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budget

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People share cheap items that are not worth buying.

Bargain shopping is a smart way to save money, however, the appeal of buying cheap or heavily discounted items can end up backfiring. While you may spend less up front, cheap products are often poor quality.

To avoid wasting money, thrifty consumers shared the half-price products and cheap items they've purchased that have not been worth it. These are 32 cheap products that are not worth it.

half price, half price items, half price shopping, bargain shopping, cheap Add To Cart Buy One Get One GIF by VeMoBro Philippines Giphy

"Any bad cleaning product, honestly pointless just makes things dirtier and ruins them, especially clothing!" - KindOfKissed

"If you are a company that tries to save money by buying 0 ply toilet paper, just know that I'm using four times as much as I need just to spite you for trying to spend half as much." - MoreLikeZelDUH

"Paint. Buy the cheapest and it's just colored water and the walls won't look good even after 4 coats. End up buying better paint to finish the job. Buy 2 rubbish buckets and 1 medium one. Spend days. Buy the good stuff and one coat is enough. Use only part of 1 bucket in 1 afternoon. Save the rest for the next job." - Zombie-dodo

"Watered down dish detergent and hand soap from the dollar store." - Alexis_J_M

"Cheap paper towels. They’re so thin that you have to use several sheets just to get the job done." - -titikaka-

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Bin bags! I haven’t had a split bag since I started buying thicker more expensive bags a couple of years ago. Avoiding bin juice incidents = priceless." - tethermops

"As I'm painting the kitchen right now, I'd like to add masking tape. The cheap stuff I still had in the basement is total crap compared to the roll of professional masking tape the plasterer left me." - bluemercutio

"Boots if you work a blue collar job. If you cheap out on boots, you’ll spending more money either buying replacements or in medical bills. Spend the money upfront for a quality pair, and you’ll save more money on the long run." - RecipeAggravating176

"I’ll add socks to this…a pair of Darn Tough wool socks costs about $25. But, they will outlast 25 pairs of bulk whites, will keep your feet drier, and won’t ever bunch up or slide down." - rufuckingkidding

"Chargers. i used to buy the cheapest ones all the time, then realized a more expensive one lasts way longer." - mydoghaslonghair

thrifty, being thrifty, cheap shopping, shopping deals, cheap items Leah Remini Budget GIF by TV Land Giphy

"Costco tortilla chips. You use 3x as much because they are good, and the bag is really big." - zoqfotpik

"Shampoo and conditioner." - jorgentwo

"Cheap clothing, especially shoes, is a pretty classic example. I have some 20 year old pairs of shoes that still look great. Some have had repairs, but most just show minor wear that can't be cleaned away." - Samsquanch-Sr

"Kids' shoes, but it doesn't really matter. The soles are thin rubber and the insides are CARDBOARD. That sucks, but kids outgrow shoes so fast, it doesn't matter. So buying three pairs of cheap little kids shoes is better than one high quality shoe because that good shoe will last, but be too small in just a few months. Whereas you could have bought new lesser quality shoes in three different sizes and before they break, the kid needs the next size anyway." - ClownfishSoup

"I've found that if I spend $5-$10 on a single pen that's just a little nicer than the kind I used to buy in packs, I go years without losing it. When I used to buy packs of five for around the same price, I would lose them all the time, and had to buy new pens way more frequently." - MaskedBandit77

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Name brand deodorant at Dollar stores. It's 5% cheaper, but up to 15% less product in the same size container. 3oz compared to 3.4+oz." - weasil22

"Herbs and Spices. I used to buy whatever the least expensive one was, and more recently started buying organic herbs and spices in bulk from the organic market. Not only is it cheaper because you're not paying for the container, they're of higher quality and taste dramatically better." - 900mg_caffeine

"Non-Stick pans. Very few non-stick pans are actually built in a way that they will last more than 2 years. Most last less time than that. Buy a quality pan, die with a quality pan. Cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, copper are usually great options." - AnonymousMenace

"Cheap batteries. Might cost half as much, but works for 1/10th of the amount of time." - Grounds4TheSubstain

"Idk if it’s a 'good' example but the generic disposable tooth flossers at CVS are absolute garbage compared to the name brand. Usually the floss slips out after 4-5 teeth. Worst $2 I ever saved." - christyless

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"Toilet drain snake. Pay for a 'Toilet' version and don’t just use a regular snake. The toilet versions do not scratch up your toilet. Yes this was my last Wednesday night. Haha!" - Temporary-Age-1841

