15 Things Frugal People Never Spend Money On

Summary

The presenters argue that frugality is about spending intentionally—not avoiding all spending. Their 15 habits focus on reducing waste, avoiding unplanned purchases, and directing money toward existing priorities.

1. Avoid window shopping. Browsing can expose you to purchases you never planned to make.
2. Compare prices. Check multiple retailers before buying; Amazon is not always the cheapest. A few minutes of comparison may save hundreds of dollars.
3. Avoid paying retail when possible. Consider secondhand options such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, consignment and thrift stores, and estate sales.
4. Use clearance strategically. Check clearance sections and shop after holidays for seasonal goods. Discounts may deepen if you wait 7–10 days after the holiday. Some holiday-colored items can also be used for other occasions.
5. Don’t buy something just because it’s on sale. A sale does not create a need. Research first, and buy only if the item is something you already need or want.
6. Limit daily coffee-shop purchases. The presenters estimate that buying coffee on the way to work could cost more than $700 a year. They make premium coffee at home and use a thermos, which they say keeps it warm for up to 8 hours.
7. Plan restaurant meals. Unplanned takeout and dining out can add up. Set the occasion, restaurant, budget, and order in advance. The presenters say the Too Good To Go app can offer food at 75% off retail.
8. Reduce food waste. They cite an EPA estimate of about $728 per person in food waste, or more than $2,000 a year for a family of four.
9. Check household food inventory before shopping. Keep current refrigerator, pantry, and freezer inventories to avoid buying duplicates and identify meals you can make from what you already have.
10. Avoid buying new cars when a used one will do. Keep a car until repair costs outweigh its value, then consider a quality used replacement to avoid new-car depreciation. Start saving for the next car immediately after buying one, with the goal of paying cash rather than borrowing.
11. Don’t leave gift shopping until the last minute. Keep a list of gift ideas based on people’s interests, shop sales and secondhand sources, and track where gifts are stored.
12. Repair items before replacing them. Search online for repair instructions and parts before deciding a broken item must be replaced.
13. Question convenience spending. Compare the full cost—including delivery fees and recurring charges—with doing the task yourself. For meal kits such as HelloFresh, the presenters say costs can reach about $400 a month. They recommend checking whether you can prepare similar meals from scratch in roughly the same time.
14. Cancel subscriptions you don’t use. The presenters cite a study saying 50% of Americans cannot list all their subscriptions. They recommend auditing subscriptions twice a year, checking usage, and multiplying the monthly cost by 12 to understand the annual expense.
15. Resist upgrades and lifestyle inflation. Don’t replace a working phone or other item just because a newer model is available, and don’t automatically increase spending when income rises. Direct raises toward goals already in progress rather than adding new expenses.

Frameworks and Recommendations

• Before a purchase: Research options, compare prices, and confirm the purchase fits your needs and priorities.
• For groceries: Inventory perishables, pantry items, and freezer contents; plan meals around items with the shortest shelf life; then shop for what is missing.
• For recurring expenses: Review every subscription, its monthly cost, and its annual cost twice a year. Cancel anything unused or not worth the price.
• For major purchases and raises: Save toward the next car after buying one, and allocate raises to existing financial goals instead of increasing lifestyle spending.

The presenters’ central caution is that small recurring or convenience-driven expenses can become substantial over time. They give examples but do not provide market or investment advice. No “not financial advice” disclaimer appears in the subtitles.

Presenters and Sources

The presenters are Hope and Larry of Under the Median. They cite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for food-waste costs and refer to an unnamed study on subscription awareness. The video also promotes the Budget Systems Blueprint and Too Good To Go. The video description discloses that some links may be affiliate links.