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Frugal people open up about how they save money.
Saving money is never a bad thing. And for those looking for economical solutions for how to cut back on spending, a smart place to start is taking an inventory of your spending habits and what you buy.
In an online forum of frugal people, member TS1664 posed the question to fellow savvy financial members: "What’s something you stopped buying completely and don’t miss at all?"
They continued, "For me it’s paper towels. Switched to rags and microfiber cloths a year ago and haven’t looked back. I used to go through a roll a week without thinking, now I just toss the cloths in with regular laundry. Saves money and space."
And they ended the post with some more insight. "It made me realize how many things I was buying out of habit, not need. What things others have cut out completely that turned out to be no big deal or even better without. Could use some inspiration!"
The callout garnered some excellent real-life advice from frugal people. These are 30 things that thrifty people shared they stopped buying completely that helped save them money.
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"Dryer sheets." Super-Examination594
"Starbucks - bought an espresso machine, took some time to learn how to dial it in and pull a proper shot. It’s been 4+ Years and don’t miss it one bit." Fox_137
"Makeup! Used to wear it every day and buy tons of it to try new products and such. Now I only wear it for special occasions. It works great — even just a little bit of makeup really pops when you hardly ever wear any." VerschwendeMeineZeit
"Soda. Too expensive now. Pre-pandemic, sometimes Kroger would have a sale (4) 12-packs for $10." NotJimIrsay
"Cigarettes 😊." rickety_picket
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"Bottled water." WorriedPermission872
"Most fast food but especially McDonald's and bk. When I paid $20 for two adults' meals, it stopped making sense, and I'll cook better burgers and better sides fries at home for less." diegothengineer
"Cable tv subscription." nombreusuario
"Pizza delivery service. Frozen meals are just as unhealthy, but much cheaper." The_Keri2
"We started our pizza making journey by buying dough (under $2) at trader joe's. it really lowered the barrier to entry. once we kind of perfected the bake etc, we started playing with dough recipes until we found one we loved. it sounds painful but it was a good learning experience and fun to do together." suddenlymary
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"I stopped buying scented candles. I used to grab them all the time on impulse, but they’re expensive, don’t last that long, and honestly gave me headaches half the time. Now I just open a window or boil some citrus peels with cloves if I want the place to smell nice." HollisWhitten
"Cigarettes and nicotine pouches! Been smoke free since august 2021 and pouch free since July 2024 :)." HueLord3000
"Amazon Prime. We stopped paying for the privilege of shopping and making money for Bozo. Now, we just put stuff in the cart until there is enough for free shipping. I don’t miss Prime, I never found anything on Prime video I wanted to watch once that wasn’t a rental. We live in a rural village, so online is cheaper than driving 25 to 50 miles to a store." cwsjr2323
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"Lottery tickets." evissamnoisis
"Hair color. I’ve embraced the gray!" phishinfordory
"I’ll add sandwich bread. I started making my own. It costs just over $1 for me to make a small loaf that’s just enough for the 2 of us for a week. Plus no additives or preservatives." BeerWench13TheOrig
"Books. I go to the library." Significant-Emu1855
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"Broth. Have an ongoing 'broth bag' going in the freezer. Once I run out of frozen broth cubes, I make another round." Colorfulplaid123
"New clothes from shops! I'm now a charity shop and Vinted gal, my clothes are so much better quality and I spend less." CorinaPhoto
"Bidet toilet seat is cheap, easy to install, much easier and faster to use, and most importantly will keep you far cleaner while not wasting any toilet paper." hopopo
"Menstrual products. Bought a menstrual cup back in 2016 and have not looked back." simply-misc
"Chip clips. I buy cheap old wooden clothespins! Works great and if they break, no biggie. It’s $2 for 24. I also use clear shower caps for dishes I have no lids for or it’s something that can’t have a lid, like deviled eggs. I use the shower caps. Much cheaper than those bowl covers they sell 8-12 in a pack for $1.25. Those bowl covers are kind of pricey and you get 1 large and 2 mediums and a bunch of tiny ones!!" Florida1974
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"Alcohol." Fit_Artichoke_523
"Baked beans in the can, I literally keep everything on hand to make it so it was an excess purchase. Instant rice packs, I make regular rice, 20 minutes is not that long 😆 We keep getting gifted napkins but we don’t purchase them." Miss_Pouncealot
"Soap in a pump bottle. Switched to bars (Costco). So much value, less trash and plastic, and a better experience. Why did we invent pump bottle soap??" thebiglebowskiisfine
People reveal their financial strategies for no longer living paycheck to paycheck.
Living paycheck to paycheck is becoming the norm in the United States. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, more than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. It is a financial reality that has many looking for financial solutions and frugal living habits to get ahead.
On Reddit, member @_DontStayTheSame_ posed the question: "How in the hell do you escape living paycheck to paycheck?"