"Laptops." - GreyGriffin_h

"Fabric scissors. I splurged on ginghers with a 50% off coupon. No more jagged cuts and last a lifetime and beyond." - Radiant_Ad_6565

"Definitely agree with bandaids. Every time I've tried a store brand to save money, they just don't stick on as well as the real thing." - Tannhauser42

"The blister on my finger is telling me oven mitts. Just learned that lesson." - apexncgeek

Courtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

5 tips for saving your sanity for family's first Disney trip

Whether you're heading to Disney World or Disneyland, it can cost thousands of dollars. From park tickets to hotels, food and souvenirs, there isn't an easy way to get around spending several paychecks to take a family trip to Disney so most people try to pack in as much as possible for their days at the park. Of course, people like to get their money's worth so they find themselves pushing themselves to spend long hours in the sun with children that are increasingly becoming more whiney as the day progresses.

I've taken my kids to Disney World three times and Disneyland once and I'm here to tell you if you're planning your first family trip to Disney, it doesn't have to be that way. There are ways to avoid turning a fun family trip under the Florida or California sun into meltdown city. Preparation for a less stressful, less expensive trip to Mickey's house starts before you book your trip and with Disney's new "Cool Kid Summer," little ones can feel involved in planning.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Family all smiles receiving bag from Disney hotel staffPhoto by Bennett Stoops/WDW PR

Here are 5 things that will save your budget and your sanity on your first family trip to Disney:

1. Disney resorts are amazing but they're not a requirement

It's easy to get caught up in the idea of staying at one of the fantastic Disney resorts, they have so many cool decorations, pools and everyone is ridiculously kind. But unless the resort is your final destination, those couple of thousand dollars can be used elsewhere, like a mortgage payment.

Disney locations are surrounded by hotels that aren't owned by the park so you can stay the same length of time for a fraction of the price. Hotels nearby typically have free shuttles that will take you to the parks. They also offer free breakfast in most cases so there's no need to spend money on breakfast at the park or a Disney resort unless you want to. Disney resorts don't offer complimentary breakfast and the price tag can be a little high.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Mickey shaped cinnamon roll with white icingCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

2. Avoid kids becoming hangry

Most people get a little grumpy when their blood sugar drops from hunger, kids are no exception. But when you combine little kids, hungry bellies, excessive heat and a change in routine, parents are in for a meltdown of epic proportions. To avoid inevitable hangry behavior and an empty wallet, going grocery shopping for your hotel room can be a game changer.

Disney allows you to bring in outside food and drinks as long as nothing is in a glass container. This means you can pack plenty of snacks and lunch to bring with you in the park. Because it can be so hot, it may also be a good idea to bring some powdered electrolytes like Liquid IV or Gatorade to make sure everyone stays hydrated. Food and drinks at Disney can most certainly break the bank and when children are throwing a fit because they're hungry, parents are more likely to duck into the closest food establishment regardless of price. Packing your own food will help avoid spending unnecessary money.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Rae and Storm Troopers inside Star Wars Rise of the Resistance attractionCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

3. Disney is hot, be prepared and plan cooling breaks

Disney World is hot nearly year round and there's just no escaping that fact. The park sells battery operated fans attached to spray bottles so you can cool off faster. Those nifty little gadgets will run you around $30 a pop if you buy one while walking the park, believe me, you'll covet every passerby's fan after about 10 minutes of walking in the heat. They sell the same misting fans at Five Below for $4, Walmart for $10 and Home Depot for $12. When you're preparing for your trip buy the fans locally and toss them in everyone's bags to bring with them at the park.

Because the fans will not be enough as the day wears on, be sure to work in some cooling breaks. Taking the kids to see The Little Mermaid or Villains: Unfairly Ever After if they're little or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for school agers in Hollywood Studios for a little heat break. In Epcot has several indoor attractions, so does Magic Kingdom but if you're looking for a day with the least amount of excessive heat exposure, Animal Kingdom will be your friend. It's very well shaded with lots of trees that create a noticeable difference in temperature compared to the other parks.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Disney villain Maleficent with glowing scepterPhoto by Steven A. Diaz/WDW PR

If your hotel isn't far away, don't be afraid to head back to the hotel room for a siesta before tackling more of the park. Your resilience levels will thank you. Creating magic for little ones is hard and it's totally fine if parents are the ones needing a break.

