6 days Ago
Money is tight for many right now, so finding ways to save is all the more critical. Fortunately, there are endless budgeting tips and hacks to source online. Unfortunately, they don't seem to all work, or they present new challenges.
Redditor @Marblu_28 recently asked, "What's the one 'frugal' habit you gave up because it wasn't worth the hassle?" Here are 19 responses that stood out: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. 2. "I no longer wait for off-peak hours to do laundry or run the dishwasher.
My chores were stacking up at the end of each evening. It was negatively affecting my sleep, so I had to stop. If I can get a load in after hours? Great.
But I'm not living and dying by it." — Efficient-Quarter-18 4. "I quit buying any condiments in large bottles several years ago.
With only two of us, that bottle takes up so much room in the refrigerator, and it takes so long to use up. I'd rather have a smaller ketchup bottle and be able to fit two other things in my refrigerator door. Refrigerator real estate is worth more to me.
" — Royals-2015 "We're on the other end of that. It's just the two of us, and our huge fridge is so empty now. We're buying the big bottles of things that won't spoil because they're cheaper ounce for ounce and waste less plastic and packaging.
We have plenty of room for all of it." — legbamel 6. "I opted out of time-of-use rates for my electricity because I was not willing to do this.
We also work from home." — Royals-2015 "Same here. Paying the standard rate instead.
I also work from home, and it's not feasible for me to wait until 9 p.m. to run the dishwasher or do laundry.
The nominal savings isn't enough to warrant it." — MarandTierra "The one nice feature of a smart washer is that it does have a timed start. I like it because it saves a couple of bucks.
But even better, it runs after I'm asleep, so I don't have to hear it while I'm eating dinner or whatever. Our washer is in our kitchen, so close by." — Weed_O_Whirler 8.
"I run the AC when it is too hot for me and heat when it is too cold. I used to try to wait for certain temps. Nah, I just want to have a comfortable home.
" — Mahaloth "This right here. I cannot be hot. Can't sleep in the heat.
My AC will be on this summer, and I will see what happens." — hoperaines "Absolutely. Went from a home where we suffered the temps because we just couldn't afford it to a place where I can be cozy year-round.
Words can't describe how nice it is." — Geaniebeanie 10. "Unplugging appliances.
It would drive my husband wild, and it's not worth it to me." — sjsmiles "The electricity savings from this is so minuscule. You might save $1 a year if you're diligent.
" — DaCrazyJamez 12. "Getting mad at other people in the house for leaving lights and fans on." — amber90 "Especially with LED bulbs becoming common.
" — agitated--crow "I need you to come teach my husband this. We moved everything to LEDs years ago, and he's still obsessed with reminding the kids (and me) to turn off the lights constantly. So then he spends god only knows how much to put everything either on occupancy sensors or smart home equipment with routines to turn off at certain times.
I'm 100% confident he spent WAY more on implementing his energy-saving plan than he could ever actually save...
" — InternationalRule138 14. "I don't reuse containers that don't survive the dishwasher." — lisasbrandy "This is me with both dishes and clothes.
If it can't go in the machines, I don't want it." — ArrivesWithaBeverage 16. "Laundering my husband's work shirts.
When I was pregnant with our last baby, I put on a two-hour movie and still wasn't done ironing his 10 button-down shirts. The collars and creases on the sleeves and cuffs take forever. I called the three nearest cleaners, and shirts at the time when laundered and pressed were $1.
50!!! Maybe this was more affordable than the energy it took to run the washer, dryer, iron, cost of detergent...
I don't know. But my husband made more than that an hour, so that's how we justified it." — kajocael 18.
"Shopping for my own groceries. I'll gladly pay a delivery fee and tip for someone to bring what I want to me, and I get to avoid the hell of grocery stores." — booksandkittens615 "I actually find I save money doing this.
No impulse buys." — napandasnack Do you have any frugal hacks of your own that you stopped doing? If so, why did you stop? Let us know in the comments below!.
