Especially during these times of extreme inflation, we’re all looking to save a few bucks anywhere we can. Whether that means clipping coupons, waiting to make purchases until what we need goes on sale or simply opting to buy less brand-name products, we can all find a few places to cut back. But there is a difference between being frugal and making purchases or decisions that won’t actually help you out in the long run. A great deal can be exciting to find, but only if the product will last just as long or longer than the same thing at full price!
Reddit users have been sharing some situations where it is not worth it to be cheap, so we’ve gathered some of their most spot-on answers down below. From purchasing items that keep you and your loved ones safe to splurging on well-made products that will prevent you from having health problems in the future, be sure to upvote the replies mentioning things you agree never to skimp on. Feel free to let us know in the comments what else you refuse to be too frugal about, and then if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article noting even more “false frugalities” that aren’t worth it in the long run, you can find that right here.
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#1
Your kids. You had them now f*****g support them you cheap prick.
Image source: flamingomike23, Phil Nguyen
#2
Anything where being frugal could impact negatively on your health. I’d rather throw the smelly chicken away than eat it and get sick.
Image source: cvetankaschair, Amanda Mills
#3
Anything that separates you from the ground. IE) Tires, bed, shoes etc
Image source: concerned_coder, luizph
#4
Shoes. Good shoes are important.
Image source: Tomatosouppah, Lukas
#5
A bed. Investing in good bedding will make you less susceptible to getting back pains
Image source: ravenwasrobbed, Ketut Subiyanto
#6
Tattoos. I’d rather overpay for a perfect tattoo than have a bad one for the rest of my life
Image source: FerragamoHussein, u/kittenshateme
#7
My wife likes to buy things on sale and tout how much money she saved.
“I got this purse for 50% off! I saved $50!”
“No, you spent $50.”
She also likes to shop at Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory; basically anywhere the price tag says “compare to $xx.xx” on it.
So this rug costs $89. It says “compare to $139!” on the price tag. OK, yes, $89 is less than $139. Problem is, I have no idea where that $139 number came from.
Image source: OldArmyMetal
#8
Dental care.
Nothing worse than having a tooth f*****g *shatter* because the cheap dentist you went to years ago did the silver fillings (this was mid-2000’s, what the hell?) completely improperly. One of them had a small space under it that just let infection go to town regardless of brushing. Had to get a root canal there. Then having to go and get all the fillings he did redone… Cost way more and was way more painful in the long run.
Go to a well-rated dentist, regardless of cost.
Image source: Ringo_Roadagain, Andrea Piacquadio
#9
Car maintenance. Small things like oil changes and getting your tires rotated and aligned saves wear and tear and fuel costs. Plus, it’s nice to know that couple-few thousand pound hunk of metal you’re piloting at 75 MPH down the road is taken care of.
Image source: pope0476, Andrea Piacquadio
#10
Anything going into your body – oral medication, contact lens etc.
Recently read an article about a guy that wore cheap contact lens he bought from a gas station for a year and is now blind in one eye.
If it’s going into your body (or in your eye!) spend the extra $$ for your health
#11
Toilet paper. Cheap TP just feels like sandpaper.
Image source: blueflameangel, Anna Shvets
#12
People that drive across town to save a couple cents off a gallon of milk [don’t actually save money]
Image source: Alexlam24, AshokaJegroo
#13
Pillows. I bought a good pillow and I’ve never slept better.
Image source: anon, Andrea Piacquadio
#14
For me, food. And I don’t mean going out to eat. I do cook myself, but when I buy meat or fish I usually go to a store I trust and spend a few extra bucks on it.
Image source: anon, José Ignacio Pompé
#15
Eye surgery.
Image source: letkiewiczj
#16
Frugal doesn’t mean cheap. Getting a $300 pair of shoes that lasts you >5 years is frugal. Getting $50 ones that will fall apart after a few months not so much. Ditto with getting good roof shingles, etc.
