Money Saving Habits That Aren’t Worth It.
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One of my favorite activities is hitting thrift shops, estate sales & FB marketplace for treasures. Recently, I had a BIG load of things to donate. While I was there, I made the mistake of going inside just to check things out. Long story short, I discovered a cabinet that I couldn’t live without and I had to rent a trailer to get back home. I’ll probably (definitely) do it again. Anyway, as much as I love a bargain, there are some frugal habits that just aren’t worth it:
Bulk purchases. If it’s going to expire, rot, or if you will likely die before you can finish it, you’re not actually saving money. Split bulk purchases with a friend if you just can't resist the temptation of Costco (and who could blame you).
DIY overload. By the time you get the supplies and spend hours googling how to do it, you’ve likely invested just as much as you would have paid a professional. And that is doubly true if you mess it up and have to make adjustments. A project here or there is reasonable, but know when to leave it to the pros.
Certain second hand purchases. Car seats, helmets, cribs & personal hygiene products are just not safe to buy used. Also, be extra careful to check electrical cords for wear and remember that some older dishes and cookware contain lead. Personal safety should always come first.
Hanging on to things. I just did a major closet purge. During that process, I discovered that I had multiples of nearly identical items because I had held on to so much that I couldn't even see what I owned. It’s tempting to hang on to things because you “might” use it someday, or because you think you will sell it (guilty!). But in the long run, you end up not even using half the stuff you have, not to mention the emotional load of clutter and chaos.
We admire a solid effort to reduce unnecessary spending, but sometimes the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Are there “money saving” hacks you have given up on because you realized you weren’t actually saving money? What about hacks that DO save money, but aren’t worth the extra time / effort / mental load it costs? Let us know in the comments!
