Extreme savers take penny-pinching to a new level, skipping things most consider essential or, at least, worth their cost. While saving money is a smart money more, some of these choices might leave even the thriftiest shaking their heads. Here are 15 things extreme misers refuse to buy, no matter how much sense they make to the rest of us.
Brand Name Products
If there’s a cheaper, off-brand version of something, a miser will grab it without hesitation. Forget the quality or reputation of big names like Nike or Apple. In their eyes, paying for a logo is nothing short of ridiculous. Why spend $5 for Heinz ketchup when the store brand is $1? To them, it’s all the same anyway.
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Bottled Water
Paying for water is a no-go. Extreme savers see bottled water as overpriced tap water with fancy packaging. They’ll stick to reusable bottles, filling them up at home—or maybe even from a public fountain. To them, the idea of paying $2 for something free feels like throwing money into the trash.
Pre-Packaged Food
Convenience meals come with a premium price tag, and hardcore savers don’t fall for it. Pre-sliced fruit, pre-cooked meals, or individually wrapped snacks? Nope. They’d rather buy raw ingredients in bulk and make everything from scratch. It will take more time, but saving money wins every time.
Coffee Shop Beverages
Misers don’t get the $5 latte craze. They’d rather brew coffee at home for pennies. If they’re carrying a to-go cup, it’s filled with their own coffee. For them, spending money on overpriced coffee just doesn’t make sense.
New Clothes
Buying brand new clothes is practically a sin to an extremely frugal person. Thrift stores, hand-me-downs, and clearance sales are their go-to sources. If they can patch it up, sew it back together, or repurpose it, they won’t add to their wardrobe unnecessarily.
Holiday Decorations
Seasonal decor is seen as a waste of money and storage space. Misers would rather make DIY decorations from recycled materials or skip them altogether. They’ll avoid buying a blow-up Santa or string of lights, labeling it as frivolous and impractical.
Cable TV
Why pay for cable when you can get free content online? Misers rely on streaming services—preferably free ones—or even an old-fashioned antenna for free local channels. Shelling out $60+ for something they can live without is a big “no.”
Greeting Cards
Spending $5 on a birthday or anniversary card? Not a chance. Misers prefer to make their own or skip it altogether, seeing store-bought cards as a waste since they’ll just get tossed. To them, a handwritten note or email is just as thoughtful and way more practical.
Gym Memberships
Why pay monthly for something you can do for free? Misers believe in running outside, lifting household items as weights, or following free workout videos online. To them, a gym membership is an unnecessary expense for the same sweat and struggle they could get at home.
Paper Towels
Spending cash on something disposable drives extreme misers nuts. Instead of paper towels, they use reusable cloth rags. Why fork out money for something you’ll throw away after a single use? To them, that’s wasteful on every level.
New Furniture
Extreme misers avoid buying new furniture. They prefer picking up secondhand finds from thrift stores, garage sales, or even the curb. While others splurge on a new sofa, misers will reupholster an old one for much less.
Fancy Cleaning Products
Misers skip the fancy name-brand cleaners and stick to simple, cheap options like vinegar, baking soda, or generic dish soap. They’re not spending extra on products with bold promises—that’s just not their style.
Extended Warranties
Misers see extended warranties as a waste of money. They’d rather risk repairs or replacements later. To them, it’s just another way for companies to take more of your cash.
Fresh Flowers
$30 for something that’ll wilt in a week? No thanks. Frugal people find fresh-cut flowers to be a waste of money. If they must give flowers, they’ll pick them from their garden or opt for a potted plant that lasts much longer.
Restaurant Drinks
Extreme misers never order drinks at restaurants—it’s an easy way to double the bill. Water is free, and that’s all they need. Soda, wine, or cocktails? No chance. They’ll sip at home before or after to save the extra cash.
Finding the Balance
Extreme misers may go overboard, but their habits hold some useful lessons. Cutting unnecessary expenses can free up money for what really matters. But giving up practical comforts just to save a few cents? That’s probably too much. Smart spending is all about finding the right balance without losing your happiness—or your mind.
I’m Frugal, But I’m Happy To Spend Money on These 15 Things
When living a frugal lifestyle, spending money wisely is key. It’s easy to assume frugality means avoiding all unnecessary expenses, but that’s not the case. Instead, frugal people are willing to spend money on the things that matter most to them. Here are 15 things I’m happy to spend more money on because they are important to me and align with my values.
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9 Crazy Simple Hacks Frugal People Swear By
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