People who have figured out how to successfully avoid living paycheck to paycheck chimed in. These are 15 of the best financial tips and advice they offered.
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"Take everything I have done pre 35 and do the exact opposite. Only use your credit cards for things you will be able to pay off quickly. If you are buying a car and thinking "That is close but I can do it" for the payment, find a cheaper car. Do what you can to live below your means. If you are a smoker, quit." —User Unknown
"Living below your means is key." —@Orual309
"Better advice would be to find ways to improve your income but live below your means while you do so you can save up enough to improve your situation long term. Too many people raise their lifestyle with their income without ever taking the time to set themselves up for long term financial stability. That’s how you get people making six figures but somehow still living payday to payday. Obviously if you only make enough to survive until your next pay there’s nothing you can do financially to fix that, it has to be some other kind of change enabling you to make more money like going to school or just applying for better jobs." —@Sparcrypt
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"I might get some hate for this but... Live with your parents or only rent a room. Yes rent is expensive as hell and it sucks but sometimes you gotta suck it up and just get roommates. Easier to live with roommates than paycheck to paycheck in my opinion." —User Unknown
"Be willing to go back on lifestyle to fix your financial picture. Be willing to accept that you might not be entitled to the lifestyle you have. People think overspending means fancy cars, vacations, and expensive properties, but it doesn’t. It can mean buying a boring commuter car and a house. The baby steps are the first thing:
Once you’re there, you can use whatever is left over after those savings strategies and your expenses as a discretionary fund. A lot of folks spend discretionary before they have the baby steps accomplished, and it keeps them in debt and living pay check to paycheck, or waiting for that next big cash infusion from something like refinancing their house. The key is discipline. It’s tough, it really is. Seeing the 5 figure deposits to my bank account and knowing that it’s already spoken for can be tough because it’s tempting to want to spend it on a nice car (I’m a car enthusiast) or some other hobby thing, but I know I can’t do that." —User Unknown
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"We are literally about to pay off two cars. Both payments total about $900 a month all together. I didn’t want two car payments at one time, but we both needed a more reliable car at the time. That’s not horrible for two car payments, but it’s going to free up $900 a month for us…. Which is amazing considering my wife is now stay-at-home with a baby. We have started cooking at home, avoid eating out at all costs, only drink home-brew coffee, use grocery points for cheaper gas. I’ve started taking my trash and recyclables to the dump myself, we have cut Live-TV and every streaming and subscription platform we don’t use at least once a day. We don’t, nor have we ever, lived paycheck to paycheck. It’s just nice to save money. The only thing we are splurging on now is a cleaning lady once every two weeks for $140." —@MockASonOfaShepherd
"For the TV and streaming, I do one service a month and my cell phone comes with Netflix as a perk. Each month I subscribe to one service for only one month, and watch everything I want on that service. When that ends I let it expire and don't renew. I switch to another one for the month and watch everything there. I get a new collection each month to binge and it doesn't cost me any extra unnecessary money." —User Unknown
"Also, learn to use Excel. Being able to visually see where your money goes, all at once, can make your spending make a lot more sense." —@valvilis
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"Just buy more money, it's not rocket calculus." —@faceeatingleopard
"This. Also don’t order out much. 1 fast food meal everyday of the week (depending on where you go) could have you spending an extra $100 a week that could’ve been spent at the grocery store instead. Learning to cook is cheaper than fast food easily." —User Unknown
"Meet people, work hard, get lucky. Marry someone who is financially reliable and life is half as expensive. Switch jobs every 3 years because your raises probably won't keep up with the market. Be mindful of your finances. Avoid credit card debt if you can." —@cavemanfitz
"Look into a career whose skill sets will always be in high demand. I pursued my Airframe & Powerplant Certificate. Now I can save and invest. It even made my income-earning ability Covid-proof. Yes, I got laid off a week and a half after starting a new job at a major airline. But 6 weeks later (thanks to my A&P), I got an even better-paying job as a Maintenance Technician at a 3M plant. I bought my first house in 2020. In 2022, I reapplied at that major airline and got hired as a contractor. I took a temporary, and minor, pay cut. Then I got hired direct 6 months later. I’m making a very good living and I’m able to travel the world. For the folks that say 'not everyone can do that'… I started this journey in 2016, making $12/hr at McDonald’s, and renting a room. So I’ve walked in the same shoes as many of the folks that say it’s impossible. No, I don’t have any kids. But I did graduate A&P school with a guy in his early 40’s with 3 kids. From day 1 of enrolling in A&P school up to this very day… I had to keep a strict budget." —User Unknown
