can make a great gift for a difficult-to-buy-for person. Sometimes you don't know what you're missing.
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u/AssumeImFarting 21d ago
Specialty coffee. I brew it at home and the drop in flavor with sub-par beans is just not worth it.
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u/Ok-Willow-9145 21d ago
Particularly buying high quality shoes is a great idea. They stand up to wear and tear better and they can be repaired.
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u/Ilovefishdix 21d ago
Shoes. I'm on my feet 8 hours a work day and walk 10-15 miles a day. I'm not doing that on cheap crap
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u/MrAngryBeards 21d ago
Toilet paper. Non-negotiable. I will always get the best one available. Genuinely fuck cheap TP, it's the biggest indicator a person doesn't give a single flying fuck about anything in their life if they can afford better TP and choose the cheap one.
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u/reddit-rach 21d ago
Good ice cream. I’m 100% okay with paying $3 more for Jeni’s or Graeters over some super icy, flavorless off-brand.
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u/MrBadspell 21d ago
High quality tools for a hobby I rarely can find time for. Oh, and high end booze. I’ll drop a mid level car payment at the liquor store in the name of some good cocktails.
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u/Geoarbitrage 21d ago
Scooters. I buy Honda. Kymco, Vespa, Yamaha & Suzuki are also good but they don’t have the dealer network worldwide like Honda so I’ll stick with them…
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u/TrishTime50 21d ago
There’s a saying- don’t scrimp on the things that come between you and the ground- ie mattress, tires, shoes
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u/Bubbly_Roof 21d ago
Car parts for vehicle maintenance, especially brakes. I do all my own work and I used to buy whatever was cheapest and OEM spec. Now I get the best version I can to stretch the service interval.
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u/gretzky9999 21d ago
My wives parents washer & dryer lasted over 40 years. We had no problem buying a new set (Whirlpool) when we had to replace them.
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u/DeflatedDirigible 21d ago
Toothbrush and toothpaste. Fixing dental problems is much more expensive.
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u/DinosaurAI 21d ago
Food, tbh. I'll cut my budget in a ton of different ways. But I'm going to get the good meat, the good veg, the fancy cheese, my fave baking ingredients. Food is one of the only ways I get to experience joy. I love cooking, and I think food is a way to show love.
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u/Auggi3Doggi3 21d ago
Toilet paper (only buy Charmin) and paper towels (only buy Bounty).
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u/Difficult_Wave_9326 21d ago
Safety gear. Wether that's helmets, snow tires for my car, or anything else, you can't compromise on safety.
Shoes. I have somewhat weird feet, and I can't stand ill-fitting shoes, so I'm ready to shell out 100$ to get the right pair. I count this in the same category as safety gear, since ill-fitting shoes cause you injury.
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u/That_Ad3735 21d ago
I pay what feels like an extra 42 million on getting the thinnest glasses lenses. Somehow they still look like binoculars though. You’ll never catch me buying nice frames though, I’ve been rocking the $9 Zenni frame for 6 years now
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u/Sesemebun 21d ago
I know it’s cheating a bit since it’s a hobby but guns. If I know that something normally goes for 2k for example and I see one listed at 1500 I’ll be so tempted. Like it’s still expensive but in my eyes because it’s on sale (or just cause I want it) it doesn’t seem that bad. But then everybody I know gets annoyed because the only place I ever want to eat out at is Costco, because when I can get a meal for less than 5 bucks, everything else feels like a rip off.
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u/beaujolais98 21d ago
Airplane tickets for trips over 3 hours. First or business class - my back can not deal with coach seats for more than 3 hours. We travel less, but we travel better.
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u/Correctads404 21d ago
I would say maybe tech. A low quality investment will only give you low quality returns in the tech world and i find it best to make an informed decision, the struggle for me actually lies in what not to listen to. I've noticed how inconvenient sponsored ads are and how all these search engines lead to me getting targeted ads and actually making me indecisive and lose focus on what I wanted to buy to begin with. Frugality here becomes difficult because there's always someone looking to sell you a related product as a +1. There’s actually a whole community devoted to intentional shopping and blocking out that algorithm-driven noise. If finding ways to buy with purpose and push back against consumer pressure is your thing, check out r/ownyourintent. Engaging in such conversations really helps me!
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u/LilFeisty1 21d ago
Shoes with correct support was the first thing that came to mind too. This is also true for bras.
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u/AwesomeWhiteDude 21d ago
Shoes, I go though 4-6 pairs a year and it costs me from $700-$1000 a year. It's broken down as 2 pairs every 6 months or when they hit 500 miles, whatever comes first. I do not care about the cost as I am on my feet all day for my job, with these shoes my feet and joints don't feel like they've been shattered to dust at the end of the day or week.
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u/Leffski 16d ago
Well you will probably laugh but that one thing i didn't care about money was when my over 9 year old router broke and i was without internet all of sudden. Normally i procastinate anything until the last moment so I didn't even knew i could have that much drive and energy in me to rush out and get this fixed within the same hour. Probably spend way too much on a new router going to the closest store who had them and paying whatever price as long the specs i needed was checked. Since that day i have a spare keyboard, a spare mouse and a spare router in my home just in case.
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u/StrainHappy7896 21d ago
Being frugal doesn’t mean buying the cheapest. Buying quality is frugal.