THE BROKEN WALLET

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Frugal Tips for Beginners 

There was a time when my spending looked good on paper. I wasn’t racking up credit cards or making huge purchases, but I was leaking money—on small things that felt harmless or even “smart.” But the truth is, half the stuff I was buying didn’t make my life better. I just thought it did.

So I started questioning my purchases: What was really adding value, and what was just taking up space?

Here are five things I stopped buying in the name of being frugal, and honestly, I haven’t missed them one bit.

1. Just-in-Case Toiletries

I used to treat CVS like it was going out of business. If toothpaste was on sale, I grabbed one. If there was a new lotion scent, it went in the cart. Backups for my backups. “You never know” was my motto.

But what I didn’t realize was how much space those little stashes took up. Cabinets full of extra shampoo, lotions I never finished, and way too many half-used deodorants. It didn’t feel organized, it felt excessive. And while I told myself I was being frugal and prepared, I was really impulse buying under the guise of responsibility.

Eventually, I stopped. Now, I buy one of everything, maybe two if it’s a necessity I use daily. And guess what? I’ve never truly run out of anything. If I get low, I make a note. It’s that simple. And I no longer feel overwhelmed by clutter under the sink or annoyed when a product expires before I finish it. (Related Video: Use It Up Challenge: Thrifty Living Hack)

2. Seasoning Blends I Can Easily Make

I used to love the idea of specialty seasonings—garlic herb, chili lime, lemon pepper, Cajun blends. They all sounded delicious. But after a while, I realized something: I already had 95% of those ingredients in my pantry.

That buttery garlic herb blend? I could mix butter, garlic powder, paprika, and a little parsley. Chili lime? It was just chili powder and lime juice. So I was basically paying extra for convenience and cute packaging when I already had the core ingredients sitting right in front of me…which wasn’t frugal at all. 

So I stopped buying pre-mixed seasonings. Now I use the basics: garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper. I’ll mix them based on whatever flavor I’m craving. (Related: Basic Recipes for Making Homemade Spice Blends)

It’s more frugal, reduces waste, and actually helps me become a better cook because I understand the role of each spice.

3. Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets

Let me tell you about the panini press and the egg maker I thought I needed. They all had one thing in common: they were fun for about five minutes. After that, they just collected dust and made me feel guilty for not using them.

I bought them thinking they’d encourage creativity or make cooking more fun, but in reality, they created more clutter and didn’t do anything a pan couldn’t handle.

So I made a rule: no more gadgets that only do one thing.

Now I keep it simple and stick to multi-use basics. They’re not flashy, but they work and don’t demand too much space.

4. Books and Audiobooks (Hear Me Out…)

I love a good story. I love learning new things. But I had to be honest with myself: I was buying books and audiobooks faster than I was consuming them.

The unread digital stack and the physical shelf full of “one day” reads started to stress me out. It became a to-do list rather than a source of joy. (Related: 11 Free Things at the Library Besides Books)

So I paused.

Now I borrow from the library, and only buy if I know I’ll revisit it or mark it up. No more $14.99 audiobooks that I forget to finish. I also give myself full permission to not finish a book that isn’t grabbing me. That’s been life-changing.

5. Real Plants (For Now)

I wanted to be a plant person. I really did. I had the snake plant, and even a fiddle leaf fig. I followed all the advice. But life got busy, and they didn’t make it.

So I took a break in my quest of being more frugal and invested in a few really good fake plants—ones that actually look real—and honestly? I haven’t looked back.

The vibe is still there. My space feels warm, styled, and fresh, without the pressure of watering schedules and yellow leaves. I’m not against real plants forever, but I’m done buying them casually. Next time I commit, I’ll do my research, understand the care they need, and choose based on my lifestyle, not just aesthetics.

Bonus: New Games (Even Though I Have Plenty)

This one surprised me. I used to buy new games thinking they’d level up my hosting skills or add variety to hangouts. But eventually, I noticed that most guests wanted to play the same three games. Even if they’d played them before, we’d still have a blast.

So I stopped buying new ones unless we really wanted something different. And honestly? Game night got better. We got more competitive, laughed harder, and actually finished games instead of fumbling through instructions.

I realized I was buying more for novelty than for joy. And if we can have fun with what we already own, why complicate it?

What’s something you stopped buying to become more frugal?