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"I made a budget and update it every 3 months to see what it costs to run our family. My goal is to 'pay myself' each paycheck, which is considered savings. The budget generates two numbers. One for expenses plus luxuries, i.e. eating out, alcohol, hobbies, gym etc the other is my expenses without the luxuries in case I ever had to leave my job etc. By putting aside an amount each pay I've aimed and achieved saving 6 months worth of expenses without luxuries. Since doing that, I've then started to make additional payments to my superannuation account/ retirement fund that I can't touch until I retire. Since making the budget it's been an eye opener on where our money goes and how much we can save by cutting out stuff that isn't really worth it. It has also allowed my not so financially minded wife understand our position and gets her buy-in when we set targets for emergency savings or goals for buying stuff for the house or amounts for holidays. It's not full proof and we still have times where most of the pay goes out to expenses that can't be avoided like bills and rates that might all come in at once but its definitely made us feel more in control and enthusiastic about saving." —@CallSignVip3r
"You can't "save" your way out of poverty. Budgeting won't solve the problem. Those are just platitudes told to placate the masses. They empirically do not work, but the freak exceptions make good 'feel good' stories. Networking or advancement are the only ways out. Networking works best, advancement takes too long, and is far more probability-reliant. Beg everyone you've ever known for job opportunities. Be shameless." —@EmbarrassedVolume
"Rich parents, good health." —@Legitimate_Field_157
Dad from Mexico has people in shambles after 20-year wait for green card
Americans often dismiss how difficult the process of immigration can be, often scoffing as if becoming a citizen is as slightly annoying as going to the DMV. You stand in a long line, bring your paperwork, and give the rude person behind the desk the appropriate amount of money to walk out with your shiny new American citizenship. But the process is actually extremely difficult, can take years of waiting and thousands of dollars. When the process is over, it's truly like a dream come true. Marisol Velez shares the moment her husband's dream was realized.
While Roberto Velez hasn't had the chance to hold an American passport of his very own (yet), he just got the next best thing. Velez entered the country as a teen in 2001 but was unable to receive DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) until 2013, which left him vulnerable for deportation though he was married to Marisol, an American citizen, in 2007. But on Father's Day 2025, his wife put together elaborate decorations to surprise Velez with his green card that came earlier that day. The celebration set off a visceral release of emotions, as can be seen in the video the family posted online.
Close-up of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card.Photo credit: Canva
Velez is seen in the video checking the mailbox. His wife films him from a distance before following him into the house where balloons and a gift awaited him. Both of the couple's children sang happy father's day to the tune of "Happy Birthday." Velez appeared confused but appreciative of the sweet gesture, and it was evident he expected the gift wrapped on the table would contain his green card. Velez tried to hide his disappointment when the only thing inside was a small travel bag, but the disappointment quickly faded into tears after he opened the bag and saw the official envelope inside.
His children were unsure of the significance of the envelope until Velez opened it. His son reads, "Welcome to the United States." Both parents are in tears at this point but the daughter, who appears to be around eight or nine, still doesn't understand. Once Velez explains, "It's my green card," the girl bursts into tears. Evidently, so did the viewers of the private family moment as someone commented, "I am now ugly crying. thank goodness for all of you!"
"Shows you how much it affects the kids what's going on right now. She doesn't have to worry anymore that her dad won't be taken away," one person writes.
"Congratulations on your new status. I’m happy for you and your family. Over here crying with you guys. Your baby girl… oh boy. Her cry was like a sign of relief. God bless you all." someone cries.
"Much respect. Being born here, I take it for granted what your husband and you fought for and earned. Welcome, my brother." another says.
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"I just put my makeup on! I need a warning before I watch these videos" someone else writes.
While DACA status kept him mostly safe from deportation, there is always the risk of the program being ended, revoking a protective status from hundreds of thousands of people. In recent months, DACA recipients have been getting caught up in immigration detainments under the Trump Administration, which puts Velez and other "Dreamers" at risk of deportation even with their protected status. This made Velez's decades long quest to gain legal status even more urgent.
DACA recipients also have very limited paths to citizenship, with the only real viable option being marriage to a U.S. citizen or becoming a green card holder. Though a slightly less viable option, some DACA recipients may be granted a green card if an employer provides them with a work visa. No matter which path is taken, though, "Advance Parole" is a requirement. Velez was granted advance parole in 2024, which allowed him to leave the country and return on a visa to qualify for an application for his green card.
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Several people were shocked by the reality of the long process it takes to become a legal, permanent resident of the U.S. with one person writing, "25 years to get a green card in the USA. For those who don’t know that is what takes getting a green card and been a resident in this country to many others it takes longer, very sad… congratulations on your new status!!"
Another comments, "It should not take that long to get a green card. It takes less than six months to get a US passport. That’s how long it should take to get a green card."
"This made me sob so happy for your family! I watched a video of a man who paid all the fees did everything right and they didn’t get his green card until 1 week after he passed away. Took 17 years ! Blessing to your family!" someone shares.
"I know exactly how it feels!!! I waited for my green card for 11 years and I became citizen after 24 years living in America with huge efforts and pushing the system towards my dream" one viewer writes.