4. Renting a Disney stroller may make you weep with gratitude

There's something about the rented double strollers at Disney that makes the world feel right. They're easy to push and large enough to fit kids that outgrew a traditional stroller years prior. This is one of the few areas where I never mind spending money while at Disney though surprisingly, stroller rental is cheaper than buying one of those misting fans. The double stroller is for kids 100 lbs or less so let your bigger kids rest, promise no one will bat an eye at an 10-year-old in a stroller at Disney. It's hot and you can easily walk over seven miles in just a few hours at the park.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Strollers at Animal KingdomPhoto by Adam Fagen/Flickr

The strollers also come in handy for tossing in your bags, sweatshirts, ponchos or anything else you're tired of holding. There are handy stroller parking lots all over the park outside of rides and attractions. So if you're going to be walking around with kiddos 10 and under, you'll never regret renting a stroller.

5. Get the Lightening Lane Passes for rides you don't want to miss

Lightening Lane Passes do cost money but this is an area you'll want to set money aside to use for rides you or your kids have your hearts set on. Lines for rides like Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest tend to have wait times that exceed 90 minutes so if you don't think your Disney trip will be complete without a ride, get the Lightening Lane Pass.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Sebastian from The Little Mermaid with a mother and childCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

The way Lightening Lane works is you purchase the pass through the Disney park app and it tells you what time frame you can use it. This frees up your time to ride something else, get food or watch a show until it's time for you to ride. Once you get back to the ride you just tap your phone or Magicband on the silver ball with Mickey's head on it and when it lights up green you bypass everyone else standing in line. It can make you feel like a celebrity without the paparazzi.

Disney is a once in a lifetime trip for some families and every one that goes deserves to be able to enjoy their trip. You don't have to spend a ton of money at the parks if you don't want to or don't have it. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your trip to Disney without eating ramen for a month after you get back and by planning ahead you can cut down on little ones having big emotions. Using the Cool Kid Summer maps that have easily identifiable cartoon pictures of attractions and a fun scavenger hunts on the back can help littles feel more in control of their fun, too.

Disneyland; Disney World; Disney budget; tips for Disney; family vacation; cool kid summer Adventure guides for family fun at Disney's parks!Photo by Bennett Stoops/WDW PR

If you're heading out to Disney this summer just remember, cooling breaks, hydration and snacks will make the trip much more pleasant for every member of your family.

Image via Canva

People share affordable products under $300 they use daily that have significantly improved their lives.

Frugal shoppers are always on the lookout for good deals to save money. And buying items on a budget that actually prove to be good quality and truly useful is a rare combination.

In a Reddit forum, member @MedfordQuestions posed the question: "What’s something you bought (under $300) that noticeably improved your quality of life and you actually use every day?"

Smart shoppers happily shared the best buys they've made that have had the biggest impact and improvement on their day to day lives. These are 30 of the best products under $300 people use daily that have significantly improved their lives.

shopping, bargain, buying, buy it, shop Ill Take It Brandon Scott Jones GIF by CBS Giphy

"Tons of answers, but today I'm saying curved shower rod. Cost maybe $15 but it pretty much added two full feet of space at shoulder-height and my shower doesn't feel claustrophobic anymore." —@far_tie923

"75 yr old retired lady with my car parked away from my condo front door. A wagon for groceries! OMG! Thankful for it every time I use it. Also, it came in really handy taking my toddler great-niece for her first Trick or Treat!" —@pook1029

"Surprisingly, an electric toothbrush. I kinda thought they were a waste of money until I got one for Christmas about 8 years ago They actually do an incredibly good job." —@STLGentleman111

electric toothbrush, electric toothbrushes, electric toothbrush gif, dental, dentist Camera Teeth GIF by Big Brother 2022 Giphy

"A vacuum robot - especially if you have pets. An air purifier - stopped sneezing every morning as soon as I woke up. Automatic cat feeder - now I just refill (and provide wet food) and its easier to control portions." —@catfvb

"A good ergonomic desk chair. Didn’t realize how much my back was suffering until I upgraded total game changer." —@Nintengodboi

"Noise-canceling headphones. They give me peace of mind whenever I need a break from everything." —@UsefulIdiot85

noise cancelling, noise cancelling headphones, headphones, cancel noise, no noise Season 6 Headphones GIF by Parks and Recreation Giphy

"Leatherman multi-tool. It has saved me in so many situations and is essential when I'm at work." —@Quicky-mart

