Frugality has been part of my life for decades. Not because it’s trendy, not because I enjoy pinching pennies, but because I’ve always believed living well shouldn’t require spending wastefully. Over time, though, I learned a hard truth:
Some frugal habits aren’t frugal at all.
They cost more in time, energy, stress, or even actual dollars than they save.
In my ministry work, travel coaching, and day-to-day life, I’ve met countless people who are trying to be frugal — but sabotaging themselves with bad habits. I’ve done it myself. So today, I want to share the seven habits I dropped and what I replaced them with — along with extra cost-saving strategies I’ve collected from thousands of hours of real-life “frugal hacking.”
Let’s get into it.
1. I Stopped Driving Across Town for Cheap Gas
Back in the day, I treated gas stations like a treasure map. I’d hear about a location selling gas 15–20 cents cheaper, and suddenly it became “worth the drive.”
Except… it wasn’t.
When I finally sat down and did the math — fuel spent getting there, extra miles on my car, and the most significant cost of all: my time — I realized I was losing more than I saved.
What I do now as a Frugal Hacker:
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I combine errands. If I’m already headed that direction, great. But I no longer chase gas like I’m hunting gold nuggets.
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I maintain my car. Proper tire pressure and regular oil changes save more over the year than hunting for cheap gas ever did.
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I avoid unnecessary trips. That alone is a significant money saver.
Bonus Hack:
I use a fuel tracker app — not to drive farther, but to know when my local station is trending down. Convenience + timing beats chasing deals.
2. I Quit Going to Multiple Stores for Tiny Savings
I used to be the king of “store hopping.” One store had cheaper butter, another had cheaper eggs, and another had a sale on fruit.
I’d drive to all three… and then wonder why I was exhausted, and my grocery budget wasn’t budging.
What I do now:
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One store per trip. That’s my rule.
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I rotate stores weekly. Week 1: Aldi. Week 2: Walmart. Week 3: Costco.
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I have a meal plan. This alone saves more than any coupon ever has.
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I use store apps strategically. Not as a treasure hunt, but as a tool — if a weekly sale aligns with my meal plan, great!
Bonus Hack:
When possible, I buy store brands. Over thousands of items and dozens of tests, they almost always perform the same, at 10%–40% less.
3. I Stopped Bulk-Buying Everything
I once bought a giant bulk box of coffee because the per-unit price was lower. You know what wasn’t cheaper? Throwing out half of it because it went stale.
Bulk is good — when you actually use the items before they go bad.
My new rule:
Only bulk-buy items that:
✔ Have a long shelf life
✔ Your family consumes regularly
✔ You have room to store
✔ Won’t spoil (or go stale) too quickly
What I bulk-buy now:
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Toilet paper
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Rice & beans
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Canned goods
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Cleaning supplies
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Pasta
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Paper towels
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Frozen vegetables
Bonus Hack:
I buy whole produce instead of pre-prepped versions. Whole onions, whole lettuce, whole carrots — cheaper, fresher, and they last longer.
4. I Stopped Hand-Washing Everything
I used to think hand-washing dishes was the frugal thing to do. Then I learned that modern dishwashers use far less water than hand-washing.
Plus, I got something even more valuable back: my time.
What I do now:
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If it’s dishwasher-safe, it goes in the dishwasher.
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I only hand-wash delicate items (cast iron, wood, glassware).
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I run full loads to maximize efficiency.
Bonus Hack:
Hot water is one of your most significant energy expenses. Using the dishwasher reduces your hot-water demand compared to extended hand-washing.
That’s frugal, the smart way.
5. I Stopped DIY-ing Projects That Pros Should handle
Listen… I’m all for learning. But there’s a fine line between “DIY smart” and “DIY stubborn.”
The day I tried to replace my own back door — spending an entire weekend, buying tools I’d never use again, and still ending up with a slightly crooked result — I learned the difference.
My rule as a Frugal Hacker:
If a job is:
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Outside my skills
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Time-consuming
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Potentially dangerous
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Likely to require expensive tools
…I hire a professional.
But here’s the frugal part:
I still DIY simple, safe, and easy-to-learn tasks — like fixing a running toilet, patching drywall, or doing basic yard work.
The hack isn’t “never DIY.”
It’s knowing when DIY costs more than it saves.
6. I Quit Saving Every Jar and Box “Just in Case.”
If you’ve ever opened a cabinet and had 14 containers fall out at once… You know this pain.
Saving everything isn’t frugal — it’s clutter pretending to be frugality.
What I do instead now:
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I keep 3–5 high-quality reusable containers.
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I recycle or toss the rest.
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I avoid turning my home into a “future projects museum.”
Bonus Hack:
Less clutter = less stress. And stress costs us far more than a few reusable jars ever save.
7. I Stopped Depriving Myself of Small Joys
This might be the biggest one.
For years, I thought being frugal meant rejecting every small comfort:
Cheap coffee. Cheap shoes. Cheap entertainment. Cheap everything.
But here’s what I realized:
There’s a difference between “cheap living” and “value-driven living.”
My new philosophy:
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Save aggressively on things that don’t matter to me.
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Spend wisely on things that genuinely improve my daily life.
Quality shoes? Worth it.
Better coffee? Worth it.
Time with family? Priceless.
This isn’t reckless spending — it’s intentional investing.
Bonus: The Frugal Hacker’s Toolbox (Quick Tips That Actually Work)
Here are extra hacks I personally use and teach:
✔ Automate savings
Treat savings like a bill. It builds security without discipline battles.
✔ Cancel subscription clutter
Audit monthly. You’ll be shocked at how many auto-charges you forgot about.
✔ Use LED bulbs & unplug “phantom power” devices
Small changes = real utility savings.
✔ Batch cook + freeze extras
Saves money, time, and last-minute “drive-thru emergencies.”
✔ Use community resources
Libraries, free classes, local parks, tool banks — your tax dollars already paid for them.
Final Thoughts — What Frugal Hacking Means to Me
Frugality is not a punishment.
It’s not self-deprivation.
It’s not suffering.
Frugality is a strategy.
A lifestyle of value.
A habit of intentional living.
When you treat frugality as a hackable system, you stop wasting time on habits that don’t save money — and start enjoying the stability real frugality brings.
If you’re ready to live smarter, not harder, start by dropping just one “fake frugal” habit and replacing it with a value-based one.
You’ll feel the difference immediately.
Call to Action: What’s ONE “fake frugal” habit you want me to help you fix?
Comment below or send me a message — I’ll Frugal Hack it for you personally.
Your Free “Frugal Hacker Checklist”
Use this weekly:
✔ Did I plan meals?
✔ Did I audit subscriptions?
✔ Did I avoid unnecessary errands?
✔ Did I run full loads of laundry/dishes?
✔ Did I choose store brands where possible?
✔ Did I avoid buying duplicates?
✔ Did I skip false frugality (driving for deals, hoarding containers)?
✔ Did I invest in at least one life-improving small joy?