That being said don’t be frugal on vacation or when you’re having a blast. That’s not to say blow all your money in a night, but don’t miss out on the time of your life because there might be a bargain around the corner.
#17
Contractors to fix something in your home.
Just because someone comes in a few thousand under everyone else quotes you with doesn’t mean their work is equally as good
Image source: FlapJackSam
#18
Car seat. You don’t have to get an expensive one, but if you buy it second hand, you don’t know if it was ever in an accident.
Image source: uncertainhope, Erik Mclean
#19
I knew a guy who bought lottery tickets because if he ever won, “it’d be the smartest investment he could’ve ever made”.
How can you be right and so stupid at the same time?
Image source: SECRETLY_STALKS_YOU
#20
Winter boots and coats. Don’t go too expensive but you really don’t want something falling apart in the middle of winter
Image source: darkphoenix168
#21
*Roofing shingles.*
If you’re replacing your home’s roof, roofing shingles come in all quality grades for duration (10-year, 20-year, 30-year, lifetime, etc.)
Since most of the cost is in the labor, prep and clean-up, it pays to buy the better quality, long-lasting shingles so you don’t have to do the job again. Plus, it’s a selling point when you put the house on the market to have a superior, long-lasting roof.
Image source: Back2Bach, Skylar Kang
#22
It doesn’t pay to cheap out on cooking knives. It’s amazing how much more you enjoy cooking when cutting ingredients isn’t an infuriating process. You can get by with cheaper pots and pans but buying at least one decent chef knife makes a huge difference.
I should say knives are less of a thing to be really cheap about than frugal. You can get some great knives for $25-50. I’m not getting snobby about needing a $500 Japanese steel knife hand forged in a volcano, you just need to find ones that work for you. And pans are more important to the quality of your food but I find many of my friends and family don’t consider a knife as important as the cookware. As others have pointed out a [bad] knife can still be made sharp but I still think it’s well worth spending a little money for a knife that will last and make cooking less frustrating.
Image source: Young_Omni_Man, Airam Dato-on
#23
Clothes. I’m not saying spend more than you can afford, but I think it’s worth it to spend a little more up front on the things you wear a lot (for me, it’s khaki pants and button down shirts), and have basics that last, rather than getting the cheaper stuff and have it c**p out quickly. You wind up spending more in the long run when you buy cheap clothes.
Image source: akanefive, Ylanite Koppens
#24
I always buy really expensive underwear and make up for it by buying really cheap bags of socks. And before you get all excited, I’m a dude and we’re talking boxer briefs. Good underwear is one of those things that can make a difference in how comfortable you are all day long.
Image source: underdabridge, pxhere
#25
Tools.
Image source: anon
#26
The majority of people who coupon [end up spending more]. You’re buying items that you probably didn’t need, won’t use, only because they’re cheaper with a coupon.
Image source: JudgySheebs, Mandy_Jansen
#27
Computer power supplies.
Image source: Aleczarnder, Andre Tan
#28
A suit.
Granted, you don’t have to go spend a couple thousand dollars (though you can, and you’ll notice the difference), but don’t go buy one off the rack at Macy’s. Spend the $600-700 to get a perfectly tailored suit. You will feel so GD confident walking around in that thing, it is absolutely ridiculous.
And beyond that, I tend to spend the money necessary to get a high quality item, if 2 cheaper alternatives are more expensive than one quality one. The idea here being that, if I’m going to have to replace this item because I bought cheap, I’m better off buying one I won’t have to replace.
Things like: clothes racks, umbrellas, kitchen utensils/pans/knives, tools for the house, electronics.
Image source: ChicagoCowboy, Pavel Danilyuk
#29
Musical instruments. Especially if you are a beginner! Good quality helps you play better.
Image source: ConnieConehead
#30
When you start sharing toothbrushes, it doesn’t even save money, they just wear out twice as fast!
Image source: neverdox, Henrik Lagercrantz
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