"Blackout curtains for my room. Absolutely improves my sleep quality, especially during the times of the year when the sun rises earlier." —@lilmemer3132

"I started taking vitamin d3 5000iu daily (with magnesium and vitamin k2 for absorption) because i read it'll help my psoriasis. Didn't help my psoriasis, but my lower back pain was gone. Like poof, disappeared. This might not work for everybody, but it worked for me. All for some cheap vitamins." —@uncultured_swine2099

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"Throw out all your socks and buy a bunch of identical ones. Never have to worry about matching again." —@DismissDaniel

"A really good pillow!" —@Sunlover67

"For me it was my walking pad for under my desk when I WFH! I am obsessed with it. Before I would sit all day and then feel rushed to immediately get outside and moving after work. Now I walk while I work and have so much more time to do stuff with friends and family after work because I'm multi tasking. I'm also the leanest I've ever been!" —@FairCandyBear

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"A fitbit. Since I bought my first fitbit ~7 years ago, I move more overall, am much more active, and feel better. Proof? I'm currently on a 1673-day streak of >10K steps/day, my base heartrate is 53, and I'm 70 years old." —@DrGail106

"I have 3 laundry baskets in my trunk for shopping and groceries. It’s much easier to carry in a real full basket than lots of bags. I also find it helps in keeping my car organized and I get to organize the baskets when I put the groceries in the cars." —@morningchampagne

"I recently bought a charger with two USB-C ports and one USB port. I love the flexibility of charging my phone, watch, and something else with one box!" —@TrumpetsGalore4

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"Pillows between your legs. I use a king at 6’0 and adjust based on if my knees like it more if the whole body. The amount of stress it takes off your hips and back is ridiculous. Also a cuddle pillow, which is what I call a super soft pillow I wrap my arms around. Great for your shoulder, and also, obviously, great to cuddle." —@BooksandBiceps

"Kindle. I got mine maybe a month before covid hit and it really helped to keep me entertained during lockdown. I've read over 100 books per year since getting it." —@steff-you

"Coffee mug warmer. Daily at work. It’s the little things." —@ChrisShapedObject

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"Bidet is THE answer in the summer especially." —@Resident_Letter_214

"Bought a weighted blanket and my sleep improved 100%." —@Single-Zombie-2019

"Adopted my dog for £165 from the shelter. Pure joy every single day." —@Urban_Peacock

screw driver, electric screw driver, electric screw drivers, screw driver gif, screws Shoot Shooting GIF by Stavario Giphy

"Electric screw driver for $15 is my favorite product of the year - built a whole kitchen of Ikea cabinets." —@GUmbagrad

"Zojirushi rice cooker." —@Neerolyte87

"Said it elsewhere, an extra freezer. So good to have the extra space!" —@Nastyoldmrpike

"A Tilley hat. I've had mine for about 10 years. It's been through oceans, pools, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, washing machines...and it still looks brand new. Still has a lifetime warranty. Still has a warranty protecting it against being lost. AND it fits my large, misshapen head. Best $100 I ever spent." —@crunch816

dental floss, dental floss gif, flossing, floss teeth, flossing teeth Maggie Gyllenhaal Teeth GIF Giphy

"Dental floss. Learned my lesson after one root canal. My mouth is so much healthier. I can’t go to bed without flossing or my teeth feel disgusting." —@grptrt

"Prescription eyewear from online seller (ie Zenni). My optomitrist quoted me $ 600 + tax (CAN $)for the lenses alone - not including new frames ($ 375 + tax for the ones I liked). Instead I bought a style of frame I had been wearing for years, and including my complex and somewhat high progressive prescription it was about $ 150.00 USD including shipping. I wear them everyday, have had many complements and best of all I CAN SEE. This was a life changer." —@Kindly-Can2534

"A milk frother. I use it to froth my half and half every morning, the husband uses it to mix pre workout, I use it to mix flavor packets into carbonated water and I use it to mix chocolate collagen in milk for chocolate milk. I’ll never live without one and they cost $10." —@Toby-the-foodbambino

Image via Canva

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.

save money, saving money, money habits, money advice, saving Make It Rain Money GIF by A Little Late With Lilly Singh Giphy

"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

bottled water, bottled waters, water, plastic water bottle, water martial arts water GIF Giphy

"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

candles, candle, scented candle, buying candles, glass candle christmas sniffs GIF by Target Giphy

"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

library, library card, library book, books, reading Dog Glasses GIF by County of Los Angeles Giphy

"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